Fast Plucking Assistance

[JohnnyPustular]

Welcome to the land where the owners of the groove hang. There is only one thing that will get you where you want to go-- practice. Sorry, that's just how human bodies work. Remember that you are building necessary muscle for your task (there's a muscle in the middle of your forearm near the elbow that is growing by the day) at the same time you are making the neural connections that will allow your brain to control your hands. You are already seeing progress due to your dedication and joy. Keep it up.

"Fast" is only one part of the equation, though. You have to build up neural connections that will give you the necessary control as well. Control has to do with how hard you hit the strings, with which part of your finger and how deeply under/on top of your string. This is really, really important going forward, assuming you want to learn a second song at some point.

Here's the way to build those connections-- find a metronome and put it on a slow setting (try 60 bpm). Start with the E string and pluck it exactly in time with the metronome. Pay attention to how hard you are plucking. Keep at it. It will quickly feel boring and you will think you have mastered it. You have not. Record ten bars of your E string and then listen back. Is the pitch, timbre, volume and attack identical on each pluck? Probably not. Take note of what you are doing wrong and record another attempt. You will get better. Do the same with each string and then increase the bpm. This is a horrible exercise when you just want to play, but it will pay off in the long run. I hated my bass teacher for making me do this and I love him now.

Believe it or not, this is actually a shortcut to "fast". You won't get to the tempo ion Kryptonite as quickly, but when you get there you will sound good and you won't be wondering why you sound like crap even though you are going fast enough!

Good luck! May you be able to groove every day of your life.

 

[SteveCS]

I'd also be concerned that the lotion could gunk up your strings and make them stickier over time.

It will also hinder the development of calluses. Soft pliable fingertips are more prone to hanging up on the strings whereas good calluses will bounce right off, which makes for improved speed, fluency and tone, IME.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Depending on the type of arthritis, there are some really effective meds available now. I had a finger joint that was swollen to nearly twice it's size. Now it's almost down to normal. But every day that goes by, damage is happening.
Good luck getting things under control.

When I went to the doctor about three years ago the response was 'oh dear, how sad, never mind' (see the work of Windsor Davies for context). The pain is at least reduced - back then if I knocked a finger it was excruciating. But I hear there may now be options so I will go again.

 

[LowFreqVeee]

Hey everyone,

Came back to another load of great advice. Thank you for the time you all took in advising me. I read each one, took notes, and can't wait to attempt it some more tomorrow (I've been playing for the last few hours, not the song but taking my online lessons).

I also purchased a string cleaner as was suggested. Metronome practice is something I try to spend at least 30 minutes to an hour before I do anything e. Either going fret by fret or scales/arpeggios.

One thing that really stuck out after I created my thread and read over so many responses is that I do indeed "attack" the string too hard. I increased the volume, softened my touch, and noticed a big improvement. I do need to develop consistency in how my plucking fingers touch the string and there was great advice here for that. I'll upload a video over the next couple of days to show how it's coming along

When I went to the doctor about three years ago the response was 'oh dear, how sad, never mind' (see the work of Windsor Davies for context). The pain is at least reduced - back then if I knocked a finger it was excruciating. But I hear there may now be options so I will go again.

You definitely should go again. I'm sure there must be something now.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

It will also hinder the development of calluses. Soft pliable fingertips are more prone to hanging up on the strings whereas good calluses will bounce right off, which makes for improved speed, fluency and tone, IME.

Apart from arthritis, my other issue is keeping finger nails to the right length as I play with longer nails than many fingerstyle players. Blame Rush for that. It does allow me to do a Moulding and hold my fingers as if holding a pick and use that for fast, single string bits. I'd like to say it also allowed me to do the flamenco 'flick' outwards with the nail in addition to plucking. I find sometimes I do it, but it's not entirely conscious on my part, thus more of a bad habit as the tone is not consistent, which tends to be how I find out I'm doing it.

 

[tpa]

Are they triplets? The drumming seems to be.

