Hi Mr Johnson

First off, let me say thanks for all the invaluable advice you have so freely shared in this forum. I am a bass player in South Africa, and (because there are no teachers around for me) I have come to really appreciate the way you have shared your knowledge with us. Being where I am, I have only really heard your playing on the net, but I think it's fantastic! I also play 6 string bass, and have developed a chordal approach myself in order to play in a duo with bass and voice doing everything from radio hits to jazz standards (in our own way).

My current issue is the following... I have incorporated the floating thumb technique into my playing and use it in all styles of music (jazz, funk, rock, pop, praise and worship). What I am struggling with is breaking through into a new level of picking speed in my right hand. It seems like no matter how many times I play a passge slow and perfect, and then push the tempo up gradually, I just can't seem to reach the speeds other players can (I'm thinking of guys like Jaco etc). I don't think there's a problem with my technique... I'm playing as soft as possible, not using too much motion etc. I'm sure this is explained in your Technique Builders DVD which I've heard so much about, but being over here, especially with the current exchange rate and shipping costs, I just can't afford it.

Could you kindly give me some suggestions in terms of how I could go about developing this? I refuse to accept that I've hit a personal ceiling.

Many thanks and God Bless!
Andrew Warneke

Hi Mr Johnson

First off, let me say thanks for all the invaluable advice you have so freely shared in this forum. I am a bass player in South Africa, and (because there are no teachers around for me) I have come to really appreciate the way you have shared your knowledge with us. Being where I am, I have only really heard your playing on the net, but I think it's fantastic! I also play 6 string bass, and have developed a chordal approach myself in order to play in a duo with bass and voice doing everything from radio hits to jazz standards (in our own way).

My current issue is the following... I have incorporated the floating thumb technique into my playing and use it in all styles of music (jazz, funk, rock, pop, praise and worship). What I am struggling with is breaking through into a new level of picking speed in my right hand. It seems like no matter how many times I play a passge slow and perfect, and then push the tempo up gradually, I just can't seem to reach the speeds other players can (I'm thinking of guys like Jaco etc). I don't think there's a problem with my technique... I'm playing as soft as possible, not using too much motion etc. I'm sure this is explained in your Technique Builders DVD which I've heard so much about, but being over here, especially with the current exchange rate and shipping costs, I just can't afford it.

Could you kindly give me some suggestions in terms of how I could go about developing this? I refuse to accept that I've hit a personal ceiling.

Many thanks and God Bless!
Andrew Warneke

Andrew,

Good for you!!! It sounds as if you're doing ALL the right things. My initial response is......BE PATIENT......!!!!!!!!!!!

It takes TIME to get things up to a world class level....that's a HUGE understatement.....in fact you may never get to that level of speed....BUT....what you're playing is CLEAN!!! That's the main thing.....

Unfortunately not everyone will play as fast as Jaco and Victor etc. Remember.....These are EXCEPTIONAL musicians.....You can get pretty close. BUT....it takes TIME, PATIENCE and COMMITMENT with a LIFETIME of CONSISTENT EFFORT to reach these kind of goals.

FWIW, I have these same frustrations concerning speed.....You're not alone...But recently I've broken through to another level and am starting to play and double up on things I couldn't do a year ago. It's exciting and liberating......again, it just takes time.....BTW, I've been working at this HARD for 30 years and still feel like I have a long way to go.

Sadly, I'm afraid this isn't the answer you want to hear. But I speak the truth in love.....If you're doing the things you're telling me then you'll be fine. Just stay with it.......play within yourself.....and PLEASE be careful about comparing yourself to anyone....especially Jaco and Victor....that's not healthy!!

I hope this helps.....

:)

Thanks for the encouraging answer! I thought that may be it. I think i just got frustrated recently when I heard someone playing a super-fast piece (one of Jaco's songs) the other day. Problem was, he played so hard it sounded like a mess (fret noise, strings hitting fingerboard etc). My mind just went "hey, maybe you have to play hard and messy to get faster". Thing is, my quest thus far has been to play as clean as possible, and its not failed me yet (I'd rather play an idea that people can hear clearly than one thats drowned out by unnecessary noise), so I think I just need to keep believing in the method, and my ability, and persevere.

I do try not to compare myself to the guys right at the top, but I do use them as a goal I'm running towards. Even if I never get there, I feel that going for it will benefit me more than aiming lower and satisfying a goal I know I can achieve. I hang onto Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". If that's true, my potential is limitless, and with adequate work from my side, I can go far.

Anyway, sorry for the little preach, but thats really where I'm at right now. I just really wanna play the music God put in me - to be free to play anything He wants me to. (I've read you say a similar thing, so I think you understand).

Thanks again for being so open and encouraging!
Hope to see you play for real one day!
Andrew