Why your fingers collapse in thumb position... and should you fix it?

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[@abrahamlapondu6662]

RELATEDABLE! but mostly happens on my 4th fingers

[@alfieharries]

For me it just depends on the context and on the hand. I thought i had to be curved all the time for years and it really hurt my playing. People with huge pads that extend far past the nail can get away with staying curved in most situations. But even so there are times for me when collapsing is the best thing to do. Like going from A on the g string to f# on the d string (1st to 3rd finger), i'll nearly always collapse the index then. But if im playing slower stuff i'll be more likely to keep the curve for better vibrato. I think it's a great idea to not think of either as a hard and fast rule but to experiment with which work better for you in certain situations. The cello suites at pitch are great for working out things like that

[@doublebasshq]

For sure!

[@1MysteryZ1967]

Thanks, Jason! 🎉bass!

[@doublebasshq]

You bet!

[@MusicEducationwiththeMan]

Wow, thank you!

[@doublebasshq]

You bet!

[@zayy4512]

Loved the video!

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks!

[@zayy4512]

I am a middle school bass player, in their Varsity Orchestra (don’t underestimate us we are pretty good); and your channel helps me so much! I found you through fate (I randomly found your channel), and ever since I have watched your videos for a lot of tips and tricks! It works really good, and I’m already playing stuff out of the George Vance Vol. 3 solo book! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be doing thumb position, and all that stuff. Thank you sincerely for not only helping me, but for helping the entire contrabass community evolve. Lots of love to you! Started playing many years ago, my dad got me to start, and I loved it ever since!

[@blitzal7174]

I don't play double bass but my fingers don't even bend like that so...

[@PaulKaraRoss]

Hey Jason, working on “Morning Stretch” and my thumb is going numb on the string side😬any advice? Just get tougher?

[@doublebasshq]

That can happen to me also when I’m doing a lot of thumb position (Morning Stretch has a lot of it!). You can try changing where you’re landing on the thumb-maybe closer to the knuckle? It’ll most likely get better as you build up endurance.

[@PaulKaraRoss]

@@doublebasshq thanks for the quick response! Have you considered doing a lesson in Baroque bass? Maybe going through Lucas Drew’s book.