Listening to myself. Be your own worst critic and fix what you don't like about your playing. I still have so far to go...
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What caused you to change your technique?
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
I have issues with my ulnar nerve on my fret hand so I have learned to keep my wrist a little more straight, but outside of that I have always been happy with my bass lines on the recordings I have done. Learning to play guitar made me focus more on what extensions I could achieve in my bass lines - not really technique per say, but definitely an area of constant improvement.
While I do think it is important to always be striving towards something new - I don't think it is necessary to be overly critical on yourself at whatever stage you are at. Yes take the time to practice and keep progressing - but don't worry about where you want to be, concentrate on making the best of where you are.
While I do think it is important to always be striving towards something new - I don't think it is necessary to be overly critical on yourself at whatever stage you are at. Yes take the time to practice and keep progressing - but don't worry about where you want to be, concentrate on making the best of where you are.
I think after I picked up fretless (because it's cool, that's why) I started hoisting my bass higher on my body so my stupid fingers cold angle a little more perpendicular. It made some sense because I had already been playing violin and some cello so it was an easy transition compared to the way started with the fretted bass slung low (also because it's cool). So now I still play frets and no frets but my fretless strap is a lot shorter. Mostly because you've got to sling that bass at your belt to be cool. Right?
My biggest "aha moment" after thirty-some years of playing was watching the bass player in a Vegas show I was subbing in for. His right hand was barely making any effort. Let the amp do the hard work! Changed my whole approach to the plucking hand.
Currently it’s learning how to float the thumb for better and cleaner recordings. Also positioning my strumming hand around the bass for different tonal variety. It’s made me GASless these couple of days and I’m happy about that.
A couple of weeks ago I traded a 4 string for a fiver, so I ended up "adquiring" an hybrid anchor-floating thumb system for muting.
#1)Reading music,
#2)Not being able to play the songs I wanted,
#3)Sounding like poopie
#2)Not being able to play the songs I wanted,
#3)Sounding like poopie
Scotts Bass Lessons technique course changed everything for me. Proper fretting technique & floating thumb muting on my plucking hand have made the hugest difference in my playing. Faster & cleaner.
When I started playing I took lessons to develop my technique and musical knowledge. My teachers included David Hyde (Hammond Louisianna), Roy Vogt (Nashville, TN), Victor Wooten (Nashville TN) Earnest Szugyi (Nashville Symphony) so I never developed bad technique because of studying with top players. Both locally at the time and teachers at Southearstern Louisiana University and Middle Tennessee State University. I see bad technique all the time but then again some player are just as happy playing the way they do.
I took lessons after playing bass for a few years. My teacher looked at my playing, and pretty much told me that I had to start over. It was a nightmare for a few weeks, but only for a few weeks. Against my expectations, I got back up to speed quickly, and then went past where I had ever gone.
I went from a cheap Kingston with brooklyn Bridge-type action, to a '73 Fender J. I had to learn to play all over again. the instruments were as different as night and day. Lots of badhabits had to be overcome.
Then later on I damaged my right wrist in an accident and my wrist lost a lot of dexterity and I can't use a pic for the last 25 years. Ony fingers. but I had to learn that too.
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My wrists give me trouble from time to time. To combat that I've learned how to utilize the notes on all the strings, using all four fretting fingers to reduce changing positions. Also using alternate picking or using all four of my fingers on my right hand at least for a couple of songs to give my right wrist a break.
I started doing this as relief for my wrists but as a byproduct it's made me better as a bass player.
I started doing this as relief for my wrists but as a byproduct it's made me better as a bass player.
I started using the floating thumb technique when I developed carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist / hand. It's been a super positive change for me as far as speed and ease of proper muting.
I like to work the strings more to get an even tone and level from note to note, and string to string.
The biggest thing that will alert you to the fact your technique needs work, is to record yourself, and critical listening when you play back the recorded tracks.
Playing regular 3 hour gigs led me to look at technique to improve endurance. Strap height, bass angle, set up, light touch and left hand technique all came together to make a difference.
Yup. I do a mental eye roll when I see people who seem to feel the need to have a good 4” wind up with each finger for each note (with the typical omnipresent fret clang noise).
I now just pluck with 2 fingers and sometimes my thumb, I can't hold a pick to save my life, and I can slap a little but its very sloppy
Recordings and lessons from a good but tough teacher who made me learn the "right" way. I know it chafes our rock and roll inner rebels, but there is a train proper technique has evolved the way it has. Learn and it and reap the benefits.
Also listen to recordings of yourself jamming with a band. Then get embarrassed and fix it.
I had no instruction at all, so my finger plucking was pretty terrible for my first year or so. By chance I was in a music store and saw a book of about 40 pages that was only about how to play fingerstyle. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the book as I incorporated the techniques to muscle memory. It was written by a teacher from Toronto.
Totally overhauling my technique was immensely difficult and I wanted to switch back daily but I recognized the merit in the new system. It’s all muscle memory now.
Totally overhauling my technique was immensely difficult and I wanted to switch back daily but I recognized the merit in the new system. It’s all muscle memory now.
Recording yourself is the biggest thing for me, same as lots of people in this thread. Especially getting frustrated when I write or improvise a line that I can't play cleanly. That frustration really leads me to getting into the practice room and digging down into my technique and how I'm approaching the bass. Some of the right-hand technique, whether it be floating-thumb technique or playing with strict alternating fingers, has stuck over the years.
