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

[JimmyM]

Like anything that's worth doing, it takes work and some effort on your part. Not going to try to talk you into doing it. If it's not fun for you, don't do it.

 

[TrevorR]

I'll give that a try. The bass is pretty high, I don't know if you can see from the picture. The problem with moving it higher is that then I run into my chest, which is probably bigger than yours...I'm starting to think the bass might not be instrument physically. This posture is not painful at all. I've been trying to kick my arm out more, but it just feels funny to me unless I'm playing at the end of the neck by the head. Until I get my fingers stretched out I'm staying where the frets are a little more "friendly" I'm going to keep working on it.

They just aren't spreading so they end up resting on the frets. Which sounds awful.

I think I'm just going to return the bass. When I just played along on Songsterr, it was fun. Now it's painful and stressful and it's not fun at all anymore. I'm spending hours a day, and nothing is working out. I don't think it's meant for me physically either. My chest is too big and gets in the way, my hands work better when I put them in a different shape than what it's supposed to be. My fingers don't spread like they are supposed to, my thumb wants to be in another part of the instrument. I hope they give me my money back. I probably won't get the money for the lessons back but that's just a lesson learned. Thanks for all the help guys, but I highly doubt anyone needs three lessons and hours to figure out how to hold any instrument if it's meant for their body.

6 days into bass? YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! Technique comes with practice and time.

Your wrist looks so much better in that video, your back posture looks great, the dying spider fingers are exactly what you'd expect at your stage of playing. Our "physique" (ahem) shouldn't stop us playing an instrument otherwise how would all the gravitationally challenged blokes on here ever play their basses when they are resting on top of a beer belly, horizontal to the ground!?!?!?

Don't stress too much about not having progressed further than you have. Take your time. You plucking sounds better, straighter and more consistent than many at your stage. Take that as a win and as encouragement and take the time to slowly improve the left hand technique. Having got this far this quick now isn't the time to give up!

 

[TrevorR]

It just isn't working. When I put all my fingers behind the one I'm using they will rest on the frets. I really am just going to return the bass. I really enjoyed this before it turned into whatever this is. This is not fun. This is the absolute opposite of fun.

You have the power to turn it back into fun. Your mind, your will and your attitude can make that difference. Don't sweat it but take each little step forward. It comes with time.

Hmmm... that all went a bit Yoda at the start there... "Hmmm, power to fun to turn it back you have. Hmmm yes, make the difference your mind it can! Judge my by my fingering technique would you?"

 

[TrevorR]

It just seems like everyone is telling me different things.

The danger of the internet - take the good, ignore the daft or unhelpful

In comes this violin teacher with all this conservatory experience, and all of a sudden everything I did was wrong. It all sounded great, but it was "wrong". And then it wasn't fun any more. I'll tell you, the students in my first class didn't look miserable like those conservatory students standing perfectly, afraid to breath on the wrong beat.

There is no "right" there is what works for you. These "rules" and techniques are just what some folk find helps them some of the time. If I look at my playing, within the space of one song I'll switch from finger per fret to Simandl to hooking the thumb over the top where each of those feels more natural. As long as they're not straining my hand or impeding the line that is fine. And it took me AGES to get to where I am now and I'm no "great" player.

Your conservatory teacher may have taught "right" technique but to take the joy of music away from someone is an awful thing.

I just realized tonight, I'm not having fun and I have enough things in my life that I must excel at - like making sure people don't get sued when buying and selling property and keeping people alive at 120 ft. under the ocean or even worse Lake Ontario!!! I wanted something fun. To play a few back beats for my husband.

Then make it fun again... take the stuff that helps and junk the stuff that doesn't right now. You can always come back to it later.

This is like going back to that conservatory teacher...Sure I might be amazing in ten years or so, but I'm just not going to have any fun getting there.

