Technique

[keny46]

Janek,

Hey I was wondering how to got your technique up to the point where you are currently. What sort of aspects did u focuss on and what sort of exercises you may have worked on as well. I have noticed both you and Matt Garrison have a very interesting way of articulating certain notes while playing these relatively simple melodies, but you both add very nice accents because of your left hand development. Was just curious how you got to this point.

Kenny

[janekbass]

Kenny,

as far as the technique thing goes, I used a book called the Hanon Virtuoso Pianist. Just addapted a bunch of piano excercises to the bass. I have always used a metronome and started out around 40bpm and wound it up to about 400bpm in a practice session. I covered a lot about shedding and practice in some of the other posts in this section so it might be worth checking some of that stuff out. If there are any specific questions about it hit me up again. But there's not really too much to explain. I try and go for ecconomy of movement, stay relaxed, breath consistently and try and be musical no matter what I'm playing.

Easy,

Janek

[lo_register]

hi janek,

i just saw you play at Berklee, you were great by the way.

how do you keep your left hand fingers from flying up when you play? Is it just starting slow and gradually building speed? did you practice anything specific in terms of left hand control???


thanks in advance,

Alex

[janekbass]

Alex,

thanks for coming out to the show. I had a lot of fun with Terri and Tim.

The left hand technique is the way it is from being concious of where my fingers are going whilst playing. I'm all about ecconomy of movement and am just very aware of not lifting my fingers off the fretboard hardly at all. start slow, and be aware. You'll find it becomes natural after a while.

Easy,

Janek

[youngheo]

Hello, Janek.

Love your music and your playing style...

Can you talk about your economy of movement?

You mentioned about not lifting left fingers.. what other

economy of movement do you suggest for accuracy and

speed?

Thank you!!!

-young

[janekbass]

young,

You just have to be concious of all movement while playing. And where you're chaneling your energy. having a deep focus on the music and on where your fingers are working will help you to slow everything down, concentrate on where you can improve your technique, and make you calmer and more relaxed when you play.

I find being intense with less energy exerted can be far more effective when you're playing. check out the drummer Brian Blade who plays with the Wayne SHorter quartet right now. He has the ability to hardly move when he's playing, and playing very softly. And yet he is one of the most intense musicians I have ever heard.

Also Wayne's ability to play one note and have it speak more than most people's entire gigs.

Easy,

Janek