Playing Position

Lesson 8/41 | Study Time: 5 Min
Course: Beginner Bass
Playing Position

Playing Position

For a comfortable playing position, it is best to use a strap. A wide strap, approx. 2-3 inches (8-10cm) is best, so the weight of the bass is evenly distributed. Adjust the strap to a length that is comfortable. The full weight of the bass should be resting on the shoulder strap.
The bass should be angled slightly upwards (see photo), so that your left arm is free to move while you play.

Whether you prefer to sit or stand while you play, make sure that the position of your bass (strap length and angle) is the same so that your playing won’t be affected. Keep the bass close to your body so that it is easy to reach all parts of it when you play.

1. Standing Position

2. Sitting Position

Sit on a stool with a footrest to raise your right leg or just cross your right leg over your left leg.

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Gary Turner

Gary Turner

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Class Sessions

1- INTRODUCTION 2- The Eighth Note 3- The Dotted Quarter Note 4- Notes on the 3rd String (A String) 5- Sharp Signs 6- The C Major Scale 7- Notes on the 1st String (G String) 8- The Sixteenth Note 9- The Tie 10- Eighth Note Triplets 11- Creating Your Own Bass Line 12- Tuning Your Bass 13- Rests 14- The Hammer-On (H) 15- The Octave 16- Shuffle Rhythm 17- Arpeggio Playing 18- Turnaround Progressions 19- Tuning the Bass to Itself 20- Approach to Practice 21- Alternate Picking 22- Notes on the 4th String (E String) 23- Understanding the Score Symbols 24- 12 Bar Blues 25- More titles by LearnToPlayMusic.com 26- Bass Guitars 27- Syncopation 28- The Chromatic Scale 29- Notes on the 2nd String (D String) 30- Notes on the Bass Fretboard 31- Amplifiers 32- The G Major Scale 33- Strings 34- Tuning Your Instrument 35- Playing Position 36- The Right Hand 37- The Left Hand 38- How to Read Music 39- Music Notation 40- Fretboard Diagram 41- Using a Metronome

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