It's more important to be enjoying it than to be brilliant. Remember what your goal is... to bash out some cheesy tunes together on the sofa. Your goal isn't to be the next Victor Wootton in a few weeks. Work to your goal and focus on it. And honestly, at this stage, doing anything more than going "plunk plunk plunk" is great progress!

A few little thoughts... ^^^^ I hope they help!

 

[MayaMorena]

Thanks guys. I'm going to try to keep at it. I really look forward to playing and I love the sound of the bass.

Speaking of learning how to walk, I never did. I just got up and ran away one day because my older brother stole my toy. I hope this is the same way, I will just get so full of fire that I just run with it.

I watched a bunch of Les Claypool videos when I should have been doing paperwork yesterday at work, and that guy just does whatever the heck he wants. Seems to work for him. But I have no grand illusions of being as good as him - ever. But he's so great, and he doesn't follow any rules.

I've been watching Tina Weymouth and Sean Yseult (two very hot bassists from when I was just a child imho) I can't find a picture where Sean Yseult's fingers don't look like dying spiders. Tina Weymouth, she's doing her own thing. She sounds amazing. She isn't up at night worried about her thumbs. They seem to be always on the top of her bass, such a no no. Someone should tell her.
Man, there is nothing hotter than a hot blond with a bass!!

I just realized this morning, I am stressing really hard about going to that lesson today, not about playing the bass. I know right? Just cancel the damn lesson, call the money a donation and move on.

Thank you all for your encouragement. I really love playing. And I just realized, I can already tune the top two strings without the tuner, and I can hear it when they go out of tune even a little. So I just have to keep going. One foot in front of the other. Hearing the notes is the hardest part for some people. So why give that up.

Beso's y abrazos y muchas gracias. You guys are amazing. Now off to subscribe to Scott's system and have FUN. And if that fun has to be by myself, no teacher, so be it. That guy was a buzz kill.

 

[Feral Feline]

... So I just have to keep going. One foot in front of the other. ... and have FUN. And if that fun has to be by myself, no teacher, so be it. That guy was a buzz kill.

Each 1,000 mile journey begins with one step.

With such a positive attitude, you're gonna go far!



As others noted, +1 on keeping the pinky in the practice regimen.

There are always exceptions to the rule, ie amazing players that only play with two or three fingers — Hello, Django Reinhardt! Okay, not a bass player, but he and Tony Iommi (chopped his fingers off and made his own protheses to keep playing) inspired me to keep at working my pinky (which was extremely weak from being severely dislocated in my teens, ie the pinky tip was still attached to the rest of the finger but it pointed nearly 180º in the opposite direction). There's a guy who plays rockabilly bass (*doublebass) and stops the notes with his stump, ie no hand so no fingers IIRC. Saw a clip, but haven't been able to find it again for years — was on a now defunct Rockabilly Bass website.

Bill Clement has all his fretting fingers, but no fingers on his right arm to pluck with:


And then there's the guys & gals who play with their feet...

Trotting out the cliché: "Where there's a will there's a way."


Your pinky will gain dexterity and strength, keep at it.


Also, understanding the physiology of your hand may help. Fingers have tendons that connect them to muscles in the forearm; the ring finger's tendons are connected to both the middle finger's and pinky's. Everyone struggles with finger interdependence, whether they're a beginner or studio-session pro.

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Pinky And Ring Finger Independence And Dexterity
Re: If I bend my pinky, why does my ring finger bend too?


Health & Fitness for The Working Bassist – Part 1: Basic Technique

 

[MayaMorena]

Wow!!! Okay, if a one armed man can play the bass, I can play the bass.

So I went to my local music store. I tried out a short scale. The Fender Mustang. I love it. I can fret it!!!! All four fingers!!!! Elbow - out. Exactly how Scott on the Youtube videos was teaching. I will post some pics later if I get a chance. I'm so happy right now. I took the Godin in for them to look at, and it had so many problems right off the bat. It needed a fret change, the electronics were messed. The action was so low, which was contributing to the excessive fret buzz. This new bass, only buzzes when I do something stupid.
They never should have even had it for sale. I was lucky that I could return it and get a different one. So far, I'm over $1500+ into a bass, and the one I have is worth half of that, so I've lost a lot of money...but I finally feel comfortable. That isn't even including the money for the lessons that I won't attend. I even got a name of a bass teacher that has been teaching bass only for over 30 years. But I might just continue on my own. I haven't decided yet.

