HELP PLEASE

Discussion in 'Ask Mike Watt [Archived]' started by twiztedkid, Oct 26, 2001.

  1. i have been playing bass for bout 9 or 10 months so i consider my self still a beginer but i've played some stuff that some of my other bass playing friends cant play and said i couldnt but anyway, how do you play chordes? i cant figure out when plucking how to get 2 strings at once, i can do it with a pick but not regular so any advice any of you can give me i'd really apprecheat it
     
  2. watt

    watt the man in the van w/a bass in his hand Supporting Member

    Aug 24, 2001
    san pedro, california
    hi,

    congrats on the quick learning!

    one way to get two strings to get plucked at the same time is "pinch" both of them: have your thumb on the lower (in pitch) string and the higher one (again, in pitch) on your index finger. you can pluck both simultaneously really easy. try it!

    you can make like a pick by either using the side of your thumb (hold it rigid) or the nails on either just the index finger or both the index and middle fingers and strumming down, flemenco style.

    hope this helps.






    on bass, watt




     
  3. thanks, ok i'll try that. also my friend said that if i learn to play the hard stuff it will help me become a better bassest cause i will be able to play other stuff alot better is this true?, well anyway thanks for the response. thank you for your time
     
  4. frankencow150

    frankencow150 Guest

    Oct 17, 2001
    watt's right,i think another name is double stops.just say u have to play open A and open D.put ur thumb on the the A string and pointer finger on D string,and just try o kinda pluck them at the same time i guess.
     
  5. yawnsie

    yawnsie

    Apr 11, 2000
    London
    I hope that I'm not being out of place by replying to this before Mike, but I personally don't think that that's the best way to go. If you try to play something too hard, it might put you off, and it's better not to run before you can walk.

    I'd recommend working on the fundamentals - a bassist with solid technique and good time is more valuable that someone who can show off. I don't know if you have already, but work on playing scales in time to a metronome - make sure that you play every note evenly, and start the metronome at the slowest possible speed (you'd be suprised how much playing at 40 bpm shows up your timing), building up in time. It's not the most exciting of practise techniques, but it'll stand you in good stead.

    I hope this helps, and Mike doesn't mind me writing this.
     
  6. watt

    watt the man in the van w/a bass in his hand Supporting Member

    Aug 24, 2001
    san pedro, california
    yawnsie,

    no, I don't think you're out of line for posting this. you've said some wise words.

    "no wine before it's time"







    on bass, watt