Billie Jean is kicking my @SS!

[suddenlysane]

I just tried it for the first time last night and DAYUM. It reminds me of Waitin' For the Bus by ZZ Top which just KILLS my hands. I have Trigger Finger in my left index finger. But even when it's not bothering me that much, some songs are killers for me.

I don't gig yet but I've been asked to and I'm trying to learn all the songs I need to be able to play. I'm not sure I have the stamina. And how the hell do you play repetitive songs like Billie Jean without completely losing it?

 

[petrus61]

Start slowly and play the line at a lesser tempo. You will gradually build up the stamina as it becomes muscle memory.

How is the action/string height on your neck? Those are both lines that pretty much maintain the same position for the most part (except for the changes in Waitin')

 

[Joe Milo]

Sweet child O' Mine is my nemesis!

 

[john_g]

We combined the MJ version with the Chris Cornell version recently and added it to our setlist. I originally played it on the 5/7th frets and my hand would get really tired by the end of the song. Then I moved it to starting on the E on the D string, 2nd fret, and using open strings for the D and A notes. I dont have to move my hand as much and it REALLY helped. Now I can play it at a gig with no problems.

 

[MrLenny1]

Welcome to the world of playing POP music.
Music is very repetitive noob.
Don't strin your hands playing, take a break.
Do short intervals of playing then slowly build it up
5 to 10 minutes at a time.
Most of all, try to have fun.

 

[suddenlysane]

I have the E string at 3mm at the 12th fret, A and D at 2.5mm, and the G at 2mm. I think the repetitive index finger use is irritating the Trigger Finger making it more painful but maybe I just haven't played enough for extended periods of time to build up the kind of stamina I would need to play live.

I just tinker around at the house with friends occasionally. I never had any intention of being in a band. But now I've been asked and I'd hate to pass up the opportunity.

I haven't tried switching basses either. My Jbass with rounds has a lot less tension on the strings. I wonder if playing the repetitive songs on my P with Chromes(higher tension) is a factor?

 

[SunnBass]

Get a loop pedal. Play it right once, then take a nap.


Kidding.


Practice = Conditioning

Conditioning = Stamina/Endurance

 

[suddenlysane]

We combined the MJ version with the Chris Cornell version recently and added it to our setlist. I originally played it on the 5/7th frets and my hand would get really tired by the end of the song. Then I moved it to starting on the E on the D string, 2nd fret, and using open strings for the D and A notes. I dont have to move my hand as much and it REALLY helped. Now I can play it at a gig with no problems.

I'm trying to play it tuned down a half step on the 3rd and 5th frets. I think I need to try different variations and see what is easiest.

I will say that it is really hard not to smile when I get it right. What a great bassline.

@JoeMilo - Don't tell me that! I'll want to try it next just to torture myself!

 

[funkingroovin]

I HATED this song for the same reason initially...repetitive hand-cramp city! I find it an easy riff when played up in the 7-9th fret 'box' on the E and A...

 

[rolandm]

Lower your string action and lighten your touch. Hot Stuff with the octave double-stops used to be my nemesis. I consciously made the decision to lighten my touch and to facilitate that I lowered my action (I'm at 2.2 on my E and 1.8 on my G - .3mm lower than Fender basic set up, 2.3 on my Low B on my Jazz V), and practiced keeping it light a lot.

I noticed a lot of increased dexterity when I played too, because my fingers weren't over-rebounding for the harder attack of playing aggressively, and because of that, passages become much more fluid and your dynamics become much more pronounced.

 

[Hevy T]

I guess that is one of the reasons I do like the 5 string. If your hand gets tired in one position, just change positions. It is the one good freedom of a 5 string.

And this is coming from a diehard 4 string player, who is sloooowly converting to 5 string

 

[bassmonkeee]

I used to play Hall and Oates "I Can't Go For That" into "Billy Jean." It is where the idea for the Billy Jean groove came from, after all.

The repetition never bothered me. I always had a blast locking in with the drummer and just keeping it tight. I have plenty of other songs to stretch out my inner Jack Bruce. You keep that groove going for 6-7 minutes and people simply have to shake the booty. And, with that stuff--it's ALL about getting people to shake the booty. And, drink.

As for playing it, have you tried using a pick?

 

[suddenlysane]

I do tend to muscle the bass more than I should which probably contributes to the fatigue. I'll try lowering my action a bit and lighten up my touch.

I've always wanted a 5er, lol.

I have tried a pick on a few songs like Tool's Schism with some success but I prefer to play finger style.

Billie Jean might be a song that I can use to force myself to lighten up and build up my stamina. I've found that the Trigger Finger, while painful, has actually FORCED me to quit being lazy with my index finger and actually use it in a more direct way(using the tip instead of the pad).

 

[tbplayer59]

Let the amp do the work. No reason to play hard at all.

 

[Spent]

I HATED this song for the same reason initially...repetitive hand-cramp city! I find it an easy riff when played up in the 7-9th fret 'box' on the E and A...

Totally agree. I can't understand why the band insists upon doing it. Four minutes of bass hell.

 

[Tupac]

Dude... Billy Jean is a novice song. If you're having trouble, you're playing too tense. Try playing it on the E and A strings.

 

[Lo-E]

I do tend to muscle the bass more than I should which probably contributes to the fatigue.

Absolutely. See how lightly you can get away with playing before notes start to buzz out and then increase just barely from there. That's where you should be most of the time. I think we all have a tendency to tense up when we're struggling with a new part, too.

Switch positions - not just to find the easiest one, but learn more than one position so you can switch during the tune to reduce fatigue.

Use the bass that's easiest to play until you've built up some stamina. Then you can move back to the Chromes.

Take breaks. Relax. Have fun.

 

[rolandm]

The one thing about flatwounds. The lighter your touch, the better they sound. Just my .02, adjusted for inflation.

 

[john_g]

Dude... Billy Jean is a novice song. If you're having trouble, you're playing too tense. Try playing it on the E and A strings.

Im no novice and my hand would get tired by the end of the song at gigs. Since I switched to playing it on the D & A strings its no trouble. Its not that its hard to play as in fast or intricate, but at a real gig while you are trying to entertain, its easy to use too much finger tension.

 

[Green1]

I do tend to muscle the bass more than I should which probably contributes to the fatigue. I'll try lowering my action a bit and lighten up my touch.

I've always wanted a 5er, lol.

I have tried a pick on a few songs like Tool's Schism with some success but I prefer to play finger style.

Billie Jean might be a song that I can use to force myself to lighten up and build up my stamina. I've found that the Trigger Finger, while painful, has actually FORCED me to quit being lazy with my index finger and actually use it in a more direct way(using the tip instead of the pad).

I would recommend checking out Todd Johnson's technique builders book and Adam Nittis various permutation exercises.....they will help with hand strength and overall dexterity in both your hands......good luck!