Left Hand Technique

[BullHorn]

I'm sure there've been dozens of threads like this, but I think mine is somewhat special.

I've been playing for about 9 months. I have enough strength to hold down the strings and I use 4 fingers on the fretting hand. I can move pretty fast and my stretching is wide (From the 1st to the 5th fret easily).

Problem is that even though I feel like I can play anything I try to, it always sounds bad. Fret buzz although the guy in the music shop played on my bass and had no buzzing; I'm holding down the strings with all of my might. :|

Also, I miss notes too often and my slides sound like poop (buzzing again).

I have no idea how to get better, I'm playing everyday and I feel like I'm stuck in the same level I was 3 or 4 months ago and don't progress.



What can I do?

[hyp.spec]

If you're holding down with all your might, that means you are fretting WAAAAAAAY too hard.

It doesn't sound like you need a setup to me, because the 'other' guy can play it fine.

I would suggest try not fretting so hard. The string doesnt need to eat away your frets to get a sound.

Also, you might not be holding your bass properly either. If either of your hands are plucking or fretting awkwardly you'll notice some bad sounds.

Read up here on Talkbass and I'm sure you'll find quite a bit of useful information!!

[daffy]

Your buzz may actually be tour RIGHT hand playing too hard, or too much into the body of your bass.

Try lightening up both your left and right hand and adjust your right hand finger attack - let the amp do more work, and pull the string towards your head instead of pushing it into the body of the bass.

The trick is to relax and use as little effort as possible to fret and play - it will make you much faster too.

You must be nimble grasshopper!