Technique Buster! (Finger independence for bass players) (L
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- ► Download the FREE workbook with TAB/Notation here: learn.scottsba...
A few weeks ago I released a lesson covering what I refer to as my “Flying Fingers Exercise”. In a nut shell, it’s a great exercise that’s retrains and refines your fretting hand technique. Which is a must for all bass players!
It went down a storm and was watched over 50,000 times in the first few weeks so I thought it was about time to give you another great exercise I use with my students.
This exercise is focusing on the fretting hand, with a focus on finger independence and controlled movement. As always when working on anything that will be changing your technique you must start slow and work up the speed of time. When changing your technique you're literally reprogramming your brain to alter the signals it's been sending automatically without thought - so the brain needs time to adjust and relearn the correct movements. To find out more about how your brain literally has a mind of it's own in many ways, particularly when changing your technique, check out this video here.
As always, see you in the shed…
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I like some of the progress from the comments promising to practice this. To hold myself accountable, I'll try this exercise every other day and will update in a month! Happy practice everyone!
(I know nobody is reading this but somebody might will, in the future)
Ok it's been a week since I started doing this every other day, for at least 15 minutes each time. Somedays I also do it outside of practice time, usually when I'm watching TV and just idly repeat the exercise with the bass unplugged. Today I noticed that my pinkie finger is starting to be less stretched out. But I still need to go slow.
As for the 2nd practice, my ring finger has started to obey my command and can move down easier but won't hit the note cleanly. Progress is progress.
@@AbsurdistAsian we got a 1 week update but not 2 3 and the month. Did your fingers fall off?
@@AbsurdistAsian Need an update but I can assure you I will make super progress. Day 1 and ensuring I build the right habits so I wont have to train myself of the right habits later but first have to FORGET or UNTRAIN bad habits
That first exercise is THE granddaddy exercise that improved my playing outta sight. Now I do this up and down the fretboard and concentrate working between the 1st and 5th frets to really stretch the left hand. Helped heaps. The second one is also v helpful
after hours and hours and hours of practice I was finally able to play the first 2 notes of this correctly
I think i nearly had a stroke doing that second exercise. FYI, yelling at your ring(3rd) finger will not make it move.
😂😂😂
I just don't understand why it won't do what I tell it. It's so damn stubborn.
fire pfp
Hey Scott, my parents recently purchased bass lessons for me and I’m starting entirely fresh and without experience whatsoever. These additional exercises and lessons help a ton, and I’d like to thank you for this. This is the first video I’ve seen but it’s already earned you a sub from me. I’m here smiling like a maniac because how well the first one alone is working. Thanks Scott!
AHH! AT 3:30! NAILED IT! OMG THATS BEEN ME FOR THE PAST LIKE 7 YEARS! While only playing for 4 months, I got a 5 string bass cuz I thought I had to, to be a better bassist and I didn't develop the proper tech! Oh man.. I've never seen anyone call that little thing out. I'm going to learn so much from this video.
I have played previously for almost 10 years and now I am wanting to get back in the bass scene after about 15 years! Thanks Scott for putting these videos up! I am so used to using my index and middle fingers, but since watching videos of my fav group, Blues Traveler and watching their bass players, I want to learn how to use the 4 fingers all together! This is going to be an experience but my mind is set that I am going to do it!
Hi Scott, I'm playing bass guitar since 30 years and you just change my life.., I discover how to boost my game.. Your are the best Scott, thank you so much..
I do not understand very well english but I understand Scott talking !!
Ahhhh thanks so much for the lovely comment! Loads more lessons are on the way for you :)
Your lessons are invaluable to me. This lesson is the root to learning finger control but even more, it teaches us how to be conscious of the connection between our awareness (brain?) and our fingers.
Playing and practicing for years taught my hands how to play. I'm still recovering from carpal tunnel and compressed ulnar nerve surgery on the left hand, and found another level of control even when the fingers have no feeling, and don't do what you ask them to do.
I continued gigging 2 weeks after the cast came off, and wear a glove when I play, as it somehow helps me be aware of the fingers. Thank you, Mister.Scott, for all you do.
