Yeah I've started using the neutral position and I've found it much more relaxing to play. It feels like pure hell at first because you're completely destroying every bit of technique you've learnt via practice the other way and your fingers just really want to go all insane but if you keep to it you'll see fleeting hope and be able to play with little to not issues in your wrist if you're playing right because your wrist and hand will feel relaxed. Its truly hard its like relearning from day 1 all over again but it comes to you 100x faster than first learning the old technique. So anyone who reads this keep at it and thanks for the vid bro.
Good insight. My bent/high tension thumb has been starting to ache recently. I never realized that I was essentially clamping the neck with my left hand only while my right arm floated, providing minimal counterbalance. Already notice a difference. Thanks!
Your videos on proper left hand technique are incredibly helpful! Thank You!! 💜🙏💜🙏 Its crazy that this essential information is not talked about. I asked a couple of bass tutors and bass musicians to check my technique and only one was able to identify my problem. So when I looked up "left hand bass injuries" only 2 videos that popped up on youtube.
I changed my thumb placement three months ago after watching this video and it has made my playing much better and more comfortable. I don't really think the right arm part is important, but it was cool that this video made me feel like I was "allowed" to move my thumb from where I thought it had to be. Thanks a lot.
Hey, I guess I am one of those who was doing it correctly but didnt quite understand how, couple months ago I severely injured my thumb playing bass after reading about how I was doing it "wrong" as a guitarist turned bassist, and had to learn to play without it if I wanted to play at all, most videos on physical technique have hurt me more than helped but this time I have a better understanding over what im doing the right way. I know its an old ass vid but thank you!
Thank you Adam.. this is a big deal, making the adjustment to moving my thump to outside of hand was immediate difference from now what I see was a complex of tension that lately was starting to feel like a jammed index finger due to pressure and misalignment.
Finally.... I get confirmation of what I found out myself 30 years ago when I made a comeback as a bassist after a 15-year break. I have tried the classic technique with the thumb on the neck just behind the index finger and middle finger. I have tried moving/turning the thumb further up and further down the neck. Anyway, I get sprains in my thumb and wrist. With this method, however, where the thumb is loose and free, I can work with the other fingers on the fingerboard without thinking about the thumb and angles - and the tensions stay away.
i learned most of my left hand technique on classical guitar and after playing bass for a few years the way you describe the way the thumb moves behind the rest of the hand is absolutely correct for me anyway. different physical quality to the instrument. could absolutely be different for other players, mind
Thank you very much for sharing this secret. I finally play bass with a better technique!!! I started playing bass 25 years ago (well, there is an 8-year no bass playing gap though). I finally be able to play the bass without my thumb sticking out !!!
Late for this vid but thank you for the pointer. I will have to try this. I've heard about the thumb not being used for pressure necessarily but they seem to leave out the right arm.
As always, wonderful Neely-like understanding. I do get your point on this, as i sort of combine both left hand and right hand as the counter balance, though be hours of playing I see that with my thumb I can always move across the neck faster and with more accuracy. Maybe that's just me. =]
I enjoyed watching your informative video and understand the concept of the counterbalancing force coming from the right arm. My question is, won't that just switch stress over to the right arm and cause carpal tunnel on its wrist? Surely you can't put too much pressure with your picking arm. Your feedback is appreciated.
I really respect and appreciate all our work and ideas, however having your your thumb behind the middle finger is the only way I am aware of to stretch your fingers ergonomically to their maximum capacity. Classical guitar pedagogy figured this out a billion years ago. As far as the wrist bending from having a classical guitar position, is easily fixed by angling your neck upward rather than horizontal, and using various methods to position the bass higher up your body. Just as classical guitarists do. Maybe I misinterpreted your point, but in my and most other people's opinion having your thumb pointed toward the headstock is actually more likely to cause hand strain as you can't spread your hand normally. Do I know this video is super old, do you still use this technique? Thanks for the great vids!
Adam, in you videos where you play standing, sometimes your right arm barely touches the body of the bass or does not touch it at all. What acts as a counterbalance force in this case?
