Quote:
Originally Posted by fearceol  Fretting without the thumb is an exercise to show you just how little pressure is required to fret a string. Yes, there will be fret buzz if you fret too lightly.
Try putting your middle finger over a fret, say A on the E string. Press gently until the note sounds clear. Do this a dozen or so times (more if necessary) 'till you realise how much pressure is needed. Then introduce the other fingers. The trick is to get just the right amount of pressure to play a clear note. This will come with practice. |
+1 you also need to realise that the plucking hand is used in this act as a counter balance. The body is to all intents is the centre or the balancing point, so push againsts one side, especially down by the nut and the force needed to move the bass is far less than say up by the body. Put you arms in the playing position with you hands on the bass, you now have two points of pressure to balance the bass ( use finger tips only to increase this sensation or control), each are as important as the other, because the plucking hand can have problems of playing hard (digging in) un-intentionaly.
So common sense dictates you practise up near or just past the 12th fret, get a feel and control for that, then move gradually down towards the nut re-evaluating the pressures as you move bit by bit. Its ok to stay in one position for a while as you practice, then move on.
After you have got the idea of this down, then look at your bass set-up, can it be improved to make fretting easier and eliminate buzzes and over-tones? Have it set up to take these new ideas in and make playing easier, so you need less pressure to fret.
