GaahhH!!!!!

[pizmeyre]

I am new at this. Previously I spent about a month or so trying to learn acoustic guitar until I had the money to get a bass. I'm having a very similar problem on the bass as I was on the acoustic.

Try as I might, I can't seem to do the "1 finger per fret" thing.

For instance, the pentatonic scale that starts off on the E string 5th fret and the second note is the E string 8th fret and the third note the A string 5th fret. Try as I might, I can't seem to stretch my fingers enough to reach from the 5th to the eighth fret and then move my index finger down a string with anything even resembling smoothness.

It's driving me NUTS!!!

Also, my fingers seem to fly up and away at all kinds of awkward angles when I'm just trying to do a simple chromatic scale 1-2-3-4 on each string. Not to mention the fact that my fingers seem to want to fret on their side rather than on the tips or pads.

And of course, during all this, my thumb wants to twist to where it's running parallel to the neck or at least get all crimped up.

I have no desire whatsoever to give up, but I'm getting exceedingly frustrated. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Pizmeyre

[Tape]

I think your fingers are going on their sides as a result of your thumb going parallel. Try to keep your thumb where the tip of it is on the back of the neck. This will also make the 5-8 stretch less dificult. If that doesnt help, then instead of stretching, try makeing a jump with your ring finger. Use your index for 5th fret, then jump to 8th fret with your ring. Let me know if this works.

[JimmyM]

Ya, your thumb is your enemy. Force yourself to keep it perpendicular to the neck and behind it, lightly touching it in the middle, and curve your fingers toward the fretboard and play with the top pads of the fingertips.

[ibnzneksrul]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Ya, your thumb is your enemy. Force yourself to keep it perpendicular to the neck and behind it, lightly touching it in the middle, and curve your fingers toward the fretboard and play with the top pads of the fingertips.

+1 million.

Left hand positioning is key. Drop your wrist. Relax. Don't grip the neck, feel it, your thumb behind, fingers in front, palm down. You only need to apply enough pressure to fret the strings without buzzing, that's it.

[ROON]

Originally Posted by pizmeyre

I am new at this. Previously I spent about a month or so trying to learn acoustic guitar until I had the money to get a bass. I'm having a very similar problem on the bass as I was on the acoustic.

Try as I might, I can't seem to do the "1 finger per fret" thing.

For instance, the pentatonic scale that starts off on the E string 5th fret and the second note is the E string 8th fret and the third note the A string 5th fret. Try as I might, I can't seem to stretch my fingers enough to reach from the 5th to the eighth fret and then move my index finger down a string with anything even resembling smoothness.

It's driving me NUTS!!!

Also, my fingers seem to fly up and away at all kinds of awkward angles when I'm just trying to do a simple chromatic scale 1-2-3-4 on each string. Not to mention the fact that my fingers seem to want to fret on their side rather than on the tips or pads.

And of course, during all this, my thumb wants to twist to where it's running parallel to the neck or at least get all crimped up.

I have no desire whatsoever to give up, but I'm getting exceedingly frustrated. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Pizmeyre

Hey mate...

Aswell as all the info that has been said here I think one thing you have to keep in mind is that your a beginner. I've been through the stage your at and I've felt very discouraged. When I started playing I couldnt stretch my fingers from the 1st to 3rd fret, I have big hands too. It took me about a month to get enough skill to even play Smoke on The Water! I've been playing for a year and a half now and I'm aceing Megadeth, Pantera, and Iced Earth tracks. Hang in there dude, just keep practicing and soon enough the bass will become like an extention of your body and you should be able to play it fairly effortlessly as if it is natural to you. Lot's of practice and jamming and you'll be rocking like us guys in no time.

[Depth_Charge]

I'm old at this. Awesome threads! Thanks.

[fcleff]

You might want to consider not using the "One Finger per Fret" techinque.

Try going for the "1-2-4" technique and see how that works. It is basically a double bass method and tends to work very well on the electric.

Suppose you have your first finger on the first fret of the E string (F). You would place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret and your 4th finger on the 3rd fret. The 3rd finger sits right behind the 4th and acts as a kind of anchor for the weak 4th finger. You can use this technique up to the 10th fret or so. Then you can more easily reach four frets with four fingers.

This technique also helps to build hand strength. Once you have a little more strength in your hand it will be easier to use OFPF. The only string attached (no pun intended) is that you have to shift up one fret in order to play that pentatonic scale you mentioned. But I have never considered shifting a big deal.

[pizmeyre]

Awesome guys, thanks for the advice. I think I'll definately give that 1-2-4 a try.


-Pizmeyre

[moogboy]

its okay, youll get it if you try. your hand just dont work right when you first start playing.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by pizmeyre

Awesome guys, thanks for the advice. I think I'll definately give that 1-2-4 a try.

I winced when I read that advice - and sure-enough: you jumped right on THAT one!

It's true, what he says, but there's some great advantage to one-per.

No one has asked yet what the height of your bass is. This makes a difference in the technique you may develop.

Being that you're just starting - there's really no substitute for taking just a FEW lessons over a couple months. A good teacher (I don't just mean 'good bassist'; I mean a good TEACHER!) can take one GLANCE at your hands, and give you instant, invaluable advice - nipping bad habits in the bud!

Joe

[fcleff]

Originally Posted by Joe P

I winced when I read that advice - and sure-enough: you jumped right on THAT one!

It's true, what he says, but there's some great advantage to one-per.

No one has asked yet what the height of your bass is. This makes a difference in the technique you may develop.

Being that you're just starting - there's really no substitute for taking just a FEW lessons over a couple months. A good teacher (I don't just mean 'good bassist'; I mean a good TEACHER!) can take one GLANCE at your hands, and give you instant, invaluable advice - nipping bad habits in the bud!

Joe

He should definitely take lessons. The non-entity of a forum will never cut it.

I consider myself an experienced teacher; and a good one, too. I have the credentials to back that up. Therefore, my advice stands.

If you look at the Hal Leonard Bass Method that was edited by Ed Friedland (also a good teacher) you will find that he teaches both techniques.

I agree with what you say. There are advantages to the OFPF technique. I just think that beginners would want to use something that makes things a little easier. Once his/her hands are able to make the stretch, then go for it. These days I can make all kinds of freaky stretches. But I have been playing for 20+ years.

I also believe that the 1-2-4 technique helps to keep the hand and thumb in proper position. This will, in turn, discourage the development of bad habits regarding the left hand.

[metalguy2]

Reading this thread only reminded me of a story my guitar teacher told me once. He had the same kinds of problems with his thumb
(he could play but the thing moved around way too much for his liking)
So he took the drastic measure of taping his thumb into place for one particular position.. And ran all the different modes in that position. From what I understand, to this day his thumb does not budge much at all.

Would this help?!

[Tape]

Originally Posted by metalguy2

Reading this thread only reminded me of a story my guitar teacher told me once. He had the same kinds of problems with his thumb
(he could play but the thing moved around way too much for his liking)
So he took the drastic measure of taping his thumb into place for one particular position.. And ran all the different modes in that position. From what I understand, to this day his thumb does not budge much at all.

Would this help?!

Thats the wierdest, most impractical thing ive ever heard about technique. If he practiced mroe he probably could have learned to keep his thumb under control. You have no freedom when you are only in one position. Cant really solo much either. Who would want to do that? And how would they become a TEACHER! I hope he doesnt teach his students to just give up and tape their thumbs the the neck.

[JimmyM]

He didn't say to tape the thumb to the neck for an entire show. I think it shows creativity.