So we can put our right arm against the bass but elvate the shoulder and keep the wrist straight. We don't have to have our left palm against the neck do we?
how do you stretch your fingers without an anchor/fulcrum....This nuetral position eliminated my thumb pain, but i can't play a simple major scale without shifting all over the place.
Do you have any advice for the left hand technique while standing? I have a small hand and playing for ex. 2-5, 2-6 fret in the E string my hand gets exactly in the wrong not natural position. Can't find a way to have my hand relaxed while playing such intervals and I'm wondering what can I do to solve that problem? Stretching my fingers to increase how much I can spread them? Any advice would be much appreciated :)
When my hand is completely relaxed my thumb aligns with my index finger. It moves to the left only when the hand is completely out-stretched as if catching a ball.
Then it's best to maintain that position, I believe. The main idea here is to have the hand in its most natural and relaxed position, which may be a bit different between individuals.
I'm gonna stop there at 7 seconds and say "I was never taught anything about left hand thumb placement cos I've never been taught any bass, everything i've learned is from trial and error and trying to play along to songs!".. you can Carry on now...
I hear ya but have to disagree..if you use your right arm..you are now using your shoulder..elbow etc to apply pressure..your entire body should be relaxed
Rare footage of the original pickups
i just noticed, and then i found this comment
Yeah I've started using the neutral position and I've found it much more relaxing to play. It feels like pure hell at first because you're completely destroying every bit of technique you've learnt via practice the other way and your fingers just really want to go all insane but if you keep to it you'll see fleeting hope and be able to play with little to not issues in your wrist if you're playing right because your wrist and hand will feel relaxed. Its truly hard its like relearning from day 1 all over again but it comes to you 100x faster than first learning the old technique. So anyone who reads this keep at it and thanks for the vid bro.
Your logical approach of how the system works to developing better technique is the most helpful video on learning bass that I've come across so far.
Good insight. My bent/high tension thumb has been starting to ache recently. I never realized that I was essentially clamping the neck with my left hand only while my right arm floated, providing minimal counterbalance. Already notice a difference. Thanks!
Your videos on proper left hand technique are incredibly helpful! Thank You!! 💜🙏💜🙏 Its crazy that this essential information is not talked about. I asked a couple of bass tutors and bass musicians to check my technique and only one was able to identify my problem. So when I looked up "left hand bass injuries" only 2 videos that popped up on youtube.
I changed my thumb placement three months ago after watching this video and it has made my playing much better and more comfortable. I don't really think the right arm part is important, but it was cool that this video made me feel like I was "allowed" to move my thumb from where I thought it had to be. Thanks a lot.
Hey, I guess I am one of those who was doing it correctly but didnt quite understand how, couple months ago I severely injured my thumb playing bass after reading about how I was doing it "wrong" as a guitarist turned bassist, and had to learn to play without it if I wanted to play at all, most videos on physical technique have hurt me more than helped but this time I have a better understanding over what im doing the right way. I know its an old ass vid but thank you!
Thank you Adam.. this is a big deal, making the adjustment to moving my thump to outside of hand was immediate difference from now what I see was a complex of tension that lately was starting to feel like a jammed index finger due to pressure and misalignment.
Finally.... I get confirmation of what I found out myself 30 years ago when I made a comeback as a bassist after a 15-year break. I have tried the classic technique with the thumb on the neck just behind the index finger and middle finger. I have tried moving/turning the thumb further up and further down the neck. Anyway, I get sprains in my thumb and wrist.
With this method, however, where the thumb is loose and free, I can work with the other fingers on the fingerboard without thinking about the thumb and angles - and the tensions stay away.
I see this clip is twelve years old. If i had seen it back then I would have got the confirmation earlier. Never mind , better late than never.
You should make a video to teach us "how to conterbalance with the right arm", with excercices and a pratical way to release the thumb pressure.
Thanks for this video. I had been struggling with left thumb placement and this was the solution I needed.
i learned most of my left hand technique on classical guitar and after playing bass for a few years the way you describe the way the thumb moves behind the rest of the hand is absolutely correct for me anyway. different physical quality to the instrument. could absolutely be different for other players, mind
Thank you very much for sharing this secret. I finally play bass with a better technique!!! I started playing bass 25 years ago (well, there is an 8-year no bass playing gap though). I finally be able to play the bass without my thumb sticking out !!!
