Accidentally Bending Strings

[Ryan Mohr]

I have been playing for almost a year and after reading a couple technique tips on studybass.com, I noticed that I bend the strings a little by accident when fretting with my left hand. This occurs most when I am playing scales and using my pinky, for example I would bend the string when playing a D on the A string with my pinky in the c major scale. I think this could be because I might press down on the strings too hard, my hands are small, or something wrong with my left hand technique. Any suggestions? Is this a bad habit?

[Parabolic Box]

It does sound like you're pressing too hard. Or maybe not with the right part of the pinky?

[()smoke()]

first, the positive: it's great that you are using your ear to hear that you are fretting slightly sharp when using your pinky finger--many people fret sharp without realizing it

it is something that can be corrected with practice and proper technique...you might work on fretting with only enough pressure that the string contacts the fret--use less until you hear a rattle, then you know you've found the limit and you can fret with just enough pressure to ring the note clearly

good luck!

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by Parabolic Box

It does sound like you're pressing too hard. Or maybe not with the right part of the pinky?

Yea also I think I am pulling because it is hard to reach because I have small fingers, should I break the one finger pre fret rule?

[()smoke()]

before deciding against the finger-per-fret method, you might give yourself some time to slowly stretch out your reach--it'll improve the more you play...just don't push too far at once

...also, you might take a look at your wrist position and whether your thumb is placed well behind the neck for better reach when playing--these things work wonders for reaching

[MaxZolt]

If you find yourself stretching over several frets to stick to the one finger per fret rule, then go ahead and break it. I don't use it myself, even though I have fairly long fingers - I was trained on DB, so I reflexively use my 4th finger instead of the 3rd up until about the 9th fret.

It doesn't affect my playing, and if it makes it more comfortable for you it might improve yours.

[Parabolic Box]

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

Yea also I think I am pulling because it is hard to reach because I have small fingers, should I break the one finger pre fret rule?

All it takes is practice. I don't have very big hands, either, so I used to play four fingers to three frets, but just gotta learn how to streeeetch those fingers.

[theshadow2001]

Perhaps your wearing your bass too low causing you to contort a bit when fretting with the pinky. Also you would be suprised how little pressure it takes to fret a note and make it sound articulately

[Ryan Mohr]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I will ask my teaching tomorrow too.

[stabbicus]

You might try fretting with the tip of your pinky instead of the pad. I noticed that I bend the low B when fretting with my pinky because I was fretting with the pad of my finger.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by stabbicus

You might try fretting with the tip of your pinky instead of the pad. I noticed that I bend the low B when fretting with my pinky because I was fretting with the pad of my finger.

I could try that but my bass book said playing with fingertips is a bad habit and to always use pads.

[anomalybass]

you might try going up a guage in strings. that wont cure your problem, it will make it less dramatic. -joe p

[Liko]

Or you can play exactly like you are, one fret down. Worked for David Gilmour

[christoph h.]

using "one finger per fret" doesn't mean that the fingers have to stay on (or hover over) their respective frets/positions at all times.

[Ryan Mohr]

After watching myself play, I realize that i bend the strings a little bit each time I fret a note. Is this a consequence of fretting too hard?

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

After watching myself play, I realize that i bend the strings a little bit each time I fret a note. Is this a consequence of fretting too hard?

Yes it can be. But you really have to squeeze the heck out of your neck. Sit on a chair with your bass. Now fret a note without using your thumb on the fretting hand. This demonstrates how little force you actually need to sound out the note. Compare that to what how much force your using when you fret a note normally.

Concentrate on playing lighter. see if it makes a difference.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Yes it can be. But you really have to squeeze the heck out of your neck. Sit on a chair with your bass. Now fret a note without using your thumb on the fretting hand. This demonstrates how little force you actually need to sound out the note. Compare that to what how much force your using when you fret a note normally.

Concentrate on playing lighter. see if it makes a difference.

Yea I think this usually happens down the neck around the first five frets because my hands are pretty small, so I pull down because i cant reach comfortably.

[ReganSkatKat]

I used to bend the strings like that a lot myself, and found that I did it mostly because I was playing acoustic and couldn't hear. Maybe try turning it up a bit so that you can play with a lighter touch.

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

Yea I think this usually happens down the neck around the first five frets because my hands are pretty small, so I pull down because i cant reach comfortably.

Raise your bass and avoid the finger per fret rule below between frets one and five. For F to G on your E string use your first finger and your pinky respectively