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FINGER STRENGTHENING

like Mystic says: you have to play.

a great exercise I tell ppl is to learn the guitar intro to crazy train by ozzy. then play it using the one finger per fret.

this is also good (#'s mean fingers- starting with your index finger)
1h2p1 1h3p1 1h4p1 1h3p1 1h2p1.
focus on not buckling you knuckles and getting a clear hammer/pull off
 
then play it using the one finger per fret.

For a beginner this is not a good idea on frets 1-5. OP try the OFPF higher up the neck until your hands get used to bass playing.

Also FWIW, dont rely too much on tabs. Train your ear, by playing along to songs and trying to work things out for yourself. The work will pay dividends in the long term. :)
 
For a beginner this is not a good idea on frets 1-5. OP try the OFPF higher up the neck until your hands get used to bass playing.

Also FWIW, dont rely too much on tabs. Train your ear, by playing along to songs and trying to work things out for yourself. The work will pay dividends in the long term. :)

This. Playing by ear is one of the greatest assets on bass I have. I'm not the most technical guy on bass, but you play something for me a couple of times, I'll be able to match it (save for anything out of my skill level)
 
Trills, play a fast trill between two fingers. I like playing it with my first finger on the first fret of the highest string, and try to play for a minute. Do it for all finger combinations, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 2-3, 2-4, etc. Keep the trill fast but do it with a light touch, dont tighten your arm or hand. If you do it for 5 or 10 minutes before and at the end of every practice the strength will build up quickly. When they get stronger increase the length of time you do the trills for.
 
It would be impossible for me to disagree more with any other statement on the Internet.

I drive a lot and keep a grip master type exerciser in my truck. It's improved my stamina a lot.

I have increased my practicing too but I'm keeping the exerciser.

While the grip gadget may have it's uses elsewhere, I'd be interested to hear from you, how developing your grip can help with playing the bass. :confused:

Many times here on TB I have come across people being advised to loosen their grip and play with both hands relaxed. Both are impossible while gripping.
 
It would be impossible for me to disagree more with any other statement on the Internet.

I drive a lot and keep a grip master type exerciser in my truck. It's improved my stamina a lot.

I have increased my practicing too but I'm keeping the exerciser.

Playing bass and driving a truck have little in common. You need very little strength to press down on a string. Gripmaster is rather pointless for guitar.
You get better and faster results just by playing.
 
Playing bass and driving a truck have little in common. You need very little strength to press down on a string. Gripmaster is rather pointless for guitar.
You get better and faster results just by playing.


I agree. For bass playing, what may need developing are the tendons that lift the fingers off of the frets. This is quite the opposite of gripping. As for stamina, that comes with constant playing.
 
I agree you shouldn't strangle your neck but I also think a certain level of strength is necessary to play consistently.

I practice a lot but I believe strength helps as well.

The amount of strength needed to fret a string is minimal. Try gently pressing down on a string till you get a clear note and you will see just how much (or more to the point.. how little) is needed. This strength is there in all people from a very early age. So, from the point of view of playing the bass, no more is required. Granted, a degree of general strength and fitness are required to hold an eight or nine pound bass for long periods while gigging etc.

Stamina and dexterity on the other hand (pun intended ;)) are different things altogether. These are what is required to play consistently for long periods without getting tired. Gripping gadgets are of no help whatsoever here. Building up the playing time by degrees is the best way to achieve this.