1:11 be relaxed, use good posture 2:28 play lighter (approx. 40%(?)), lighter touch = less tension = faster playing 4:46 consistently use alternate plucking
It was just a common thread I found whilst researching this video. I've taught plenty of bassists and I used to see this a lot amongst newer players and my guess was always that using a pick was easier for them to pick up. So the mistake in my eyes isn't using a pick. It's relying on a pick as a crutch or excuse to avoid developing your fingers which is usually the harder technique for many. But, you are right. When you compare the two techniques in their own right they are just different. Neither is wrong in and of itself.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1i can play faster with a pick... Not because i cant play with Fingers... Pick is just faster than Fingers by default... since i play 99% rock and metal i prefer pick anyways.. + fuzz and distortion...
@@bassyey he did not even say it's the only reason people use a pick. I've defintely seen beginners say they switched to a pick for this reason, it's something that happens
I've spent a lot of time on the internet looking for ways to improve my technique and even more time on my bass trying different things but in all these years, I've never seen a man diagnosing me through a video with surgical precision. Let alone the fact that he gave advices that have actually for me
I don’t think blisters necessarily means bad technique. They can appear even with good technique. They will stop showing up once you develop calluses after practicing for a while.
They can do for sure but since the electric bass get it's volume from an amp rather than an acoustic soundboard like a piano or acoustic bass, I do think that blisters are often a sign of over-exertion in the technique. Or striking the string at a bad angle. Yes, callouses need to be developed but I think they can be a bit of a false positive. Just because one has developed callouses, it doesn't mean their technique doesn't have some issues. I know it's not a perfect comparison but I do think the less pain and injury one suffers when playing is usually a sign of much more efficient technique.
I could always be wrong, but in my experience if playing bass is harder on your plucking hand than your fretting hand, something's wrong. IF you're a beginner or just haven't played in a while, you'll be resting your fretting hand more than often enough to let your plucking hand heal from the comparitively small amount of callouses that your plucking hand ever has to deal with.
That annoying clicking sound if used correctly can give you a badass percussive tone if done consistently ,and a good technique to have in your arsenal, with thzt said you are 100 and 10 % correct good posture (standing and sitting) is a must to maximize potential
Oh for sure, I think I worded my explanation badly there. It's not objectively bad, rather I've just found that most bassists don't want it when they're playing lines at speed or when they want clarity in their sound. I agree with you 100% about it being great for certain styles. I spent 5 years doing a mixture of touring and playing the in West End with Bat Out Of Hell and I was very glad to have that clicking sound down hahaha! Cheers for commenting!
To be fair, Geddy Lee plays through the string, really smacking them hard. Steve Harris may have been a better example for the 'lighter touch = more speed and dexterity' since he surprisingly plays much lighter than it looks, with very heavy gauge flats.
I had included Geddy more as an example of playing with good posture and wrist angles. For me, that's a big part of how he can pull off the things he does. His posture and wrist angles avoid a lot of tension building up! Point taken though. I could've been clearer about that in the intro. I'll know for next time though. Really appreciate the comment!
Nobody ever talks about the area on the fingers that makes contact with the string, what angle on the string (0 deg being the part that touches the fret and 180 being diametrically opposite, where your finger presses on) is stroked by the finger or the trajectories of the plucking fingers. These are all important mechanics that are needed for smooth playing but players following tutorials are left to find out by trial and error, which I had to largely do myself. The rest stroke doesn't work for me. It slows down my finger plucking speed,as it takes too much time on really fast plucking to move it off the rest string and move into position for the next pluck. I find it easier to use a pick or one finger in a lot of cases.
This comment is so on the money! Hundred percent this makes a huge difference. Guess what I’m talking about in the exercise video that’s coming out on Monday? 😂 Really appreciate your support!
Haha I hear you! Although 10 notes a second isn't to be sniffed at 😜 It's just playing the UA-cam game on my part with the title but the content will help you play faster and cleaner for sure!
I know Bryan Beller from Dethklok uses an interesting technique where he flicks his two fingers across the strings back and forth almost like flamenco style in order to play extremely quickly.
It’s ironic that Geddy Lee was one of the opening examples because he hits the strings HARD. He certainly doesn’t follow the advice to hit the strings softer…
Play lighter? Sir, I'm a finger-playing metal bassist. Playing lighter isn't an option for the sound I want. Now, when I toured in a country group? Yeah, viable technique.
