Is my playing technique wrong? Or is it my neck?

RandomEvent · #1 11-16-2007, 11:29 PM

Ok, for the past day or so, I've been playing my new SX, and in the past I've only played with a pick, but barely. So I'm pretty much a beginner. Now I'm going to use my fingers. My problem is that when I hit a string, most notably the E string, the string ends up twanging everywhere. It ends up hitting the frets or pickups, or both, and I get a buzzing with most frets.

Now, I'm wondering if this is my neck that has the problem. I highly doubt it, because I just got the SX, and I don't think THAT MANY frets would have buzzing. It's probably just the way I'm hitting the strings.

Also, I'm wondering if my strings are too loose. When I opened the bass, I tried to tune it using a Korg GA-30, but I gave up for the time being. I could only make the Korg recognize certain frets/notes, and even then, if I changed to a different fret position, so did the turning according to the Korg. I thought I'd be able to just hit the strings in general, but I'm probably an idiot. So I haven't tried to adjust the strings.

With this information, do you guys think you could give me a bit of advice on how to hit the strings? I'm pretty sure it's the way I'm hitting the strings, but I gave the other information just in case it might be something else. Thank you in advance for your time, and if you need more info, please ask. I'll gladly take all advice.

uethanian · #2 11-16-2007, 11:58 PM

maybe your tuner is low on batteries? but you can go to a site like tunemybass.com and they have audio samples. your strings may just be too loose. when you play fingerstyle, the string is typically going to have a wider oscillation than with a pick, so thats why you may have not noticed it before. but if its ok with a pick, i doubt string height/neck relief is really an issue.

when you play fingerstyle, are you anchoring your thumb on a pickup? you may be plucking the string downwards into the body, instead of up towards you and parallel to the body. try straightening your wrist and curling your fingers more.

but besides, you mentioned that you 'opened' it which would mean that you ordered it by mail, which would probably mean that its somewhat downtuned.

RandomEvent · #3 11-17-2007, 12:12 AM

Yeah, I just got the SX in the mail. Anyway, the tuner was new too. I got everything new, because I haven't played a bass in about 5 years, lol. I just really wanted to learn now. So, besides a few basic punk songs on a pick, I can't do anything. So I'm really a noob. Thanks for the help, I'll try to tune my bass with that site.

And yes, my thumb is on the pickup. Can I ask, do you really have to hit the strings that hard? I've noticed that when I barely pluck the E, it moves around quite a bit. Maybe it is just loose.

meev992 · #4 11-17-2007, 12:32 AM

try plucking near the bridge, given, that the bass is set up properly and in tune.

RandomEvent · #5 11-17-2007, 12:46 AM

I'm gonna try that. I've also noticed I've got short fingers, so the buzzing might be me holding down the fret in the wrong spot. It's held down right in the middle, isn't it?

meev992 · #6 11-17-2007, 12:54 AM

I first started fretting by going for the middle. As time went by, I noticed that I would fret closer, or even right behind the intended fret.

RandomEvent · #7 11-17-2007, 01:03 AM

I also thought, maybe I might want different strings? Are there such strings that are tighter, or thinner? Maybe I might like those better. My fingers aren't slim by any means, so maybe thinner, or tighter strings would help me. If there are such a thing anyway.

chaunceytoben · #8 11-17-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomEvent

I'm gonna try that. I've also noticed I've got short fingers, so the buzzing might be me holding down the fret in the wrong spot. It's held down right in the middle, isn't it?

nooo. try and put your finger as close to the fret as possible w/o being on top of it. it would for sure make a twang if you put it in the middle. and make sure you are pressing down pretty hard. It might take a while to build up some finger strength.

meev992 · #9 11-17-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomEvent

I also thought, maybe I might want different strings? Are there such strings that are tighter, or thinner? Maybe I might like those better. My fingers aren't slim by any means, so maybe thinner, or tighter strings would help me. If there are such a thing anyway.

when I began playing bass, I used to string my bass with a .095 E...might've even been a .090 (don't remember). The point is, I started with very very light gauge strings. Perhaps this is something that you might want to consider.

(btw, I'm on .110 E's now)

RandomEvent · #10 11-17-2007, 03:25 PM

I just got new stings today, .095. I'll try them out. And I'll work on my fretting obviously. Thanks for all the advice.