I just wish someone would have had the ability to help me before all of this stress and cost. Honestly if it wasn't for all the wonderful people on here...I would have just quit and thought I was a failure and just physically inept and a failure.

Thank you!!!!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

First, your thumb position is incorrect. rather than point up, it should be pointed at the headstock. Get your left elbow out away from your body. These two things should help you.
The only thing that should be hurting is the ends of your fingers, and mostly the right hand.
If your teacher said to use the position in the photo, then you need a different teacher. I would suggest Scott's Bass Lessons. He is excellent. One of his lessons covers this subject. It has to do with technique. He shows the proper way to position both arms and hands.
Online Bass Lessons - Scott's Bass Lessons

 

[CryingBass]

Just breathe!

 

[hrodbert696]

Okay, so how is my wrists and fingers? I'm working on getting my fingers on the strings at the same time, but for now it causes a horrible fret buzz unless I move lower on the neck.
I'd like to ideally keep my fingers down closer to the strings as well. I'm just happy I watched enough youtube videos to get my wrist somewhat straighter. I wish I could get that Scott guy to be my teacher. He's much less miserable than my teacher, and cuter.

I think I'm just going to return the bass. When I just played along on Songsterr, it was fun. Now it's painful and stressful and it's not fun at all anymore. I'm spending hours a day, and nothing is working out. I don't think it's meant for me physically either. My chest is too big and gets in the way, my hands work better when I put them in a different shape than what it's supposed to be. My fingers don't spread like they are supposed to, my thumb wants to be in another part of the instrument. I hope they give me my money back. I probably won't get the money for the lessons back but that's just a lesson learned. Thanks for all the help guys, but I highly doubt anyone needs three lessons and hours to figure out how to hold any instrument if it's meant for their body.

Thanks guys. I'm going to try to keep at it. I really look forward to playing and I love the sound of the bass.

Speaking of learning how to walk, I never did. I just got up and ran away one day because my older brother stole my toy. I hope this is the same way, I will just get so full of fire that I just run with it.

I watched a bunch of Les Claypool videos when I should have been doing paperwork yesterday at work, and that guy just does whatever the heck he wants. Seems to work for him. But I have no grand illusions of being as good as him - ever. But he's so great, and he doesn't follow any rules.

I've been watching Tina Weymouth and Sean Yseult (two very hot bassists from when I was just a child imho) I can't find a picture where Sean Yseult's fingers don't look like dying spiders. Tina Weymouth, she's doing her own thing. She sounds amazing. She isn't up at night worried about her thumbs. They seem to be always on the top of her bass, such a no no. Someone should tell her.
Man, there is nothing hotter than a hot blond with a bass!!

I just realized this morning, I am stressing really hard about going to that lesson today, not about playing the bass. I know right? Just cancel the damn lesson, call the money a donation and move on.

Thank you all for your encouragement. I really love playing. And I just realized, I can already tune the top two strings without the tuner, and I can hear it when they go out of tune even a little. So I just have to keep going. One foot in front of the other. Hearing the notes is the hardest part for some people. So why give that up.

Beso's y abrazos y muchas gracias. You guys are amazing. Now off to subscribe to Scott's system and have FUN. And if that fun has to be by myself, no teacher, so be it. That guy was a buzz kill.

Just a few reactions - first of all, everyone gets discouraged sometimes, and sometimes you hit "brick walls" where it's frustrating and not fun. Nothing wrong with taking a couple of days off to clear your head. But remember that while it should be fun, playing any instrument is also a skill and like any skill it takes patience and time and work. You're looking for long-term payoff, not instant gratification. Glad to hear you got through your first discouraging phase. There will be more, but keep at it and I think you'll find there are also rewards.

