Avoiding "overplaying"

[TroyK]

I've got a new setup on my bass that really makes it sound exponentially better than ever before. I don't want to screw with it. But, I'm having to adjust my playing style a bit to accomodate. My strings are a little bit lower in tension and my action slightly higher than before. Not high, I could measure, but just a notch up from what I'm used to.

I've always been a pretty heavy digger with my right hand and I find that I have a tendency to overplay a bit with my new set up. My fingers get caught on or under the string and I miss the beat just enough to honk up my playing.

Other than practice, does anyone have a tip for how to avoid this?

[hdiddy]

Slow down? Be more deliberate?

I get that way sometimes, like my fingers hang a little too long for some crazy reason. I just try to play less and relax and it goes away.

[Dogbertday]

Just relax, man... no matter how upbeat a tune is and all that if you relaz and laybock you'll play faster

[Uncletoad]

Sounds like more of an adjustment thing than anything else. You've been used to your stuff playing a certain way and now it's different. I bet you're body will learn the proper thing to do without much conscious consideration if you continue to concentrate on the music.


Wow. To many C's in that one.


It's really a "get to know my new bass" thing rather than a "learn a new skill" thing. I'd resist the urge to do something to make it "like it was". You might loose the thing that now makes it great.

[Jake deVilliers]

"To many C's in that one."

And not quite enough 'o's.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

It's really a "get to know my new bass" thing rather than a "learn a new skill" thing. I'd resist the urge to do something to make it "like it was". You might loose the thing that now makes it great.

Yeah, I don't want to make it (or me) like we were. Wasn't heathy before and now it is. I just need to spend some time with it. It has also had some seriously good impacts on my playing. Notes are clear, wolftones gone. I can hear my ideas coming off of the bass like never before. But, playing with people, I get aggressive and can get ahead of the instrument a bit. Might be part of what is wrong with my shoulder and it might be good for me to not be able to get away with it anymore.

Thanks,

Troy

[Jazz Ad]

I'm way over it nowadays.
Years ago I remember using extremelly heavy strings and high action to avoid overplaying.
Another stupid advice I used with success. Downtune by 1/2 step and never use open strings.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by TroyK

I've got a new setup on my bass that really makes it sound exponentially better than ever before. I don't want to screw with it. But, I'm having to adjust my playing style a bit to accomodate. My strings are a little bit lower in tension and my action slightly higher than before. Not high, I could measure, but just a notch up from what I'm used to.

I've always been a pretty heavy digger with my right hand and I find that I have a tendency to overplay a bit with my new set up. My fingers get caught on or under the string and I miss the beat just enough to honk up my playing.

Other than practice, does anyone have a tip for how to avoid this?

Even if you hate 'em, play ballads, or play along to them. In the cases of ballads, neither hard, digging playing styles nor overplaying in terms of notes, licks and so on, is appropriate. You CAN unlearn both of these things, or at least to put those approaches toward the bass and the music on the sidelines until they're appropriate. Ultimately having a different touch on the instrument, as well as a simpler style (at will) will make you a more versatile, and better bassist/musician, IMO.

Good luck with it.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by TroyK

But, playing with people, I get aggressive and can get ahead of the instrument a bit. Might be part of what is wrong with my shoulder and it might be good for me to not be able to get away with it anymore.

I get it. Look for neck and back tension in those times. I'll bet you get into some tense space or move yourself in a weird way or hold some weird posture that isn't organic.

Have you ever done Alexander Training? Might be a good step. Works wonders for me.

The Alexander concept of downward pull is a phenomenon born from a misperception of one's mental body map. It's a tension in the neck and shoulders that puts you back on your heels, juts out your chin, curves your back wierd, and then things start getting sore. You lose the efficiency of the way your spinal cord and limbs are wired up and you start working really hard. Stay that way to long and injury develops.

Alexander training reminds your body of something it already knows; how to operate efficiently. Once you get your conscious brain out of the way and allow yourself to move efficiently and naturally the tension goes away and you play better without injury.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

Even if you hate 'em, play ballads, or play along to them. In the cases of ballads, neither hard, digging playing styles nor overplaying in terms of notes, licks and so on, is appropriate. You CAN unlearn both of these things, or at least to put those approaches toward the bass and the music on the sidelines until they're appropriate. Ultimately having a different touch on the instrument, as well as a simpler style (at will) will make you a more versatile, and better bassist/musician, IMO.

Good luck with it.

That's actually really good advice. I used to sort of hate ballads, but I've been into them for a while. Maybe I should limit my practice to indepth exporations of ballads for a while. See how much sensitivity and expression I get coax out and not try to drive the band. It's probably a good way to get used to my new setup and may accomplish a few other things in the process.

Thanks,