How to play faster

[LTSmash]

Hi,

So here I am, a Metal/Bass player, and would like to know how to archieve a faster fingering techinique. i tried by using three fingers, but I cannot seem to do it right (ok, I manage to do faster streams with the 3 fingers, but only if I don't have to be contantly changing the string I am playing on)...

it's not that I want to play all the time super fast songs, but I would like to be able to play sometime some dragonforce songs without a pluck...

Let's put it this way: how can I learn to play faster with only two fingers, or how can I manage to play with the 3?

Thanks

[mkrtu9]

I don't think it is very common, but I play with two fingers and my thumb if I need to play faster.

[MNAirHead]

If it's a rolling note on one string.. you can do an up/down using the thumb/first finger..

Downstrokes are thumb.. up are 1st finger..

T.

[eddievanbassman]

Practice, practice, practice. You can try the Steve Harris two finger gallop or build the strength in your ring finger to play with 3.

[LTSmash]

How can I practice the Steve Harris technique? I have always wanted to do it! Any suggestions?

[TFunkadelic]

To play faster, practice slower.

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by TFunkadelic

To play faster, practice slower.

Any other suggestions?

[rx jr.]

practice. i can play really fast on one single string with just two fingers. how long have you been playing?

[omnimutant]

Try to play softer on your strings tapping with your 2 fingers closer to the neck. Don't pluck strings. Practice tapping your fingers on your desk and try getting into a fast drum roll pattern with those two fingers. As always practice a lot. For galloping I tend to use 3 fingers, but for shear speed 2 works best for me too

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by rx jr.

practice. i can play really fast on one single string with just two fingers. how long have you been playing?

For almost 2 years now...

[Bloodhammer]

This would be a good question for Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse).

This may or may not help, but I got pretty dang fast with my fingers when I played in a Misfits tribute. Jerry Only played really fast with a pick and I turned my nose up at the idea of using one (possibly a bit immature), so I made myself able to do it fingerstyle the way you can make yourself able to do 1000 pushups......work 'till it hurts then keep workin'

Start simple. Play Venom songs and stuff like that a lot.

[Nashrakh]

Originally Posted by omnimutant

Try to play softer on your strings tapping with your 2 fingers closer to the neck.

+1

Playing softer reduces friction.

Plus, maybe try a ramp. And try to reduce finger motion. If you got your fingers flying all over the place when plucking, you're doing it wrong. That's what I usually see when fellow bass players complain about their lack of speed.

[Turock]

Relax your arm.

[MistaMarko]

Ever since I learned the 3-finger technique, I've been able to play at any speed with ease.

[standupright]

practice and repetition. that's it.

[MistaMarko]

This video might be a big help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CAGinmT9Po

[Maxi]

Practice, practice, practice.

I used to practice 5+ hours a day until I got a job!

And as everyone says, when you want to play REALLY fast, don't hit the strings as hard.

[rx jr.]

Originally Posted by LTSmash

For almost 2 years now...

have you been practicing everyday for hours? if you want to play fast and not be all sloppy and messy, you just gotta practice practice practice and your skills will come eventually. don't rush anything.

[jellymax]

do you play pluck hard? if so,
playing lighter can get you there. takes time & hard work.

to incorporate this into your style you will have to play a bit lighter the rest of time
to match dynamics.

[COOL AND DEADLY]

Work on hitting the string with less of your finger, and also concentrate on pulling your finger away as quickly as possible too. Pretend the strings are hot. Play scales with a metronome. Start slow, increase speed a bit at a time. As you increase speed, remember to fret cleanly, and plauck cleanly. Practice with your plucking fingers on one string, alternating as fast as you can. Use your fretting hand to either play a dead note or a harmonic ,don't bother pulling your fingertip off the string.