The most difficult (yet rewarding) practice?

moopants · #1 06-16-2007, 07:28 PM

Since I realized I was squeezing the neck with my thumb, I decided to play whole note scales with my thumb taped to my hand. This is one of the hardest things I've tried to do, yet I know in the end my left hand will have more endurance. Are they any other difficult practice methods you'd like to share?

Cory Palmer · #2 06-16-2007, 07:36 PM

If I'm understanding you correctly I don't understand how taping your thumb to your hand would help to keep you from squeezing. It seems like that would cause more tension than just focusing on keeping your thumb relaxed.

moopants · #3 06-16-2007, 07:41 PM

I tried that. It was just an instinct to place my thumb on the neck. In the higher positions, I don't squeeze. But, in the lower ones, I do. So, I just taped it to get it out of the way so I won't touch the neck at all with my thumb. My hand still functions the same exact way.

mcnaire2004 · #4 06-16-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moopants

I tried that. It was just an instinct to place my thumb on the neck. In the higher positions, I don't squeeze. But, in the lower ones, I do. So, I just taped it to get it out of the way so I won't touch the neck at all with my thumb. My hand still functions the same exact way.

Practice really really slow. Relax your thumb. Every time you think you are squeezing you should stop and relax.

This is a exageration, but my teacher told me that he should be able to come behing me and pull my thumb out with no resistance. Now this is obviosly far fetched. It has a verry good base.

moopants · #5 06-16-2007, 08:32 PM

Yeah, I was just trying what made the most sense to me to get my fingers to stop relying on my thumb in the lower positions. Any other methods of practice (not just for the thumb)?

nickbass · #6 06-17-2007, 05:42 AM

Gary Karr makes the interesting point that the thumb is a very good receptor for all sorts of information (eg about pitch and tone) and therefore it is very important to keep the thumb in contact with the fingerboard. If you're learning through the traditional 1-2-4 position based approach, also, the thumb is vital for shift accuracy.
So the thumb needs to be there, but not squeezing, you're right!
Any more ideas, anyone?
My own idea would be that you need to make sure that the pressure is coming from the other side, from a combination of individual finger strength and arm weight.
The Petracchi higher position book actually works all over the instrument and is great for finger strength.
Francois Rabbath uses a special bass and endpin to change the angle of the fingerboard so as to maximise the arm weight downwards and solve your problem. Worth checking out.
I like your radical solo moves. Xtreme Bass! But be prepared for some spectacular failures, and go and see an expert when you can..
Nick

Kasper007 · #7 06-17-2007, 06:04 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyUCOeUTM7E

This is awesome, it has helped me a lot in terms of strength. I just use a piece of paper or whatever I can fold.

Eli_Upright12 · #8 06-17-2007, 08:43 AM

I hate to be the Jerk that points it out, but you are lost dude, WRONG BOARD!!!! and though these are good exercise they aren't really that relavent to the upright or the topic.

I have the same problem with squeezing in low positions, so I just really focus on that when I'm playing and try to make sure I'm keeping good posture and everything. Using this helped me correct my bad bow angle too. It seems pretty effective if you can find out whats wrong and you know whats right you just need to focus on doing it right and over time it fixes itself.

moopants · #9 06-17-2007, 02:18 PM

Sorry, Eli. I'm just mainly an Orchestral player, and I was really looking for methods using the bow, too. Anything would be nice.

Eli_Upright12 · #10 06-17-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moopants

Sorry, Eli. I'm just mainly an Orchestral player, and I was really looking for methods using the bow, too. Anything would be nice.

Sorry I was pionting out the link above that was to a movie of a slap instruction, and while it was useful it was not directly relavent.I defintely should have clarified with a quote from Kasper007. Im actually always look for things that will make it easier on my hands.

Kasper007 · #11 06-17-2007, 03:42 PM

I'm sorry, I didn't notice this was the Double Bass part. But the Bill Dickens vid is not only for slap, also for fingerstyle, and I can imagine that it also works on upright, I use it on my fretless.

moopants · #12 06-17-2007, 10:59 PM

Well, I saw that video before, and I decided to give it a try. I noticed a definite change in speed and accuracy, at least on electric bass. But, let's talk more of upright, shall we?