 

[ga_edwards]

Do you play with 2 fingers or 3? For some fast songs, I'll introduce the ring finger as well. Not only does it help play faster, but it puts less strain on the other 2 fingers.

I use the Billy Sheehan technique of always going ring, middle, index, ring, middle, index ad infinitum.

It takes some mental gymnastics to play in 4/4 with 3 fingers (and divisions thereof), so my best advice is to close your eyes and just play, or try tapping out groups of 4 notes on a table with three fingers. Just try not to end up playing triplets - although this is a useful technique for the Iron Maiden gallop!

 

[H K]

A thumb-rest might help, depending on your bass.
Other than that it's like most have said already, keep practicing. I'm working on using my ring finger more, and I'll start a pattern slow and gradually build up speed. I'd recommend using 3 fingers from as early on as possible. Saves you having to build up years of finger strength and dexterity later..

 

[chris_b]

If you want to run a marathon you don't start by running a marathon. You start by walking, then running short distances and you build up over time.

Same for speed on a bass. You are developing strength and endurance in your muscles. Take it slow and you'll get there. Be impatient and you'll be risking injuries, like of RSI.

 

[2thAche]

Honestly this is something that you need to just do, and do, and do, until you work up to it. Old fashioned practice as in start with a metronome at a speed where you don't screw up for a minute, then bump it up in increments as you get it down. For 30 minutes a day or whatever it takes. Then when you're watching TV, have your bass in your lap doing the same thing until it's mindless (muscle memory). Over, and over. All this is not exciting or romantic, but this is how you build your chops; it's just hours and hours of repetition. Ramps may make it easier but IMO that's like using training wheels to learn to ride a bike.

 

[BlueTalon]

Honestly this is something that you need to just do, and do, and do, until you work up to it. Old fashioned practice as in start with a metronome at a speed where you don't screw up for a minute, then bump it up in increments as you get it down. For 30 minutes a day or whatever it takes. Then when you're watching TV, have your bass in your lap doing the same thing until it's mindless (muscle memory). Over, and over. All this is not exciting or romantic, but this is how you build your chops; it's just hours and hours of repetition.

Yep. When I'm learning new material, the process goes something like this:

1. "Ugh. Why are we doing this again? This is harder than I expected. Crap."
2. Challenge phase. Screw up the licks, make mistakes on the arrangement.
3. Hour(s) later, get the licks, get the arrangement.
4. Play it until I can play it at least five consecutive times all the way through without a mistake.
5. Boredom phase. Keep playing it.
6. Mind starts to wander. Keep playing it.

When I can play it without mistakes when I'm thinking about something else entirely, that's when I'm confident I know it.

 

[Jay2U]

Speed and stamina will build over time. Practice is the key.
It took me a few years to get this speed and stamina. By the way, my technique isn't great, but it serves the goal.

 

[Ric5]

 

[Geogio]

Incorporate the Thumb
Use 3 fingers, very do-able with some time put in to it.

 

[cymbop]

but I put a bit of lotion on my fingers

Your own nose grease for the win. Perfect formula for ease of plucking.

100% serious.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

When I went to the doctor about three years ago the response was 'oh dear, how sad, never mind' (see the work of Windsor Davies for context). The pain is at least reduced - back then if I knocked a finger it was excruciating. But I hear there may now be options so I will go again.

What we call in the US, primary care physicians, or family medicine doctors, aren't 1) Trained to necessarily sort out specific types of Arthritis and 2) Not particularly sensitive to the symptoms of this specialized field. If one then gets a dismissive response from your doctor, we tend to also dismiss it unless it persists or gets worse. I was lucky, in that my family doctor (at the time) was quick to recognize the need to see a specialist, aka Rheumatologist. And even then it can take a while for them to get a specific diagnosis that leads to treatment.