I hear ya. This is the curse of making broader videos on this platform. They will only ever be partly useful for people which is a shame because everyone ultimately needs advice tailored to them but that's just the nature of the beast. Cheers for commenting!
you can with metal. Steve Harris actually has a fairly light attack. --especially on the gallops. It seems weird but I used to play a lot of cliff burton, Stever Harris stuff and actually got that heavy sound when lightening my attack and increasing the overdrive on my amp. With metal, I actually prefer the pick, but i know some hate it. The articulation is sweet that way though....I can actually play faster fingerstyle though
I’m from the UK but I spent a lot of time in different districts of the UK that have very different accents as a kid. So God knows what mine sounds like 😂 Glad you enjoyed the lesson!
Noted and sorted! I was using a new set up with a dummy battery connected to mains power for my camera. Filmed 4 videos before I noticed it created a hum! Have switched to a new set up now with a mic and bass going through a interface for audio and just camera for videos and live streams now. Much better! Really appreciate your comment though. Weirdly, I find the critical ones really (if not more valuable) because I learn more about what people like yourself want to see. Thanks so much for your contribution and I hope to see you again on a video or live stream!
But i love plucking really hard, I like the sound its gives... I can play lightly buuut playing hard is soo addicting, like slapping but is true i can get tired
This is a weird premise. I never had any pain or tension using my fingers, no matter the strap height - pick however is still strenous at times. You make it seem like everyone starts with pick because it's kind of easier? Not my experience. Both are valid and both have their own merits and downsides.
If I played like 0:09, it wouldn't fit the songs I play. If I don't "slouch" - lean forwards 1:39 , I can't read the music, some of us are over 40, you know! If I move the music stand nearer, it gets in the way, and if it's further away, the wife knocks it over (plays guitar, no spatial awareness); she knocked over the bass itself on its stand last week, Kerannggg!
Maybe try a clamp-on music stand on a boom-arm mic. stand, sir? Gravity make one for about 20 UKP, or Stagg have one at about 30-40 UKP. A very handy thing to have when space is cramped or, as you say, you just need the chart _closer_ to you!
@@caddelworth Thanks for thinking of me, worth a try, I'll look into it. Main problem is the bifocal glasses, the music needs to be close for the "reading" part of the glasses, or two feet away for the "normal" part, but then it's too small. Fortunately I memorise most songs and improvise others. Of course, if I get it wrong, it just makes everyone else sound wrong. Result! Actually, I bet my wife could knock over anything. Amazing thing about her is all the chords she's got programmed into her left hand.
Tip 4: buy the wife new glasses.... or buy a new wife! In all seriousity, you need to work on that posture thing. If you don't, your back will soon force you to correct it
Hahaha I hear ya! Gotta play the UA-cam title game a little sadly 😂 But appreciate you taking it in good faith! Cheers for the comment. Really glad you enjoyed the video 🙌
STUDY WITH ME
✅ Transform Your Technique From Okay To Awesome!
onlinebassguitar.krtra.com/t/ryFEsU6lWzZa
1:11 be relaxed, use good posture
2:28 play lighter (approx. 40%(?)), lighter touch = less tension = faster playing
4:46 consistently use alternate plucking
Thank you!
I forgot to do them 😂
Why do you imply that peoples uses a pick because they have problem using their fingers? They are just different tools for different purposes.
It was just a common thread I found whilst researching this video.
I've taught plenty of bassists and I used to see this a lot amongst newer players and my guess was always that using a pick was easier for them to pick up.
So the mistake in my eyes isn't using a pick. It's relying on a pick as a crutch or excuse to avoid developing your fingers which is usually the harder technique for many.
But, you are right. When you compare the two techniques in their own right they are just different. Neither is wrong in and of itself.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1i can play faster with a pick... Not because i cant play with Fingers... Pick is just faster than Fingers by default... since i play 99% rock and metal i prefer pick anyways.. + fuzz and distortion...
Sounds like a great set up. If it works for you and your happy then there's no reason to change 🙌
Yeah. Invalidates the video for me. Sounds like one of those finger supremacists on reddit.
@@bassyey he did not even say it's the only reason people use a pick. I've defintely seen beginners say they switched to a pick for this reason, it's something that happens
I've spent a lot of time on the internet looking for ways to improve my technique and even more time on my bass trying different things but in all these years, I've never seen a man diagnosing me through a video with surgical precision. Let alone the fact that he gave advices that have actually for me
Comments like this make it all worth while! It’s my pleasure to make content for you.
Thanks for your support 🙌
I don’t think blisters necessarily means bad technique. They can appear even with good technique. They will stop showing up once you develop calluses after practicing for a while.
They can do for sure but since the electric bass get it's volume from an amp rather than an acoustic soundboard like a piano or acoustic bass, I do think that blisters are often a sign of over-exertion in the technique. Or striking the string at a bad angle.
