Bass Fitness Practice Methods

[Spin Doctor]

Here is an interesting article by Joe Hubbard..aka... "Snake Doctor" here on TB.


Learning Methodologies- The 80/20 Rule - Joe Hubbard Bass

I read the article a few times, since I do like his videos, but I had a hard time figuring out what exactly he was getting at. I think the point was in this quote:


"...Most people who set out to learn how to play the bass guitar are often led to believe that the individual exercises that they need to practice in order to strengthen their musical fundamentals are the most important points to focus on. This is incorrect- the most important thing to focus on is the methodology used. With that said, utilizing the correct learning methodology enables the student to practice a collection of exercises (practice) in a way that strengthens their musical fundamentals (melody, harmony, rhythm, counterpoint and form). Once that outcome is achieved they can throw out the exercise and concentrate on expressing themselves musically (performance); the cycle then repeats itself with different subject matter (improvisation, ear training, repertoire, etc.)..."


So was he saying that every exercise should address each of those fundamental goals of melody, harmony, rhythm, counterpoint and form? Or just find a collection of exercises that addresses those things? Personally, I don't know of any one exercises that address everything all the time. I don't know that I always want to work on something that tries to deal with everything all the time. What about when you need to isolate a fundamental concept so you can really wrap your head around it?

To me, the Bass Fitness book was created to only address one thing, that being finger dexterity and execution. You can't play cleanly and quickly, if your fingers are struggling with position. That aspect doesn't need to address harmony, counterpoint, etc. Once you work on that a bit, you move to something more music related, but I don't see the big issue in maintaining or improving your dexterity

 

[Spin Doctor]

...Especially for a beginner.

I know of at least one pro who does this stuff every day.

 

[Spin Doctor]

I am not too fond of pure technical exercises either, but there is a way to use the book in question in such a manner s to achieve some overall musicianship improvement. Namely, disregard the tab and then approach those positional/single octave exercises three ways, i.e. with the root being played with the index, middle and pinkie finger. PLUS, sing the exercises as you play them, preferably by using either solfege or degrees of the scale, instead of the actual note names. Finally, try the exercises with various playing dynamics - legato, staccato, vibrato and all kinds of their combinations.

This is a really good idea... It definitely takes things out of the usual box.

 

[GastonD]

I know of at least one pro who does this stuff every day.

And I think I know who it is There really isn't any deep issue with doing technical stuff for the sake of being technical, as long as it does not become an end in and of itself. Maybe that is where Joe was going with his comment, way too many people will lose everything else from sight and waste way too much time and energy on dexterity itself, losing sight of the big picture.
All that said, it is mighty difficult to express oneself while fighting the instrument...

 

[Spin Doctor]

And I think I know who it is There really isn't any deep issue with doing technical stuff for the sake of being technical, as long as it does not become an end in and of itself. Maybe that is where Joe was going with his comment, way too many people will lose everything else from sight and waste way too much time and energy on dexterity itself, losing sight of the big picture.
All that said, it is mighty difficult to express oneself while fighting the instrument...

Maybe that's why I never understood these debates on exercises when they come up. It has never occurred to me that there are people that will work on only one thing and expect to play music... Is that what you are saying?

 

[bherman]

Maybe that's why I never understood these debates on exercises when they come up. It has never occurred to me that there are people that will work on only one thing and expect to play music... Is that what you are saying?

I agree with this - its like saying that there are accomplished athletes (pick a sport - skiing, cycling, whatever) who only do pushups and nothing else. In my view, the book that is the subject of the OP is best if it is one part of a balanced practice routine. I typically have 5-6 things that are part of my practice routine every day and this book is one of those 5 or 6. If it is all that I did, I'd be way too focused on technique (and would need to sleep in a padded cell).

 

[GastonD]

I agree with this - its like saying that there are accomplished athletes (pick a sport - skiing, cycling, whatever) who only do pushups and nothing else...