Another one: I wasn't going to say anything, but you keep mentioning your chest. Honestly, I think you can just stop worrying about it. If Dolly Parton can play guitar (and she does, rather well), you're fine. She doesn't buy specially made guitars to fit around her chest either. There are different body shapes of basses and all that, and people sometimes feel that one "fits" them better than another. But people of all kinds of body types play all kinds of basses. A lot of the time it's just a matter of adjusting strap length (you were seated in the video - have you tried playing standing?).

Also - have you had your bass set up by a professional? From when you were frustrated, it sounds like you may have been wrestling with a high action, meaning the bass is set up to require a lot of muscle to press the strings to the frets. It's mostly a matter of string height, though there are a couple of other factors. This stuff is adjustable. There is a bit of a trade off - the lower the action, the more likely the strings are to buzz (they're closer to the frets, after all), but the easier the instrument is to play. When you liked the Mustang, it may not have been the instrument itself at all, but just that it was set up better for you. Take your bass to a tech at a guitar store and have them set it up - might cost you $50, but they should have done it when they sold it to you in the first place.

The video looked like you're learning steadily and improving your hand position. The main thing I would suggest working on is flying fingers. Perfectly normal in a beginner. Try and keep your fingertips just barely above the string when they're not fretting notes - think in terms of economy of motion. That lets you get from note to note faster (fingers don't have to travel as far), tires your hand out less (not moving as much), and also helps you mute notes (a gentle touch on a string prevents it from vibrating and making unwanted noise).

Keep at it, and enjoy!

 

[MayaMorena]

Just a few reactions - first of all, everyone gets discouraged sometimes, and sometimes you hit "brick walls" where it's frustrating and not fun. Nothing wrong with taking a couple of days off to clear your head. But remember that while it should be fun, playing any instrument is also a skill and like any skill it takes patience and time and work. You're looking for long-term payoff, not instant gratification. Glad to hear you got through your first discouraging phase. There will be more, but keep at it and I think you'll find there are also rewards.

Another one: I wasn't going to say anything, but you keep mentioning your chest. Honestly, I think you can just stop worrying about it. If Dolly Parton can play guitar (and she does, rather well), you're fine. She doesn't buy specially made guitars to fit around her chest either. There are different body shapes of basses and all that, and people sometimes feel that one "fits" them better than another. But people of all kinds of body types play all kinds of basses. A lot of the time it's just a matter of adjusting strap length (you were seated in the video - have you tried playing standing?).

Also - have you had your bass set up by a professional? From when you were frustrated, it sounds like you may have been wrestling with a high action, meaning the bass is set up to require a lot of muscle to press the strings to the frets. It's mostly a matter of string height, though there are a couple of other factors. This stuff is adjustable. There is a bit of a trade off - the lower the action, the more likely the strings are to buzz (they're closer to the frets, after all), but the easier the instrument is to play. When you liked the Mustang, it may not have been the instrument itself at all, but just that it was set up better for you. Take your bass to a tech at a guitar store and have them set it up - might cost you $50, but they should have done it when they sold it to you in the first place.

The video looked like you're learning steadily and improving your hand position. The main thing I would suggest working on is flying fingers. Perfectly normal in a beginner. Try and keep your fingertips just barely above the string when they're not fretting notes - think in terms of economy of motion. That lets you get from note to note faster (fingers don't have to travel as far), tires your hand out less (not moving as much), and also helps you mute notes (a gentle touch on a string prevents it from vibrating and making unwanted noise).

Keep at it, and enjoy!

