Dreaded pinky...

[philvanv]

I had my 3rd finger cut off and reattached in 1985. For 20 It hurt so bad when using med. strings. I learned to compensate with my pinky. In 2005 I started using super lites, and was slowly able to begin using my 3rd finger again. I worked my way back up to med. this yr.
Maybe switch to light gauge strings for awhile and maybe you can develop more control w a liter gauge.

 

[sound of bass]

I never really did any special excercises, I just kept working thru it like the other fingers. Im not suggesting that you dont, I just never thought to do so. After playing bass for nearly 25-26 yrs now, my hands have truly morphed,(stretched) and my finger strength is quite good....Im always asked to "Open this". lol. But like Lownote38 posted, no real shortcuts, quality practice and excercise, you'll get it.

 

[philvanv]

a trick to add to all of these exercises:
Use a metronome set at a SLOW tempo.
Do finger exercises and scales at 60bpm, and it'll up the strength and control of your pinky tremendously.
(plus, it never hurts to practice with a metronome)

Metronomes are friggen awesome!

 

[bass_case]

I occasionally warm up the "little side" of my hand by playinging a familiar riff that you normally play with fingers 1-3 with fingers 2-4.

 

[Oblivisc]

Thank you everybody, I will make sure I utilize the tips you've given me

 

[krzym1]

1234 and spider exercises never really helped me to keep pinky near fret board when I'm playing songs.

Basically, when I'm doing independence exercises my pinky stays over the fretboard as "it knows" that it is going to be used, but when I'm playing songs and/or improvise a bit it tends to curl under the fretboard - especially when I'm using my 3rd finger as pinky wants to move in the same way.

Hopefully it usually is fast enough to come back on the frets when I need it.

As for developing the strength, I'd just try to use pinky as much as possible (especially octaves up to 5th fret, or playing a ninth interval - ie. B on your E string and F# on G string )

 

[nigelfelony]

Play pinball with your pinky's.

Know when to put the metal to the pedal.