• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Speed-sters

N

Nooboy

Feb 10, 2008
10
0
#1
Hi all,
My situation is this. For 6 weeks now, I've been trying to learn this riff that is played in straight 16th's going at 125 BPM. How I started practice is by setting my metronome to 40 BPM and in the days and weeks worked it up. Currently my cap is at 90BPM, it has stayed there for the last 2 weeks, which is why i'm slightly concerned. My issue here is that I am unable to reach that speed after 6 weeks of practice. Is it because my practice method is wrong? Or is 6 weeks too soon to reach that tempo?

Thanks in advance for the help!! :D
 
#3
16ths at 125 BPM is blazingly fast...even at 90 bpm its an impressive accomplishment, so don't sell yourself short. Maybe the original player was "cheating" in some way:

Was the original riff played with the same Right Hand technique you are using? If the original was played with a pick, and you are using two fingers, you may be physically limited. It's much easier to play fast with a pick. Equal speed with the 2 fingers requires a pretty refined technique IMHO.

Also, check your left hand fingering to see if there are other ways to finger it. Maybe the original uses lots of open strings and hammer-ons/ pull-offs. these can also make fast playing easier.

another possibility is an echo delay...like "One of these Days" by Pink Floyd....

High speeds are generally achieved with a lighter touch, low action, and practice like you have already invested...
But don't take my word for it, I'm usually playing quarter notes :)
 
#4
6 weeks is WAY too soon to expecting those sorts of speeds.

The key to playing fast is to learn how to play soft. This will take time, but playing hard and fast will only make you tired quickly. You must learn the minimum it takes to play a note clearly. I'd also suggest learning how to use 3 fingers to play roots of 4.
 
#5
one other thing...starting as slowly as you did, you can play each note quite deliberately, if that makes any sense...as you sped up, you have probably been keeping that same intensity...try relaxing and working on playing more legato...also curious exactly what riff it is you're working on...the other guys may have it right when saying that the player is using some other technique to get the lick you're working on
 
#9
78bass said:
Go full speed for a few rounds per day. Even if you don't nail it I find that to be helpfull.
Then slow it down.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. I've seen many a musician playing faster than they can and it often leads to many problems and bad habits to work around not being able to do it naturally. I think we've all heard a guitard or two who didn't learn the tune at a slower speed, thus the faster speeds were a mess of mistakes magnified.
 
#10
You know, this is a really good question Nooboy is asking. I myself have been trying to work things out with the same method.

mambo4 said:
Was the original riff played with the same Right Hand technique you are using? If the original was played with a pick, and you are using two fingers, you may be physically limited. It's much easier to play fast with a pick. Equal speed with the 2 fingers requires a pretty refined technique IMHO.
Click to expand...

What do you do when you use two fingers and the original line was played with one finger? I have no idea how James Jamerson can make that one finger move that fast!

Have you tried using a sponge under the strings near the bridge to help you mute strings? I find it puts less stress on you as far as having to mute and pluck at the same time. Sounds a little more staccato also.

Seriously, what is the riff you're trying to learn. I'm curious too.
Ara
 
#12
Hi all,
Thanks for the really quick replies. This is like, the fastest response time i ever got.lol.

First of all let me apologize on a really bad typo, its not 125BPM, its more like 100-110. Sorry about that. But my problem still stands. Capp-ed at 90BPM:hmm:

Thanks again for all the advices given, i'll try them out soon. Oh, about playing with 3 fingers, do you just go ahead trying with 3 fingers (Index,mid,ring) or is there like, a proper startup technique to follow?

Just to address some of the questions like what song is this. It the bass solo part of the song "salvation is here" by hillsongs. I felt that its a really good challenge to myself to learn the solo, with hopes that it'll increase my speed and note clarity :D



Above is the video by the actual dude who played that,slighty corny but yea, that's him.;) May not seem like 100BPM but in the live album he played it at 100BPM.

Once again, thanks lots in advance!:D
 
#14
My comment was based on teachings that worked for me.
I am not a teacher, nor an expert on technique.
Try everything.
Consider this one goal only. Many more to come.
Good luck!

Next you might try a ballad.
 
#15
Vakmere said:
what purpose does it serve to play that fast or is this for a personal best speed record time?
Click to expand...
Maybe because thats how the piece was written? Don't be so narrow minded.
TS, although this speed is definitely accomplishable with two fingers, you may notice very quick improvement in your speed if you start to use three, in a strict 3-2-1-3-2-1 pattern. Keep practicing!
 
#17
Hi all,
Once again thanks for all your replies. I managed to find the live video of the song. I believe it much faster then the first video link.



The bass solo starts at 2:18.

Bass Troll said:
in a strict 3-2-1-3-2-1 pattern.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion!!:D By doing in a 3-2-1-3-2-1 pattern, do u mean index-mid-ring or ring-mid-index or mid-index-ring? Sorry, kinda confused. Lol. :D
 
#18
Nooboy said:
Thanks for the suggestion!!:D By doing in a 3-2-1-3-2-1 pattern, do u mean index-mid-ring or ring-mid-index or mid-index-ring? Sorry, kinda confused. Lol. :D
Click to expand...

No problem. :)
It really depends on what you find most natural. Personally I go ring-mid-index, but some people find the other variations easier.
The one thing I will advise against is index-mid-ring-mid, because it at least partially defeats the purpose of this technique (you're still using your index every two notes). But again, it really is up to personal preference, Steve Bailey often uses the index-mid-ring-mid technique.
And remember, although I said strict 3,2,1, you don't have to. For example, if there was four groups of three, and then two groups of two, you could play it 3,2,1-3,2,1-3,2,1-3,2,1-2,1-2,1.
 
#19
I have a similar problem...:( although after about 4 months of playing a riff every day I'm still stuck on about 90bpm. Im determined not to increase the tempo unless im playing it cleanly though

The song is 'Hit me with your rhythm stick' ( to see marlowedk playing how it should be done!) which i guess is around 105bpm-ish...

I specifically chose to work on this riff as i thought it'd help build up right hand finger speed with string crossing etc.... and it has to some extent - just not as much as i'd hoped since i hat the 90bpm plateau a while back.

I guess there's nothing else for it but to keep playing at 90bpm and trying to up it even 1bpm per week. its driving me mad though and has completely ruined my enjoyment of the song which is a huge shame... Im just too single minded to give up though :mad:

So, you are not alone....
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back