Bad Habits For Bass: Tension in the plucking hand.

[BboyInstinctx]

Wow thanks so much! im just learning to play bass and i did exactly what u said not to really helpful thanks much

[linkin694]

help me i double pick fast with the same finger

[emanuel2000z]

Wolverine's son 

[olshitty]

great info love it

[Winnagal271]

Im a very new bass player, only a couple of weeks, and I got taught the way youre saying we should have our hand but i get pins and needles in my pinky when I play with it tucked in. Then I have to stop and stretch it out to get rid of the pins and needles. Is that normal? is it just because Im new...?

[thebeaverdamn]

Great lessons!!! You have awesome hair dude!!!!

[TMRonin85]

I came up with a quick solution for this bad habit. I put a pencil or pen behind my ring and pinky while running through my normal excersizes, doing my best to hold it in place. I just kept doing it until it felt natural.

[KaylaStarrSings]

dude you look like wolverine

[RezRez]

Shit, man. I have so much technique issues I'm surprised my hands are in good shape. Thanks, didn't think to tuck my pinky finger in (I mostly play with three fingers)

[AverageJop25]

0:04 SLOPPIN THAT BESS. Your accent reminds me of Peter Klaven from I Love You, Man. Anyway your vid help, now I know why my forearm always hurts every after session. But is there anyway you can explain to me why my plucking hand gets tired with in just an hour of playing?

[drerob21]

ive been playing bass for a little over a year now and ive always done this! im self taught and never took lessons or anything so this is a really great tip. im just now realizing that is one of my problems that will keep me from advancing as a player. thanx!

[Super25man]

Yes! Man i just started playing bass a year ago and ive gotten ok but i keep cramping up now i know. Thanks you rock!

[Cambria2112]

@Super25man The other alternative is simply to practice relaxing while you're playing. Every minute or so, check the tension level in your fingers/hands. If you feel tension, focus on relaxing and try the passage again.

[AndrewRichards1993]

I've had a masterclass with Dave and he knows what he's talking about! He's one of the top session musicians in the country! He's a great teacher and spends a lot of his free time helping others, calling him Wolverine is a bit dis-respectful. Unless he likes being called that what I doubt he does!

So learn from Dave! He' great and I hope he puts more video's up soon!

[Socialdem18]

I've been playing bass for 7 years and this has dramatically improved my plucking technique! I was getting so depressed about my crappy technique =P

[Anaman536]

he looks like wolverine but tries to shoot web like spiderman lol

[xmultimixxz]

lol kinda dirty ;p

[mhatkins]

Thanks Dave! I'm a beginner, and now that you have shown that, I noticed that I do the wrong thing when plucking. I thought the pain in my joints was just me not being used to playing. The exercises have helped tremendously! Keep on posting!

[joazquinz]

man i love dave marks!

[wheresthejam]

Very good.Picked my bass up and my little finger is sticking up in the air.

Never noticed before.

I use 3 fingers to play,but looking at my hand with my pinky waggling about the place made me think just how odd it looks.

I've been playing for 30 years-never thought.

Cheers Dave,interesting stuff.

[xUMR]

what about using ring finger too?

[bigsmokebass]

@xUMR well both middle and ring finger share the same tendant so i suppose with already using the middle to walk bass, it shouldnt have any affect, although i suppose if your plucking fast it may cause it to tire out quicker and get pins and needles ect ect.

[TheAstronomican]

I usually get strains in my gripping hand due to the fretboard on the bass being so wide. I don't quite know to prevent this except stretching exercises.

[Fluffy2772]

I have this problem where I hit stray notes while plucking because I keep touching strings I'm not plucking?

[englsprogeny]

I have been doing this! Thank you for the fix!

[TORXM]

Thanks alot. I've never realised, but I do that all the time. 

[jDally987]

holy shiz it's the Driveshaft bassist from Lost!!

[ReachDeep1]

It's very good of you to be helping out beginner bass players. I am in the intermediate stages of playing and what I do is hand and finger stretches everyday. They only take a couple minutes but they will definitely help a player's progress. I don't know if Dave has any hand stretching videos but this one will help if he does not watch?v=UVd9XemSAOA.

[krazyzark]

good tip. i've recently started doing this myself, as I had muscle problems begin to develop after playing. you're right on about the bad tension from that crappy hand position.

[blueman2bass]

please show them how to ( THUMP) not slap but THUMPING&PLUCKING

[jallis12]

i didnt even notice i did that til i lookd down, woah

[stonedparyah]

This is a great series of videos! A lot of the things you've covered took me a good few years to realize, so it's good that you're giving people a headstart =) I'm sure I'll learn something new myself if i watch enough

[Melli2007]

Great lesson! I think probably the best advice you can give to any bass player (even experienced players) is: "Don't push it", just try to relax. Along that line of thought; may I suggest (I hope not to sound arrogant with this) another lesson about excessive use of strength in bass playing? I've seen lots of players who are taught to play really hard, both with their plucking and fretting hand, and they end up getting hurt, or having an uneven sound (attack, volume,etc). Thanks for the lessons!

[syperzoomix]

Dave, it looks like you try to copy the Carl Marx hairstyle, right?

[syperzoomix]

Dave, it looks like you try to copy the Carl Marx hairstyle, right?

[Antiks72]

Alternating the two fingers is tough for me. If I'm not moving my fingers with my left hand, it's not that bad, but the minute I'm doing a scale I start making mistakes.

[ChuckGunna]

@Antiks72 Everything with music is practice, just keep at it, you'll get it. Its worth the effort.

[parkonhouses]

This is what's happening to me D: Hand strains, it's getting harder to play. I'm in panic mode and trying to find a way to fix my hands. Any advice/point me to a good video/article? Thanks.