Hey Tony great to hear you enjoyed the lesson man! Good luck with the recovery :)
Hey Scott, I recently signed up for your paid lessons. I took a long hiatus from bass playing. I have to tell you (and everyone else) that in a few hours I went back to basics and my playing ramped up so quickly, I am unlearning the bad habits that frustrated me in the first place. This is the best money I have spent on my bass education. I love what you do and thank you for being such an incredible teacher!
This is one of the most valuable lesson I've gotten thus far.Been obsessing with this difficult exercise for a few days and I've killed the beast! Technic is such on obstacle to seamless playing. Thank you sooo much Scott
I play Guitar since 30 Years and Bass since 20 but THIS gives me a braintwister! Thank you very much!!!
+IzzyOnGuitar My brain is fighting my ring finger…it's a civil war in my body
+andmer Which one? The first or the second one?
+IzzyOnGuitar the second exercise (leaving the fingers on the string) kills me
+andmer Like Scott said: practice as slow as possible. The Second one is known to me since mid90ies. In Germany it is called "Spinne" (Spider). It might takes a few weeks but as u go fluently by, your complete lefthand performance will enhance.
The first one is a braintwister to me. :D
Excellent lesson! The second excercise really gives me hell:) I don't have much of a problem moving my fingers independently but I mute the higher strings when pressing a fret with my pinky almost all the time. I just cannot force it to curl above the fingerboard and press the string with its very tip. So I presume this is the cause of my "pinky salute" habbit. I just don't want to mute the higher strings with it. Gotta practice more and build the strength needed to press the strings with the tip of my pinky so it stays down without muting the higher (tonally) strings.
And yes guitar players practice this all the time because of the chords they play. Fingers have to stay down and touch only the strings they need.
Lol... yeah that 2nd exercise can be a real pain in the ass! Keep at it and you'll get it :)
Scott's Bass Lessons
It's the "let ring" thing that is killing my hand:) When I go from E string to G my pinky mutes the next string and I have to bend my wrist really bad to ensure the pinky meets the string with it's tip. I noticed that moving the excercise higher on the fingerboard, like at 8-th fret insead of 5th, things are much more manageable.
Again - great lesson! Thanks a bunch!
Oh, I hope I don't sound impudent but I'd like to see some lessons about the left hand technique when one has to play the same fret but on two adjascent strings. This thing always puzzles me and I decide it case by case but also wonder is there some kind of "right" technique.
The pinky solute? I love it! I always do this when I'm learning a new complex song (once I get it down slowly I add in my pinky to get full speed) but I've never had a good name for it. Also thanks for sharing this exercise, you can never know too much about your instrument.
Thank You so much Sir...
I want to SHARE some good benefits of these Exercises ,,especially 2nd one...
1''It corrects your Sitting position
sometimes we are practicing, and we create a good bass line or riffs as per our level of bass.
and feel yaaa.. its good and play again and again for a long time during practice, but we FORGET our position. haha thats fun,
anyways, if you want to practice this Exercise you must have to sit proper postion, either bass are up middle or downward..
But Sitting Proper..
2"" It Shap's you mind
no matter either you are in timing or not, Metronome , Drum track or something else.
But if you practice with timing , that's awesome..
Thanks Everyone..
Thanks for the Lessons
@Scottsbasslessons..
AAAHHH been slacking off in practicing and this is helping me well after weeks of not playing the bass! Thanks again for helpful videos like this Scott!
This exercises are very helpfull if you suffer from focal dystonia.practise them as slow as possible.practicing them really slow will help to remap your brain.ill go and practice right now ;-) thanks scotty..
finally i know what the glove is for. I am a guitarrist but i love these lessons! I bow to Scott! you da real mvp! XD
This was just the exercise i needed for my ringfinger!
Awesome! Great to know the lesson is helping you on your journey :)
I can't belive you make this videos free, you are amazing, many thanks for you work.
Piece a cake Yela! Great to know you're enjoying them :)
@@devinebass I'm playing the bass for like 40 years now. Did not use my ring finger once. Shame on me. Finally getting somewhere due to this. Thank bro!
