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Need More Endurance

C

camlemieux

Guest
Jul 4, 2012
24
0
29
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
#1
:help:
I'm looking for a way to increase my endurance while playing bass. Either my fretting hand or my fingering hand get tired. I'm sure this sort of thing has been on here many times but, I was really not into searching.

An example of what I mean is I love to play "Stone Cold Bush" by RHCP, but by the time I get through the bass solo and half into the guitar solo my hands need a break.

I know that practising is probably the best way to be able to play for long, but I'm wondering if there is anything outside of playing that would help. Like lifting weights to build muscle in my arms, I dunno that sort of stuff.
Thanks. ^.^
 
#2
No, lifting weights will probably be counter productive, mass doesn't move fast, I would avoid exercise, but I would exercise between practice sessions.

Practice, practice, practice, that is the only way to musical success. Run scales to a click, play songs for hours on end, do whatever to get your hands working.

I find the quickest way to get your endurance up is join a working cover band, 2-3 3-4 hour nights a week will get your endurance up right quick.
 
#5
I'm looking into this too. Got chromes, nice high tension, but the med-light set I had had less taught E & A.... now I'm on roto 77's. 45 - 105, very taught, with medium action... :bassist:
After a few weeks of having no choice but to use fairly light touch my bass with rounds seem 50% of their previous tautness. If you fret and pluck fairly lightly you can get decent endurance I've found. But hard playing for a few hours with few breaks longer than 10 seconds still eludes me. I need a lot of practice, and that can't be substituted with anything else!:D
 
#8
Stick_Player said:
Play DB. It will make playing EB feel like a "walk in the park". :D
Click to expand...

Ha, this is kinda true (at least I think it after every gig where I'm jumping back and forth). The relaxing thing is probably the best advice, besides just practicing (but not OVER practicing). I find that when my hands feel the most fatigued I've notice the following;

- I worked out (weights and/or body weight) really hard a day or two before
- I'm focusing more on singing than playing at the same time (and playing too stiff/hard in the process)
- I've over practiced on DB
- I'm day dreaming while playing the same songs for the 1000th time (I tend to tense up when I'm not focused)
- I sat down during most of a practice (hand positions are definitely different)
- I've spent way too much time at a computer (work or music related) and mousing has fatigued me

Just food for thought :-)
 
#9
The long distance runner does not wake up one morning, and out of the blue, decide to run a marathon. He/she prepares little by little, maybe a year in advance. Granted, bass playing is not like running a marathon, but nonetheless there are similarities in this respect. Endurance can only be built up over time. There are no short cuts. Increase your playing time gradually. Having low action and a light touch will help, as will eating well and staying well hydrated. Keep the hands as relaxed as possible. Using weights is counter productive IMO. Make sure to warm up with gentle stretches first.
 
#11
Not hijackking Ts thread. I got the opportunities to jam with some really awesome drummer over the weekend and they play like 30 mins straight non-stop jamming and my finger went numb by like 15 mins that I need to stop and change to palm mute just to slow the song down lol
 
#12
You also might want to have your setup checked. If the action on your bass is not real good, you might be having to work harder to get the end result. Might even try lighter strings and train yourself to work with less pressure. Everyone mentioning relaxing is totally right. Remember economy of motion as well. If you lift your fingers way off the fret board, it's that much further to move them to get back to the fretboard, etc. if you feel your shoulders lifting up as you play a hard part, you are tensing up. You need to incorporate relaxation, economy of movement, and lots of practice time!
 
#13
As others have said, it is very important to remind yourself to keep your hands relaxed.

The setup recommendation is also good. If you have to fight a bass, it will tire anyone.

My biggest question - do you practice every day? If you are feeling fatigue, I think it important to get a little practice time in every day. A couple of days away from the bass can set you back. [Assuming, of course, that you don't have pain. Pain would mean you have to take a break.]
 
#14
SBassman said:
As others have said, it is very important to remind yourself to keep your hands relaxed.

The setup recommendation is also good. If you have to fight a bass, it will tire anyone.

My biggest question - do you practice every day? If you are feeling fatigue, I think it important to get a little practice time in every day. A couple of days away from the bass can set you back. [Assuming, of course, that you don't have pain. Pain would mean you have to take a break.]
Click to expand...

Good post and good advice....... except pain means you are doing something wrong. So stop immediatly, find what you are doing wrong and correct it. ;)
 
#15
SBassman is right about even a couple of says away affecting your playing. Even if you can only jam for about twenty minutes or so, that would be way better than laying off completely. I don't by any means mean to only practice 20 minutes a day! I wish I had the te to do at least 2 hours a day!!!!
 

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