Fret-Hand Efficiency Tips

[ZoSoIV]

No, I don't have any.
I'm looking for some!

I find my style similar to Entwistle... like a tornado of bass. I play all over the fretboard and I play many notes, climb scales when I should just be playing roots (so shoot me!), and I've noticed that my fretting technique picked up when I was learning the bass is not conducive to efficient fretwork. My non-fretting fingers are spasmodic, sticking out as if I need to acknowledge that no, those fingers are not the ones hitting the note right now. I don't know how else to describe it - I just know that it needs to improve!

Do you have some tips that will allow me to play more efficiently? I find that my left hand cramps when I try to play YYZ. I know the notes (or most of 'em!) and can play it in spurts but my inefficient technique kills me every time.

Thanks for the help!

[Dr Illing]

It kind of sounds like already know what you need to work on

[ZoSoIV]

I have a general idea, but I was hoping for some tips from people who have underwent the improvement I am talking about and who can give me tips to do it as well. I find when my mind strays while I play all technique goes out the window, my only goal is hitting the right notes. That is what I know I need to work on, but the question is, HOW?

[mutedeity]

As usual the answer is to work on scales and arpeggio based etudes and take some lessons if you need some guidance with your technique.

[Dogbertday]

^ you forgot taking things slow... I would start very slow concentrating on what you need to work on and then working the speed up creating a second nature

[K2000]

There's an exercise called the Spider where you play one finger per fret (go slow!) and shift up (E-A-D-G string) and then back down. In other words, you don't have to shift positions on the neck. As you transfer up to the next string (say, E to A string) your fretting fingers remain on the E string until they are needed to fret the next string. The point is (as far as I can tell) to keep the fingers as close to the fretboard as possible -- you can't get any closer to the fretboard than "already fretting a note". You have to go slow and put all your attention towards clean fingering and keeping all four fingers in position.

Use this same slow, deliberate approach with all your scale and arpeggio exercises as well. It takes a while to correct this (fly-away fingers) and takes constant vigilance so keep with it.

When you're rocking out, pay attention to where your fretting hand is - try to keep it in the "correct" position (perpendicular to the strings), and pay attention to your elbow as well (it's all connected obviously). If your elbow is out of position, it's going to be harder to have great fingering technique.

I still need work in this area, but I personally got a lot of help from practicing the Spider. Also, when playing I let myself relax somewhat during parts where I can coast. When I need to play a technical passage, I become more conscious of my posture. That's probably a bad habit (to break form) but I've found that switching technique lets me rest my hands a little. But I have taken steps to improve my fingering, and I get better all the time.

[BassChuck]

Keep your hand relaxed as much as you possibly can. Make as few movements as possible. Keep your mind focused on the music.

Read "The Inner Game of Tennis" by Timothy Galway, or "The Inner Game of Music" by Barry Green. Lots of good information there in terms of how your mind controls your body.

It's like that scene in "The Last Samurai" where the Tom Cruise character is trying to learn Japanese sword fighting and is failing miserably. One of the solders goes up to him and says, "Too much mind". So true. Get your mind out of the way and let your body do the work you need it to.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by Dogbertday

^ you forgot taking things slow... I would start very slow concentrating on what you need to work on and then working the speed up creating a second nature

I left out a lot of recommendations, which is why getting a teacher was one I thought was necessary to mention.

[AndreasMergner]

I had a bit of break through when I had been practicing a lot and had gotten tired. When you're fretting hand is tired and you continue playing, you'll come up with all kinds of ways to conserve energy! You'll try to press as lightly as you can to fret and lift your fingers a little as they can. Maybe try to just keep playing YYZ and not stop....even if it doesn't sound good. Eventually your hand won't want to be doing the extra work and it should calm down.

Maybe it won't work for you, but it worked for me.

[manbass]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Keep your hand relaxed as much as you possibly can. Make as few movements as possible. Keep your mind focused on the music.

Read "The Inner Game of Tennis" by Timothy Galway, or "The Inner Game of Music" by Barry Green. Lots of good information there in terms of how your mind controls your body.......

+1 for Dr. Galway. His Psychology of becoming effortless is effective to say the least.

[jschwalls]

I solved this problem for myself a long time ago by learning, practicing and living by permutations and sequences.

permutations are every possible way to play the left hand 1234..

1.2.
1.3.
1.4.

2.1
2.3
2.4

3.1
3.2
3.4

4.1
4.2
4.3

1.2.3
1.2.4
1.3.2
1.3.4
1.4.2
1.4.3

2.1.3
2.1.4
2.3.1
2.3.4
2.4.1
2.4.3

3.1.2
3.1.4
3.2.1
3.2.4
3.4.1
3.4.2

4.1.2
4.1.3
4.2.1
4.2.3
4.3.1
4.3.2

1.2.3.4
1.2.4.3
1.3.2.4
1.3.4.2
1.4.2.3
1.4.3.2

2.1.3.4
2.1.4.3
2.3.1.4
2.3.4.1
2.4.1.3
2.4.3.1

3.1.2.4
3.1.4.2
3.2.1.4
3.2.4.1
3.4.1.2
3.4.2.1

4.1.2.3
4.1.3.2
4.2.1.3
4.2.3.1
4.3.1.2
4.3.2.1

PLAY WITH METRONOME SLOWLY.... this is not a speed exercise.. it is intended to break bad habits and introduce new patterns... you should quickly realized and pin point playing issues as well.

get crazy and apply these across the strings also.

This is what i did to get extremely comfortable on a 6 string.


sorry about the long post..
JON

[MrBorisSpider]

Look up Billy Sheehan's 'economy of motion' concept.