It HUUUUURTS but I'm getting faster. Been playing with ONLY TWO fingers my whole bass career, first and third. Developed a lot of workarounds, but now I want to play some Haken. Two fingers won't cut it.
This is awesome and will probably start a new chapter in my bass playing life. Thanks, Scott.
I'm a beginning jazz guitarist learning bass and your videos have really helped me!
I like these kind of finger exercises, it is very helpfull for me... Thank you Scott!
What a great video! Those exercises were great, I even shared them with my guitarist friends who benefited! Thanks!
Top Top bass lessons. I've been playing on and off for 20 years and have now decided to start again. Your the best by far thanks for sharing your talent.
Man, that last exercise is actually "trickier" than I thought! Thanks for this Scott!
Thanks Scott, Another great lesson, I'm going to start using this as one of my warm up exercises...would have really liked somebody to have shown me this when I first started playing...
Awesome Michael! More lessons are on the way :)
I totally need this right now. I got trapped in the slap bass void and focused on it for a long time. Now, I'm on a garage revival band, and we're covering a Stroke's song, Undercover of Darkness, and I'm having a hard time being precise with the finger independence. Thanks for this Scott! You're videos are helpful and fun as always.
"Slap bass void" Good one!
That term was coined by Scott himself, on "Slap Bass Lesson - Beginner/Intermediate - with Scott Devine (L#74)" I've watched it, but I still didn't listen to him. Now I'm paying the price :D
Knollan Tanteo Lol... Don't worry man... I still get stuck in the slap void sometimes too ;)
This lesson came at the perfect time.. I was studying technique this week.. And look what pops up.. A technique video.. Great one Scott!!
Piece a cake! :)
6:56 I felt that, that’s exactly what i’m trynna get rid off rn.
Great video btw!
Scott: teaches two different exercises.
Me: combines them into one exercise.
*EFFICIENCY UP*
Scott...I've been playing for years but those 8 notes are a punisher!
Definitely going to stay tuned. Thanks!
Hey, great videos. I gave up playing a few years back because of my arthritis. But I can't stay away from playing altogether, just can't play for long. This exercise (especially #2) has really helped me get some dexterity back (after some time) I can actually, almost play it without messing it up. Still my hands ache if I try to do it faster on the E and even the A (it really make me stretch my thumb joint up there - basal arthritis) but I'm OK on the D & G. This is kinda fun, too, because I can't play what I used to and this gives my brain something to do instead of getting pissed that I can no longer play what I want.
Thanks for these, I have only partially conquered my flying pinkie problem, I'm going to use these plus the ones on the flying fingers lesson to try and finally get it under control.
And that last one, -that- looks like a killer. Gonna have fun learning it.
Excellent exercise! Thanks, Scott!
Cheers Maris! :)
wow i have been running away from that second exercise for a couple times jajaa but well its time to accept the challenge!
Thanks a lot Dr Scott!!
Really cool stuff here. The first one reminds me of an exercise from John Pattittucci's Bass Workshop.
That last one reminds me of a Steve Bailey exercise (I think he called it The Hazard) that came out in Guitar Player Magazine over 20 years ago, however, it was for 6-string bass, and the idea was that you started with your index finger, anywhere on the B and do half-step, jump to the next string, half-step, jump, etc. all the way across the neck, then leave the index anchored on the C, and go back the other way across the neck with middle and ring, anchor the middle finger and try to get back across the neck with ring and pinky. Then, slide up a fret, and start from the C with index and middle and work back across to the B, anchor the index on the B, and work back across with middle and ring, an so on. You get as far as you can without strain or pain, and when it hurts, or you've done the whole neck, you have completed the exercise. It's not so bad on a 4-string, but it helps with independence. On a 6-string with a wide neck, and extended scale, it is a BEAST of an exercise, but if you want to really be able to get the most out of your instrument, your hands have to be strong, supple, flexible and responsive. And it takes time, it wasn't supposed to be something you could do overnight.
Scott, a good exercise would be Joe Satriani's 'Mointain Song'. You can see the fingering on this video on the electric (disclaimer: this is not me), this may equally work on the base. It exercises fingers through all four strings. It's a great warm-up exercise.
Great exercises!
