Playing Bass Wrong

[TomB]

The most common defect I see in bass guitar technique is avoidance of using the fourth finger. You would have someone play wrong in order to play right? You would have someone not use a finger that needs to be strengthened? OP is playing root and the 5 above it. Other than open strings, there is no easier or better way to play that than first finger - fourth finger. Anything else causes stretching.

Some will probably reply with "There's no wrong way." That may be true for a tiny group of really talented people; the rest of us should learn best practices.

Please do NOT omit the pinkie or you may develop habits that will be harder to break later. The pinkie is actually more strongly wired for work than the third finger. Use it as much as you can. Upright players are taught to use the third finger to support the pinkie. You shouldn’t need that support on an electric, but it reinforces my point. Use the pinkie and make it better!

 

[AGCurry]

I wonder how many famous bass players have something "wrong" with their technique?

Of course, the answer is "many."

But the fastest and simplest way to learn to play is to do things right. Otherwise, you're handicapping yourself. Once you've learned to play properly, then you are free to break the rules however you wish.

 

[RhinoBass]

Play it the way you wanna play it...

 

[-Stingray]

1. Get a new instructor. Consider Scotts Bass Lessons online. He is AMAZING!
2. Be patient. Take a deep breath and relax. Most of your issues are related to finger strength. That will come with time (as long as you practice). In the meantime have fun with it. Learning a favorite easy song (even if you murder it) will help with the fun factor.
3. Have fun with it.
4. Did I mention have fun with it?

 

[EngrSorenson]

You can play almost any instrument the way you want. Go for it and God bless. There’s a benefit to learn from the hundreds of years of experience, however. Even when there’s disagreements in technique, the focus is in the right place. The most inadvisable course of action is to ignore it or let it happen by accident.

as for OP, it’s important to know that I think many of us experienced the frustrations you are having. Keep trying! The best thing you can do is keep doing your best. You’ll get there in no time.

 

[ladybug]

Play it the way you wanna play it...

You beat me to it!

 

[aprod]

From what I see, you haven't got your hand strength, dexterity and coordination where it needs to be, yet. I used one of these to help with all of these when I was not playing.

Quickest way to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Just play your bass.

 

[DianaBass]

I can relate to the challenges of finger position. I have small hands, and have found that the consensus among my instructor and other bassists I know, is that for me there has to be a micro-shift, as I can't always stretch to the 4th finger in all instances. What is helpful to me to get the right tone and not hammer on the strings is to never practice without either a little plug-in mini amp (like the size of a deck of cards, Blackstar-type,) and headphones, or amp and headphones, or even my mixer. It allows you to hear yourself clearly without feeling the need to add to much pressure.

I had issues early only of holding the neck like a baseball bat, but found for me, anyway, that holding it like a taco seems to keep the right distance and the open space that needs to be there. I don't have "spidery" hands, but I DO have, what I call "Tea with the Queen" hands. That darn pinky finger of my thinks it's an aristocrat! You've gotten a ton of good advice here from great players, while I'm just a new player.

 

[elberon]

Immediate steps to take:

1. Trim the fingernails of your fretting hand shorter.
2. Arch your fingers so that more of your fingertips contact the string and less of the flats of your fingertips.
3. Listen to AG-Curry’s advice regarding fingering. In the lower positions use 1-2-4 for chromatic intervals (for ex. F-F#-G on the E-string). Avoid the 3rd finger for now especially in lower positions.
4. Keep your fingers pressed into the fingerboard when possible. For ex play F (index finger down) then play F# (with the 2nd finger, while keeping your first finger down also), play G with your 4th finger (pinky, with your 3rd finger down also and helping it out) while keeping fingers 1 and 2 down to help your pinky.
5. Keep the thumb behind and perpendicular to the neck (at a right angle to the length of the neck) so it helps the strength of your fingers to clamp the strings into the fingerboard.
6. Get a dedicated bass specialist for a teacher, not someone who doubles on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass for example.
7. Buy a new set of light gauge strings. E string should be 100 or less.
8. Get someone who knows what they’re doing check the setup and string heights to make your bass as easy as possible to play.

 

[shnapper]

You’re going to get a gazillion answer/recommendations here. So many responses it might end up confusing you.

