How hard do you play?

[MegaSwing]

Hey Ed, well put! I love a reasonable firm attack, but will play a bit softer if dynamically it's called for. Overly-aggressive attack on strings just becomes toneless sound, no definition, no overtones, just quick thud-then dead! My first teacher taught me years ago-"Let your amp do the work. That's what it does."

You and I should have a beer someday, because we're talking the same language.

 

[drewsky2004]

Great responses guys. Yea I think I am playing too hard. I need to focus more on technique instead of force.

 

[groooooove]

i wish i had the self control to not dig in so much..

 

[jaywa]

I've realized that a big reason newbies in particular tend to pluck too hard is because that is their naturally stronger hand. So you have the strong hand attacking the strings too hard and meanwhile the naturally weaker fretting hand is having trouble getting a good solid ground on the strings - often made worse by too high of action.

First thing I advise a young player is to get their base properly set up as far as action, and after that to work their fretting hand into condition. Strength of the plucking is usually there in abundance already.

 

[KingRazor]

I started out playing hard, but I've developed a much lighter touch since. For two reasons. The first is that I created far too much unwanted clacking and other string noise when I played too hard. The second was that a lighter touch has allowed me to play faster and with greater articulation.

I can't deny that digging in feels great though. When I get excited I can't help but dig in some.

 

[fmoore60]

Funny, pre 50= Hard and booming. Now, when

I practice with my amp up to a 7-8 and then play with soft fingers, Great new tone and sound. Plus tons of push when needed.

 

[Schizo Sapiens]

In my early bass days i played really strong, because of poor rehearsal gear, i couldn't hear my bass any other way.

Last month i started drifting from very strong to mid-strong playing and i like it: less fret clank (which i always hated), less fatigue, and more room for dynamics.

Another good thing that happened to me simultaneously: i've shortened my strap so my bass moved from balls-level to stomach-level, my left hand can't stop saying thanks to me .
I wanted to do this for a long time but it felt so uncomfortable at first and i was returning to low hanging bass right away. This time i gave my body some time to accomodate and softer plucking really helped with that.

 

[boo9]

personally i try to play as light as possible, while still getting the metal string-on-fret clank, which i, and my bandmates love dearly.
this leads to adjustments of action and trussrod quite often, as perfect low action never sits quite right.
gets better every time, but over the last half year, it just seems to slip over time.
i adjust it about once every month on average.

but staying on topic, make your set-up help you achieve the right attack, with as little effort as possible.

 

[Duke21]

personally i try to play as light as possible, while still getting the metal string-on-fret clank, which i, and my bandmates love dearly.
this leads to adjustments of action and trussrod quite often, as perfect low action never sits quite right.
gets better every time, but over the last half year, it just seems to slip over time.
i adjust it about once every month on average.

but staying on topic, make your set-up help you achieve the right attack, with as little effort as possible.

Can't see that this is light touch!! You must play quite hard if you need to adjust the truss once a month.... I've never had to adjust the truss on my Geddy since i bought it nearly 2 years ago.

Sent from my iPod touch using TalkBass

 

[Scott1]

Light, low and loud. Easiest on my hands and the dynamics of finger pressure and angle of attack are accentuated. I also keep my nails very short which helps in my style.

 

[Tectonic]

For the first 2 years of playing i played my bass like it was a sling shot.
I broke quite a few E strings and G strings using a 1mm pick.
As time progressed i switched over to using my fingers . I still played hard , but i worked on variations of attack and pressure which eventually led me to become a more well rounded player.
I am still inclined to play hard naturally ( not sling shot hard )

 

[jimmyjames77]

I honestly hit the strings pretty damn hard. So hard that I constantly suffer from blisters and finger pain. Am I perhaps playing too hard if I keep getting these things? Should there be an acceptable intensity with which to strike the strings?

Start stretching your fingers. I've found out, in the past couple years, just how much body pain can be relieved by simply stretching. In fact alot of body pain that people think is part of "just getting old" is due primarliy from tight muscles.

 

[NickMonti]

Play as hard, or as soft, as is required during the peice.

If you are playing with dynamic; than you can't quantify how hard you hit. And if you are truly listening to the music, and playing with the group than dynamic becomes second nature.

Hit only as hard as to produce the tonality approriate for your
performance.
Do some exploring with where you pluck in the same effort. Bridge, fret board, sweetspot.

Your bass is like a woman. It's all about where your hands go to produce the desired tone. So take the time to learn!

Also. Your fingers will blister up and stay blistered when they have enough layers. They can still get sore though and reblister, it really depends on how much you don't play.

When I wanted to keep playing but my fingers said "no"
I would dab super glue on the tips of my right hand. That worked out well.

Hope this helps out. o.p. good luck.

 

[stingray2112]

I play at a moderate level with my fingers. But like another poster said with a pick I use a heavy one and really dig in with it.

 

[millsbass5]

It all depends on what kinda tone I'm goin' after,in a live setting. But,I always seem to play with a really light touch in the studio.

 

[Distant Cousin]

I play really light with low action. I barely have any calous and I never get blisters. I think it sounds better and gives you more room for dynamics. It also keeps your hands alive playing two 4 hour nights back to back.

Same here. I prefer the sound, and the feel to play. A friend of mine who has mega high action is adamant that high action gives you 'better dynamic range', but I don't see how that works.

 

[Rudreax]

Sometimes light, sometimes heavy. I don't like to stick to absolutes.

 

[Baird6869]

I play really hard. No idea why, it is just part of my style that developed over the last 25 years I guess. I compensate by rolling off more treble than normal and slightly higher strings.

Slap, fingerstyle, with a pick... all agressive as hell.

Kinda silly since turning up my amp and playing a bit lighter would likely sound better.

P.S. I haven't broke a string in 5+ years and I practice/rehearse/gig pretty frequently.

 

[Staccato]

Singing softly, and quietly is a method of vocal practice. Try this method with your bass attack for some variety.

Play (or play along) with some ballads that don't require diggin' attack. You'll enjoy being more versatile.

 

[maturanesa]

I go with a medium touch. Its natural, you dont have to be worry of nothing and just concentrate in the music your playing.
To play with a very light touch you have to pay attention at muting a lot more (signal noise and open strings are naturally louder when you have your amp at 8 and playing soft). A lot of gear is required. You have to own a big amp, and the necesary equipment to reduce noise signal to 0. You have to control the dynamics a lot more too: In a band contest, when you unintentionally play a louder note, it creates annoying volume peaks and volume differences more than a medium/standard touch.