Very new, and upset. Please help if you can.

[hrodbert696]

Much great advice has been given already, but id like to share these two videos which helped me get past similar issues to what you are having. One thing I would say however, is get another teacher...

That second video is the one I always go to for left-hand technique. Everybody's body is a little different, and you may have differences in terms of strap height and the angle the bass hangs at, things like that. But it should come together in a configuration where your left hand position is natural and relaxed, your fingers can move freely and your wrist is more or less straight.

I thank every for their responses. I figured there would be some discomfort, but I'm experiencing pain in the sense where it feels as though the outside portion of my wrist is about to break. I'm still in pain today, which sucks, because I have a job where I type all day.

YIKES. As others have said - pain is bad. Don't try to keep going in pain and think it's going to get better. That's your body telling you something is wrong. If your teacher doesn't get that, get another teacher.

 

[JimmyM]

Yeah, cause everyone is equiped with the same physiology, have exactly the same finger length, hand size and so on.

Honestly, they're time-tested techniques that do work for most everyone. Like I said before, I have tiny kid hands, and I can do one finger per fret. I get the recommendations for using Simandl fingering, but other than that, I see no reason others can't do it. As was pointed out, Maya's problem is all about the bent wrist.

 

[Dougie44]

Honestly, they're time-tested techniques that do work for most everyone. Like I said before, I have tiny kid hands, and I can do one finger per fret. I get the recommendations for using Simandl fingering, but other than that, I see no reason others can't do it. As was pointed out, Maya's problem is all about the bent wrist.

Some people can wiggle their ears, shape their tongue in a roll, do back air flips, I can go on and on. I can do a tongue roll and no one taught me. I don't think I could do a back air flip no matter how good the instructer is.
My point is not everyone can do everything we all have unique things about us and some people find that out at some point

 

[MCF]

Much great advice has been given already, but id like to share these two videos which helped me get past similar issues to what you are having. One thing I would say however, is get another teacher...

Josh's video (top) is what I used when I started playing again after a several year hiatus. It is great. Keep the thumb relaxed! Also, string height is extremely important. If it's too high, you're working too hard. Please make sure your bass is setup properly. I like my basses set up with no more than 5/64 height as measured at the twelfth fret. Most of them are 4/64 or even less.

Whatever you do, keep at it as long as you're not having pain. You'll get it straightened out.

 

[MayaMorena]

That second video is the one I always go to for left-hand technique. Everybody's body is a little different, and you may have differences in terms of strap height and the angle the bass hangs at, things like that. But it should come together in a configuration where your left hand position is natural and relaxed, your fingers can move freely and your wrist is more or less straight.



YIKES. As others have said - pain is bad. Don't try to keep going in pain and think it's going to get better. That's your body telling you something is wrong. If your teacher doesn't get that, get another teacher.

The second video is very similar to what I had worked out on my own, probably just borrowing from my violin technique. Funny thing is when I switched from Fiddle to Violin the violin teacher tried in vain to fix my technique, and I told her it wasn't broken.

I just got back from my lesson with a teacher who doesn't specialize in bass, and he was like, "just relax and enjoy it"
Honestly, there won't be conservatory exam in my future, so I intend to do just that.

 

[JimmyM]

Some people can wiggle their ears, shape their tongue in a roll, do back air flips, I can go on and on. I can do a tongue roll and no one taught me. I don't think I could do a back air flip no matter how good the instructer is.
My point is not everyone can do everything we all have unique things about us and some people find that out at some point

You're not seriously comparing it to doing backflips, are you?

Why impose limitations on yourself? It's not brain surgery to have good technique.

 

[bdplaid]

Some people can wiggle their ears, shape their tongue in a roll, do back air flips, I can go on and on. I can do a tongue roll and no one taught me. I don't think I could do a back air flip no matter how good the instructer is.
My point is not everyone can do everything we all have unique things about us and some people find that out at some point

Right, and not everyone can do the one finger per fret thing (which is more modern), either. The easiest way to play, particularly for those with small hands or short fingers, is the 1-2-4, which is Simandl, which is the oldest. It's the best place to start. When I was teaching in college, I used to have to beat into my students' heads the notion that in order to break the rules, first you have to know what they are.

But all our physiology really is the same, in that we can all be damaged in similar ways by the lack of proper technique. The wrist is incredibly vulnerable, but just go right on doing whatever you want without taking in the time- and performance-tested methods, then come on here to complain about how your wrist hurts. At least learn how to do it right before you trash the old methods (which are still very much in use btw).

This all has nothing to do with growth and evolution of the instrument, but how to do it with respect to our own physiology.

 

[bdplaid]

I just got back from my lesson with a teacher who doesn't specialize in bass, and he was like, "just relax and enjoy it"

Seriously, study with a bass player. those who aren't true bassists, and I point my finger at guitarists who think they can play bass, seem to never have a clue about proper technique.

 

[BrotherRay]

When you first start out playing, that one finger per fret can hurt a little bit, be uncomfortable because it's something you're not used to. Kinda like when you start working out? That's the purpose of practice, to get used to it. But it shouldn't be pain!

Lots of good advice and videos on here. My two cents worth :

 

[hrodbert696]

When you first start out playing, that one finger per fret can hurt a little bit, be uncomfortable because it's something you're not used to. Kinda like when you start working out? That's the purpose of practice, to get used to it. But it shouldn't be pain!

I think that's an important distinction. There's a difference between getting used to something and starting to stretch out and all, like when your calluses are starting to form and such. Then there's actual pain, when tendons and muscles are getting forced to do something they shouldn't be doing. What the OP was describing was not adjustment discomfort, it was pain.

