Left Hand Question from a Beginner

[Duali]

I've just recently purchased and began to play bass, and I'm running into one problem consistently. I have relatively small hands (width is about the height of a cigarette box, and height is about 1.5x the height of a cigarette box...sorry I lost my ruler, so it's the best thing I had to measure with.). Everything I read promotes 1 finger per fret, but I'm finding that I physically cannot make that reach on the higher frets, even with my hand slanted, much less with keeping it in good posture.

So my question is, aside from the much needed work on dexterity, do you have any suggestions that might help with this? I've considered shifting my hand, but when I tried it, I felt like I was losing sound quality at the end of the note I was leaving in order to get my hand far enough to reach and hold the next note down. (I.E. Leaving Gsharp for B.)

I'm trying to avoid adopting bad habits as I learn since they'll just be a problem later on, so I figured I'd see what seasoned veterans had to say (I'm sure I'm not the only one with small hands out there.)

Thanks for your time =D

[fearceol]

You say you find it harder to make the reach on the higher frets Usually it is the lower (1-5) frets that people have trouble with.

You dont always have to use one finger per fret, especially on the lower frets. If you place your thumb on the back of the neck (about mid way), it can be used as a pivot.

Take a look at this clip at the 06.37 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeRoQuXlj9w

[Duali]

Yes, sorry, I meant higher. I said lower as in smaller number. Excuse my poor terminology.

Edit: I see what you mean from the video, that actually makes a lot more sense now. Much appreciated.

[Fergie Fulton]

There are many basses out there in different sizes, styles and necks. Find one that fits you hands and keep it. If you have the money have one built to you, or order the body and neck from a supplier and make your own. Custom fit basses to your hands is the best solution for any player.

One finger per fret is something that you aspire to after years and years of playing, not something you just do. Where as i can do it easy and simple on my precision there are those that can't, so it means nothing to say you must or should play one finger one fret.

Again i will say that the biggest problems i find in injuries come from players trying to do things they are not capable of doing. The either see or read something and off they go to do it without stopping to think of the consequences.
After all its only playing, people always say" you need no more strength to play than normal"....well there on the way to finding out how wrong that statement is.

Left hand is about function, the function is to hold down a string within movement, in response to the right hand action of striking it.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?f...ogId=475980040

Check out the link, it has points to look for and points to avoid in building a technique. Check out the other blogs for a feel for this information, any questions drop me a PM.

[Sizlack]

I say start out with using index middle and pinky on the lower frets, once you start getting used to playing once finger per fret gets easier to pull off. I tend to use index, middle, pinky till around the 7th fret, then jump to the one finger per. You have to move your hand around a little more, but my hand doesn't get fatigued from try to make it stretch further than it actually can.
In the end do what feels comfortable and works for you.

[mambo4]

Many, many players uses 124 fingering in the lower frets and 1234 as they go higher up the next.

watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkxu...7561FAA52C4AF0

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Duali

I've just recently purchased and began to play bass, and I'm running into one problem consistently. I have relatively small hands (width is about the height of a cigarette box, and height is about 1.5x the height of a cigarette box...sorry I lost my ruler, so it's the best thing I had to measure with.).

And stop smoking.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Chris K

And stop smoking.

Had to read the OP's post again to see what you meant