Bass Techniques

Subject: Bass Techniques
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 08:58 AM

I've been playing more bass lately, mostly when the jam has several guitars and no bass player, so I fill in. I have no problem playing in the keys of G, D or A, since I play most strings open. However, when I play in keys where most strings are closed (fretted with left hand) my hand begins to cramp quickly. In the key of E for example, I look forward to those occasional open A's to relax my left hand.

What is the right way to hold the left arm and hand to prevent cramping? What other tips and techniques can any bass players share?

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 09:21 AM

if you don't play that often you might try a capo.

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 09:33 AM

I had to switch to bass to get a band job on short notice, and had a lot of physical trouble with it at first. Strength was lacking, as was reach, and I stressed my hands until I pinched a nerve in the knuckles. Don't go there. I found it useful to exercise with grippers and to strech my fingers out like a runner does before a race. I simply pried a beer bottle between my knuckles (since one was in my hand most of the time anyway), slowly stretching the fingers apart. My reach and strength improved quickly. It's a demanding instrument. Take this advice with lots of caution, if at all.

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: C-flat
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 09:43 AM

Only practice and hand exercises will help and even then, as soon as you take a break from playing, your hand quickly loses it's strength.
All you can do is play lots!

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: mooman
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 09:55 AM

Upright or regular bass guitar?

mooman

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 10:23 AM

Sorry, I meant upright bass.

It is a demanding instrument, and deceptively simple for a beginner, but very interesting to move up to the next level. I'm hoping I can develop the strength in my left hand and correct technique to continue, because I really enjoy the instrument. But, at this point, I'm not the world's most popular bass player when I drop out of songs in closed positions! (Once you have bass in a jam, it's tough going without).

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: mooman
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 10:32 AM

Dear Barbara,

I have some ideas but am not such an experienced upright bass player. It might be useful to PM Jellybeam in the UK as she plays a rather mean upright bass and could give you some tips.

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 03:33 PM

Thanks, mooman. I just sent Jellybeam a note.

However, I just had some great suggestions from my son (the Berklee guy who plays many things and also dabbles in upright bass). He watched me play and said I should not stand alongside the bass - sort of perpendicular to the body - the way I do. This causes my arm and wrist to make a much harder angle to fret the neck. Rather, I should stand more behind the body, so my wrist doesn't have to curve as much while pressing down on the strings.

Wow! It takes much less effort to play a closed string this way. Also, the thumb should be behind the neck of the bass, opposite the middle finger, rather than wrapped around the neck. This also helps.

I guess there's hope for me (and certainly for the next generation) after all. Any other tips welcome.

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: Den
Date: 08 Jul 02 - 09:19 PM

Hi Barbara, I've been playing bass for a long time. Mostly electric but I have dabbled with upright, could never afford my own though. A good exercise to make the fingers on your left hand stronger are hammer-ons. You play the f note on the e string e.g. with your first finger and then strike the note again but bring your second finger down on the g-flat note and then strike f and then hammer-on g with the third finger and then f and hammer-on a-flat with your little finger. If you repeat this pattern forwards and then backwards on the e string several times a day it will help your fingers get stronger and help you to improve your hand span if you like. You can expand this exercise to go across the neck of the instrument using the same pattern, e.g. on the a string starting with b-flat etc. When you play the upright you should hold the instrument with your thumb pointing at your head at the back of the instument not trying to hook it around to the front of the neck if you understand what I mean. Hope that was helpful good luck Den.

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 08:13 AM

Thanks, Den. I'll try those hammer-ons. Sounds like I'm still holding the thumb wrong, though, and your suggestion sounds like the thumb should be not lined up with the neck, not wrapped around, but sort of at 10 o'clock? I'll try it.

Also heard from Jellybeam in a PM, and I hope she doesn't mind if I post her reply here with some good advice for all to hear:

Hi there Barbara,Glad to hear from another string bass player.Im no expert--but i do try hard! It sounds like you've had some good advice already- standing round the back of yourbass will help straighten your wrist and make it easier to apply enough pressure--dont be tempted to push too hard with your thumb on the back of the neck--its there for a guide really! I am quite small(5ft) and so are my hands-so I find the stretch from 1st to 4th finger quite hard and its difficult to press down with my little finger. aive started putting 3rd+4th down together when I get tired to give extra strength--it works, but I don't suppose its 'proper'. When I first tried keys that required fingering(b,e.flats),I practised octaves up the fingerboard(1st finger-miss a string-4th finger)I hope this means something to you!!--Its very hard to explain--but easy to show. Good luck& enjoy yourself, thats the main thing. Cheers Geraldine.

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 01:39 PM

Most important thing is to learn proper fingering technique-- find a classical or Jazz bass player and take a few lessons--also, you need to learn proper technique for sounding the instrument, your dynamic range will increase drastically with a little instruction--as will your importance you your band--

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 01:55 PM

M.Ted, what is "sounding the instrument"?

I doubt if I'll ever learn proper fingering technique - my fingers are too old and weak and I doubt if I'll ever be able to stretch that much - but I'd like to improve as much as possible. Since my goal is to be an adequate fill-in bassist in a bluegrass / folk jam (without PAIN), my ambitions aren't too lofty. However, you never know. I mostly play guitar, and occasional fiddle, but the bass is so much fun to play and makes such a huge difference in the sound of an ensemble...

Subject: RE: Bass Techniques
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 11:14 PM

"Sounding" is making a sound on it--the proper fingering techniques will make it easier for your "old weak fingers" to play--they'll help you a lot. because the bluegrass bass parts are a bit more demanding than you might think--