 

[MayaMorena]

I've been working at it, and it's less pain now with the new bass, more discomfort. I went from being able to play half an hour with my own made up technique to being able to play for about four minutes, so now I just have to do that ten times a day. I just have to keep remembering to keep my elbow where it doesn't cause me to goose neck my wrist. I think I need a mirror to play in front of. My pinky is not cooperating, but I don't think any instructor will do to help with that. I will either need to just keep practicing with that fourth finger. Right now I am taping my third finger to my second finger during the day and giving my pinky a chance to exercise on it's own when I'm not playing. Maybe it will gain it's independence yet!

At this point the amp is set up next to my full length mirror and I am watching and re-watching the videos provided and trying to keep it all together.

Question: If my pinky decides it wants nothing to do with the bass, can I still play well with the three fingers? I'm going to keep up practicing with it and hopefully it comes together!

 

[MayaMorena]

I almost forgot! Thank you all very much. I'm really happy I found this forum. I knew bass players were cool, but you guys are amazing. I hope I can just keep learning. At least I have a place to start and a place to ask questions. Again, thank you.

 

[Reedt2000]

I've been working at it, and it's less pain now with the new bass, more discomfort. I went from being able to play half an hour with my own made up technique to being able to play for about four minutes, so now I just have to do that ten times a day. I just have to keep remembering to keep my elbow where it doesn't cause me to goose neck my wrist. I think I need a mirror to play in front of. My pinky is not cooperating, but I don't think any instructor will do to help with that. I will either need to just keep practicing with that fourth finger. Right now I am taping my third finger to my second finger during the day and giving my pinky a chance to exercise on it's own when I'm not playing. Maybe it will gain it's independence yet!

At this point the amp is set up next to my full length mirror and I am watching and re-watching the videos provided and trying to keep it all together.

Question: If my pinky decides it wants nothing to do with the bass, can I still play well with the three fingers? I'm going to keep up practicing with it and hopefully it comes together!

Don't give up on the pinky, as your left hand gets more and more acclimated to the bass it will start working I promise

 

[pcake]

I've been working at it, and it's less pain now with the new bass, more discomfort. I went from being able to play half an hour with my own made up technique to being able to play for about four minutes, so now I just have to do that ten times a day. I just have to keep remembering to keep my elbow where it doesn't cause me to goose neck my wrist. I think I need a mirror to play in front of. My pinky is not cooperating, but I don't think any instructor will do to help with that. I will either need to just keep practicing with that fourth finger. Right now I am taping my third finger to my second finger during the day and giving my pinky a chance to exercise on it's own when I'm not playing. Maybe it will gain it's independence yet!

At this point the amp is set up next to my full length mirror and I am watching and re-watching the videos provided and trying to keep it all together.

Question: If my pinky decides it wants nothing to do with the bass, can I still play well with the three fingers? I'm going to keep up practicing with it and hopefully it comes together!

i know a couple super talented bass players who never use their pinkies.

 

[FingerDub]

i know a couple super talented bass players who never use their pinkies.

Sure, but I dare you to find me someone who can play the chorus scale runs in Immigrant Song using only three fingers.

 

[McFly]

Enjoy playing!!! It's the only reason you should do it... Stretch and finger
coordination only comes through practice and attention, over time.

Working spiders and scales are tedious, but they do get your pinky in the mix.
One of my most effective drills is setting the metronome slooooow, like 40bpm,
and doing spider drills. Slower the better... just focus totally on getting the tone,
and keeping fingers from jumping. I think learning 'just enough pressure' on the
fret board is a huge help with the pinky too. When I realized I didn't need to work the little
guy as hard as I was, it was easier to utilize. Rock on!

 

[Jefff]

Not to throw a turd in the punch bowl, but most beginners place to much emphasis on the fretting hand anyway. If you play long enough your fingers will stretch out. If I place my hands together and spread my webbed fingers apart, my left ring finger is at least half an inch father then my right. My pinky is well over and inch farther.

I tell people to concentrate on the picking hand. Thats where your groove is.

 

[MrLenny1]

You have a good teacher.
That position is THE way to play.
The pain is from stretching muscles , tendons and nerves
in positions they are not use to.
Good luck.

 

[JGbassman]

A person isn't able to do a backflip or a hand stand the first day or week they start gymnastics. Those skills are built up over time, along with muscle memory, balance, strength, and flexibility.

Go slow, build hand strength, flexibility, stamina, and accuracy over time. Download a metronome for your phone and practice at a very slow beats per minute. As your hands get stronger and more flexible, you will more than likely be able to start using your pinky with time.

For now don't sweat it. Get your other three working without pain, then slowly add it. I didn't strat using my pinky for about the first four months or so, I just didn't have the dexdarity to do so, but in time I did.

Make small obtainable goals, master them, then work up the next set.

Keep this up, and in a few years I might be taking lessons from you.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

Yeah, cause everyone is equiped with the same physiology, have exactly the same finger length, hand size and so on.

Also all basses have the same design.

No need for adjustments if it worked 100 years ago, sure it will still work.

That's what basically makes up progress!

Boxes, we need more boxes!

They are easy to stack and get in line!

One equally sized box for everyone, everyone is treated equally, so everyone will be happy.

Now we just need a way to find out how we cramp a human body into a box shaped container and we are ready to set off for the stars!

Cut the heels and toes if needed, eventual the head as well if it shows to be in the way.

Future here we come!



My advice to OP:

Get the bass you loved back, fire your teacher and find a new one of those.

Also welcome to Talk Bass and good luck getting better at playing bass

Live long and prosper! V

Listen to THIS guy, he actually has a clue. Thanks, great post. I can tell you are a great fan of .. uhm, .. uh.. authority?