So one big trouble I have noticed listening to recordings of myself is that when I'm finger plucking straight eighths at high tempos, one finger tends to pick louder than the other. This gives a really awkward push and pull feel when im going for more of a flat wall of bass sound. I don't feel like I'm picking harder with one finger...could it have to do in part with one finger being closer to the bridge? Do a lot of people have this trouble? How did you work on overcoming it? Right now all I can think to do is keep trying and recording myself to see how I sound.
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Straight Eighth Note Consistent Volume
- Thread starter codeman51
- Start date
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
One finger is longer than the other, so it exerts more force.
You can curl your fingers more, or you can angle the bass so that the string is lined up evenly on both fingers.
You can curl your fingers more, or you can angle the bass so that the string is lined up evenly on both fingers.
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
Tupac said:
That works too, but I think he's looking for a technique solution. And a compressor really shouldn't be used as a crutch. I use one to even out the volume differences between the low B and high C strings, and also to even out the volume differences of certain pedals.
Yup. Try praying with just your weak finger.
Also try plucking normally but go as slow as you need to focus and make them even.
To me the Michael Anthony van halen drumming 8's is boring, just like a perfectly manicured lawn. You're a living breathing person not a machine. You're supposed to be adding some creativity. Want strait 8's? Have a keyboard player or a chimp mash on a synth. How about listening to the snare or kick or rhythm guitar and matching that? Okay, gotta have that sound angle your neck and fingers so they're the same distance from the strings and play ahead or behind the pickups. Or if you don't care about bass at all do the unthinkable and borrow a pick from the guitar player...
HA! ya got me.
I thought most people prayed with two palms together, not with just a weak finger
As mentioned, practice slowly and strive for consistency. Speed will come. The beauty of doing it this way is no batteries required. And it's instant on and off, no lag. You decide the amplitude on the fly. And it's free.
Contrary to what's been said, straight eighths don't have to be boring. The inabilty to play consistently can be.
Contrary to what's been said, straight eighths don't have to be boring. The inabilty to play consistently can be.
You could switch to picking 
. (Though that advice is about as useful as "don't play straight eighths").
I've found that when I have volume inconsistencies, it's usually due to one finger falling lower on the string and simply raising the neck of my bass goes a long way to getting everything back in line.
. (Though that advice is about as useful as "don't play straight eighths"). I've found that when I have volume inconsistencies, it's usually due to one finger falling lower on the string and simply raising the neck of my bass goes a long way to getting everything back in line.
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
Also I've found the differences between fingers are more pronounced when you're digging in. Maybe practicing with a lighter attack will get you going in the right direction.
I haven't given up... Buy I do my exercises with a pick and fingers. Im using the pick more than I thought I would
Its muscle memory... Have to practice to get it consistent. I have the same issue. I had to turn up my volume use a lighter touch to fix it.
Its muscle memory... Have to practice to get it consistent. I have the same issue. I had to turn up my volume use a lighter touch to fix it.
Comments like this are why there is an entire thread here of people "proud" to claim the moniker of "mediocre" which to me is just plain disturbing but I completely understand why. Don't crap on the fundamentals.
8th notes boring? Perhaps to you, they are however absolutely necessary in modern music. If someone can not execute this most basic function, playing even, non-accented 8th notes @ tempo they are seriously lacking as a bass player and would do well to include this in their practice time. Sometimes it's exactly what a song needs. Back in the days before pro-tools and such there were many a rock bass player that got "ghosted" on their own band's albums because they could not accomplish the simple task of playing smooth eighth notes. I don't care who you are, to get replaced on an album because you couldn't play 8th notes over the root of a chord is embarrassing.
To the OP:
As others have similarly stated, slow and steady with consideration for the attack of each note with the fingers, pick, or what ever you use for a plectrum is the key here. The idea is not to just get fast but to have complete control over every movement at tempo. Practicing accents over 8ths, 16ths, and triplets from books like Ted Reed Syncopation works well to accomplish this end in conjunction with practicing no accents at all. When it comes to practicing accents, make the surrounding notes softer instead of making the accented notes louder. As far as compression, consider it as "spit and polish" on your tone, not a band aid for poor technique.
Mike
Ugh. For most of the first say 20 years of my playing, I didn't use effects at all. I got a Zoom B2 about 4 years ago, and I initially liked the compression. But as the months progressed I noticed that I was playing a LOT harder and getting tired a LOT faster.
Turns out, I was used to having wide dynamics and the compression was interfering with my entire vibe as a player. So I dialed it almost all the way out.
Bass mixes that are "pancackes" don't sound very rich, to me. A synth could do that.
For the OP, you are never going to have precise consistency between notes, but in the larger scheme of things you can certainly learn to have your stronger finger do the accents, and your weaker finger do the support. Or, pluck less hard with your strong finger -- it takes practice as the other 50 people on this thread have already stated.
Don't cheat and use compression. You will seriously hamper your technique. When I turned off the super-high compression on my pedal after using it for like 2 years, I immediately felt like I was a better player. The bass was breathing again.
