My technique gets worse outside home :S

[machine gewehr]

When I'm playing at home,I try to touch the strings very softly,both right and left hand.I sometimes forget that,which leads to sloppy technique.But I try it for most of the time.

But,when we are reharsing,I lose my good technique and its the beast inside o' me playing.Hitting the strings instead of softly touching them,pushing the strings into the fretboard.(My old bass has string marks on the fretboard )

Note that we are a very loud heavy metal band.Thats fires me up for sure.
Also,I have ramp I can't do without,I wear my bass pretty high for a heavy metal bassist,like Jaco or Marcus.

What should I do?Its really disturbing to play the tunes perfectly at home but to suck in the reharshal.

[Peregrine]

At least you realize the problem, it's importst to play in the same way as you practice. Pay more attention when your'e playing, and correct your technique when you notice it slipping.
Also try maybe turning up more, it will reduce the temptation to dig in.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

...try maybe turning up more, it will reduce the temptation to dig in.

That's what I'm thinking.

Keep in-mind also that you don't have to 'turn it ALL up' - you might (likely, I'd say...) just need to turn the MIDS up.

You don't have a 'conture' switch engaged, do you? -that'll usually bury'ya-good in a live situation. they usually are designed to suck all your MIDS out!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some dynamic gain conrol (compression) can do a world of good, too - and no matter what some WILL say (there are some compressor-haters here on the Technique Forum; they think that the only possible use for compressors is 'cheating' on technique or some-such...), almost every single professional rock recording ever made has a considerable amount of compression on the Bass - becuase it sounds so good in a mix.

Joe

[Fliptrique]

Keep your cool.

I`ve had this problem some time ago - it`s all tension created from all those dB around. Just relax, it can be done. Playing with my eyes closed and treating everything as half-time helps a lot.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Fliptrique

Keep your cool.

I`ve had this problem some time ago - it`s all tension created from all those dB around. Just relax, it can be done. Playing with my eyes closed and treating everything as half-time helps a lot.

Yeah, relaxation is counterintuitive when you play with a loud band, but it's the key to playing well in any situation. If you can countenance the suggestion, try playing with earplugs and let your amp do all the work. Lowering the ambient dB level has the psychological effect of not making you think like you have to pound the bass into submission in order to be heard.

[user101]

Why is digging in commonly referred to as a "problem" or "bad technique"? And why does everyone strive to play with a soft or light touch. I think playing soft and hard gives you different tones and should both be practiced to keep your options open. Sure if you dig in and your timing goes out or your plucking is inconsistant, then there's a problem. But if not then i don't see it as bad technique.

Or have i misunderstood the term "digging in"?

[Otso]

Digging in usually refers to using excessive force. Obviously it's good to able to control the dynamics of your playing with your plucking.

[Joe Nerve]

I've played lots and lots of gigs, and this is still something I battle with. Adrenaline kicks in, and a lot of times I'm digging in more that necessary. A lot more than in my house.

Just cuz your digging in and playing harder doesn't mean you have to play more sloppily. If the stuff you're doing is fast and challenging you might want to practice playing it in the house faster than you'd actually do it so you won't struggle when you hit a stage.

The only time I run into trouble is if I have to do something super fast, but I'm usually consciouse enough of the fact that it's coming up that I can pull myself back.

The only other 2 things I can recommend for help are to, 1. make yourself a little louder (as already mentioned), and 2. make yourself aware before you start playing. Put an effort in to play a little more lightly - it goes a long way.

And just for a final note - I dig in 90% of the time, and I like that as part of my style. I've learned though that there's soooo much more I can do, soooo many more sounds, sooooo much more articulation and even fun in my playing when I get control of that right hand.

[Shoewreck]

Wear earplugs, set mids flat or boosted, set volume higher and try not to overpower others. That's about what I do on rehearsals. I can't stand guitarded guys setting highs too high, but closed headphones (not connected, used for isolation purpose only) help me to listen mostly to lows/mids that are mine. BTW, I tried floating thumb technique yesterday (I usually anchor my thumb to a pickup). Helped me evening the tone.

[machine gewehr]

Wow,so many responses and each one is really helpful!

So,I'll try to do everything you said,I'll open it up a little bit more,try to concentrate and with a little more touch of the mids.

Also,I don't see digging in as sloppy technique,its a technique that creates different sounds from soft touch.I like digged in tone better indeed but my plucking hand is injured.I have to keep it soft to prevent the pain.I started 3 finger plucking because of that and playing 3 finger "dig in" style makes my technique really sloppy!

Also I still don't understand why my fretting hand is diggin' in?


