How do I keep my fingers down?

bassista6 · #1 08-16-2010, 11:04 AM

I've been playing bass with instruction for about 8 months. My technique is pretty good except that I can't seem to keep all of my fingers down on the strings while I'm playing. I can keep my first two fingers down at the same time or my last two fingers down at the same time, but I don't know how to to keep all four fingers down at once. Some of my fingers always stick up. Not an extreme amount, but more than I'd like. Are there any exercises that might help or will it just come to me with more practice? I've been doing the spider exercises, but I don't think I'm getting that much benefit out of it since at least one of my fingers is always sticking up. My hands aren't very big, but I'm sure that it's possible. If anyone has any advice on how I can fix this I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

mid_life_crisis · #2 08-16-2010, 11:17 AM

I'm even newer at this than you are, but I have a question that may help. I've seen the spider exercises, and they look very helpful for coordination and flexibility, but are you doing anything for strength?
I realized very quickly that my pinkie was weak and purchased a medium tension grip master and some rough rider caps for it. In a week, the difference is huge. I don't believe the claims of increased speed, but pressing a string and knowing it is going to stay down until I decide to let it up helps a great deal. I still have trouble stretching my middle finger to reach a fret sometimes, so I just use my pinkie instead. String down, problem solved.
This particular exerciser has individual buttons for each finger so you can practice different finger combinations.

bassista6 · #3 08-16-2010, 11:28 AM

I've never heard of one of those exercisers. Could you give me a link or tell me the name of it? I don't have problems with strength my fingers keep the strings down just fine it's just that the fingers that aren't holding a string down always stick up instead of staying on the strings. I've been playing the piano for 11 years and sometimes I still have a problem keeping all my fingers on the piano keys as well. I'm not sure what it is about my fingers. They just don't seem to like to cooperate.

MixBass · #4 08-16-2010, 11:29 AM

I'm not quite sure I understand what you're after but, if you're talking about UBS technique, all fingers under the fingered note should be down.
A good little thing I used to do to avoid flying fingers was put all 4 fingers on their own fret, finger per fret rule, and hold them all down. Then lift each one up, one at a time while holding the other 3 down.
It has zero musicality to it but It does help train muscle memory, especially the pinkie when lifting the 3rd finger. It seems you're on the right track, keep all fingers in the playing field all the time

Billnc · #5 08-16-2010, 11:32 AM

Rather than exercises I would practice arppeggios to get the chord tones down, then scales. Better to build dexterity through musical materials than the other exercises. You should never stretch the middle finger. It may be best not to use the third finger below the fifth fret, unless you are playing the fifth of the chord with it and the octave with your pinky.

mid_life_crisis · #6 08-16-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassista6

I've never heard of one of those exercisers. Could you give me a link or tell me the name of it? I don't have problems with strength my fingers keep the strings down just fine it's just that the fingers that aren't holding a string down always stick up instead of staying on the strings. I've been playing the piano for 11 years and sometimes I still have a problem keeping all my fingers on the piano keys as well. I'm not sure what it is about my fingers. They just don't seem to like to cooperate.

I'll find the links for both this evening and post them.
The caps are great for building callouses when you are new or for maintaining them if you are in a situation where you can't practice. Hurts like a mother at first.

fearceol · #7 08-16-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

I realized very quickly that my pinkie was weak and purchased a medium tension grip master and some rough rider caps for it. In a week, the difference is huge.

Maybe you noticed some difference, but the gripping device did not do it. The strength needed to fret a string is the opposite of that needed to grip. It is in the lifting of the fingers from one note to another on the F/B, where the strength is needed. Gripping devices dont help your bass playing IMO.

OP : An exercise I found good was to start on the 7th fret E string with the index finger. Now put your second finger on the next fret without lifting the first one, then place the 3rd finger on the next fret. Keep all three down, and then fret with the 4th finger. Repeat on all strings. Do this slowly, until your fingers learn to stay close to the board. Keep practicing and you'll get it.

noahw1 · #8 08-16-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billnc

Rather than exercises I would practice arppeggios to get the chord tones down, then scales. Better to build dexterity through musical materials than the other exercises. You should never stretch the middle finger.

+1

bassista6 · #9 08-16-2010, 11:42 AM

Thanks everyone. I have been using the one finger per fret rule only below the 5th fret and the 1-3-5 above the fifth fret.
MixBass that's what I mean. Those annoying flying fingers. What is UBS technique? I've tried that exercise you mentioned, but I'm not able to do it consistently yet. I guess I just need more practice. I'll try all of the exercise mentioned above and hopefully I'll start seeing improvements soon. I'm not sure why it's so hard for me, but I know I'll get it.

johnboy65 · #10 08-16-2010, 11:44 AM

Those hand excercisers are not the way to go. Your hand stays in the same position and that is not good, it is repetitive stress that can lead to Carpal tunnel syndrome. Just keep playing, it'll come.

fearceol · #11 08-16-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassista6

Thanks everyone. I have been using the one finger per fret rule only below the 5th fret and the 1-3-5 above the fifth fret.

I think you mean the 1,3,4

.... and I think you have them the wrong way round ( as in OFPF above the 5th fret.

bassista6 · #12 08-16-2010, 11:53 AM

Yes you are right. I was thinking 1-3-5 from playing chords on the piano. I mean 1-3-4 and yes I meant above the 5th fret not below it. That's what happens when you only get 4 hours of sleep.