You people might want to check out Steve Bailey’s exercices: Bailey's Bar and Grill Tutorial - Building an Efficient Left Hand and Bailey's Bar and Grill Tutorial - Hazard Exercise
hey, it's exactly comming next throught the previous one !
Good exercice for pinky... maybe the best i ever done. thanks scott
I simply love your lessons! *.*
thank you for explanation of glove i thought it was a secret to muting. also thank you for playing real well at the same time talking off the cuff with much substance and teaching.... multitasking bad ass you are! :)
My brain does not want to let my 3rd finger move on it's own haha >.>
Ahhhh hahaa same
what's the name of this technic that dont use 3rd finger?
@@poveda01 It’s called bad technique. It’s important to practice, work on it, and fix it. And this is coming from someone with awful third and fourth finger issues at present moment who’s working on it
Thanks for this lesson Scott. I enjoy the exercises even though they so hard.
You always give me positive emotions and great lessons;)
Thank you Scott.
dang! That second exercise is tough. My 4th finger don't want to stay down!
Lol... yeah it can be a real stinker! ;) ... keep at it and you'll get it :)
Always thought I’ve been good at using my pinky but now I see I live been just using it in as a replacement for the third finger when I didn’t feel like using it. This is good I’ll practice thanks
I really like these exercises, thank you very much, Scott !!!
Thanks Scott, just what I was after!
Thanks this actually works, it took some time, but it was worth it.
I also have a neurological hand condition. I bought a pair of gloves just for playing my bass. It does help. But I also have neuropathy, atrophy & mild carpal tunnel in my left hand. These things present a greater challenge to me as a beginner.
Master scott, it's a great video, I'm pianist but this video has kept me busy with my bass, thanks a lot. One more thing, i'll like to correct something you said, the forth and fifth finger don't share tendon, all fingers have their own tendon separately
Sorry but you and Scott are both wrong. The middle finger and ring finger both share a tendon. www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk/activity-blogs/paralysed_finger
beautiful thank you scott
Ahhh that 2nd exercise though! #jackedupwrist lol! :D
Lol... yeah it's a tough one ;)
@@devinebass tough indeed haha
instaBlaster...
Your're funny Scott! Thanks for the awesome videos, I appreciate it and will eventually join your site.
that second exercise....it's great but what a battle for my brain!
Great video!! thank you for uploading these technique busters, they are extremely useful.
your lessons are always easy to comprehend though..thanks scott :)
thanks again for the free exercise Scott! yet another way to keep my pinky salute in check! cheers from the Philippines!
My pleasure John! :)
Hi Scott, really love your videos, great source of info and techniques, they've helped me a lot and I've recommender lots of them to some fellow bassists friends, keep up the good work and good luck with the channel from your fans in Portugal ;).
Nice. This is why i keep and old crappy bass in my closet at work... Something new to work on when things are slow at the office. Something i can work on with no amp around. Thanks!
My pleasure! More lessons on the way so watch out ;)
Thanks Scott, very usefull lesson!!
Great Scott !!! I did not know about your hand condition. Was even looking at gloves because you wear one.
My new science tutor...Dr Scott, LOL. I actually didn't realize that about the fingers but it makes sense
Extremely helpful! I’m using my pinky lots more than before, I still need to practice abit more but it’s definitely helping
This is great. Thanks a lot, Scott!
As ridiculous as it sounds, with just having watched this video I already feel my technique has improved :-)
Scott: Always love these. The "Fly Out" was awesome becasue I am fighting that battle. This follow up was also great.
I actually have a very strong 4th finger, but a sometimes lazy or untrained 3rd finger. I think these will help but if you can think of any to target this case, I am ready to hear on that :)
I was also showed one where you move the outside of the 4 fingers over frets and then the inside alternately. Not playing any notes, just getting the brain to send the movement signals as you put it in your video.
Cheers!
Great to hear you're enjoying the lessons! Watch out... as there's lots more on the way :)
Just what I needed!! And funny; I sort of did the second one off the top of my head as a first left-hand independence exercise!
This is awesome, it also helps if you play the upright bass too.
Good stuff! The first exercise is a slight variation on John Patitucci's Spider exercise. Excellent strength and control exercise.
