Fretting hand problem

[Impy]

I've been playing bass for a roughly a year now, (self taught), but I've noticed my left hand looks different to that of most bassists. When you see somebody who's really good, their whole hand stretches out all the time, and, the best way to describe it is, it looks like a large spider or crab. For some reason when I play though, (I guess because I was never taught properly), even when I find it very easy to play and it sounds fine, it LOOKS as though I'm struggling.
Whenver I press down on a fret, I can't seem to stop my other fingers clustering towards it a bit too.
I guess the question is are there any exercises or anything I can do to help improve my fingering in that regard?

[lm183902]

You could do some "bass isometrics". I remember reading an article where someone was talking about this, but i can't remember what the exercise was or who was talking about it. Maybe someone who knows more can chime in.

[Impy]

I guess I'd better look up some stuff about bass isometrics then. thanks for that

[LowBSix]

Originally Posted by Impy

I've been playing bass for a roughly a year now, (self taught), but I've noticed my left hand looks different to that of most bassists. When you see somebody who's really good, their whole hand stretches out all the time, and, the best way to describe it is, it looks like a large spider or crab. For some reason when I play though, (I guess because I was never taught properly), even when I find it very easy to play and it sounds fine, it LOOKS as though I'm struggling.
Whenver I press down on a fret, I can't seem to stop my other fingers clustering towards it a bit too.
I guess the question is are there any exercises or anything I can do to help improve my fingering in that regard?

Relax your hands!

Your fretting hand Thumb should anywhere from the middle to the bottom of the back of the neck. Pick up a cup or glass with the same hand near the top of the glass; turn your hand over; remove the glass/cup and slide the hand on to the neck.

You should be fretting AT the fret not half way in between. This helps your pitch because you're not stretching the string and your tone will be more even because there's no dampening from your fingertips too far behind the fret.

When you're ready to attempt playing fretless, you will be used to the spacing and the transition will be much smoother.

Practice scales on the first 4 frets only, including open strings. Have fun playing the Ab scale starting with your 4th finger on the E string!!!

Best of Luck!
Ricg

[Mayers]

What I did is putting my first finger on the first fret on E strings then second finger on second fret etc then you swich string. Try to not move at all your hand , just your finger. Then you can start with any fingers until you can do it without thinking.