Technique Tuesday is a collaboration by Lauren Pierce and Double Bass HQ that explores techniques from Lauren’s best-selling books, Scales, Scales, Scales, Please Play in Tune, and Basstudes.
Today, I want to discuss one of the most common issues that plagues bassists: left-hand tension.
Understanding the Root Cause of Tension
Oftentimes, tension is caused by squeezing the neck between the thumb and the fingers. This creates a vice-like grip that not only restricts your movement but can also lead to pain and fatigue.
If you’re feeling like your left hand is tense, or you’re experiencing:
- Pain or strain in the forearm
- Stiffness in the fingers
- Reduced agility in your playing
- General discomfort during practice
Then this technique is for you!
Remove the Thumb
Here’s a little trick to help when tension inevitably creeps into your playing:
•Try playing while taking the thumb off the back of the neck.
Why This Works
Removing the thumb allows us to press the string down by pulling, using the weight of our left arm to pull the string down rather than squeezing. This fundamental shift in approach can completely change how your left hand feels and functions.
Step 1: Remove the Thumb
Take your thumb completely off the back of the neck. This might feel unstable at first, but that’s exactly the point.
Step 2: Focus on Form and Relaxation
When you do this, you want to make sure you’re:
- Relaxing – No unnecessary gripping
- Maintaining proper finger form – Keep your fingers curved and positioned correctly
- Using arm weight – Let the weight of your arm do the work
Step 3: Feel the Difference
Focus on what it feels like to play without squeezing and instead pulling the string down with your arm weight.
Practice Applications
Simple Exercises
You can start with something straightforward like:
- Open strings with simple finger patterns
- Basic scales in first position
- Single-note exercises focusing on the pulling motion
Apply to Problem Areas
You can also take a short passage from your music where you feel a lot of tension and:
- Remove the thumb
- Play the passage on a loop
- Focus on the pulling sensation rather than squeezing
Integrating the Technique
Step 4: Return the Thumb
Once you get the hang of playing without the thumb, put the thumb back on the neck and try to emulate that same feeling.
The goal is to maintain that relaxed, pulling sensation even when your thumb is back in position.
Key Points to Remember
- The thumb should provide support, not pressure
- Continue to use your arm weight to press the strings
- Maintain the relaxed feeling you discovered during the thumbless practice
Long-Term Benefits
Regular practice of this technique will help you:
- Develop better awareness of unnecessary tension
- Learn to use your arm weight more effectively
- Reduce fatigue during long practice sessions
- Improve your overall left-hand technique
- Prevent tension-related injuries
Making It a Habit
Try incorporating this exercise into your regular practice routine:
- Start each practice session with a few minutes of thumbless playing
- Use it as a tension check throughout your practice
- Apply it to any passage that feels particularly tense
Left-hand tension doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture in your playing. This simple thumb-removal technique can help you discover a more relaxed, efficient way to use your left hand.
I hope this helps reduce that tension and improve your playing comfort! Give it a try and let me know how it works for you. I’ll see you next time for another Technique Tuesday.
For more of Lauren’s insights, visit her Technique Tuesday series and sign up for the Double Bass HQ newsletter to have the series delivered to your inbox each week.
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