Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What's Your Biggest Playing Handicap?
- Thread starter nutso42
- Start date
Don't stress out over it - the 3rd/4th fingers have less independence than the others do. This is addressed in the Simandl method for Double Bass; I used to have similar trouble, but applied this method to electric bass in the lower positions and voila! More comfort, less fatigue, and lower tendinitis risk.
My own biggest handicap is my back. I have had some bad back problems over the past few years which have resulted low tolerance for longer gigs, and I can't use anything heavier than 10 lbs. That sucks, because I've wanted to get into 6-string bass since I was a teenager.
However, I'm exercising again now, and am looking into both physiotherapy and Alexander Technique... hopefully these will help.Yea the other day I was lightly plucking the strings and I noticed this new tone coming from a bass I havn't played in 6 months. I used to hate the tone from it and it prolly had a lot to do with me thinking pull the strings hard was the way to make the bass sound better. It was a bad habit that had to broken!
did someone say JP-4?
Link Removed
i like that a lot more than jet fuel.
oh, and I can't slap, it's not really something i've ever worked on though, i don't really use it.
There was an article with Doug Wimbish in a recent issue of Bass Player magazine where he talks about playing lightly and how it affects the tone, as well as position. Ive been working on that myself. I know that I play much lighter then I did 15-20 years ago.
About 2 years ago my thumb on my fretting hand nearly got cut off. Sliced all sorts of tendons and what not up. took 10 stitches and it still hurts when its cold out, when i play, etc.
Thin necks are my best friends.
Thin necks are my best friends.
Yea I read that article too (I am a subscriber). After reading that article it made me realize even more that what I was doing prior to my recent plucking style was worth the change.
One other handicap I have is that I work in IT so I type all day and already have early signs of carpal tunnel. I know playing a bass or any instrument that requires my hands is just going to make it worse for me over time!
-Chris
Thinking that I have to play like Jaco every time I pick up my fretless!! Other than that, I am entirely to hard on my self. yes, I know what I said there...
My technique problems? Fretting too hard. I'm also trying to learn the pick method and I feel both of my hands working too hard.
I also feel some discomfort in my right wrist (probably from years of typing fast and aggressively) so I fear something might be happening. I need to fret more lightly but I struggle with it a lot.
I also feel some discomfort in my right wrist (probably from years of typing fast and aggressively) so I fear something might be happening. I need to fret more lightly but I struggle with it a lot.
Sight reading, can't do it and its awful because we are expected to do it in high school band but since im only a freshman i guess i have time. Also have trouble improvising well but im getting a lot better. Pretty much I can not be put on the spot.
i've got the same problem. the only upside is playing so intensely that your hands start bleeding midshow. it looks awesome!
Two major handicaps:
- middle finger on my left hand is bent to one side so I have to fret with the sides of my fingers,
- my reflexes are slower than they used to be (age related).
These are not things that can be easily changed so I try to accept my limitations and work with them rather than against them. I'm developing a more spare style.
- middle finger on my left hand is bent to one side so I have to fret with the sides of my fingers,
- my reflexes are slower than they used to be (age related).
These are not things that can be easily changed so I try to accept my limitations and work with them rather than against them. I'm developing a more spare style.
I'm a righty playing lefty. (There are reasons for this) As a result, I have work twice as hard to get the coordination I need in my plucking hand. Slap & pop has been a real challenge.
