Simply, I learned to play wrong.

play_bass_or_die_trying · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:18 am Post subject: Simply, I learned to play wrong.

So basically, I self taught myself to play bass. And I have been playing now for about 6 months I figure. So I never really had any one to show me the proper way to do thing's so I just went with what either felt right at the time, or was easiest to work with for the sake of progress I guess. Anyway, my problem is that I never use my middle finger on the fretboard, (obviousely I never use my pinky either). It just came as a habbit, since the fret's we're so far apart, at first, and I could only reach from one fret with my index finger, to a 3 fret with my ring finger. And I just got in the habbit of playing the fretboard with only those 2 finger's, even on fret's that are right next to eatchother. I think this just basically hinder's my playing, in that playing qith only 2 finger's is alot harder for faster stuff with the constant switching, and over all basically slow's down my playing by having to do those switches. I'm assuming the only answer is to just practice, but is there any excsersizes maybe some kinid of scale or certain fingering, I can do that would be a good way to practice getting used to holding down string's with my middle finger, and most likely my little finger as well? Or am I just going to have to man up and basically try and re-teach myself how to use the fretboard.

Rd_Artist · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:13 am Post subject:

Learning to play scales will really help you with your fingering technique.just start off slow and easy, gradually building speed and accuracy.
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Apostolis · Tadpole Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Greece

I'm afraid you have to re-teach yourself which is harder than just teaching yourself for the first time.

In my opinion first use the chromatic scale (you know, first fret - first finger, second fret - second finger etc.) because in other scales you have to use all of your fingers in a seemingly random way. First be familiar with moving the finger you want when you want it to move. Very Happy

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And don't forget your right hand too. Index-midle sequentially.

After a while invite mr metronome in your studies and don't ever let him go away.

And as rd_artist mentioned, take it slow and easy. First you have to break off bad habits and then start learning.

play_bass_or_die_trying · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:59 pm Post subject:

Yea that's what I figured I was going to have to do. Could someone take the time and Tab out some scale's for me, and .. I guess say which finger to use where? I know this will probably be alot of work, but I dont really know any scales to play, and I cant read music very well yet. Or at all, for a while until I get my fingering guide back. lol

Apostolis · Tadpole Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Greece

Well it's difficult for me to post a tab, but here are some general rules for fingering.

When you are going to play a majore chord put your middle finger on the tonal note so you can play the third with your index and the fifth with your little finger. On the other hand when you are going to play a minore chord, start with your index so you can put your little finger on the third note and your third finger on fifth note.

If you want to play two adjacent notes, use mainly your index and your little finger, unless you want to play a half-note right after. In this case use your first finger and then the middle or your third finger so you can use the free finger for the coming note.

As a general rule, always have in mind that you should play the next coming note (or chord) with the least effort.

A very good exercise is this one:
On the E string play B(index) - C(middle finger) - C#(third finger) - D#(little finger). Play the same thing on the other strings.
Back on E string: B(index) - C (middle finger) D(third finger) - D#(little finger).Continue on the other strings.
Again on E string: B(index) - C#(middle finger) - D(third finger) - D#(little finger).Continue on the other string.

This will help you to move your fingers independenly and it's an excellent warm up and stretch practice.

Neil Gray · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:09 pm Post subject:

Any cheap instruction book will have scales in it. You can pick them up for under $5.

Major scales can be fingered via a template that moves.

C major scale on the E string... (8th fret!)

C = middle finger (8th fret), D = pinky (10th fret)

(A string) E = pointer (7th fret), F = middle fingre (8th fret), G = pinky (10th fret)

(D string) A = pointer (7th fret), B = ring finger (9th fret), C = pinky (10th fret).

This 'shape' can be transported anywhere on the fretboard to give you a Major scale. Naturally, it works best with the root note on the E & A strings, but it is very versatile. At the least, this discipline will get you using all your fingers.

But I strongly suggest you get a beginners book, not because you're a beginner, but because it will have a lot of this fundamental stuff in it. The biggest mistake I ever made was not learning the basics!!! Technique is individual, but music is universal!

Scales and fingering will sound the same no matter how you play them... but it helps if you know the 'proper' way before you reinvent the wheel!

Hope my scale of a scale helps! Try it... it's not as confusing as it first looks. I would encourage you to write it down and dedicate some time to it as opposed to trying to read it off the screen and getting frustrated with it.

Let us know how you go!

Cheers.
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