Fingerstyle Problem

Delta782 · #1 07-24-2007, 08:28 PM

I have been playing bass for almost 8 months, but I have a recurring, annoying problem with my right hand that really presented itself a couple of months ago. Whenever I get a bass line committed to memory, I like to move around and get into the song a little bit. I can get a consistent, even tone while I stare at the fretboard or I'm concentrating hard on something, but as soon as I start thinking about trying to get into the song, my right hand makes it sound like I'm pulling the string up out from the bass and snapping it back down. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this problem?

Dogbertday · #2 07-24-2007, 08:34 PM

I wouldn't "try" to get into it... you move the way you move. I had a similar problem where I would loose control of the bass. I wasn't even moving that much! Needless to say I had to settle down.

owensea777 · #3 07-24-2007, 08:54 PM

It think you described popping the strings when moving your body. You could try developing a better right-hand technique by putting your elbow up in the air more, so that your wrist is straight (if that helps). Other than that just try not to move around, the music is obviously the more important thing.
I too have been playing bass for around 8 months and like to get into the music. Though I get into some grooving lines, I can't dance around much unless the line is really simple, or I lose timing. I'll just keep playing and memorizing the hand/finger movements, and eventually the dancing or whatever won't affect the music. One thing I can do pretty much the whole time is bob my head though.
edit: I also meant to say that while keeping your wrist straight also try to keep your arm in the same position, so that when your body and bass move, your arm stays in the same place relative to the bass, if that makes sense. Check out some John Entwistle (of The Who) videos, or The Who videos.

Beast · #4 07-24-2007, 08:55 PM

All I can say is that it sounds like your attack is really strong, you have these three options that I know of.

1. You can raise your action via truss rod, or bridge saddles.

2. You can buy higher gauge strings, this may or may not require filing out your nut, re-intonation, and re-adjusting your action.

3. Finally, you can just play lighter, just concentrate on keeping the tone steady, while still staying in the mood of the song stage-wise

Hope this helps!

bassmanrocke · #5 07-24-2007, 09:13 PM

If you want to continue moving but develop more consistency you have to work on a solid starting point. Try putting more pressure on the body of your bass with your upper forearm, this will make the bass stay in the same relative position with your body as you move. Also, make sure you have a solid pivot point for your thumb. The top of the pickup is the most commonly used place, but many older players found it was easier to place a finger rest above and parallel to the strings to rest their thumb.(I find this gets in the way if I choose to switch to slap).

Finally, it may help a great deal if you raise your bass higher on the strap. This will mean that the bass can not swing away from you as far, and your feel will be more consistant.

I hope these suggestions help.

R.Rocke

bassmanrocke · #6 07-24-2007, 09:21 PM

One more thought, Never underestimate the value of "Getting into" a song. Continue to move around and have a good time. As you become older you realize that the importance of making music is the joy it brings you. If I had to choose between having a ball making good music, and turning the joy of music into work to make it a little bit better, I'd take the first. Eventually, with a lot of practice you will be able to both jump around and play consistantly, until then, enjoy it as it is.

R.Rocke

billoetjen · #7 07-24-2007, 09:37 PM

Are you trying to dance or trying to play? Even Laura Love (who plays relatively simple but dead-on bass lines) took years (and years) of practice before she could both move and play the way she does.
If moving around interferes with the quality of your playing, stay still - unless you don't care what you sound like. Sorry if this sounds kind of harsh, but it sounds like you have to make a choice here. I practice at least an hour and a half to two hours every day - have for over two years, and it takes ALL my attention to sound the way I want.
Most of all, have fun.
Bill

bassmanrocke · #8 07-24-2007, 09:55 PM

billoetjen, three words for you, Flea, Victor Wooten. Do you need more?

JimmyM · #9 07-25-2007, 12:26 AM

bassmanrocke, Flea and Victor Wooten can pull it off. Some people can't. Some people have to make a choice. While I agree that getting into what you're doing is great, you have to know what you're doing before you can get into it.

owensea777 · #10 07-25-2007, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

Are you trying to dance or trying to play? Even Laura Love (who plays relatively simple but dead-on bass lines) took years (and years) of practice before she could both move and play the way she does.
If moving around interferes with the quality of your playing, stay still - unless you don't care what you sound like. Sorry if this sounds kind of harsh, but it sounds like you have to make a choice here. I practice at least an hour and a half to two hours every day - have for over two years, and it takes ALL my attention to sound the way I want.
Most of all, have fun.
Bill

Not to be mean but some people, including the thread-starter, would rather play a more simple line and move around, than play something so difficult that they have to be stiff. He's not having that much of a problem anyways, just playing the strings too hard when moving. This will go away with practice, Delta 782. There is some very good advice on this thread so far as well.

nastyn8c · #11 07-25-2007, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beast

All I can say is that it sounds like your attack is really strong, you have these three options that I know of.

1. You can raise your action via truss rod, or bridge saddles.

2. You can buy higher gauge strings, this may or may not require filing out your nut, re-intonation, and re-adjusting your action.

3. Finally, you can just play lighter, just concentrate on keeping the tone steady, while still staying in the mood of the song stage-wise

Hope this helps!

While these are all viable solutions, be careful that you aren't hurting yourself by plucking too hard. I used to have the same problem, and after getting through steps 1 and 2 that Beast explained, I started to notice some soreness. I eventually started playing lighter, and that helps me have more control, and now it just feels right.

Have fun!