I had a proper guitar tech look at the bass I had, and he was like woah the action is way too low. So it had the exact opposite problem. So I had a stumble around the local music store. They guy and his son were so nice, unlike the other store I bought the first two basses at where they didn't help me at all in my selection. The guys son was like, I can fix your bass and make it work, its a good bass...but then I picked up the Fender Mustang. And it was all over! I was in love.
And the best part is- my fingers can reach all the frets. It sits nice on my body. I guess you guys were all right, it's like I kept putting on the wrong size of shoes and then wondered why none of them fit. This thing fits. It's so comfortable. I just got playing it, all fingers on frets!!!! I'm literally over the moon right now.

(If you look in the lower right corner...you can see the real Maya Morena)

And it doesn't hurt. And I don't have to jack my wrist. You can't see from the photo but my arm is the 3 inches out that Scott recommended when I play, I will work on keeping it out though because it feels so much nicer to have my arm free!!!

I never would have got so far without all your lovely words of encouragement. I was really thinking maybe I should just get a tambourine and a kazoo and call it a day. I'm so happy I didn't give up.

I even got the number of a nice old man who has been playing bass for 40 years who gives lessons. And guess what? The first lesson is going to be an hour long, just so I can get comfortable.

Again, you guys all rock!!!

 

[MCF]

I had a proper guitar tech look at the bass I had, and he was like woah the action is way too low. So it had the exact opposite problem. So I had a stumble around the local music store. They guy and his son were so nice, unlike the other store I bought the first two basses at where they didn't help me at all in my selection. The guys son was like, I can fix your bass and make it work, its a good bass...but then I picked up the Fender Mustang. And it was all over! I was in love.
And the best part is- my fingers can reach all the frets. It sits nice on my body. I guess you guys were all right, it's like I kept putting on the wrong size of shoes and then wondered why none of them fit. This thing fits. It's so comfortable. I just got playing it, all fingers on frets!!!! I'm literally over the moon right now.View attachment 1154454

(If you look in the lower right corner...you can see the real Maya Morena)

And it doesn't hurt. And I don't have to jack my wrist. You can't see from the photo but my arm is the 3 inches out that Scott recommended when I play, I will work on keeping it out though because it feels so much nicer to have my arm free!!!

I never would have got so far without all your lovely words of encouragement. I was really thinking maybe I should just get a tambourine and a kazoo and call it a day. I'm so happy I didn't give up.

I even got the number of a nice old man who has been playing bass for 40 years who gives lessons. And guess what? The first lesson is going to be an hour long, just so I can get comfortable.

Again, you guys all rock!!!

Congrats! The new Mustang is a solid choice. It will bring you hundreds, if not thousands of hours of pain free enjoyment. And it's nice to hear you found some local assistance. Here's a pic of mine.

 

[Reedt2000]

I had a proper guitar tech look at the bass I had, and he was like woah the action is way too low. So it had the exact opposite problem. So I had a stumble around the local music store. They guy and his son were so nice, unlike the other store I bought the first two basses at where they didn't help me at all in my selection. The guys son was like, I can fix your bass and make it work, its a good bass...but then I picked up the Fender Mustang. And it was all over! I was in love.
And the best part is- my fingers can reach all the frets. It sits nice on my body. I guess you guys were all right, it's like I kept putting on the wrong size of shoes and then wondered why none of them fit. This thing fits. It's so comfortable. I just got playing it, all fingers on frets!!!! I'm literally over the moon right now.View attachment 1154454

(If you look in the lower right corner...you can see the real Maya Morena)

And it doesn't hurt. And I don't have to jack my wrist. You can't see from the photo but my arm is the 3 inches out that Scott recommended when I play, I will work on keeping it out though because it feels so much nicer to have my arm free!!!

I never would have got so far without all your lovely words of encouragement. I was really thinking maybe I should just get a tambourine and a kazoo and call it a day. I'm so happy I didn't give up.

I even got the number of a nice old man who has been playing bass for 40 years who gives lessons. And guess what? The first lesson is going to be an hour long, just so I can get comfortable.

Again, you guys all rock!!!

Looks good on you, and look how straight your wrist is!

 

[MayaMorena]

Woah that's quite the collection....

 

[MayaMorena]

Looks good on you, and look how straight your wrist is!