Yes, callouses need to be developed but I think they can be a bit of a false positive. Just because one has developed callouses, it doesn't mean their technique doesn't have some issues.
I know it's not a perfect comparison but I do think the less pain and injury one suffers when playing is usually a sign of much more efficient technique.
I could always be wrong, but in my experience if playing bass is harder on your plucking hand than your fretting hand, something's wrong. IF you're a beginner or just haven't played in a while, you'll be resting your fretting hand more than often enough to let your plucking hand heal from the comparitively small amount of callouses that your plucking hand ever has to deal with.
That annoying clicking sound if used correctly can give you a badass percussive tone if done consistently ,and a good technique to have in your arsenal, with thzt said you are 100 and 10 % correct good posture (standing and sitting) is a must to maximize potential
Oh for sure, I think I worded my explanation badly there. It's not objectively bad, rather I've just found that most bassists don't want it when they're playing lines at speed or when they want clarity in their sound.
I agree with you 100% about it being great for certain styles. I spent 5 years doing a mixture of touring and playing the in West End with Bat Out Of Hell and I was very glad to have that clicking sound down hahaha!
Cheers for commenting!
To be fair, Geddy Lee plays through the string, really smacking them hard. Steve Harris may have been a better example for the 'lighter touch = more speed and dexterity' since he surprisingly plays much lighter than it looks, with very heavy gauge flats.
I had included Geddy more as an example of playing with good posture and wrist angles. For me, that's a big part of how he can pull off the things he does. His posture and wrist angles avoid a lot of tension building up!
Point taken though. I could've been clearer about that in the intro. I'll know for next time though.
Really appreciate the comment!
I was at a MegaDeath concert and watched in amazement as James LoMenzo used 4 fingers….. mind blown 🤯
No way! That's crazy!
Was that all four fingers or thumb and three fingers like Matt Garrison?
Either way, it's mind blowing technique!
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 he was using a pick for 90% but this one’s song he was using 4 fingers… I was amazed. AND his Yamaha is gorgeous
What a bassist!
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 there is a video of him playing at a Guitar Center ….MAD finger style ….check it out
Will do! Thanks for the heads up
Nobody ever talks about the area on the fingers that makes contact with the string, what angle on the string (0 deg being the part that touches the fret and 180 being diametrically opposite, where your finger presses on) is stroked by the finger or the trajectories of the plucking fingers. These are all important mechanics that are needed for smooth playing but players following tutorials are left to find out by trial and error, which I had to largely do myself. The rest stroke doesn't work for me. It slows down my finger plucking speed,as it takes too much time on really fast plucking to move it off the rest string and move into position for the next pluck. I find it easier to use a pick or one finger in a lot of cases.
This comment is so on the money!
Hundred percent this makes a huge difference.
Guess what I’m talking about in the exercise video that’s coming out on Monday? 😂
Really appreciate your support!
I will watch with great interest.
@@graemerobertson5160 Thanks! It's out on Monday!
Thanks!
Do you always alternate fingers no matter the rhythm?
Not always. As a general rule of thumb, the faster the notes, the greater the need to alternate.
Thanks for your comment and I hope that helps!
10x faster! That would be true only if you could play at a pitifully slow 1 note per second.
Haha I hear you! Although 10 notes a second isn't to be sniffed at 😜
It's just playing the UA-cam game on my part with the title but the content will help you play faster and cleaner for sure!
I know Bryan Beller from Dethklok uses an interesting technique where he flicks his two fingers across the strings back and forth almost like flamenco style in order to play extremely quickly.
Can you give a link to the exercise video? I can't see any on screen video link. Cheers.
That's coming out on Monday! Keep your eyes peeled ;)
Cheers for checking out my content!
Tired of relying on your fingers? Use a pick! I use mediums …yes mediums on the bass.
Gotta love a medium!
It’s ironic that Geddy Lee was one of the opening examples because he hits the strings HARD. He certainly doesn’t follow the advice to hit the strings softer…
What year P-bass is that? It looks like my nate mendel sig that I modded back to be a vintage reissue basically, looks and sounds killer!
Thank you mate! I believe it's a 1972. Absolutely love it!
It's not all about speed.
For sure it’s not. Technical agility is just one of the things great bassists need.
But covering everything might be a very long video 😂
I prefer the sound of a pic
I have a video on that too 😂
Don't forget about using compression! Not just moving an amp up so you can hear it but a good comp as a boost helps if you play light.
Thx for the tips ❤
My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it 🙌
Thank you!
