Applying "Effortless Mastery" to the electric bass

[Fineformeow]

Hey pals,

Was wondering if any of you had ever successfully translated the Step 1 exercise in Effortless Mastery to bass. He covers it for piano, horns, and singing but I'm sort of just guessing on how to apply it to my practice.

Read the book years ago and resonated with the philosophy, though never was able to properly apply it. Now really trying to be dedicated about doing the meditations, etc. Seems to require a lot of patience and forgiveness more than anything.

Would love any advice from you Masters out there.

Thank youu!

 

[sleeplessknight]

I use Step One on occasion, I find it helps my tone, feel, and relaxation. I interpret it as an exercise in using the absolute minimum motion/effort needed to produce a given note. I'll sit comfortably in my chair, bass strapped on so it hangs in the same position whether I'm sitting or standing, crank the volume of my amp, and try to play long, individual notes with as much intent (and as little volume) as possible. No need to worry about scales, runs, etc, when in that space, just minimize effort, maximize love, and focus on the joy of making noise.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I find that to be easier to do when you don't have to play something written ... like no expectation so you can just be "you"

 

[BassChuck]

In case you are wondering what this is:

Link Removed

 

[Photobassist]

Thanks for adding the link!

I've never heard of this book, but after scrolling through a couple of pages it looks to be an interesting read

 

[spanndrew]

Great question, as I'm going through this book right now!

 

[Fineformeow]

I use Step One on occasion, I find it helps my tone, feel, and relaxation. I interpret it as an exercise in using the absolute minimum motion/effort needed to produce a given note. I'll sit comfortably in my chair, bass strapped on so it hangs in the same position whether I'm sitting or standing, crank the volume of my amp, and try to play long, individual notes with as much intent (and as little volume) as possible. No need to worry about scales, runs, etc, when in that space, just minimize effort, maximize love, and focus on the joy of making noise.

Thanks for the reply. Very helpful. "Minimize effort, maximize love, and focus on the joy of making noise." I love that. I've been doing your version of Step 1, though after some time it usually turns into Step 2 - playing what the fingers want to play without any judgement or editing of what comes out. Has anyone else had this experience? Where Step 1 leads to Step 2? I'm wondering if it just is coming from a short attention span or loss of patience. Either way, practicing Steps 1 and 2 after doing one of the "exercises" (which is just relaxing and listening to one of Kenny's recorded meditations) has proven to be incredibly valuable. Everything I've been playing with my band has been feeling much easier and I've been more free of thought. Such a strange, deceptively simple and low pressure way to practice. Loving it so far.