Developing Safe Right Hand Technique for Bass Guitar

A lesson on developing on safe and comfortable right hand technique for bass guitar. This is a follow up to my video looking at left hand technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA

My own problems with RS injury lead me to develop my concept of "neutral position," which I teach to my student in hopes that they don't have the same problems I did. Here are the basic ideas of the neutral position as it relates to the right hand that I covered in the video.

1. The shoulder holds up the arm

2. The elbow is above the bass (don't drop it behind the bass)

3. The forearm can rest against the bass for shoulder support.

4. The fingers of the right hand are curved and relaxed

5. The wrist is straight and relaxed.

6. The thumb is to the left of the first finger, and should only pivot side to side, not in front of the bass (this causes a bent, tense wrist)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bass
• technique
• lesson
• right
• hand

[meatyout]

Hi Adam, Thanks for this lesson and congrats for your work and talent. I'm suffering from a light RSI in the right wrist (plucking hand...) so I'm trying to take in your technique... My experience so far is: + I feel more relaxed + My wrist doesn't hurt - it slows me down a lot - I have problems playing octaves, especially when the lower string is involved. Would you suggest using the thumb? - More generally, I have problems plucking the lower string with regularity Any advice? Thx!

[havic5]

@meatyout Octaves/string skips are awkward at first, but like all things technique-wise, they can be made less awkward through practice. It won't happen overnight. I have made use of the thumb sometimes, however. Speed/precision also come from diligent practice.

I might suggest also working on "open palm" technique like guitarists use. This involves angling the arm/elbow to more of a 30/45 degree angle with the strings. This can be very effective as well for incorporating the thumb.

[intioyarzun]

I really enjoy your videos. I  partially dont agree with this one, nor when you say that certain chord types sound better or worse than others, but normally you teach very well and are a great help. Keep it up Havic!

[havic5]

@intioyarzun I'm curious what specifically you don't agree with in this video. The elbow above the bass?

[intioyarzun]

@havic5 Ive played with both techniques but I stay with fixed anchor because of the feel & sound. Ive never had any kind of health problem with it. Next is the fact that almost every floating thumb player tends to rest the forearm on the body sooner or later. I might also add the lack of stability in the touch and feel in the right hand. I believe more in flamenco guitarists than guys like TJ. I guess. But hey, if its comfortable to you then its your thing! Cheers.

[havic5]

@intioyarzun I would suggest watching this video again, because I never say "use floating thumb!" nor "don't rest the forearm!" I specifically recommend resting the forearm, and I never advocate any method over any other.

Also, "I never had any health problems," as a philosophy for technique isn't helpful. There are too many people I've known who have contracted RSI's after a career of telling themselves that for me to believe that anything besides straight and relaxed wrists is how to play.

[TallManUTube]

someone's been paying attention to Willis! Great videos man!

[KarlheinzSchelker]

This advice is excellent. For much of my bass playing life I thought that my technique (which is identical to what you advise) was incorrect. I have never really been able to plant my thumb in one place (or on the pickup/lower strings) for very long, because unlike a lot of players I see my thumb doesn't bend to a 90 degree angle!

[onzki]

man your bass is sexy, what's that model?

[millerpils]

Great video mate and added to favourites. I'm beginning to get pain in the joint between thumb and index finger due to poor technique. Being a guitar -> bass convert, when I first picked up the bass, I simply adopted the technique that I 'thought' was the accepted way of doing things. That was the thumb on pup method, and I therefore stretch as you illustrated. This has caused the pain so I'll need to start work on your technique, plus the floating/movable thumb...

[Demoras]

Interesting technique :) I'll look into it. I don't have any problems with my wrist, but I just don't like the wrist angle I'm playing with. Is it normal for this technique to be really tiring for my arm?

[cervpaul]

Good comments. I have just started to play bass for lack of one in our band :o)

It would be nice to address the other two techniques simply because they offer the ability to mute out other strings. A second concern is tonal quality; difference between playing neer the bridge or neck. Thanks.

[rage1331]

My right hand technique seems pretty solid, but your left hand video made me see why I have been in pain this weekend. I have been playing bass for 7 years now, with some pretty shit techniques on my left hand. Would you happen to have any advice for hand positions during two handed tapping? My hand seem to want to do completely different things when I do this technique (such as my thumb really wants to be pinched with my middle finger, while I found adjusting my thumb while plucking far easier)

[Sojourneer]

Moving from acoustic guitar with that big body to drape your arm over to electric bass, I'm really needing to figure out how to get my wrist straight. Maybe I should get a wrist brace...

[BassPlayerRene9]

great vid! man..

Check out my Bass Scales ! :D

[Maestrp37388]

Excellent, precisely what I was looking for.