Slow down, focus and you will get better every day… If your cramping a lot take time to stretch your fingers, wrist and forearm.

 

[EngrSorenson]

You’re going to get a gazillion answer/recommendations here. So many responses it might end up confusing you.

I just recently found out everyone on this planet has an opinion.

 

[Ostie]

If you watch any person who has mastered their instrument—and I’m not just talking about bass—there is an “economy of motion” in their hands and fingers. They make it look easy. It comes from muscle memory, which comes from repetition, which comes from lots of practice. You’re not there yet, but you will get there if you keep practicing.

 

[TyBo]

I want to emphasize that the 1-2-3-4 exercise, holding all the strings down, then going to the next string, etc. ... is exactly that, a useful exercise to train the fingers to stay down (good to do it in reverse, too, btw). It's NOT necessarily the only template for playing pattern in general, at all.

One finger each for four frets is fine, if it's comfortable playing that way, but is by NO means a requirement. 1-2-4 is often a preferred overall template, can be easier, and is certainly appropriate for bass playing.

 

[hrodbert696]

Regardless of the teacher's "spider" comment, I don't think the OP has very long fingers - judging against the frets in that video, looks petite to me. Not a problem, just an observation. One finger per fret will almost certainly not be possible for her, and I'd say she should get used to her fingers spanning three frets rather than four, and moving a little bit more up and down the neck.

OP, this video was probably the single most useful resource for me on the fretting hand (granted, I'm self-taught):


I would try getting used to the hand position he describes there, and practice fretting notes with a minimum of flying fingers - try to keep your finger pads close to the strings but not actually touching. It's weird at first, then gets to be second nature. Try playing along to Peter Gunn (or Planet Claire) until you can do it with your fretting hand barely moving at all.

I'm not sure, but I'm also wondering if that bass could use a setup. If you're having to wrestle with high action (a lot of pressure needed to fret a note, usually because the strings are too high off the fretboard), a setup could lower it and ease the struggle.

 

[bass12]

I wonder how many famous bass players have something "wrong" with their technique?

Quite a few! The thing is, there's "academically" wrong and then there's "that may very well lead to tendonitis or other physical problems" wrong. It's best to avoid the latter as much as possible.

As for the OP, all I will add is that if you are going to practice one-finger-per-fret exercises then I would suggest avoiding playing in the lower region of the neck at first (where you'll be more likely to cause stress and potential injury). Also, it would be in your best interest to find another teacher - even if the teaching is being done online.

P.S., what you're experiencing is entirely normal for a beginner. Don't be discouraged - with practice you'll be fine.

 

[flannel cat]

From what I see, you haven't got your hand strength, dexterity and coordination where it needs to be, yet. I used one of these to help with all of these when I was not playing.

These are a great investment if you are new at playing.
I would take mine to work driving truck,and work my digits, had to force myself to learn to keep my fingers to the button pad when released,, but after a couple weeks my flying fingers got their wings clipped and my finger strength improved big time... keep rocking it tiffany it gets better..

 

[wysiwyg248]

There's more than one way to skin a cat, but here are my two cents: Check out Jim Stinnet (RIP) channel in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTLM0C5Acp-0xi4ZEb-mSQg for this and hundred of tips and techniques and practice two time as much as you currently do.

 

[gln1955]

These are a great investment if you are new at playing.
I would take mine to work driving truck,and work my digits, had to force myself to learn to keep my fingers to the button pad when released,, but after a couple weeks my flying fingers got their wings clipped and my finger strength improved big time... keep rocking it tiffany it gets better..

My upper body strength is pathetic and I've never thought you needed all that much finger strength to play a bass that is properly set up. A death grip is a waste of energy and negatively impacts your playing.

 

[flannel cat]

My upper body strength is pathetic and I've never thought you needed all that much finger strength to play a bass that is properly set up. A death grip is a waste of energy and negatively impacts your playing.

I still have my moments where i try to squish a 5 string neck into a two string neck, but not very often like before...
Yes big waste of energy alright.

 

[Jay2U]

I don't really care for "the right technique", as long as I get the desired (mediocre) result without hurting myself or my basses.
https://www.youtube.com/c/ThunderBassistJay/videos