Playing your Smith in a more vertical position

[Ben Rose]

Originally Posted by Anton Hasias

Hi Ben,
Just for my understanding; I suppose you are not playing the upright like an electric bass guitar, so why playing the electric bass in the way upright plays (vertical)?
I would play both but each in its way.
Best regards

It's not about trying to play like an upright at all; it is entirely about ergonomics. Keep in mind, we're not talking about vertical (12:00), just more vertical than usual (1:00-2:00). Nothing radical. This position allows my shoulders to remain level and arms and wrists relaxed. Every playing position has compromises, this position just has the fewest compromises for me, or at least the ones I am willing to make.

I would play it in a more horizontal position if any of the following were true:
- most of the time I played with a pick
- most of the time I plucked with my thumb or slapped
- most of the time I plucked near the neck
- the scale length was a few inches shorter
- I was taller and/or had a longer left arm and a shorter right arm