Time to make new versions of these great videos.
Wow this is such a game-changer for me. I struggled with weak hands and grip and my left hand/wrist was so uncomfortable
Late for this vid but thank you for the pointer. I will have to try this. I've heard about the thumb not being used for pressure necessarily but they seem to leave out the right arm.
nice video dude, not bad, not bad! keep up the good work and one day you will be a famous youtuber with a lot of subs!
I know this video is old, but, listen to Adam! :)
I just realized I should subscribe to whoever promote the safety in the work environment and equipment.
And I subscribe to your channel.
OMFG
This is the information I've been searching for a last week since I started doing spider exercises with my small hands
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!
I have been playing almost 10 years and I still don't know what is correct. Oh well being lefty doesn't help I guess.
Sigh - my daily battle - getting the thumb thing right.
As always, wonderful Neely-like understanding.
I do get your point on this, as i sort of combine both left hand and right hand as the counter balance, though be hours of playing I see that with my thumb I can always move across the neck faster and with more accuracy. Maybe that's just me.
=]
I enjoyed watching your informative video and understand the concept of the counterbalancing force coming from the right arm. My question is, won't that just switch stress over to the right arm and cause carpal tunnel on its wrist? Surely you can't put too much pressure with your picking arm. Your feedback is appreciated.
Very useful, great explanation also!.
How is the info wrong?
I really respect and appreciate all our work and ideas, however having your your thumb behind the middle finger is the only way I am aware of to stretch your fingers ergonomically to their maximum capacity. Classical guitar pedagogy figured this out a billion years ago. As far as the wrist bending from having a classical guitar position, is easily fixed by angling your neck upward rather than horizontal, and using various methods to position the bass higher up your body. Just as classical guitarists do. Maybe I misinterpreted your point, but in my and most other people's opinion having your thumb pointed toward the headstock is actually more likely to cause hand strain as you can't spread your hand normally. Do I know this video is super old, do you still use this technique? Thanks for the great vids!
Very helpful. Thank you!
Thumbs way up!
Adam, in you videos where you play standing, sometimes your right arm barely touches the body of the bass or does not touch it at all. What acts as a counterbalance force in this case?
HIS THUMB
So we can put our right arm against the bass but elvate the shoulder and keep the wrist straight. We don't have to have our left palm against the neck do we?
how do you stretch your fingers without an anchor/fulcrum....This nuetral position eliminated my thumb pain, but i can't play a simple major scale without shifting all over the place.
T MB Did you manage to reachieve the previous level of stretching with a new technique?
Holy shit, This vid is 11 years old!
Do you have any advice for the left hand technique while standing? I have a small hand and playing for ex. 2-5, 2-6 fret in the E string my hand gets exactly in the wrong not natural position. Can't find a way to have my hand relaxed while playing such intervals and I'm wondering what can I do to solve that problem? Stretching my fingers to increase how much I can spread them? Any advice would be much appreciated :)
When my hand is completely relaxed my thumb aligns with my index finger. It moves to the left only when the hand is completely out-stretched as if catching a ball.
Then it's best to maintain that position, I believe. The main idea here is to have the hand in its most natural and relaxed position, which may be a bit different between individuals.
Is this helpful to guitarists too?
This si especially helpful for guitars
QYUI Not really. The best thumb position for guitar is either at the center of the neck or at the top.
@@derekg5674 oh cool, my friend said this is usefull because his fingers doesn't hurt
Do you also use this thumb placement when playing the guitar?
how to you provide that counter force when playing a steinberger bass ?
Good Info :)
Are you still giving lessons?
I'm gonna stop there at 7 seconds and say "I was never taught anything about left hand thumb placement cos I've never been taught any bass, everything i've learned is from trial and error and trying to play along to songs!".. you can Carry on now...
Can you use your thumb to occasionally pres the E string?
I hear ya but have to disagree..if you use your right arm..you are now using your shoulder..elbow etc to apply pressure..your entire body should be relaxed
Ohh so I can lift my thumb up sometimes
Dude was Bach in his past life
foetus adam