Thanks for the replies!

[JimmyM]

The left hand gets as pumped up as the right hand does, that's why.

Digging in is not a bad thing, nor is it associated with excessive force. Playing light is cool, but sometimes it sounds too wimpy. On some tunes, it's what the doctor ordered. On other tunes, you want to get forceful with the bass. For example, I don't think I could play a 70's funk tune without digging in a little and getting a little rattle. But a little does go a long way.

I'd say your main problem isn't with technique but general relaxation. The idea is to look like you're tearing the bass up but to be relaxed. Not an easy trick. But these tips were good ones, so try them out.

[morf]

+1 to keep your cool. You can lash out at your bass but still be in total control. Work on setting your mind on the music, or the drummer, not your own sound.

[tZer]

It's not uncommon for the energy of jamming to supercede full focus on perfect technique - but like everyone is saying, if you keep your head about you and make thinking about your technique a part of your live play you will get better at keep your technique consistent.

It can be difficult to maintain "perfect" technique (if such a thing really exists) - especially when trying to play your line, sing backups and pay attention to the rest of the piece - but a little bit of thinking about it goes a long way.

[west*coast*bass]

RELAX

[machine gewehr]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The left hand gets as pumped up as the right hand does, that's why.

Digging in is not a bad thing, nor is it associated with excessive force. Playing light is cool, but sometimes it sounds too wimpy. On some tunes, it's what the doctor ordered. On other tunes, you want to get forceful with the bass. For example, I don't think I could play a 70's funk tune without digging in a little and getting a little rattle. But a little does go a long way.

I'd say your main problem isn't with technique but general relaxation. The idea is to look like you're tearing the bass up but to be relaxed. Not an easy trick. But these tips were good ones, so try them out.

I totally agree with you! Digging in is a way of putting character to the sound.Thats why I don't use compressors,some songs call for pulling hard,hitting the string etc...I want to achieve that with my technique.

I have a relaxation problem,I'm avare of that.My fingers get locked up sometimes to the fretboard and can't play.Thats when I'm digging in indeed.

I just put my bass away,I tried to do what all you said.IT WORKED!!! I started with Pink Floyd,no need to be aggresive.Then a couple of Satriani songs,still I kept cool.Then the hardest one to calm myself down,Iron Maiden-Two minutes to midnight.There is something that fires me up with that song,and you know what.I kept cool for the first time,and played it easily and softly!!!

Thanks for the tips again!

[user101]

Ok, so we cleared up the digging in issue. But if it makes your playing sloppy then the only thing to do is practice digging in clean and controlled. Basically there's nothing much to it, just do your regular practice routine (be it scales or appregios or songs) except play it a little harder. And the next time around a little harder. And then when you sort of got it, go through it soft again. Then alternate between soft and hard.

Of course if you practice as "hard" as i do (i'm getting really lazy nowadays ) it will take you a few years, but if you're hardworking you'll get it in no time. May sound abit hypocritical now but i wasn't always this lazy. Also i have less time now to get on the bass (out of the house at 8am back at 10pm) and my advice is, practice as much as you can because you'd never know what's coming at you in the future.

[Herrlster]

I used to have the same problem/kinda still have the same problem...

Now when I notice that I'm getting "agressive" while playing a gig or at band practice I just correct myself.

I used to do it because I thought I wasn't loud enough, now I just turn up a bit and fiddle with my EQ.

I sound a lot better now.

[morf]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

I totally agree with you! Digging in is a way of putting character to the sound.Thats why I don't use compressors,some songs call for pulling hard,hitting the string etc...I want to achieve that with my technique.

I have a relaxation problem,I'm avare of that.My fingers get locked up sometimes to the fretboard and can't play.Thats when I'm digging in indeed.

I just put my bass away,I tried to do what all you said.IT WORKED!!! I started with Pink Floyd,no need to be aggresive.Then a couple of Satriani songs,still I kept cool.Then the hardest one to calm myself down,Iron Maiden-Two minutes to midnight.There is something that fires me up with that song,and you know what.I kept cool for the first time,and played it easily and softly!!!

Thanks for the tips again!

Glad to hear it! Keep it up, it takes a bit of concentration but you'll be happy with the result.

[machine gewehr]

Originally Posted by morf

Glad to hear it! Keep it up, it takes a bit of concentration but you'll be happy with the result.

Thanks morf.If I can beat that concentration problem of mine,I'll be a lot more succesful and happy.

BTW how is the band going?

[makaky]

Jeff Berlin said:

Let your amplification do the work, not your fingers.

Maybee you need a better amp setup? Power and quality makes such a difference