Finger Independence

[BassOverdrive]

I've always wondered if there was a technique with total finger independence. Whenever I use one of my fingers to hit another string it halts my other one a bit. Kind of like be able to play 4th or 8th notes without missing one and being able to do whole notes on another string; when I try it screws up the 4th or 8th notes. If there is an exercise for it, is there one for the thumb as well?

[idResponse]

well, go to youtube and watch victor wooten doing his little instructional video on how he does his technique, and then you'll decide to give up on playing!

seriously though, it sounds like you need to build finger strength. there are numerous things you can do such as those little finger strengthening spring deals, or a squeezy toy. keep one around and just pick it up when your hands are idle and give 'em a workout, both hands!

also, lay your hand flat on the table and try lifting each finger independently. keep practicing that. do patterns, repititions, variations of that.

personally i've been practicing using three fingers. i've used two for a long time and i'm pretty quick at it, grew up on upright bass, but i love the whole triplets ability with three fingers and the ability to let one finger rest... so you start slow doing quarter notes. just go 1-2-3-2 or 3-2-1-2 or even do 1-2-3-1-2-3 3-2-1-3-2-1 and make variations on those patterns (which finger to pluck with) and start slow, and slowly build up speed. don't be afraid to use a metronome (in fact i encourage it) or a drum click track.

anyone else have other techniques?

[steve66]

Play scales ascending and descending in 3rds very slowly. Hold the notes as long as you can. Fret just hard enough to sound the note. Make sure your thumb is lightly touching the back of the neck.

Get both Left and right hands working together.

[wizay]

I have a good link for you, scroll down 4 pages.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/...s/Hanging_Ten/

[BassOverdrive]

Ah that hanging ten is what I needed, thank you for the link

[skeptikal]

Originally Posted by BassOverdrive

Ah that hanging ten is what I needed, thank you for the link

+1. I was just skimming around the thread and saw this. I've always been looking for things to practice at work when I don't have my bass (in between working of course) and these independent finger exercises are fantastic!

[wizay]

Originally Posted by skeptikal

+1. I was just skimming around the thread and saw this. I've always been looking for things to practice at work when I don't have my bass (in between working of course) and these independent finger exercises are fantastic!

Yeah, that was what i looked for when i found that Hope it helps!

[Goatman]

Originally Posted by wizay

I have a good link for you, scroll down 4 pages.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/...s/Hanging_Ten/

Wow, I think this might prove to be the most valuable article for my bass playing ever. I reached a plateau in my playing speed a little while ago and finger independence might be why; I tried doing those exercises and i felt like a horse trying to open a pickle jar. Thanks for the link!

[Hiromakuta]

The only thing that article is good for is those stretching exercises. The rest doesn´t really help anyone to play with 4 fingers.

[TOOL460002]

im sorry- but i did not find that article particularly helpful- and i think taping fingers together is about the stupidest thing ever. im not sold that is the best way to get precise nervous control over your fingers.

if you want a stronger ring finger- try playing with just your index and ring finger. another dexterity/strength thing- is hitting the strings up and down with the same finger.

[kb9wyz]

[quote=idResponse;6364051]well, go to youtube and watch victor wooten doing his little instructional video on how he does his technique, and then you'll decide to give up on playing! [quote]

I also got the same results with a John Pattitucci video.

He also had a couple of dex exercises as well. Pretty much what you're talkng about. I found that some basic classical arpeggios have helped me out as well.

Oh. And according to the book, The Art of Practicing, there is much value in going VERY SLOWLY at first while paying an almost stupid amount of attention to what your fingers are doing. This way you get an extremely solid notion of what your hands are doing and you'll have an easier time noticing when you deviate from the right way.