Best way to improve my playing fingers?

[bobington]

Hi all, as i said in another thread my teacher said that my right hand is weak because i havn't played bass befor.

Whats the best way to improve my index and middle finger coordination and speed?

Also i'm having trouble going threw the first 13 notes i've learnt so far and going from index to middle finger back to index and so on.

ANother thing is my nails, i've cut them short but sometimes they still hit the strings, my teacher said try moving my right hand up the guitar abit, but it doesn't seem to make a diffrence and if i go to far i cant reach with my index finger.

So you guys got any pointers on these problems and on how to improve my fingering?

thanks.

[dontcallmeQRACK]

Originally Posted by bobington

Hi all, as i said in another thread my teacher said that my right hand is weak because i havn't played bass befor.

Whats the best way to improve my index and middle finger coordination and speed?

Also i'm having trouble going threw the first 13 notes i've learnt so far and going from index to middle finger back to index and so on.

ANother thing is my nails, i've cut them short but sometimes they still hit the strings, my teacher said try moving my right hand up the guitar abit, but it doesn't seem to make a diffrence and if i go to far i cant reach with my index finger.

So you guys got any pointers on these problems and on how to improve my fingering?

thanks.

Practice, practice, practice and more practice makes perfect. There's not really any way to perfect your playing besides actually playing your instrument. I guess the best way to combat your problem would be to just play through scales, although playing along with songs, or just noodling around is great practice as well. If you have any other specific questions feel free to message me, best of luck!

Edit- As far as your nail problem goes, pluck with your fingers as straight as possible, don't hook them and "pop" the strings, you want to play with the pads of your fingers, NOT YOUR TIPS!

[todd493]

My teachers been working on mechanics with me. He showed me to move my bass to my left knee when playing. Seems to straighten both wrists when playing really helped my control and efficiency.

[ProfGumby]

My pinky on my left hand is a stickler for me, I have to really work on control as it is either inadvertently sounding or muting strings or it comes down like a hammer when fretting.

As to my nails, I trim em short and keep my right hand in position to be playing with the tips of the pads, not the nails.

But practice, practice, practice. Your hand will come into condition as long as you consistently practice with form that works. Not necessarily perfect form.

I know, I heard every teacher and accomplished bassist groan with that one. But the point is, some folks just cannot do certain things certain ways. The real trick is to identify and overcome your weaknesses, whatever they may be. Just make sure it is a physical limitation and not taking the easy way out. BIG DIFFERENCE!

I have seen quite a few, famous, accomplished musicians with what could be constituted as bizarre form....