finger exercisers/stretchers

[StatesideRambler]

I believe that what one gets from building hand strength is the ability to play in long spells with poor technique. Strength is not a necessary tool in electric bass.

I took classical guitar lessons many long years ago and my teacher gave me many exercises I still use today: e.g. play a scale, any scale at all, v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y, pressing the strings so gently that every note buzzes. Once you can do that, play it again, pressing just the least bit harder so as to avoid buzzing. When you can do this consistently you will have learned the control and low force that lets you play cleanly for many hours without tiring. Low effort also enhances your ability to play faster and we all want to be able to burn up the fingerboard.

FWIW I’m 70, arthritic and slowing down but I can practice for hours at a time. My hands are relaxed and doing fine even when my lower back is screaming at me to take a break and go stretch awhile.

 

[togril]

Hey all, I'm looking at these gizmos and want to ask the collective, are these things a gimmick or do they really work? I was searching the web for 'finger exercises' and they showed up in the search. The reason I am looking for exercises is because if I stretch 4 frets my middle finger and ring finger are doing all kinds contortionist looking stuff. Thanks for any insight or personal experience.
example a
https://www.amazon.com/Riff-BANDZ-T...5SAZDXGA2FT&psc=1&refRID=VSCBPYDFG5SAZDXGA2FT

and b
https://www.amazon.com/Expander-Training-Resistance-Exerciser-Accessories/dp/B08TW5D3SF/ref=sr_1_12?crid=3BMY6LEQSWXQU&dchild=1&keywords=bass+guitar+finger+exerciser&qid=1621087447&sprefix=bass+finger+exerciser,aps,174&sr=8-12

That second one? No...GoodLord...NO!
All that is doing is stretching, and that can lead to EASY injury.
The elastics? Worth looking at. It is the muscle gain in resistance to the band that gives ability to stretch, something that many people don’t understand.
of course, this also means you MUST STRETCH YOUR HANDS AND WRISTS TOO. Since I got older, and my muscles have got smaller, so has my reach. I also need to stretch more to balance it out.
It is wrong to say that these things are scams, for centuries people have used tools to enhance their ability to play. But then you can make your own out of elastic bands. There are also Therabands /therapy bands made for the same muscles in the hands - Like a slightly larger silicon bracelet - To stretch against resistance. Often called “rehabilitation”.

LOOK, just go here and ask for advice: you will be amazed. Also use common sense when exercising: NO PAIN: EVER.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Xxx

 

[paulhenry]

Hey all, I'm looking at these gizmos and want to ask the collective, are these things a gimmick or do they really work? I was searching the web for 'finger exercises' and they showed up in the search. The reason I am looking for exercises is because if I stretch 4 frets my middle finger and ring finger are doing all kinds contortionist looking stuff. Thanks for any insight or personal experience.

I am an okay fingerstyle guitar player, and (officially) a Mediocre Bass Player (#1109). But I have played since I was 10. I am now 64. So I've seen a variety of these things over the years. There lure of any kind of device or method that claims to help you reach that goal so many of us desire, mastery, is great. But, for better or worse, the way you get better is: practice. Mundane, and often tedious. If you've had a hand injury that requires physical therapy, you may need appliances prescribed by a physical therapist (i.e. a person trained in evidence-based solutions). Otherwise, the real work is on learning about yourself and developing effective practicing strategies.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Do this.

 

[Shaggai]

Practice an hour a day for over a year and ZI can pretty much guara

Do this.

Was taught this as a warm up exercise to get the hands used to the bass after using hands for brute force all day.

 

[Lownote38]

Like anything that says it can make you better much faster, these things are snakeoil. The only way to gain the dexterity you need to play the bass is to play the bass.