Do you get days where you just can't play??!!

[matt s.]

URGGH!!
I've been playing bass for 10 years...and I don't mind admitting that I've doen pretty well out of it so far

But does anyone else get days (or in my case, a couple of weeks at a time!), where they just can't seem to play properly??

I don't know what it is, but it sure is frustrating!

My right hand fingering technique seems to f*** off for a bit, leaving me paranoid that I've lost my talent!

So any good finger-strengthening exercises that you guys have would be greatly appreciated!
My main problem is playing through-string 16th notes.... ie a fast run from B on E-string to octave B on D-string.

My fingers kinda trip over themselves...

Cheers.

[Billnc]

I have gigs, since I play in high humidity and heat, where my fingers stick together, and since I play flats, and TIJF's on fretless, they stick to the strings too, playing is difficult sometimes. (I'm also quite capable of constructing really elegant sentences too.)

[lunarpollen]

Yes, there are definitely some days where it feels like I've mysteriously lost 90% of my playing ability

[El Beardo]

Yeah, I have those days, when it seems like everything is just a little off. Try a disk defrag.

[bassgod76]

It always seems to happen to me at inopportune times.

[ThisisCraigP]

Sometimes. Yesterday was one of those days. My right and left hands had minds of their own, so I gave up and did something else. I've had the same thing happen to me with the guitar too.

[Krowser]

When that happens, I always remember one thing:

"Crap, I forgot I can't play when I smoke up..."

[jelpo]

I think everyone has those days. Sometimes it's best to not play for a while, other times I find it's best to work through it.

On the 16th note run troubles, I play with a metronome and start off really slow. Then increase by 10 or 15 bpm, and see if I can work through it. I would also take this time to focus on my right hand technique at the same time. Making sure I'm alternating my index and middle fingers both ascending and descending and working on my floating thumb.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by matt s.

But does anyone else get days (or in my case, a couple of weeks at a time!), where they just can't seem to play properly??

Not me...

Originally Posted by matt s.

So any good finger-strengthening exercises that you guys have would be greatly appreciated! My fingers kinda trip over themselves...

It doesn't take much strength to play the bass guitar. And any strength that it does take can easily be developed, simply by playing the instrument...

Your problem isn't lack of strength. It's lack of coordination. Not the same thing at all...

MM

[Kevinmach]

It doesn't take much strength to play the bass guitar. And any strength that it does take can easily be developed, simply by playing the instrument...

Your problem isn't lack of strength. It's lack of coordination. Not the same thing at all...

I couldnt possibly disagree with this more. It takes way more strength than any other instruments I've tried. You don't read about finger, hand, and wrist pains in other instruments forums everyday, like you do on TB.

I also disagree that strength and coordination "aren't the same thing at all". They are very closely related for sure, I've know that for some time. But when I really realized how much was when I went back to playing guitar and piano after playing bass for while- I was much better on those instruments and faster too, as result of the strength I gained from playing bass.

[Sifl]

Oh yeah. Sometimes at practice, it almost feels like I'm just learning the song! Although last night, I played like I could do nothing wrong. Even when I screwed up, it still sounded great! Wish it was always like that...

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by bassgod76

It always seems to happen to me at inopportune times.

Bass solo!

[Rudreax]

Originally Posted by Kevinmach

I couldnt possibly disagree with this more. It takes way more strength than any other instruments I've tried. You don't read about finger, hand, and wrist pains in other instruments forums everyday, like you do on TB.

I also disagree that strength and coordination "aren't the same thing at all". They are very closely related for sure, I've know that for some time. But when I really realized how much was when I went back to playing guitar and piano after playing bass for while- I was much better on those instruments and faster too, as result of the strength I gained from playing bass.

That's only because there aren't as many forums like this around, and those that do get those problems don't complain about it as much.

It really doesn't take that much effort to play if you have the discipline to fix your technique to play with a light touch. On BOTH hands.

[Kevinmach]

That's only because there aren't as many forums like this around, and those that do get those problems don't complain about it as much.

Possibly, but by contrast, I almost never heard about pain issues in those forums. So I am not sure I buy that as the sole explanation.

It really doesn't take that much effort to play if you have the discipline to fix your technique to play with a light touch. On BOTH hands.

Sure, how much strength you need will depend on a variety of factors including string your technique, string gauge, the quality of your instrument, etc. That goes without saying. Mind you, I am not saying you need to be a hulk-but on the sure basis of amount of force required to produce a sound on bass, is on average, a lot higher than other instruments based on personal experience (aside from the obvious like the drums, and you're not using your fingers to make the noise).

All I can tell you is when I started playing the bass, I didn't touch my guitar or keys for probably close to a year. When I finally decided to pick up them up again, I was expecting the worst. After a brief warm up, I was shocked to find I had actually improved? After not playing a year? Impossible!

I would not have believed it myself if I didn't experience it. And with the type of music I am playing, the coordination and dexterity are far more rigorous on the guitar and keys than what I do on the bass. Yet it somehow get better with no practice on EITHER instrument. The only real explanation I can think of is that my fingers got stronger (I have no doubt they did), which added a boost to my coordination and dexterity.

[Rudreax]

Originally Posted by Kevinmach

Possibly, but by contrast, I almost never heard about pain issues in those forums. So I am not sure I buy that as the sole explanation.



Sure, how much strength you need will depend on a variety of factors including string your technique, string gauge, the quality of your instrument, etc. That goes without saying. Mind you, I am not saying you need to be a hulk-but on the sure basis of amount of force required to produce a sound on bass, is on average, a lot higher than other instruments based on personal experience (aside from the obvious like the drums, and you're not using your fingers to make the noise).

All I can tell you is when I started playing the bass, I didn't touch my guitar or keys for probably close to a year. When I finally decided to pick up them up again, I was expecting the worst. After a brief warm up, I was shocked to find I had actually improved? After not playing a year? Impossible!

I would not have believed it myself if I didn't experience it. And with the type of music I am playing, the coordination and dexterity are far more rigorous on the guitar and keys than what I do on the bass. Yet it somehow get better with no practice on EITHER instrument. The only real explanation I can think of is that my fingers got stronger (I have no doubt they did), which added a boost to my coordination and dexterity.

Well, I can't deny that it will definitely improve finger strength compared to guitar and piano.

[godofthunder59]

Some nights I feel like I am just in the zone don't even have to think about it, other nights I feel like my bass makes me work for every note. Why ? Who knows. Just the way it is for me.

[Kevinmach]

Well, I can't deny that it will definitely improve finger strength compared to guitar and piano.

Right, it wasn't my intent to say it required super human strength to play the bass, just a general comparison. And no doubt, a lot of the people who do put too much work into the strings (way more than what they need, and still do catch myself doing it from time to time) do end up with injuries. Been there too.

Some nights I feel like I am just in the zone don't even have to think about it, other nights I feel like my bass makes me work for every note. Why ? Who knows. Just the way it is for me.

I think this is just everyone, to varying degrees, from athletes to guys picking up chicks on bars Some days you just seem to be in the zone, where every thing seems effortless- and others days, you can't seem to play Smoke on the Water.

[nysbob]

Honestly, no.

[sflajimmy]

Yeah, what day of the week is it?

[wildhorse]

No not yet