Wow... thank you! Very cool!
thanks for the lesson
Love from South Africa! Day 1 of bass learning and installing the right habits ASAP. Watch me after 90 days. For all those who think that's a short time, that's your limited mindset and beliefs NOT MINE
Ive been playing bass for 2 almost 3 years now. And my Pinky and ringfinger act like they re glued together. As im getting better and better, my fingers are holding me back lmao. Its time to train all fingers ;)
Hey Scott! Another great video, I just wanted to share something my bass teacher taught me. Basically it's a more advanced variation of the first exercise you showed, but the difference is when I got that basic movement down, he'd make me do the same pattern but skip a string.. For example playing on the first and third string instead of first and second. I feel like this pushes you even further to get better at playing with all four fingers fluidly across the fretboard. Hope you look into it and give me your thoughts on this. Cheers!
Paavo Kuukasjärvi Hey cheers for the link Paavo i'll check it out! :)
my teache taught also me that. but the pattern was like the one in the video with g ans d string swapped
You are very symphatic person :D, very good teacher too! Thank U for lessons :)
This REALLY helps! Not immediately, but after a few days you feel how the fingers are more relaxed. The 2nd one is really a technique buster! Gracias Scott!
Love your videos. I will be signing up at scotts bass lessons.com very soon. You are a fantastic teacher.
this is a great exercise and I am looking forward to trying it tonight.
Scott just awesome way of practice :) I love All your vídeos
Thanks Daniel! More lessons on the way :)
Thank you very much Scott!
I always assumed the glove was used to make your finger's position more apparent. Shows how much I know!
Muchthanx 4 Knowledge ....verY good exercice
cheers Scott!
Thank you so much..... This video really helps😊
Nice Work Scott! First time I watch ur videos, this is such a great exercise ! Do you have any videos of fretless technique?
great lesson
I Loved your video! I like the way you explain and it shows that you like doing that. I wish to someday you make a lesson on how to play the bass in this song: Sumo - Mejor no hablar de ciertas cosas. That is one of the most referents of Argentine Rock bands. A huge hug from Argentina.
cool cool cool indeed. cheers!
Where I come from, My teachers call the second exercise "the spider exercise" :) I never tried the first one though, so thanks for that!
the second one aaaaaa, I'll update after about 1 month so... Imma save this in my playlist and SPAM the reply if you want xD
Day 1 = it was pretty brutal, ngl
Day 2 = Still brutal
Day 3 = gettin the hang of it
Day 4 = its getting easy ;D
LAST EDIT (Day idk lmao) = i got used with it and it helped me learn funk bass :D
Swhmehwm
Fqjfwjfwjf
@@sosman1087 yeah its pretty easy. It really helped me with learning funk patterns :D
@@fracklo woowowo nice
@@fracklo how about now ? And did you practice both?
Great lesson, getting back in the shed...
As always great video ! Thank you for your lesson Scott. The second exercise is quite difficult going from G to E string but it's almost impossible from E to G ! My pinky always mute the string below :s
Great lesson, Thanks. I would love to see a similar lesson about ghost notes.
Don't worry Jose... there's one on the way :)
The first exercise appears on John Pattituci's first instructional video. He does it additionally over 3, 4, and 5 strings at a time - it's a nasty stretch over 4+ strings when you're playing it at speed.
great stuff like always ... love your bass bro
Roaming around the SBL lesson vids. Have subscribed to the mailing list. There is a ton of stuff there.
Ignoring the extensors of the hand, the flexors or the fingers are 2 sets of flexor digitorum tendons which basically operate the furthest and next furthest segments of the fingers of all 4 digits (thumb excluded), The index finger has an extra independant extensor and flexor, as does the little finger...presumably for pretentious tea drinking, but it's of minimal use.
The first exercise is actually mildly musical. Sorta minor 3rds/6ths Bartok intervals. Thanks anyway for the pedagogy Scott!
It has a pretty cool tone to it :P Kind of haunting...
Hey Josh, yeah - after i recorded the lesson I listened back and thought - I gotta fit that in a solo somewhere, lol ;)
+1 for opeth
Again,... Brilliant !
Cheers man! :)