I'd like to see some hands...

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hi everybody.

After posting some pictures of a gig I had last Friday and seeing other fellow TalkBassers in action, I felt interested about that kind of (obvious) variety on playing techniques, so I'd like to see in a single thread pictures in which both hands' playing style is clearly seen. Of course, there are lots of techniques like slapping, tapping, playing with a pick, but my idea is: I want to see pictures (preferably just one per poster) that you feel represent your regular playing technique the best. The only condition: No posing, OK? I mean, nothing like "I'm going to put my hands on my bass the best I can and take a picture of that". I'm talking about actual, inadvertent action pics. Thank you in advance! Here's mine (3rd time I post it, BTW):



P.S.: I can't recall any "pics request" thread in the technique forum, but since this is technique-related, I feel this is the best place for posting. Maybe I'm wrong, so please mods move this if necessary.

[Corbow]

Here I go...like...shake it, baby

[machine gewehr]

Hey Alvaro I love your fretting hand position/technique!I see ıts a very good technique and I'm working on it to do it like you
for some time but its really hard for me,any suggestions hot to achieve that?

[myrockinbass]

I'm horrible! But fun at the Hard Rock! Like the strategically placed mic stand??!!

[Sandman1278]

slap on a fretless-(yes It's just the lines )


for some reason my pinky flys out eratically when I play like a natural muscle reaction or something

[myrockinbass]

I've got the same problem, I feel like a Grandmother at a tea party!

[Erlend]

yeah yeah

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

Hey Alvaro I love your fretting hand position/technique!I see ıts a very good technique and I'm working on it to do it like you
for some time but its really hard for me,any suggestions hot to achieve that?

Hey man, thank you for your comments!

Well, one of the best exercises for getting that position (in my experience, of course) is the one that my students have baptized "The fingerbreaker":



Some VERY IMPORTANT remarks about this:

- Notice that each staff has the same pattern. The only difference is the string in which it's played. So, when you finish one string and move to the next one, don't raise your fingers off the fretboard. Just do it when it's time for each finger to play the next note.

- The metronome marking is strict. No faster than that. Now, if you want to play it slower, that's great, but even more difficult.

- TAKE IT EASY. The idea is to play the whole exercise from beginning to end non-stop, but don't try to achieve that from the very beginning. You can have some serious injuries in your left hand if you try to play this without proper warmup and without being used to the exercise (This means: Lots of time and patience). The most important thing: If you feel an unbearable pain, STOP INMEDIATELY, take a break and try again when you feel fine.

- I think this is extremely difficult if you don't wear your bass high. This is another reason why I wear it like that. Also notice the angle in which I wear my instrument. When playing this exercise, there's a tendency to raise the neck. You should avoid that at all costs.

- If it feels "impossible to play" at the beginning, try playing it at the 7th position and going lower as you feel comfortable.

- Again, with lots of time and patience, you'll notice something like this:



My left hand has a curvature that my right hand hasn't. Guess why...

Hope this helps. And hey... I want to see more hands!

[Sandman1278]

playing that slowly seeems easy, not difficult,

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Sandman1278

playing that slowly seeems easy, not difficult,

Just try it non-stop and following my directions (#s 1, 2 & 4) strictly.

[pointbass]

Looking at my fat paws you can see why I need wider string spacing ......

[MikeBass]

About as opposite of styles as you can get but here ya go!!

[chaosMK]

Here are a few. I've learned a bit from seeing pics of my hands. I'll admit, these are probably some of the better ones.

[bassist 4 life]

Originally Posted by pointbass

Looking at my fat paws you can see why I need wider string spacing ......

You look like Seymour Duncan

[machine gewehr]

Thanks for the help and the "finger breaker" Alvaro,you've been very helpful!

[Mike Flynn]

Me in Thailand last year - that was fun...not sure what I'm looking at.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

Thanks for the help and the "finger breaker" Alvaro,you've been very helpful!

My pleasure, man. Let me know of your progress! Maybe I should add: Always play it while standing (better than seated IMO) and if you play a 5 or 6 string bass, use the other string(s) as well.

[chaosMK]

Originally Posted by Mike Flynn

Me in Thailand last year - that was fun...not sure what I'm looking at.

Very cool pic, but where are the hands?

[pointbass]

Originally Posted by bassist 4 life

You look like Seymour Duncan

LOL

Old guys, white hair ..... hey, maybe he's my brother from another mother

[velvetkevorkian]

I think my technique has improved since that was taken, fortunately.