You're welcome! My pleasure to make it for you!
Excellent suggestions
Really appreciate the comment! Thank you 🙏
Play lighter? Sir, I'm a finger-playing metal bassist. Playing lighter isn't an option for the sound I want.
Now, when I toured in a country group? Yeah, viable technique.
I hear ya. This is the curse of making broader videos on this platform. They will only ever be partly useful for people which is a shame because everyone ultimately needs advice tailored to them but that's just the nature of the beast. Cheers for commenting!
you can with metal. Steve Harris actually has a fairly light attack. --especially on the gallops. It seems weird but I used to play a lot of cliff burton, Stever Harris stuff and actually got that heavy sound when lightening my attack and increasing the overdrive on my amp. With metal, I actually prefer the pick, but i know some hate it. The articulation is sweet that way though....I can actually play faster fingerstyle though
Excellent !
Appreciate your support. Thank you!
But you forgot tip #4....PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!
Yes!! You gotta do the work 🙌
Thanks for commenting!
Practice practice practice is not the be all and end all. You must practice with the correct technique or you might get nowhere.
@@graemerobertson5160 love this comment! Learning the right techniques can cut practice time in half!
Great point!
Awesome awesome video….well done
That means a lot. Thanks so much!
Thx for the lesson. As a french ,it seems to me you have an accent i can' t define. Where are you from??
I’m from the UK but I spent a lot of time in different districts of the UK that have very different accents as a kid.
So God knows what mine sounds like 😂
Glad you enjoyed the lesson!
I don't know how you get that playing with a pick is painless.
Thanks for the tips.
You probably already know this, but your audio has a lot of earth hum.
Oh man, it’s the bane of my life.
Recorded 4 videos in a batch before I realised 🤦🏻♂️
Will be fixed for the next batch.
Cheers for your support ☺️
Mate, gotta get that noise gate : D ... great video though.
Noted and sorted! I was using a new set up with a dummy battery connected to mains power for my camera. Filmed 4 videos before I noticed it created a hum!
Have switched to a new set up now with a mic and bass going through a interface for audio and just camera for videos and live streams now. Much better!
Really appreciate your comment though. Weirdly, I find the critical ones really (if not more valuable) because I learn more about what people like yourself want to see.
Thanks so much for your contribution and I hope to see you again on a video or live stream!
Billy Sheahan can finger pluck just as fast as paul Gilbert can pick.
His technique is incredible!
But i love plucking really hard, I like the sound its gives... I can play lightly buuut playing hard is soo addicting, like slapping but is true i can get tired
This is a weird premise. I never had any pain or tension using my fingers, no matter the strap height - pick however is still strenous at times. You make it seem like everyone starts with pick because it's kind of easier? Not my experience. Both are valid and both have their own merits and downsides.
If I played like 0:09, it wouldn't fit the songs I play.
If I don't "slouch" - lean forwards 1:39 , I can't read the music, some of us are over 40, you know! If I move the music stand nearer, it gets in the way, and if it's further away, the wife knocks it over (plays guitar, no spatial awareness); she knocked over the bass itself on its stand last week, Kerannggg!
Maybe try a clamp-on music stand on a boom-arm mic. stand, sir? Gravity make one for about 20 UKP, or Stagg have one at about 30-40 UKP. A very handy thing to have when space is cramped or, as you say, you just need the chart _closer_ to you!
@@caddelworth Thanks for thinking of me, worth a try, I'll look into it. Main problem is the bifocal glasses, the music needs to be close for the "reading" part of the glasses, or two feet away for the "normal" part, but then it's too small. Fortunately I memorise most songs and improvise others. Of course, if I get it wrong, it just makes everyone else sound wrong. Result!
Actually, I bet my wife could knock over anything. Amazing thing about her is all the chords she's got programmed into her left hand.
Tip 4: buy the wife new glasses.... or buy a new wife!
In all seriousity, you need to work on that posture thing. If you don't, your back will soon force you to correct it
Your voice sounds very similar to Geddy Lee´s............
I like using my thumb
Thumb and fingers? Great choice. Not many people go with that option!
Wow 10x faster! From 200 to 2000.... then I`m machine-gun...) I will listen to your tips, sounds all good to me and nice explained!
Hahaha I hear ya! Gotta play the UA-cam title game a little sadly 😂
But appreciate you taking it in good faith!
Cheers for the comment. Really glad you enjoyed the video 🙌
Someone should tell Jeff Berlin about this video and all the stuff he's doing wrong, so that he can start to play fast and good. 🙄
😂 I don't think he'd like how un-orange my bass is though!