Anybody know any exercises to get my hands to work independently?

Byzcat · #1 09-23-2009, 07:46 AM

OK, here's the deal.

I'm working really hard trying to cure myself of Death Grip. But I'm finding that if I want to get more aggressive with my right-hand technique, my left hand grips the neck more tightly whether I want it to or not. If I try lighten up with my left hand, I can't get my right hand to pluck as strongly as I'd like to.

I talked to my teacher about this, and his answer was to have me work on alternating my first and middle fingers and tell me my left and right hand are supposed to work together.

So, is there anything I can do to train my hands to not just follow along with each other? I'm a metal chick, so aggressive right hand technique is kind of a necessity, especially since I play fingerstyle, but I'm just finally healing up from thrashing the flexor tendon in my left thumb, and I don't want to re-injure it.

fearceol · #2 09-23-2009, 03:36 PM

Try these finger permutations :

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...mutations.html

The diagram and picture shows it starting on the 3rd fret of the E string, but I'd advise you to start on the 5th fret of the E string (A), to avoid over reaching, and putting a strain on the wrist.

Alternate the index and middle fingers of the R/H. Dont worry about "aggressive" 'till you have nailed the technique. Keep your left hand relaxed, with the thumb on the back of the neck, roughly in line with the middle and ring fingers. Use a metronome, starting at a comfortable and manageable BPM. When you have nailed it at this tempo increase the BPM's a little. G-R-A-D-U-A-L-L-Y increase the speed as you progress. Take your time and be patient.

**Pacman** · #3 09-23-2009, 03:43 PM

scales.

Byzcat · #4 09-23-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Keep your left hand relaxed,

Just doing that alone takes so much concentration it's exhausting.

Really.

TimXSweeney · #5 09-23-2009, 06:00 PM

I would practice running your hands independently. So, sprint as hardcore as you want with your right hand just on an open string. The mere act of leaving your left hand open and off the the bass might teach it independence from the right. I would do the opposite too. run you favorite scales/patterns with your left hand without plucking the string, to get individuality in your hands and fingers. SLOWLY, I would start working in some metronome work. start at 90BPM and do 1/4 notes,1/8th notes, 1/16th notes (straight and triplet) and if you can do them, 1/32nd notes. Then slowly increase the BPM (over days and weeks, not minutes and seconds) while still focusing on keeping the left hand soft and relaxed. you got your work cut out for your with that exercise but always remember to make it fun. Do fun patterns if scales bore you.

Byzcat · #6 09-23-2009, 06:52 PM

^
TimX, I think that's probably the most useful advice I've gotten so far.

Well, off to do a bit of yoga, then practice.

caeman · #7 09-23-2009, 06:59 PM

Juggle.

fearceol · #8 09-24-2009, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byzcat

Just doing that alone takes so much concentration it's exhausting.

Really.

Fair enough, but with lots of time, practice, and patience, it should become less so.

CharlieCraver · #9 09-25-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

scales.

Defiantly works for me, just practice.

basscheez · #10 09-25-2009, 07:55 AM

I suggest you work on hand strength with a grip exerciser, tennis ball, whatever. It will improve your control.

Chris K · #11 09-25-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byzcat

^
Well, off to do a bit of yoga, then practice.

So you already know...

Yoga-like relaxation excercises like tightening and relaxing muscle groups alternately are very good.

You could do the following: let both arms hang down as relaxed as possible. Tighten your right hand fist, keeping the left arm realaxed. Let go. Then the othter way around.

Keep in mind that besides hands/armes more muscle groups are involved. Neck and shoulders f.e. should be kept relaxed at all times.

About strengthening exercises I have serious doubts.

Also, for the time being, you could use lighter strings. Let a luthier check the action of your bass. Make it as light as possible, for now. You shouldn't really make your left hand squeeze the neck. Let a teacher check your grip: clawlike hand, play with the tops of your fingers, correct thumb position (upward and generally opposite the middle finger).

markkoelsch · #12 09-25-2009, 08:39 AM

Early on my right hand lagged significantly behind my left. I spent a bunch of time doing extra right work on open strings. Working on dynamics, speed, and consistency. It is easy to tense up, and is normal to a point, especially if you are playing really fast all the time. You need to actively work at trying to relax as much as you can while playing.

Also, it is very possible that you are playing harder than you really need to or should. There is a simple solution...turn up the pregain on your amp a little. Also, when practicing scales and other technical exercises drop the lows out and boost the mids and highs to make the tone more clicky. This will help you identify when you are playing cleanly, and also show you when you are not.

Also, Classical guitarists have a book of right hand exercises over two simple chords- it is called the Giuliani Exercises. I think adopting some of these to bass might also help.

#13 09-27-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byzcat

OK, here's the deal.

I'm working really hard trying to cure myself of Death Grip. But I'm finding that if I want to get more aggressive with my right-hand technique, my left hand grips the neck more tightly whether I want it to or not. If I try lighten up with my left hand, I can't get my right hand to pluck as strongly as I'd like to.

I talked to my teacher about this, and his answer was to have me work on alternating my first and middle fingers and tell me my left and right hand are supposed to work together.

So, is there anything I can do to train my hands to not just follow along with each other? I'm a metal chick, so aggressive right hand technique is kind of a necessity, especially since I play fingerstyle, but I'm just finally healing up from thrashing the flexor tendon in my left thumb, and I don't want to re-injure it.

so do you mean that you can't play hard with your right hand without tensing up your left?

Work on anything that will be good for independence including percussion - if you can hit something hard with your right hand whilst hitting it soft with the left then that's what you're looking to do (isn't it?)

RJC1811 · #14 09-27-2009, 06:34 AM

I have a friend who is a classical guitar professor. He showed me this because I have the same problem as you. To help his students overcome this in hard passages he developed "Thud, buzz, note". He has them play the difficult passage using correct right hand technique but just pressing the left hand hard enough to deaden the string causing a thud instead of a note. Next they press just hard enough to get a note but with a lot of fret buzz (this was the hardest part for me). Then finally you play it with clear notes but using as light a touch as possible. Right hand should stay the same for each step.