Buzz with 4th finger

JamieParkinson · #1 05-24-2010, 01:02 PM

Hi,

I'm a newbie to the double bass (a bit over a month) and have had 5 lessons but unfortunately had to stop them so now am practising without a teacher for now.

I used school double basses for a while but they were 1/4 size and hence were pretty rubbish for me, so at the minute I'm renting a 3/4 size which seems pretty nice. However, I have an issue with buzzing on the fingerboard when playing with my 4th finger. When playing the same note with 1st or 2nd fingers there is no buzz.

The action on the bass seems fairly high but it's by no means unplayable. What I'd like to know is if this is something that can be improved by technique and strengthening of the 4th finger or if it's a setup issue, which would be a pain to sort because of the bass being a rental bass. Any guidance with either of these paths would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Paul Barsic · #2 05-24-2010, 01:34 PM

Since the buzz does not occur with the index and middle fingers, it is probably not set-up. Are you playing flat-fingered or do you have an arch in your pinkie?

JamieParkinson · #3 05-25-2010, 11:14 AM

OK then, I suppose that's a good thing (at least in a way).

I definitely play with an arch in my pinkie

Paul Barsic · #4 05-25-2010, 01:45 PM

Well, then it's not what I was thinking. When I first started, I would sometimes let my fingers collapse, and I would end up playing on the soft pad rather than the finger tip. This made the sound a little buzzy.

Are you playing pizzicato or arco? Does the buzz happen more on some strings than others? Is it a clean note with a buzzing finish, or is it buzzy the whole time through? Does it happen more on ascending or descending intervals, or equally on both?

JamieParkinson · #5 05-25-2010, 01:51 PM

Ok -

I play both pizz and arco but the problem is when playing pizz

The buzz happens to an extent on all strings but seems worst on the A string on the lower (pitch lower, not physically lower) notes. It's fairly bad on the E as well

It's usually a note that buzzes the whole way through

Seems to happen equally on both so far as I can see

It feels like I'm not pressing hard enough or something, but I'm pressing as hard as I can at the minute... Thanks for your help!

davpal · #6 05-25-2010, 02:23 PM

Try backing up the pinky with your ring finger. In time you'll build up strength in the pinky and you won't have to do this.

Paul Barsic · #7 05-25-2010, 04:19 PM

It could be your right hand technique. Try playing near the end of the fingerboard, and think about making your plucking finger move in a plane parallel to the fingerboard. With the action on my bass, my finger just barely touches the string just below the one I have just plucked. If my attack angle is wrong, I will get a buzzing that will not go away no matter how hard I press with the left hand.

@Dave: What you are suggesting is good advice, but it should go further. I have been told told by bass teachers to press all four fingers to the finger board when I stop the string with my pinkie, not just the annular finger. (Maintain proper finger spacing when you do this!) It reduces the amount of force required of the pinkie. This is not appropriate for double stops, but I get the feeling that Jamie isn't trying to do that just yet.

davpal · #8 05-25-2010, 06:42 PM

Both good points - Thanks!

bigolbassguy · #9 05-25-2010, 07:38 PM

I would also suggest using the natural weight of your left arm to apply pressure to the strings. Relaxation is the key to strength and endurance.

JamieParkinson · #10 05-26-2010, 11:47 AM

I've been using all 3 other fingers all along, and I've tried shifting them around a bit but to no avail

I tried changing my right hand technique but nothing really helped - although naturally, playing extremely quietly quietened the buzz.

Looking at my fingers touching the fingerboard, I can see that there is a very tiny gap between the string where I'm pressing it and the fingerboard. No matter how hard I press, I can't get the gap to close...

Thanks for all your help!

Paul Barsic · #11 05-26-2010, 03:18 PM

Wow, this is a tough one. I don't think I can offer any help. Do you think you find somebody locally who can actually look and listen to what you are doing? Do you know of any other bass players in your area who may be willing to meet you?

bigolbassguy · #12 05-26-2010, 04:52 PM

Sounds like you need to start doing some chin-ups. I'm really not kidding.

JamieParkinson · #13 05-28-2010, 10:17 AM

I should be getting lessons soon so hopefully I'll be able to sort it then...

bigolbassguy, that's probably a pretty good point, although after further examination it seems that I still get the buzz on the G string where it seems that strength isn't an issue at all and there's no gap. A mystery indeed...

JamieParkinson · #14 05-31-2010, 04:59 AM

It seems like my little finger isn't quite fat enough...

bigolbassguy · #15 05-31-2010, 08:31 AM

Another simple solution - be 6'6" and have hands the size of dinner plates... like me.

Paul Barsic · #16 06-01-2010, 09:39 AM

Hey, bigolbassguy, think about how it felt when you were a beginner. This instrument can be intimidating. I know that you have offered some good advice here, and I know that last one was a joke, but I'm still calling you on it. Yeah, those of us with big hands have it easier at first, but I've met guys with small hands who have the chops to play circles around me. Now, if they would only come out with a cell phone with really big buttons...

Jamie, stick with it. If your finger is not fat enough, you will develop callous that will compensate. If your hands are not strong enough, they will get there with daily practice. If it's a technique problem, get a teacher or try to meet up with a more experienced player in your area. You can solve this problem.

bigolbassguy · #17 06-01-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Barsic

Hey, bigolbassguy, think about how it felt when you were a beginner. This instrument can be intimidating. I know that you have offered some good advice here, and I know that last one was a joke, but I'm still calling you on it. Yeah, those of us with big hands have it easier at first, but I've met guys with small hands who have the chops to play circles around me. Now, if they would only come out with a cell phone with really big buttons...

Jamie, stick with it. If your finger is not fat enough, you will develop callous that will compensate. If your hands are not strong enough, they will get there with daily practice. If it's a technique problem, get a teacher or try to meet up with a more experienced player in your area. You can solve this problem.

I'm not trying to pick on you Jamie. Of course the long-term solutions are practice and instruction, but throwing a little resistance training in there would probably make life easier. Totally up to you and your doctor, though.

JamieParkinson · #18 06-03-2010, 04:56 AM

No offence taken at anything bigolbassguy

Thanks for the help from both of you! I've been practising a lot and the buzz is starting to decrease already

bigolbassguy · #19 06-08-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieParkinson

No offence taken at anything bigolbassguy

Thanks for the help from both of you! I've been practising a lot and the buzz is starting to decrease already

Great! Keep it up, Jamie.