Just so you are aware, there are two main categories of Arthritis. 1) Osteoarthritis. This generally associated with the aches and pains that come from getting older. It can also occur when we damage a joint accidentally, or through a lot of repetitive motion. (Playing bass?) Think of Osteoarthritis as generally due to wear and tear. 2) Arthritis due to an underlying systemic condition, usually related to the immune system. There are a number of types of arthritis, that are classified by how they affect the body. But essentially, the immune system thinks that it needs to attack something in your body that it believes shouldn't be there. Immune disorder Arthritis' have nothing to do with getting older. I was diagnosed at age 25. It can run in families. One of my sisters also has it. It usually presents as joint swelling and pain, and can affect a few joints or many. While the symptoms are joint related, the disease can impact multiple organs and other systems.

Up until a couple of decades ago, the doctors could only treat the symptoms. But now with newer meds, called biologics, they can treat more on a cellular level. This means slowing down and prevention of the disease where it happens, instead of just treating the pain and swelling. It's not a cure, but it manages things much more effectively.

Anyway, I hope you are just playing the bass to much and that repetative motion is the reason for your symptom. But You should definitely discuss this with your doctor, and be insistent about treatment. If he continues to be dismissive, you may want to consider looking elsewhere. Good luck.

 

[bassliner50]

Practice against a metronome. It will keep you even and honest. Gradually increase your speed.

 

[BassBrass]

Apart from arthritis, my other issue is keeping finger nails to the right length as I play with longer nails than many fingerstyle players. Blame Rush for that. It does allow me to do a Moulding and hold my fingers as if holding a pick and use that for fast, single string bits. I'd like to say it also allowed me to do the flamenco 'flick' outwards with the nail in addition to plucking. I find sometimes I do it, but it's not entirely conscious on my part, thus more of a bad habit as the tone is not consistent, which tends to be how I find out I'm doing it.

I blame a classical guitarist that was also my brass ensemble teacher in high school, now I use a combination of nail and callus and can do rapid 16th seamlessly for a while, but there Is a difference the day after nail clipping-like yesterday I switched to dub bass on a precision until I get the attack and the strumming back. btw supplements like alpha lipoic acid and NAC (antioxidants as well as the C constituents bioflavaniods, rutin etc) and some anti inflammatory herbs may have some help for retaining flexibility. Periodic use of fisetin helps get rid of senescent cells that build up. supposedly.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

What we call in the US, primary care physicians, or family medicine doctors, aren't 1) Trained to necessarily sort out specific types of Arthritis and 2) Not particularly sensitive to the symptoms of this specialized field. If one then gets a dismissive response from your doctor, we tend to also dismiss it unless it persists or gets worse. I was lucky, in that my family doctor (at the time) was quick to recognize the need to see a specialist, aka Rheumatologist. And even then it can take a while for them to get a specific diagnosis that leads to treatment.

Just so you are aware, there are two main categories of Arthritis. 1) Osteoarthritis. This generally associated with the aches and pains that come from getting older. It can also occur when we damage a joint accidentally, or through a lot of repetitive motion. (Playing bass?) Think of Osteoarthritis as generally due to wear and tear. 2) Arthritis due to an underlying systemic condition, usually related to the immune system. There are a number of types of arthritis, that are classified by how they affect the body. But essentially, the immune system thinks that it needs to attack something in your body that it believes shouldn't be there. Immune disorder Arthritis' have nothing to do with getting older. I was diagnosed at age 25. It can run in families. One of my sisters also has it. It usually presents as joint swelling and pain, and can affect a few joints or many. While the symptoms are joint related, the disease can impact multiple organs and other systems.

Up until a couple of decades ago, the doctors could only treat the symptoms. But now with newer meds, called biologics, they can treat more on a cellular level. This means slowing down and prevention of the disease where it happens, instead of just treating the pain and swelling. It's not a cure, but it manages things much more effectively.

Anyway, I hope you are just playing the bass to much and that repetative motion is the reason for your symptom. But You should definitely discuss this with your doctor, and be insistent about treatment. If he continues to be dismissive, you may want to consider looking elsewhere. Good luck.

Arthritis runs in the family. I will go to my new doctor when I have some time off next month and hopefully get more assistance. I used to also do African hand drumming, but three or four years ago that was definitely not an option.

Anyway, thread derail over and I should find an arthritis thread.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Thanks everyone.