Exercises for practising 16th notes

speedrabbit · #1 01-06-2008, 07:02 AM

Can anyone recommend any good exercises for practising 16th notes to build up stamina and dexterity?

Cheers

Depth_Charge · #2 01-06-2008, 07:52 AM

Use a light attack, start slow and use a metronome. After that, it's just repetition repetition repetition. Someone else will be along shortly to recommend an often referred to better version I'm sure

Connor · #3 01-06-2008, 10:02 AM

no, that was pretty much it, +1 on the metronome & repitition

BassChuck · #4 01-06-2008, 10:36 AM

Start slow enough to be in control (no matter how slow that is) and then increase speed, always staying in control. The metronome is your friend for this sort of thing. Be patient, it takes time.

speedrabbit · #5 01-06-2008, 11:17 AM

Thanks guys. So set the metronome somewhere around 60-80bpm and be patient. Is it worth running through scales etc that I might normally play using quarter/eight notes?

Cheers.

hunta · #6 01-06-2008, 11:49 AM

I would play scales. I used to just run through the major modes with a metronome, or do a simple exercise like this:
In 3/4 time, on the E string starting at the 1st fret, finger 1 2 3 2 3 4 and play either 2 or 4 16th notes per finger (FFFF F#F#F#F# GGGG F#F#F#F# GGGG G#G#G#G#) then slide up 1 position and repeat until you hit the 12th fret with your pinky. Then walk down in reverse, 4 3 2 3 2 1. Repeat on each string. TICK tick tick TICK tick tick....

Bassguy87564 · #7 01-06-2008, 01:27 PM

I just go up and down a major scale starting from the first fret (F) then ending at the 13th fret (F again). I first play all the notes going up the scale with four 16th notes (so like ffff gggg aaaa and so on). Then when im going back down the scale I play each note with two 16th note (so ff ee dd cc and so on). Then I play the scale with each note as one 16th note (f g a bflat c d e f e d c bflat a g f). I play this up to the 13th fret then I go back down. This will help you with stamina and 16th note. As do it with a metronome

sethlow3 · #8 01-06-2008, 01:48 PM

IMO its not just single note 16ths. Its moving patterns around. Use the metronome at a comfortable pace. Playing some great 16th lines at a slow speed.

Red Hot Chili Peppers "C'mon Girl" or "Right on Time"
Weather Report "River People"

You may be able to find those on youtube tab them out and slow them down to about 80-90 bpm or slower if needed. Speed is NOT important. Nice, even, and perfectly in time notes are.

Jazzdogg · #9 01-06-2008, 02:15 PM

Rocco Prestia's video addresses these issues very well. Highly recommended.

svenbass · #10 01-06-2008, 02:33 PM

I make up various exercises based on rhythms shown in the drum rudiment book called 'Syncopation' by Ted Reed. It starts very easy and goes up from there. On top of it all it really helps your reading. As mentioned before, start slow with AND without a metronome so everything is precise and move up from there. I spent 3 months a few years ago doing this and my playing improved exponentially. I now hit it once or twice a month at various tempos to keep in good shape. It is also the very first thing I give my students, much to their surprise.

speedrabbit · #11 01-07-2008, 03:54 AM

Thanks again guys. Some excellent advice. I started playing through 2 octave major scales very slowly yesterday using 16th notes and a metronome. Really exposes the sloppiness in your (well my) playing.

TrevorOfDoom · #12 01-07-2008, 04:07 AM

use metronome. apply liberally, or until satisfied. repeat.

hunta · #13 01-07-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Rocco Prestia's video addresses these issues very well. Highly recommended.

+1 Prestia's video is great. I would probably practice simple repetitive lines for a bit before delving into Prestia, but definitely check it out.

Deacon_Blues · #14 01-07-2008, 09:18 AM

The first exercise in the exercise sticky helped me. Check out that thread. The reason it is there is to answer questions like this, they pop up pretty frequently. Same with the other stickies.

nickk · #15 01-10-2008, 08:35 AM

I just got my 5 string Bass, about the latter part of December to e exact. And trust me, resources for the bass is so hard to find, not to mention for a 5 string, I'd like some resourses on scales modes, etc. Could any of you help to direct me please, by giving me the link(s). Thanks in Advance

Grinky · #16 01-11-2008, 07:38 AM

Jaco said in the instructional video that he did that stamina was never a problem to him simply because he plays a lot. Just keep making music as much as you can.

PastorofMuppets · #17 01-11-2008, 07:44 AM

play what is hip everyday

wazzel · #18 01-11-2008, 09:07 AM

I work scales like someone suggested start with 4 1/16 notes per pitch, then go to 2 per then run the scale in 1/16 notes. You can use the same type of exercise for tripplets and 1/32's. A metronome will help you stay constent. I use the click track from my drum machine.

droskobass · #19 01-11-2008, 09:32 AM

remember 16th notes aren't just about speed. It's important to really be able to subdivide in 16th notes and to be able to play and /or accent any combination of 2 or 3 16th notes within a given beat.

If you can controll the volume of any given note you will get the speed automatically (that's a Garry willis tip)

so if (-) is a rest and (x) is a note practice playing and counting any combination of these "rudiments" putting accents on any single note in each pattern:

xxxx all four notes (count one ee and a)
xxx- rest on "a"
xx-x rest on "and"
x-xx Rest on "ee"
-xxx rest on each strong beat 1,2,3 & 4
x-x- (sound like stoccato 8th notes)
x--x
-xx-
-x-x

get the picture? with accuracy you'll become a bass god and that's what 16th notes are all about, not Just speed. with accuracy you'll get speed.

jschwalls · #20 01-14-2008, 01:47 AM

when i was attempting really fast 1/16 notes, i developed a crazy technique with my right hand, that i was unaware of until i seen it on a video ...

i play 3 finger techique... ring, middle, index .. basic technique
but what i was doing was using my ring finger as the 4th note of the sequence... ring(pluck/upstroke) middle(pluck/upstroke)index(pluck/upstroke) ring(rake/downstroke)

make any sense, well it looks equally as odd...
what had happened was that i spent so much time on my ring finger trying to build up endurance and speed that it became dominant and assumed 2 roles...it creates a very interesting pulse because the accents are on 1 and 4. Something like this... AND, ONE, two, three, AND, ONE, two, three, AND, ONE, two, three.

now for the effect, i will start with the ring(rake/downstroke), before the ONE of the beat, and continue the pattern as described above...

also i will alternate middle, index, middle, index, ring, index, ring, index.
I love permutations and apply them to all my practice habits good and bad

JON

as far as your question , the above posts before me are awesome, but i will add that try to practice your accents wherever you want them.... i watched a TON of shredder guitar videos to help develop speed.. Paul Gilbert's use of accents inpired me to no end... and it really helps to keep up with where you are at on the time line as well.