Left Hand Balance

[SSINTENSE]

This is it regarding technique. There were others but the ones I posted were the essentials. We did cover some polyrhythmic concepts which I don't think I should post in this particular forum.


This thread is about a left hand fretting technique which makes pulling off and left-handed articulation of a note with the pinky much easier.

The best position for your bass to be in is high. Adjust the strap so that the bass is barely hanging off your back when you sit down (or close to that point). Ofcourse this isn't the only way to play - there are many different techniques and positions to be utilized given the adjustment of your bass, but this setup is good for the technique in discussion.


What you want is to have your thumb posted around the lower section of the neck so that you can pivot your wrist far away from yourself to have your fingers nearly perpindicular to the neck. Position your hand and thumb so that your pinky is nearly straight when fretting and your index finger is slightly curved. This curvature of the index is not a bad thing because you are sacrificing a little strength from your index to give your pinky much more strength and independence. Overall, this position gives balance to your hand. I find it useful for technique heavy lines which require alot of action by each of your fingers.

Here are some excercises you can practice to get used to this position:

1. Place all four fingers on any part of the neck, preferably frets 1-4. Practice pulling off with every possible combination of fingers, pulling "to the floor" and "to the ceiling." Here are a list of possible combos:

(4 pull 1 - pinky to index)
3 pull 2 - ring to middle)

You get the idea here. Practice this slowly with all combinations of fingers. So articulate, wait one second, pull off, and hold that note for one second. Try combos of three after you get the hang of this. Also try doing double pulloffs (pull off, hammer on, pull off) by first going "to the floor" and then "to the ceiling".

A more tricky excercise is to play a fretted note with your right hand and then hammering on with your pinky on the corresponding fret on another string to so. Try this with all combinations of fingers and strings.