I have a problem.

[ChrisYoung]

It seems that when I play something while showing someone my arm seems to freeze up and it gets really hard to move my fingers. This also happens when I am playing something repetitive and fast paced. My arm can't seem to relax. Any pointers? I currently don't have a strap anymore because I broke my last one. I read somewhere that using a strap is a must for smooth bass play.

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by ChrisYoung

I read somewhere that using a strap is a must for smooth bass play.

IMO a strap is a must for consistancy... and consistancy is a must for developing good technique. So yea, I'd say you're far better with strap that without. Also, when you don't have a strap, you have to hold the bass with your hands and that takes away from arm and hand flexiblity and strength.

I couldn't say that a strap will solve the problem you are talking about, but it won't hurt. Learning to control your muscle tension is important. I used to have that same kind of problem and I solved it by concentrating on what I was doing more that how it was doing it. As a point of example, when you are walking, you don't think about what muscles you are using or how you are walking... when you speak your name, you don't think about how to shape and move your mouth, you just think of those tasks and do them... your mind takes over and controls the parts of your body that you need to use. Force yourself to relax and think about the music, let your body do the rest.

[lowerclef]

Well, you can also play smoothly without a strap - if you're sitting down.

As for your arm, how do the fast, repetitive passages feel to you when you are playing? Is it tense and forced, or relaxed? If it is tense and forced, you need more practice. Ultimately, your lines should be able to flow out with minimal effort. They will also sound much, much better.

To build fluid technique to be able to do this, you must practice VERY SLOWLY. That's right - slow down until every note is clean and clear. If you are struggling at all to get the notes out, you are playing too fast. Don't worry about a metronome at this point. You are trying to develop muscle memory here. You can use that later to refine your time once you get it under your fingers.

It's like typing - go for 100% accuracy first, and the speed will automatically follow. This takes awhile - you'll probably feel the urge to speed up a lot, but keep it slow. Once your muscles "get it," you will suddenly see that you can play the passage faster (and cleaner). Take your favorite tough riff and try practicing it this way for a couple weeks and see what happens!

You can also do some deep breathing and stretching before you play to help relax. Hope this helps!

[chaosMK]

I'd invest in a strap or more cowbell.

[ChrisYoung]

Yeah, sometimes I do feel like its forced and tense... but lately ive been practicing like you've said and my girlfriend has been giving me the same advice for weeks i just wasn't listening because i'm hard headed.
Guess I needed to hear it from another bass player... lol..