Accomplished athletes no, but you'd be surprised with how many budding trainees never become accomplished because once they hit the lifting gym they become obsessed with numbers - reps, weights - and start spending too much time in the gym to the detriment of time on the court/field... And they never become accomplished either as players or lifters.
Admittedly, such obsession with speed and chops may be more noticeable among guitarists and drummers, but the bass world ain't immune either.

 

[bherman]

Accomplished athletes no, but you'd be surprised with how many budding trainees never become accomplished because once they hit the lifting gym they become obsessed with numbers - reps, weights - and start spending too much time in the gym to the detriment of time on the court/field... And they never become accomplished either as players or lifters.
Admittedly, such obsession with speed and chops may be more noticeable among guitarists and drummers, but the bass world ain't immune either.

Agree - its all about balance.

 

[Green1]

I don't agree with the other posters here. I have that book and have used it as part of my practice routine for years. I generally assign myself one or two pages per week, and play through the selected exercises every day, starting at first fret and going up to 12th fret. Start at a slow enough speed so that you can fret cleanly and always alternate fingers on right hand. Increase speed as the week goes on. If not mastered in a week, carry over to week 2. Always use a metronome. Takes me about 10-15 minutes out of my 60-90 minutes/day ideal practice time. Makes a huge difference in my stamina and dexterity.

I don't buy the argument that if its not music, its not worth practicing. If you want to advance at anything, you need to build strength. I think of it like pushups, situps, etc to an athlete. If all a skier ever did was ski, they'd not be as good as they could be if they worked on strength.

I agree. I set aside time for practice where I am working on material, but there are also other times where I might be watching TV and the exercises in bass fitness are perfect......I can run a few of them with a metronome while watching........building strength and stamina are important........just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I took up strict alternation some time ago and the exercises really help a lot with developing it. I start at 60 bpm (as recommended) and play up until my index finger is in the 12th fret position. I then speed up my metronome before playing the patterns downwards. Obviously, once I get to the bottom, I speed up and head back up. I tend to increase the tempo by the increments programmed in my electronic metronome (increments of 3, 4, 6, and 8 depending on the bpm it's currently at). If I'm really having trouble progressing, I'll set the metronome up so I can increase the bpm one beat at a time. Though the book implies you want to be able to eventually reach 180 bpm, I usually stop around 120-130. I can hit in the 150s sometimes if I'm in the zone but I start getting sloppy and I end up taking the tempo down. I know many people say to practice with the book on one exercise for 15-30 minutes a day but I've found that I can put an hour or more into each session (with some occasional short breaks). Also worth noting, every time I adjust the tempo after doing a cycle up or down the neck, I try to switch the plucking finger that I lead off on to hopefully prevent becoming dependent on leading off with a certain finger in the long run. Between avoiding raking, being consistent with my fingering, staying in time, muting, etc., I find that I really have to focus a lot and end up repeating things often or slowing it down. I'd like to practice an exercise a day but that never happens lol. I'm not very far yet; only on exercise 38 out of 200. Sorry for writing a book. Thoughts, opinions, personal methods, etc.?

Keep going! Took me about two years to get through the book. As a warmup I took an exercise and played it sloooooow the first day. 30-ish BPM. Maybe even 20-25 if I was feeling particularly peckish. I'd concentrate on getting the finger pattern down/memorized and subdividing the beat consistently/evenly. Usually I'd be comfortable with it in about 10-15 minutes. Next day I'd take it quicker. Next day quicker still. Etc etc. It's EXTREMELY important to be able to play confidently at slow tempos. Just take my word for it and don't argue.

ALSO, try this: Put the metronome on beats 1 2 3 4. Then only on 1 and 3. Then only on 2 and 4. Then only on 1. Then 2. Then 3. Then 4. Then on the "ands" of the beat. Ferexample, if you're playing at 120 BPM, set the metronome on 30 and try to nail The One every time and subdivide the beat evenly and consistently. Tape yourself and listen back and cringe. (Like I do!!) Try again.