Rich Treat · #13 08-16-2010, 11:59 AM

I had this problem when I first started playing. The only thing that I did was practice scales with a mirror either in front of me or off to the side where it is in the corner of my vision. Just having a different angle to draw attention to the bad habit was enough for me to stop doing it. I didn't really think about it too much, I just sort of stopped because i was aware of it. Doing scales with one finger per fret helps. The spider is a good exercise too.

Another thing that the mirror may help with is any other bad habits that you may not be aware of. Maybe you are doing something with your shoulders or your posture. Your upper body position can effect your arms and hands. If your shoulders aren't relaxed, or you slouch, then that can effect things as well. Victor Wooten often talks about the concept of how your body operates as one, so not just your hands are involved.

Biggest thing is patience though, it is a habit and it takes time to change habits.

bassista6 · #14 08-16-2010, 12:04 PM

It's funny that you mention that I actually do practice in front of a mirror, but sometimes I don't pay attention to it. I have noticed that the mirror really helps with my posture. I will just continue to practice and I probably need to slow down some and make sure that my technique is perfect before speeding up. Thanks everyone.

Mr.Tannerdal · #15 08-16-2010, 12:19 PM

I assume that you're talking about your left hand fingers?

If that is the case, i would reccomend to try out some different thumb-positions. Do you usually have your left hand thumb in a high position or in the middle of the neck?

/Mr.T

Billnc · #16 08-16-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassista6

It's funny that you mention that I actually do practice in front of a mirror, but sometimes I don't pay attention to it. I have noticed that the mirror really helps with my posture. I will just continue to practice and I probably need to slow down some and make sure that my technique is perfect before speeding up. Thanks everyone.

Do not worry about speed. Worry about coordination. You can wiggle your fingers as fast as they ever will go. The rest is coordination. Seperate practice from performance. I practice music and reading. Then I practice what I need for band work. Most times this involves only learning songs. The point of studying is too make learning songs easy (and get the reading together). So much of my day is spent studying, with a bit of time at the end honing up on band problems, musically.

bassista6 · #17 08-16-2010, 12:38 PM

Yes, I'm talking about my left hand. I usually have my thumb in the middle of the neck.

MixBass · #18 08-16-2010, 02:11 PM

The UBS technique I was taught basically is anytime your 2nd finger is down, your 1st is also, anytime your 3nd finger is down, your 1st and 2nd are also, and pinky means 1,2, and 3 are down also. It does translate to EBG well although it's not as necessary. Another muscle memory type thing to try can be put your pinky on say the A string and fret fingers 1,2,3 on the D string, again finger per fret.. It will teach your hand what it feels like to not have the pinky flying away. Also, the grippers may be good, some say not, but I don't think they will do anything as far as this issue is concerned. It seems to be a natural thing to let the fingers fly as I did it and every student/newer player I've seen does it. We just have to be patient and train our limbs to be where we want them. Check out Gary Willis youtube vids. He sheds some light on the physical task of playing bass. Whether or not you choose to attempt his technique, you will learn something valuable about the physics of playing.
Fwiw, the exercises I've described I like to call TV exercises, stuff to do while watching a game or something, because they are boring and not musical. But if you put in the hours of training the muscles, it will show up in real playing. It's great that you're paying attention to this early while you're developing your habits. Keep it up ,be patient, study with someone good, and you'll make leaps!

bassista6 · #19 08-16-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixBass

The UBS technique I was taught basically is anytime your 2nd finger is down, your 1st is also, anytime your 3nd finger is down, your 1st and 2nd are also, and pinky means 1,2, and 3 are down also. It does translate to EBG well although it's not as necessary. Another muscle memory type thing to try can be put your pinky on say the A string and fret fingers 1,2,3 on the D string, again finger per fret.. It will teach your hand what it feels like to not have the pinky flying away. Also, the grippers may be good, some say not, but I don't think they will do anything as far as this issue is concerned. It seems to be a natural thing to let the fingers fly as I did it and every student/newer player I've seen does it. We just have to be patient and train our limbs to be where we want them. Check out Gary Willis youtube vids. He sheds some light on the physical task of playing bass. Whether or not you choose to attempt his technique, you will learn something valuable about the physics of playing.
Fwiw, the exercises I've described I like to call TV exercises, stuff to do while watching a game or something, because they are boring and not musical. But if you put in the hours of training the muscles, it will show up in real playing. It's great that you're paying attention to this early while you're developing your habits. Keep it up ,be patient, study with someone good, and you'll make leaps!

Thanks for explaining that technique for me. That's exactly what I'm trying to do. I'll try your exercise along with the rest people have given me and I know I'll begin to see improvements. It's funny I actually enjoy playing exercises on the bass. When I first started playing keyboard I hated playing finger exercises and scales, but for some reason it's different with bass. Thanks for the encouragement. I've been lurking around on this site since last November, but I've never posted anything until yesterday. I don't know why. Anyway thank you all for your help.

mid_life_crisis · #20 08-17-2010, 08:36 AM

Here are the links if you are still interested. I own the medium tension one. Hindsight being 20/20, if I knew then what I know now, etc, I would have purchased the light tension unit. You are just looking to get a little exercise when you can't be playing and practice moving your fingers independently and in concert with each other in different patterns, not kill your hand. The lighter tension will due very well for this. I make it a point to hold the thing so that the motion of my fingers as closely matches fretting strings as I possibly can.
http://www.isokineticsinc.com/catego...od4EQ5Zw<br />
http://www.amazon.com/Ruff-Rider-Gri.../dp/B0002H0N26