tips on improving stamina, dexterity etc.

[Ego]

Bill Dickens (they guy i got that tip from, his DVD) can hammer-on as loud as he can pop. while i can't think of a situation where you would necessarily want to, it's probably coll to be able to. plus, he did specifically ask 'how can i build muscle'

 

[kiwlm]

Would like to post another question here to this thread.

When I come out with a practice routine, that say I will get tired after 2 minutes, I try to play it longer and longer everytime I practice, since that's the only measurement of strength/stamina/dexterity that I know of.

Any other ways to measure the improvements?

 

[Joe P]

...I've made my share of goofs over the years and so far, no one has died.

well its reassuring knowing that mistakes dont kill people...

I guess this isn't the Heart Surgeon's forum, huh?

Such good advice here. I wouldn't be advancing NEAR as quickly if I hadn't been spending time here almost every day. What - time on TB when I could be practicing bass? -I practice TWICE as much now with the inspiration and support I get here!

Dang - I keep saying to myself 'NEXT paycheck I'll become a supporting member'. Sheesh - our band had better get out and get some GIGS; it'd be nice to actually OWN my own head and bottom too, instead of borrowing them from our guitarist!

Joe

 

[Dynna]

Instead of developing a "runner's" mentality of working through the burn, just try playing lighter. Like WAY lighter. A few things will happen.

1. Your tone will improve. Because there is less attack, and therefore less initial decay(when the attack spike drops), your tone is fat all the way through.
2. You can drop your strings way down. Like REALLY down. So much so that the only way to have them not clack like crazy is to play light. (and other guys playing your bass will sound like hacks. Good for your self esteem too)
3. Once the string are down, and you play light, you can play for virtually days.
4. Now that you're relaxed, it will be easier to play fast. And since you haven't spent all of you energy playing the verses, you can use some for fills going into the chorus.
5. Actually, to amend #4 you'll want to relax MORE when you play the fills.
6. You now have room in your dynamic range to go WAY up. Start light, stay there for a while, and you can dig in when it calls for it. Plus there's still room to go down too.

I did the runner thing for a long time, and all it got me were sore forearm muscles. Once I relaxed, speed came naturally. Once I played light, I could respond better to a song's natural ebb & flow.