ALSO, be anal about alternating your fingers and one day start with your first finger on your plucking hand. Next day start with your other fingers(s). Go back and forth every day.

It's a great book. I need to work through it again!

 

[Brandon Camel]

Keep going! Took me about two years to get through the book. As a warmup I took an exercise and played it sloooooow the first day. 30-ish BPM. Maybe even 20-25 if I was feeling particularly peckish. I'd concentrate on getting the finger pattern down/memorized and subdividing the beat consistently/evenly. Usually I'd be comfortable with it in about 10-15 minutes. Next day I'd take it quicker. Next day quicker still. Etc etc. It's EXTREMELY important to be able to play confidently at slow tempos. Just take my word for it and don't argue.

ALSO, try this: Put the metronome on beats 1 2 3 4. Then only on 1 and 3. Then only on 2 and 4. Then only on 1. Then 2. Then 3. Then 4. Then on the "ands" of the beat. Ferexample, if you're playing at 120 BPM, set the metronome on 30 and try to nail The One every time and subdivide the beat evenly and consistently. Tape yourself and listen back and cringe. (Like I do!!) Try again.

ALSO, be anal about alternating your fingers and one day start with your first finger on your plucking hand. Next day start with your other fingers(s). Go back and forth every day.

It's a great book. I need to work through it again!

This is my favorite response yet. I'll give slowing down a try sometime. I don't know if I can switch my metronome up the way you described but it sounds like something I kinda just gotta get mentally accustomed to. As for switching the plucking fingers, I really try to. I've noticed that my middle finger always wants to go for the higher pitched strings as opposed to playing them with my index when it's the index finger's turn and that's no bueno. Thank you for your input. Out of curiosity, what final speed were you able to reach? And after finishing the book, would you say it increased your technique dramatically?

 

[Turn Em Loose]

This is my favorite response yet. I'll give slowing down a try sometime. I don't know if I can switch my metronome up the way you described but it sounds like something I kinda just gotta get mentally accustomed to. As for switching the plucking fingers, I really try to. I've noticed that my middle finger always wants to go for the higher pitched strings as opposed to playing them with my index when it's the index finger's turn and that's no bueno. Thank you for your input. Out of curiosity, what final speed were you able to reach? And after finishing the book, would you say it increased your technique dramatically?

I'm not a "fast twitch" kinda guy. (6'4" and about 200 lbs with size 16 feet. You get the picture...I'm built for endurance, not speed! Plus my middle aged fingers don't move like they used to.) I'd get to 145-ish and still be able to be consistent and somewhat relaxed. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I'm sure that there are folks out there that could go much faster. But speed is only one goal. Consistent, even notes played with consistent even "timing" with consistent even tone across the strings with the fingers being used. These last three things, for me, were a much bigger challenge. And waaayyy more useful to me as a player.

Yes, I'm sure it helped. Especially with string crossings down by the nut and being able to play lower on the neck and being able to play across the neck as opposed to up and down the neck. Was it "night and day"? Not for me. But it helped, for sure.

In fact, I've been super busy learning music for gigs (which is good) and have not had time to put into my daily "technique" exercises like this book (which is bad). And it shows in my playing. My string crossing have been sloppy and my right hand has not been as relaxed as it has been in the recent past. Again, for ME, it's as much about maintenance and keeping what I've acquired as much as "getting better", if that makes sense?

Just keep going with it. Be aware of what you are doing while you are doing it. IOW, don't space out while you're doing this kind of stuff. It'll make you sloppy and the results will not come as quickly, or at all (as opposed to taking it slow, thinking about what you're doing and getting it right before moving on).

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Oh yeah: @Brandon Camel, the metronome I use is an app called Pro Metronome. It's either free or pretty cheap. Get it and use it!!