fretting problems

[zarigunn]

Hello,
I 've got an issue with my left hand (right handed bass player)
if i push the frets, my ringfinger flops the other wat so I can 't use the tip of my finger.
instead, I use my whole finger.
the same for my thumb, it bends in 2 directions.
my thumb is not such an issue, if i remove the tension on my arm, my thumb is correct.
But when I use my ring finger to fret.
It still bends the other way.
Does someone know what to do about it ?
Greatings.

 

[Skitch it!]

Are you using too much pressure to fret? Place a left hand finger on the string above the fret (the note you want to play but don't fret it) play the string with your right hand fingers and slowly apply pressure on that left hand finger until it frets the note and sounds complete, that's how little pressure is required to play a note, it's less than you think.

Getting a good arch in your left is another biggy, your thumb should be around or just below the centreline at the back of the neck and your fingers arched onto the fretboard and your tips on the strings, if your fingers are flattened out too much, they will 'cave' under pressure, again, don't put more pressure on your fretting fingers than required to control and play the note cleanly (avoid the 'death-grip').

Try to take it easy and concentrate until it starts to become automatic, it's natural for the fingers to flatten out to play certain stuff, but you don't want them folding completely, more arch, fingertip connection, less pressure, my 2 cents.

 

[fearceol]

Here is a link showing what "Skitch it" describes above.

 

[Skitch it!]

Here is a link showing what "Skitch it" describes above.

+1 Spot on, good explanation ; )

 

[zarigunn]

+1 Spot on, good explanation ; )

hey man,
you rule!
It 's pretty much a shame I needed to ask this.
I play already 5 years and it 's so odd I don 't know this.
they told me before but I gues it 's hard to consentrate on it
when you do it already 5 years wrong.
Gotta practice!