Stretching exercises

[Depth_Charge]

My teacher gave me some stretching exercises, but we didn't go over how to execute them. They are simply play the 1st fret, and 5th fret index and pinky. Then 1st and 4th index to ring, then 1st to 3rd index to middle.

I plan to ask my teacher at the next session but I have been playing them with a view to keeping my hand fanned out and stretched, not skipping between the notes...but it's a killer on my hand especially the F to A but I can do it...just.

Is this the way you've been shown this exercise??

When I try to play to metronome at over 80BPM, I need to skip my hand a little left to right in order to maintain momentum - so I tend not to do that until I clarify with my teacher. I am about a week into my first lesson, if that makes sense.

Thanks

[fearceol]

My teacher also gave me that exercise. Yes it is hard on the hand so I'd suggest not doing it too many times at one go.
Also I'd suggest lowering the metronome to a more comfortable BPM and concentrate on a clear tone. As you get better you can increase the speed gradually.

[JohnBarr]

It would not be cheating to move up the neck, maybe to G or A and start there, where it is not such a great stretch. Then move down to F.

A variation my teacher gave me that I like is to crab walk across the strings:
F-A/Index-pinkey, then: Bb-D/index-pinkey, then Eb-G ... etc and back.
Then reverse, starting on the pinky

Then 1st fret to 3rd fret on each string: F-Ab/Index-ring, Bb-Db ... across the neck.
Then 1-2, index-middle across the neck.
Then (this is important) reverse,, starting on the pinky: Pinky-index on each string; Pinky-middle... Move across the strings with each combination.

You get the idea. Stretch and flex. It's a good way to strengthen your hand muscles if you're getting started on bass or getting back into it.

If that gets boring, do string-crossing by alternate each finger on the adjcent string:
index on E, middle on A, ring on E, pinky on A
Then start on A: index on A, middle on E, ring on A, pinky on E.
Then: index on A, middle on D, ring on A, pinky on D
Then move to D, etc across the strings.
Then G back to E. And reverse, starting with your pinky.

I do this regularly, have done for several years. It's as much a part of practice as bend-and-stretch is to running or exercise.

and as DC said, limit your time doing this to a few minutes at a time.

[Otso]

My teacher told me not to leave it all to stretching, but to move the hand also, so that your hand is always relaxed. After a bit I noticed that it's a lot faster and smoother when you move your hand instead of just stretching. If playing F (index finger), then A (pinky) on the E string, I sort of "reach out" with my pinky while also moving my hand slightly.

[theunknowndude]

Originally Posted by Otso

My teacher told me not to leave it all to stretching, but to move the hand also, so that your hand is always relaxed. After a bit I noticed that it's a lot faster and smoother when you move your hand instead of just stretching. If playing F (index finger), then A (pinky) on the E string, I sort of "reach out" with my pinky while also moving my hand slightly.

have only had a few lessons with my teacher but he said basically the same thing,... especially as if your playing for quite a while dont want to mess up your left hand!
id play as above, especially as its quickest?? to have your hand move slightly and pinky stretched to get rid of fret buzz on A and then move back to F with the index etc...
plus I cant stretch that far anyways,... my hand and fingers only go so far!