Finger-positions, finally "got it"?

[Robsco]

The simple idea of linking finger patterns finally hit me the other day, I know, such a staff edit

Just before anyone says practicing scales up/down is pointless, etc. this is how I like to learn, ie, inside-out. I'm also mixing-in arpeggios, pentatonics, minors, modes, etc. and coming up with lines, but for the sake of this post, I'm just talking about major scales up and down.

e.g. Playing a scale starting on first finger, and just before I get to the octave, switch fingers so I land on first finger again, ready to do the next octave, using the same pattern.

This usually leads to the box/area I'm playing in moving up the neck a little.

Plus you're very quickly on the first string, so you end up playing the whole octave on one string - which tbh was actually good since I'd never learnt the pattern on one string.

(Strangely there's not many/any youtube videos showing that?)

The next step I guess comes in not always sticking to the same finger position for the next octave, and using whatever finger you *do* land on, to keep yourself in the same box/area on the neck?

Also, if I'm just practising going up/down through a scale, is it worth practising *not* moving strings half way through, and shift up the neck, no doubt into a different finger position? I'm sure I saw a video on that too a while back.

Any other ideas or suggestions would be great to hear, though it feels like I've got TONS (of combinations) to play with now.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[bholder]

I just keep practicing going up and down and switching directions until it feels natural without thinking about what finger lands where. I don't want to have to think about the mechanics, I want to just think of the sound of the note I want to hear and have my fingers just "go there" and get it done. Takes lots of work.

 

[Robsco]

Yeah I'm having to do a LOT of ear-training too, sometimes I catch myself playing wrong notes but didn't "quite" realise it - obviously pretty dangerous!

 

[BassChuck]

Playing scales is good, there's every reason to do that. Always look for different fingerings, there are several, and always go at least one note higher (9th) and end a least one note lower (7th).
Breaking up into little patterns along the way is even more musical. There are thousands of patterns and combinations of patterns out there. Always try something new. And sing the scales too. Try to sing the next note before you play it.

 

[saabfender]

... sometimes I catch myself playing wrong notes but didn't "quite" realise it - obviously pretty dangerous!

I'd say you're doing it right. At least it's an approach I've had good luck with. You're getting it under your fingers: developing 7 Habits of Highly Successful Bassists. Teach your fingers to do lots of different things. Sounds like you are enjoying the variety of mechanical combinations to approach the fretboard. That's good because that's where the notes are.

When I was playing trombone, I did this thing where I'd think a note, play a note but in quick succession, like starting 16ths @ 68bpm and working up. Just random notes, gibberish. I've found it's also fantastic for getting your jazz guitar chops together.

LSS: Keep doing that thing you're already doing.