Left Hand Trouble

[matthiasss]

Hey everyone, I'm having a little bit of trouble with my left hand. I think I have seen some posts around here before regarding this kind of issue while I was exploring the forums, but I couldn't seem to find anything about it when I really needed to find it. My problem is that when I fret any note, my fingers seem to stay really far from the frets when I release the note. When I start to play faster, my fingers fly backwards away from the fretboard. Example when I do a finger exercise like this:


-(Fingers used)-4--3---2-1----4--3--2--1---4-3 -2-1
G--------------12-11-10-9---11-10-9-8---10--9--8-7----
D------------------------------------------------------
A------------------------------------------------------
E------------------------------------------------------

I continue down the neck at a constant rate of speed. I'm sure this isn't the first time you've seen this exercise, I'm just not sure what to call it

when I do this exercise or basically whenever I fret notes, after I release a fretted note my fingers do not stay close to the fretboard. My fourth finger and index finger fly back more than the others when I release the note.

Any suggestions on how to fix this?

[CiRRuS~BaSS]

go through the exercise as you would normally, except slow it down...alot. watch your left hand and conciously keep your finger close when you release the string. this will require you perhaps to go painfully slow but if you stick with it youll appreciate the extra work.

also make sure to keep the fingers that youve already played with close to the fret board too. (ex. keep your pinky consciously close after you release with your index, etc.)

let me know if that helps, any more questions feel free to ask...

[bassolf]

Try to bend the tip of your fingers when you play the exercise. You`ll then have more control of your fingers.
PS: What you are playing is a Chromatic sequence!

[matthiasss]

Alright thanks for the responses! I'll start working on that, hopefully won't have tooooo much trouble

[Marcury]

Originally Posted by CiRRuS~BaSS

go through the exercise as you would normally, except slow it down...alot. watch your left hand and conciously keep your finger close when you release the string. this will require you perhaps to go painfully slow but if you stick with it youll appreciate the extra work.

+1 slow and conscious practice is the way to fix this and any other bad habits.