I know!!!! I had a rather angering conversation with my boss today on the phone...and just went over and picked it up and starting wailing away at it in utter frustration...and then I looked in the mirror and holy crow...wrist straight! One finger per fret, not thinking about anything but how mad I was, so literally not thinking about the bass at all. And there it was.

The first bass wasn't long enough in the body to clear my chest from the chest strap. The second one was the right shape but too big. The third time is the charm. I still have a lot of work to do. But it's not uncomfortable at all and I feel like I can do it!!!!

 

[Reedt2000]

I know!!!! I had a rather angering conversation with my boss today on the phone...and just went over and picked it up and starting wailing away at it in utter frustration...and then I looked in the mirror and holy crow...wrist straight! One finger per fret, not thinking about anything but how mad I was, so literally not thinking about the bass at all. And there it was.

The first bass wasn't long enough in the body to clear my chest from the chest strap. The second one was the right shape but too big. The third time is the charm. I still have a lot of work to do. But it's not uncomfortable at all and I feel like I can do it!!!!

Glad you found the right one. You must have a small frame (Aside from the afore mentioned large parts ) because it looks like a full scale bass when your holding it. Sounds like the last week has been a rollercoaster for you, I'm happy you are able to finally find some joy in it. That's how it's supposed to be.

 

[MayaMorena]

Glad you found the right one. You must have a small frame (Aside from the afore mentioned large parts ) because it looks like a full scale bass when your holding it. Sounds like the last week has been a rollercoaster for you, I'm happy you are able to finally find some joy in it. That's how it's supposed to be.

Yeah, I might have forgotten I'm a short girl with big hands when I started this adventure... I just can't believe no one at the music store had the brains to point me in the right direction or help me out! I mean, they must have noticed I'm only five foot two...

 

[McFly]

My 1st bas was a SX Ursa 1 P-Bass. Got it, the practice amp, and other bits for $120 I think. I had a hard time with the neck... Thick and high gloss.... couldn't play it.

Second bass: Schecter Stiletto Studio 4. Much thinner and faster neck... got right into it, love playing it, thought it solved all my woes, until about a month or two ago. Picked up the Ursa again for sh*ts and giggles, and low and behold I could play it effortlesly... I couldn't wrap my head around it. All I could summize, was that the Schecter was just what I needed to get started, to learn the basics. It was the beginner bass I needed.

Don't get me wrong... still love that Schecter, and use it a lot, BUT I pick that Ursa 1 up too now, gave it some decent pick up and strings, and that cheap beginner bass sounds darn good, and I can play it.... Guess what I'm saying is when you're starting out, you need what 'feels' right. It keeps you comfortable, interested and wanting to go back. Fact is as beginners we don't know WHAT we need... but we know what feels right. That Mustang is 'right' for you. Like you, my 1st Axe wasn't right for me, but it held a place in my heart, so I kept it. You'll probably see that down the road those problem basses might actually work for you. My next bass.... eventually will be a short neck (Hofner??).... just because!

Thought I'd share.... sometimes when you're struggling, you get the idea, "It must JUST be me!" When you're really not alone at all. Keep practicing!!!

 

[Reedt2000]

Yeah, I might have forgotten I'm a short girl with big hands when I started this adventure... I just can't believe no one at the music store had the brains to point me in the right direction or help me out! I mean, they must have noticed I'm only five foot two...

Yeah, some shops are staffed by aloof jerks who are too into how cool they are to help customers. It sounds like folks at the second store were much more down to earth and focused on what was right for you. There is a lot to be said for finding a quality music store.

 

[JimmyM]

I watched a bunch of Les Claypool videos when I should have been doing paperwork yesterday at work, and that guy just does whatever the heck he wants. Seems to work for him. But I have no grand illusions of being as good as him - ever. But he's so great, and he doesn't follow any rules.

That's what Les makes it look like, but trust me...the guy spent a lot of time learning the rules before he started breaking them.