Speedy- need tips

Wolfpackleader6 · #1 11-04-2010, 08:42 PM

I have been playing bass for about a year and a half now, but I've gotten a lot better, and am now playing a 5 string. My question is this: How does one get faster? I play with 2 fingers, anyone have any advice on learning how to use the third?

**BullHorn** · #2 11-05-2010, 03:12 AM

One gets faster by using the Search button on the forum.

Other than that, you need a few things:

Accuracy - The more accurate you are, the faster you can go
Economy of motion - The less you need to move your fingers, the faster you can move them
Light touch - You can't really play extremely fast if you play too aggressively
Practice, practice, practice - I suggest you start with basic things at a slow tempo, make sure you are accurate and use as little motion as you possibly can to make the note sound and then slowly speed it up.
Metronome - Use it.

James Judson · #3 11-05-2010, 03:47 AM

Speed will naturally come as you progress.

Oh and what bullhorn said as well.

fearceol · #4 11-05-2010, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpackleader6

My question is this: How does one get faster?

Play slower !! I am serious. Play at a comfortable tempo, then gradually build up the speed. After that, it is a matter of practice and patience.

maturanesa · #5 11-07-2010, 02:20 PM

for me a good anchor/rest is the key. If your right hand is loosen and not "attached" well with the instrument you´ll never play fast and clear

brndn123 · #6 11-24-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maturanesa

for me a good anchor/rest is the key. If your right hand is loosen and not "attached" well with the instrument you´ll never play fast and clear

not exactly....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZVoj0Q1iVk

Ajrocks · #7 11-24-2010, 12:52 PM

I've been tryin g to get better on guitar while I am waiting on my bass gig to hit full swing, always tons of months down time, anyways, to play fast slow way down. There is a mind finger connection that as you play the notes over and over your mind will be able to work faster and take over on doing it effortlessly.
My playing has improved greatly playing the guitar and learning some guitar tricks for fast playing. Now if my voice will just get better! lol!

They say to play the selection you want at half the speed with a metronome and once it's perfect, speed it up a notch or so till eventually you are playing the selection at the right tempo and correctly

**mwesth** · #8 11-24-2010, 12:53 PM

His arm actually rests pretty much in the same spot...

Martin89 · #9 11-24-2010, 01:01 PM

In summary:

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

brndn123 · #10 11-24-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwesth

His arm actually rests pretty much in the same spot...

I was just pointing out the "if the right hand is loose, you can't play fast and clear." Thats all, no disrespect

Kobaia · #11 11-24-2010, 03:10 PM

Speed comes with time spend with the instrument

IbanezBass69 · #12 11-24-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin89

In summary:

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Mark Wahlberg- Shooter
Good advice for bass. I just figured it worked best as a bad-ass movie line.

Psycho · #13 11-24-2010, 10:56 PM

Lots and lots and lots of practice.

It took me a good 3 years to be able to play 16th notes, granted I have physical disabilities, and this whole time i've been struggling to play that fast. Do it slow, and do it a lot, continuously, until you begin to strain to play the notes. Then speed it up.

Push yourself, and you'll go farther.

NKUSigEp · #14 11-24-2010, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpackleader6

I have been playing bass for about a year and a half now, but I've gotten a lot better, and am now playing a 5 string. My question is this: How does one get faster? I play with 2 fingers, anyone have any advice on learning how to use the third?

Practice...and not just practicing the same old tunes, but trying to pick up on something that's similar in speed to what you are trying to play.

Chris K · #15 11-25-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brndn123

I was just pointing out the "if the right hand is loose, you can't play fast and clear." Thats all, no disrespect

I wouldn't call it disrespect either. I would call it nonsense.

Look at classical guitar players, upright bass players, bassguitar players who play with the floating thumb technique (Ed Friedland, Todd Johnson)...

IMO the question is not if your hand is loose or not, but if your bass guitar is firmly positioned. Many players need their thumb to anchor to keep their axe steady, or to follow the movements of their instruments with their hand. At risk of strain injuries...

http://chriskeuken.nl/health/strapping-the-bass.html
http://chriskeuken.nl/health/the-rig...r-muscles.html

**Staccato** · #16 11-25-2010, 12:47 AM

Uh hum. Let's get specific.

Try some phrases, parts, or entire songs at a tempo almost below what you're comfortable with, and get the part down very well-get those two fingers working for soft touch, then dig in the next time you play it. In other words, vary the sounds that you're producing on the part.

Now, start increasing the tempo in reasonable increments, faster, and try to reach a point where it sounds reasonable to your ear, and almost as fast as you can play it. Now, start working on repetition of that part at faster tempos.

With my Guitar Pro software, I can vary the tempo. Otherwise, I can use the metronome, and sheet music, or tab.

Have fun with it, and push yourself to sound good, and play the same music at a wide variety of tempos. This will help you as a musician.

mouthmw · #17 11-25-2010, 01:00 AM

+ 100 to all said

I'd also add, when it comes to solos and licks, I agree with the "if you cant hum it, you cant play it" philosophy. Slowi g down can be a crucial element in that.

bobknowsbass · #18 11-25-2010, 01:11 AM

True speed is a byproduct of accuracy. Play things slowly, but perfectly. From there, it's a simple process to speed it up correctly.
The problem comes when someone is trying to go too fast without knowing how to do it... see youtube bedroom guitarists...
I call this "false fast" it's not musical and no one else can play along to it, so don't do it!

James Judson · #19 11-25-2010, 01:28 AM

Lots of good advice so far. I say "train that pinky to behave". Theres lots of one finger bass players (none of them are fast). Learn some fancy guitar tricks like hammer ons, pull offs, slides etc.

I would not "focus" on speed per se. Speed will come automatically. I would focus on the bass drum. You lock in with that and it won't matter what the guitard plays, he'll sound good. Focus on the inbetween space that you don't play. The most important notes to play are called rests.

Chris K · #20 11-25-2010, 10:34 AM

Ok James!

Why doesn't bad little pinky behave? Because players rest the ENTIRE thumb pad against the back of the bass. Stretching the thumb urges pinky to act like his big brother

Test: stretch you thumb suddenly and firmly, watch what pinky does...

1. Rest only the upper half of the thumb pad against the neck; keep the thumb in a bow, and pinky will follow.
2. Don't move out the elbow more than necessary (= just free to pass along the side of your body) because if you move out the elbow, you are dragging poor little pinky (2/3 the length of his big brothers) in the direction of the lower rim of the fretboard. With your elbow close to (but not against) your side, it will be easy to keep your curved fingers level.

Read this:

http://chriskeuken.nl/health/the-nar...ist-guard.html