Recent content by enricogaletta

Totally agree that tons of legendary musicians made incredible music without reading notation and, I’m sure tabs have helped a lot of people get started. My point was more about the limiting nature of tablature, especially when it’s used without rhythmic notation. If you don’t have an audio...

That’s awesome, sounds like you’re making real progress and becoming more aware of what works for your body. Love hearing your right hand is happier too, that freedom is a great sign! Keep experimenting and listening to what your body tells you. You’re on the right path.

That’s a really insightful point — especially about upright players. Their approach to the fingerboard is so different, and it totally makes sense that their tabs would reflect that. It’s another good reason why being “locked” into one visual path like tab can limit your personal exploration...

Hey man, thanks for sharing your videos. I checked out Part 1 and I have to say: I love that tune! I can’t remember the name right now either (brain fog 😅), but I’ve always loved Yngwie Malmsteen’s version, have you ever listened to it? Honestly, it’s awesome to see you jumping back in with the...

Thanks a lot for sharing all these details – they really help paint a clear picture. In my opinion, your current setup works against the kind of sound you’re trying to achieve. If what you want is presence, clarity, and articulation, then flatwound strings are the least appropriate choice. By...

One of the main things that stops us from getting past certain speed thresholds — assuming your right-hand technique and finger alternation are solid — is actually left-hand fingering. I’ve seen this many times with my students. When we learn a bassline and get stuck around a certain tempo, it’s...

I don’t have a specific link to share, but I really appreciate how you’re actively looking for solutions to ease your pain — that’s already a big step forward. The truth is, we all draw inspiration from other bass players or musicians, but in the end, we each have to find what works for our own...

That’s an excellent post, and it’s a really important reminder. Right-hand finger independence — especially between the index and middle finger — is the real engine of bass playing. If your alternation is 100% consistent, meaning every note is played in strict alternation regardless of string...

There are two key things when it comes to clean fingerstyle playing at fast tempos — especially with 16th-note runs like the ones Jaco or Berlin would play. First: your right-hand finger alternation must be flawless. If your index and middle fingers are not alternating in a solid, natural and...

Hey Steve, what you’re describing is a great observation — that kind of finger rolling (especially with the pinkie) is definitely less natural than with the first three fingers. But with the right exercises, it becomes totally doable. Here’s what helped me: Use double stops as training: Start by...

If using a pick helped you reduce the pain and you can finally enjoy playing again without worrying about your hand, that’s already a huge win. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that — quite the opposite! Playing bass with a pick doesn’t make it any less “bassistic.” As a funk lover, every...

This is a great question, and I’m happy to chime in. Personally, I’m not a fan of tablature. Tabs often lock you into one single way of playing a line, essentially forcing you to follow someone else’s path. In theory, you should still analyze the line and adjust fingering based on what works...

That’s a great question. Personally, it depends on the area of the fingerboard. In the lower positions, especially within the first octave, I almost always use the pads of my fingers. Maybe when I move towards the higher strings I use the fingertips a bit more. But once I’m playing in the second...

I totally agree. We’re living in an era full of inspiration, and the evolution of the electric bass over the last few decades has been incredible. It’s amazing to think how the bass used to be one of the most overlooked and “hidden” instruments, and yet it keeps evolving in how it’s played and...

Using a pick is very similar in concept to the double thumb technique in slap. The best approach is alternate picking, just like with fingerstyle. If you have a solid 1–2 fingerstyle technique, as you know, you can play almost anything, even at fast tempos, without needing to bring in extra...