Accidentally bending strings

[Drew56]

If you're hooking your thumb over the E string it can effect the angle that your fingers descend to the strings.
I this is the case,you need to raise the angle of the neck and have your thumb on the back of the neck.
This will put more of your fingers over the fingerboard so they can curve down.

No thumb is on back of neck

 

[Drew56]

Certainly, working on not bending the thinner strings of a guitar will help, but instead of going to extremes, why not try adjusting the angle of the fingers on your fretting hand?

Try to have your fingers hitting the string/fingerboard at a completely perpendicular angle.

Thanks I’m going to try this as well as taking in all the good advice

 

[Drew56]

You can actually practice left hand finger pressure
Often overlooked

That’s great I’ll do that before I practice now

 

[Drew56]

You might want to check out this oft-posted video regarding thumb placement:

Interesting, this person has his thumb behind index finger and points to the headstock , which is pretty much where I have mine , I’ve always found it uncomfortable trying to flatten my thumb and position right behind 2nd finger, although some people advise that’s best place for correct hand position

 

[HolmeBass]

Thanks so I take it the main solution to this is to try and practise Lighter, as in when I do scales arpeggios etc?

Lighter touch, and curl your fingers so you’re applying the pressure in the direction perpendicular to the fingerboard as much as possible.

But also rehearse listening to make sure you’re not bending notes. Our minds can subconsciously make adjustments to our motor skills to achieve results. You might also spend time practicing in front of a mirror to visually appraise your fretting hand position and make sure you’re not bending notes.

 

[Element Zero]

Yeah I seem to have a problem training myself to play lighter

It’s a tough obstacle to overcome. I know. I suffered from this as well. What helped me break free from this was volume. Yes. I was FRIKKIN LOUD!!! I cranked my amp up which forced me to play quieter so I didn’t drown out other players. It also taught me how to control my dynamics. I learned that how I sounded out front really mattered too. If I got to rambunctious, my Jazz director would give me “the look” and wouldn’t look away again until I played quieter lol. Miss you Mr Ellis.

Anywho, making sure you can hear yourself good is a start. Less boomy lows and more Mids will help with clarity of what you’re playing, and getting the amp closer to your ears can be quite beneficial to helping you. Good luck.

 

[Drew56]

Update
I’ve taken on board all the info here and thanks it’s very much appreciated, first off I had my bass set up properly, then I have been scrutinising my technique which has shown me a further 2 things , when playing OFPT on the G string I’ve been tucking my pinky behind the neck
and also when using my 3rd/ring finger the second knuckle collapses.
I am now doing excercises to correct this as in scales and chromatic runs very slowly, It’s difficult but when I do these slowly I don’t bend the strings and knuckle doesn’t collapse cheers

 

[Bob_Ross]

[A and E] are the strings that you have to reach the farthest for, and so are ones you're mostly likely to push rather than fretting cleanly.

Bassist/composer Steve Swallow once made a very succinct observation, back in the late 1980s/early 1990s when 5-string basses with low B strings were increasing in popularity: He noted that he heard a lot of bassists who were new to the 5-string pulling the notes on the B string sharp, just because they weren't accustomed to the wide neck and far stretch to that lowest string.