New Bassist-please don't flame

[MyChemicalWar]

Thank you for reading this and if I am posting in the wrong spot I apologize. An experienced guitarist, I recently decided to delve into the world of bass a few months ago. At first, naturally, a pick felt the best for playing. After a while however, I tired of the hollow sound and went for finger style. About a month ago I decided to use my fingers instead of a plectrum, and so I started practicing 2 finger technique. My fingers of course were shredded, but I kept going and now have good callouses. I started doing hand and finger exercises, and have even started learning 3 finger technique. My main problem is speed and sound. I can play most of my favorite songs without problem, but faster ones seriously tire my wrist. (The Kill from TSTM comes to mind.) Also, as my fingers have hardened, the sound has become less fat and mellow, and more of a plectrum sound. I also find the string often hitting the frets as i pluck. My questions are: What can I do about the strings reverberating off the frets and making a mucky sound, (my action is set fairly high ), and what can I do to speed up my fingers? And is 3 finger technique really worth learning, or should I stick with 2? Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Ryan

[jsingles]

fret noise can be reduced alot with a good EQ, pull off your highs, and if your bass is active, make sure you are not boosting your treble. as far as speeding up your fingers, theres no secret to it, you just keep practicing. sounds like you are on the right track though, just keep it up and you'll get where you want to be.

Welcome to the dark side

[bburk]

It sounds like you have one or both of the following two issues.

a. you play too far toward the neck.
b. you play with too much attack.

Neither of these are problems mind you, if that's the sound you are going for. If you want a fatter, less 'clacky' sound, try moving your right hand (or left if you are left-handed) a bit more toward the bridge. Right in between the pickups is a good starting point. If that doesn't help, try softening up your attack a bit and use the gain on your amp to get the volume you need. Also, make sure your aren't pulling the strings away from the bass when you pluck. This can cause the string to bounce back and get that fret sound you describe. If none of that helps, you may want to have someone look at your setup. You may have some neck issues. A good way to check for yourself really quick is the following: hold the string down at the first and last fret and check the clearance of the string around the 7th-9th fret. There should be some play between the fret and the string (about the width of a credit card is good)



As for the shredded fingers issue... I had the same problem when I first started out. Turns out, I was using way more strength than I needed. After years of gnarly fingers, I had a teacher take a long look at my technique and suggest some changes. He taught me the value in economy of motion and relaxation. It completely turned my world around. It really just doesn't require that much force to fret and pluck. Almost none really. I can play all day on steel round-wounds and my fingers are as soft as the day I was born. I'd definitely suggest having a professional teacher give you a few lessons on technique. It's almost impossible to critique someone's technique via the internet....

Personally I think 2 fingers is plenty for anything I ever need to do. I'd suggest getting that down solid first. Then, if you want to more to different right hand techniques move on to slap or the 'thumb and two fingers' technique (like fingerstyle guitar, not sure if it has a name on bass)

[MyChemicalWar]

Thank you very much guys! All your info was really useful

[MarkTAW]

+1 for "too much attack"

Don't pluck so hard. Learn to play with a lighter touch.

When I first started playing, I'd adjust my strings (and intonation) so the strings were "high enough that the frets wouldn't buzz when I plucked them as hard as I could." This was completely wrong, but it worked for me at the time.

Now I've mellowed into plucking the strings with a light touch and I can play any well set-up bass without worrying about clacking on the frets.

This should also deepen your tone a bit. Less attack means more of the fundamental comes through and less of the clangy bit you get when you first pluck the string or when it buzzes against the frets.

[MyChemicalWar]

Thank you so much. I increased my volume and used less attack and it helped alot. It also helped with speed as I'm not wasting finger motion "digging into" the strings. Thanks again, this community is awesome.

[wpatton11]

I switch back & forth between upright and a fretless with fairly low action (and mandolin - go figure!) - and it always takes me a while to mellow out my right hand - all the nuances come out when I settle down a bit... relaxation, again.
-will p

[Thor]

They nailed it already.

Welcome to the wonderful world of thunder!

[treyfriend]

as for your hands cramping up, i had the same problem, when you play, make sure to have no tension in any of your fingers or anywhere else. take a metronome and practice moving fast with your plucking hand. Don't pluck hard. Pluck quickly. as for your left hand, !!!!DONT!!!! get the idea that you need to strengthen your fingers. instead, try to find out how light you can touch that string where it doesn't buzz. I know people who have carpal tunnel(who gives a fudge how it's spelled) because they try to squeeze that string after they start getting tired.

[Rattman]

Save energy, save your speakers, save your frets, and above all: save your hands... a softer touch will accomplish all those goals simultaneously. Your tone will also be much improved as a result.

[lambro]

Originally Posted by MyChemicalWar

Thank you so much. I increased my volume and used less attack and it helped alot. It also helped with speed as I'm not wasting finger motion "digging into" the strings. Thanks again, this community is awesome.

you got it, thats what is behind the idea of a Ramp on a bass or a scalloped fretboard on guitar, you can use more correct and focused energy to get the job done

as for 3 finger technique, as a guitarist you must already do some finger picking? definitely use it for chord voicings and if you want to try it for single note runs check out Hadrien Freraud and Billy Sheehan for examples of what is possible