Plucking hand woe's

[mickeyj4j]

Play with a lighter touch and up the volume to compensate.

i am dong this and it is working better i have nice tough fingers now

 

[mickeyj4j]

IMHO this isn't an equipment problem, it's at technique problem. I also get a bit too aggressive with my right hand and get blisters and blood blisters. It happens to me mostly when I can't hear my bass clearly and I hit it too hard rather than get into a position where I can hear it better.

Bottom line, you and me both need to lighten up with the right hand.

yes the last time i got the problem when i was playing a gig where the foldback speakers where to high and i could not hear my bass amp on stage. that was the sound guys problem and i did ask him to turn things down.

 

[RDUB]

I sometimes find my right hand fingertips are a little bit tender, but it's rare. It's easily countered, for me, by remembering I have a volume control on my amp!

Really, you need to PRACTICE lighter touch. I've had to work with students on this in the past. Sit with your bass, unplugged, in a quiet room. See how lightly you can touch the strings and still hear the notes. Then try alternating quarter notes, between very quiet, and a bit louder. Not so loud that you're yanking the string, just try for about twice as loud as the very quiet note. Be gentle.

This will help you get used to the lighter touch, and will start making a brain/muscle connection about dynamics.

I saw Norm Stockton at a clinic recently. He has probably the lightest touch I've ever seen on a bass. Super low action on his instrument, too. He really makes it work. I'm not a super light touch player myself. I like the sound of the meat of the string vibrating. I still don't do myself injury, though!