Hand issues

[pizmeyre]

I have been trying to learn bass for about a month now, although I haven't been really good about daily practice until about the last week or so.

The problem I'm having is with my left hand technique. I don't know if I'm holding my hand wrong or what, but a lot of stuff it seems I SHOULD be able to do, I can't.

I have read suggestions like if you are having trouble with 1 finger per fret, practice higher up the neck where the frets are closer together. For some reason, though, it's almost easier for me to do it at the low end where they are further apart.

If I'm trying to do a scale waaaaaay up the neck (like starting at twelfth fret) I can't even reach the top two strings with my pinkie unless I put my hand at such an extreme angle I have no real strength to apply pressure.

It seems to me that my middle and ring finger want to stay real close together and my pinkie doesn't want to hit the strings on the pad or the tip but on it's side instead.

I don't really have the cash to pay a teacher but I'm afraid that I'm just doing everything wrong, or that there is something so screwed up about my fingers (shape, size, placement, whatever) that I'm never going to be able to be a good player.

Anyway, sorry for the looong rant. Any suggestions, tips, etc. would be most welcome.

Thanks,
-Pizmeyre

p.s. The bass I'm using to learn on is a Squire "Vintage Modified" precision bass. I don't know if the fact that it has a kind of thick neck is part of the issue or what. Are jazz basses that much thinner/narrower??

[pizmeyre]

No love for me??



-Piz

[Gasman]

I have smaller hands, and have adapted a couple of ways. First, I don't use my ring finger very much. I think some upright bass players do this, but I'm not sure. Over time, my three fingers have become equally strong. What this does is limit my stretching on the lower frets (except for a root-minor third type three fret jump).

I don't use my pinky much above the 12th fret except for big (4 or 5 fret) stretches. I don't use it much at all on the A string, and really never on the E string above the 12th fret. If I do, I use my ring finger to support it.

I have found two things will help with the pinky-above-the-12th problem:
1. Shorten my strap, or
2. I have started anchoring my thumb on the bottom side of the fretboard. I saw Justin Chancellor doing this, and it works, but obviously takes some getting used to, as it is probably considered terrible technique.

[JimmyM]

Not terrible, but a little unusual. I keep my thumb centered on the back of the neck like most teachers teach. But I think it's better to hold your thumb like Justin Chancellor than hanging your thumb over the top of the neck.

[Depth_Charge]

Get onto YouTube, and search through the bass lessons, looking for left hand instruction.

You will see a lot of different players showing different ways to fret the fingerboard.

Also, as I go up the fretboard, I find I need to move my thumb towards the bottom of the neck (slightly) to access the higher notes. But I sling my basses low, which may explain that too

Finger stretching exercises are great, such as these:

G|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-1-3-1-3-1-3-1-3|-1-4-1-4-1-4-1-4|-1-5-1-5-1-5-1-5|

The idea being to fret the 1st fret with your index finger and the 2nd with your middle finger, 3rd with your ring finger, and 4th with your pinky.

To start with you will need to skip your fingers, but the aim is to do it without skipping between fingers. Then move up to the next string and repeat.

Oh, and using a metronome with this exercise helps develop timing at the same time too! Saying the notes at the same time helps fretboard memorisation too, 3 birds with one stone and all that!

Hope this helps some.

[pizmeyre]

I guess it's good to know that I'm not the only one who has had finger issues.

For a while there I have been wondering if I was just a freak.

I guess a lot of this will probably work itself out the more I learn and practice.

Mostly, being 34 and having no real previous music experience, I've been kind of afraid I'll end up doing things the "wrong" way and never be able to improve past a point.

Guess I'll just keep plugging away.

Thanks,
-Piz

[deckard]

I have small hands, too, but have adapted nicely over the years.

Be persistent: it just takes time, practice and proper technique.

Two suggestions:

1.) - try adopting more of a classical guitar left-hand technique - most of the time my thumb is actually nearly all the way under the neck; for stretching for certain notes, I've adopted the upright bass "thumb-position" technique: bringing my thumb around to the fingerboard & pressing it down (like a fretting finger) at about the first joint, then stretching up with my pinky;

2.) - look at how & where you hold/wear the instrument - generally, the higher up (within reason, of course - not up to the chin!) you hold/wear it the better/easier access your left hand will have to the neck (less extreme angle) - and for playing while sitting, try holding the bass Gary Willis-style: hold it like a classical guitarist holds his/her instrument.

You could also try posting your query on Todd Johnson's TB forum - he is very helpful.

Hope this helps!!

[John Wentzien]

Keep your wrist as straight as possible.

[pretaanluxis]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I think it's better to hold your thumb like Justin Chancellor than hanging your thumb over the top of the neck.

I disagree, it's more important imo to keep your wrist straight.

[pizmeyre]

I don't understand the "keep your wrist straight thing." Don't you have to bend your wrist to reach the strings??

-piz

[JimmyM]

You don't have to bend your wrist if you wear it up really high. That's too uncomfortable for me. I wear it higher these days, but I still can't deal with it up on my chest.