Hello,

I'm not sure exactly where to post this question so I hope I am in the right place. I have been playing BG for years and I recently bought my first URB. At first I had enough right hand stamina to play an hour set without problems if the music wasn't too demanding. I noticed that as I got more comfortable and began to dig in I would catch the strings and pull them way across the board. I recently upgraded to helicore pizz strings. Although I love the substantial improvement in tone, and the speed of the string, I now have no stamina in my right hand. With the simplest of swing grooves my right forearm becomes weak within two minutes and I loose the strength to control the fingers. Are there exercizes I can do to improve this? I am playing by grounding my right thumb at the end of the board and pulling first two fingers sideways across the strings (one at a time), wrist fairly straight. Plucking with the side of the fingers below the first knuckle. Is this a poor technique which may be causing me problems?

Thank you for your guidance.

Murph

Hello,

I'm not sure exactly where to post this question so I hope I am in the right place. I have been playing BG for years and I recently bought my first URB. At first I had enough right hand stamina to play an hour set without problems if the music wasn't too demanding. I noticed that as I got more comfortable and began to dig in I would catch the strings and pull them way across the board. I recently upgraded to helicore pizz strings. Although I love the substantial improvement in tone, and the speed of the string, I now have no stamina in my right hand. With the simplest of swing grooves my right forearm becomes weak within two minutes and I loose the strength to control the fingers. Are there exercizes I can do to improve this? I am playing by grounding my right thumb at the end of the board and pulling first two fingers sideways across the strings (one at a time), wrist fairly straight. Plucking with the side of the fingers below the first knuckle. Is this a poor technique which may be causing me problems?

Thank you for your guidance.

Murph

Hey Murph,
Not sure if I can help. Sounds like your technique is the "correct" form. Just be sure that you are not using more muscle than you must. Relaxed forms, supported, to me are the most efficient, but only if you use just the amount of muscle to accomplish the task... not more. MANY people play with too much energy expended. Using arm weight as much as possible is relaxing. Try not to "tense" up muscles that are not actually supporting for or moving fingers. Careful of squeezing too hard/much. Helicore strings, especially the A and E, are pretty thick and resistive. For pizz only, you might try Weichs of Spirocore. They tend to be thick too. Obligatos John Clayton used to like a lot, but they have begun to "spin" when pulled hard... very uncomfortable feeling. I use Corelli by Savarez for pizz on the bottom two strings. They are thin but there are high tension models which might suit you. Check with our TalkBass Ask A Pro in the jazz area, Lynn Seaton, what his recommend is.
Best to ya!
Patrick

Lynn mentioned recently that he uses Corellis too.

Super, thanks for the help. I'm glad to hear that I am not doing something to damage my wrist or forearm (other than maybe getting too excited for my skill level at this point). I will try laying back on the attack until I have better control over staying relaxed while I get into it. If I have the idea right I should have more of a bounce across the string rather than a dig into it. Is that correct?

Is there anything I should be doing to build stamina other than regular hours on the upright?

Thanks again!

Murph

Super, thanks for the help. I'm glad to hear that I am not doing something to damage my wrist or forearm (other than maybe getting too excited for my skill level at this point). I will try laying back on the attack until I have better control over staying relaxed while I get into it. If I have the idea right I should have more of a bounce across the string rather than a dig into it. Is that correct?

Is there anything I should be doing to build stamina other than regular hours on the upright?

Thanks again!

Murph

Not sure exactly what you mean, Murph, by "bounce." Use as close to relaxed form, or what I call "forms-at-rest" positions for the most efficient shapes (generally). Yes, I suppose if you "dig" in the string you are using too much muscle. Pull it, let it go... that's a pizz. Tips, sides, two, one, thumb, chin..anything is legal, just do it with ease, grace, and "cool!"
Ciao!
P

Maybe this can help:
As for the strings, I've tested a large number of brands/models, and for pizz sound (I am a jazz player) I always go back to Spirocore Weichs. I've also enjoyed Velvet Animas, dark and rich gutty sound, low tension and long sustain, not good for the bow, though.

As for the forearm. I got an exercise from Ed Howard (he got it from Dave Holland) that I'll try to describe: Play with a metronome and settle in a tempo that is comfortable to play 8th notes at. Just playing the open strings, play a note with one finger (let's say index) and immediately mute it with your other finger (in this case middle). Play a note (very short one, that will be) every 4 beats, then relax completely, when comfortable play every 2, then every beat, 8ths, triplets, 16ths... when tensing go back to a slower pace and relax...
I found this exercise helps me a lot being precise and relaxed at the same time, and it definitely helps me build stamina for the right arm and getting a bigger sound.

Hope it helps

Alexis