[Simfiny]

Would you still recommend you're tecnique if you were using three fingers to pluck? The ring finger naturally wants to curl in when you curl your pinky, but if you're using your ring finger too then you wouldn't that to happen.

[lmlopethlml]

@Simfiny im in the same dilemma. im doing three-finger techniques and im trying to figure out what to do with my pinky so it stops cramping up.

I think that following dave's advice and just keeping the pinky under and going slow will work. I have been keeping my pinky under and been slowly doing three-fingered drags over the strings. My pinky wants to creep up but I just go slow at first and develop the habit. Dave's advice, I believe, is good.

[UnionMetalhead]

i use a pleck as i couldnt play otherwise, i just couldnt get into it. i know peter baltes uses a pleck but im not sure of the best techniques for using it to make it feel more effortless i must admit

[RyanTheEpic]

Useful advice is useful ^_^

[PsychoSymantic]

ive always played like this with my third and fourth fingers curled in, however i also use my third finger to pluck a lot as well, mainly when im playing faster.

i wonder will this damage the hand or the muscles?

[Devinthejuggler]

Solid advice, thanks!

[Woilem]

man this is the best advice i've had in years! i remember my first gig where my fingers felt paralized, and i didn't understand it. thanks for this understanding!

i subscribed immediately :)

[dongrappo]

you explain realy imortent things very very well. thank you a lot for your videos and may the groove always be with you! ;-)

[saligari666]

have you got any streachin sugestionss??

[Shellath]

Hey there! First of all, thanks for these videos. I think they are really helpfull for beginners, like me. I do have one question though. As opposed to practicing to keep my pinky and ring finger in check, and away from my strings, i decided to incorporate them into the muting of strings i don't use. Pinky for the E string, ringfinger for the D string. Would you consider this bad technique? I haven't had any problems yet, but it's better to be safe then sorry i guess :)

[ironduck03]

=O it dose help no pain in my arm anymore altho i sorta liked it *cough*...>.> but ummm yea! also im plucking better like faster and stuff :)

[OrcSlayer74]

Strange. I haven't had any trouble playing the way you claim to be wrong. When I try to play with bent ring and pinky finger though, I get pain in the wrist almost immediately. What am I doing wrong?

And another question: Is it a good idea to use a rubberband to fix the fingers in bent position?

[joshuared09]

nice3... it helps alot...

[pocabarba]

what about when i use 3 fingers to play? then there is nothing i can do with the pinky =/

[hungrysparrow]

Good advice- I've been playing some Iron Maiden and this is gonna help my stamina a lot! Cheers.

[livyoorlife]

ive literally just got my bass today and i find this really useful so thanks! Good tips for me to look out for bad habits!

And your accent is amazing :D

thankyou!

[awj1974]

This is great- thanks!

[Imesuckaholla]

I saw in a Gary Willis video a very common "bad habit." If you bend your wrist over the body of the bass you get a lot of tension in your wrist. You should play with your elbow raised to maximize speed and strength.

[awj1974]

I appreciate the tip- I just started playing, and am trying to get off to a good start. I'm going to try your suggestion today in practice.

[taufoofar]

No doubt it may relieve tension, but however, it is NOT wrong to play with your wrist bent. A lot of funk finger style players (Victor Wooten) finger plucks with his wrist bent. Players who play with their bass strapped up higher, will play with their wrists bent. But you do NOT need to straighten your wrist if you can play fine with your wrist bent.

[davemarks]

@taufoofar You have no medical basis to build this on. You are simply looking at your favourite players and assuming that the way they play is the best option.

The number of high profile players who needed operations because of carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and repetative strain injuries is scary. They just don't mention it in the magazines.....

[taufoofar]

@davemarks Sure, I have no medical basis. But from my own experience in bass playing, it is not wrong to play with a bent wrist. If you choose to wear a bass higher, then so be it, and play with a bent wrist, if you're a metal player, then wear it lower. For some, it may be more comfortable with a bent wrist, and it may suit a certain style of music better. There is no wrong way of playing, just the best way that suits you.

[mryellow123]

@taufoofar Physics, vector math shows that bending the tendons through 90degrees rather then having them apply the force directly has a massive effect on the forces and strain generated. Just fact, sorry mate.

[taufoofar]

@mryellow123 Lol, I've studied physics, dude. It does have a massive effect, but isn't that why we have volume knobs? If you pluck stronger, the sound you get is not only louder but comes across harsher. Boost the volume, pluck more gently, you get a more controlled sound. All a matter of preference. I'm just saying, while the theory does make sense, it isn't wrong to play with bent wrists. There are many pros out there that play with bent wrists.

[mryellow123]

@Imesuckaholla Gary Willis's technique isn't for everyone but it's definitely the most ergonomic.

[31rS3RP3N7]

I see the theory... Amen to your theory, i played californication and got such a numb elbow...now i see why.

[FeDespiZtadoS]

Billy Sheehan plays with his little finger spread away from the direction his fingers are moving. Gee that didn't  really work for him..

On another subject, you look a lot like a fat Mike from NOFX and Dr. Cox from scrubs fusion o.0

[stejam58]

Silly argument - you don't know if Sheehan suffers from pain in his hand by playing that way!!! He also uses all 4 fingers, which is a different technique - plus he's double jointed. Good advice Mr. Marks, keep it up:-)

[FeDespiZtadoS]

He uses a 3 finger technique, as he explains and elaborates on every clinic and instructional video out there and one can corroborate by watching pretty much any of his performences. And I suppose this piece of advice is intended for 2 finger plucking because it's, well.. pretty much not possible to curl your little finger inwards while moving the other three and, assuming you actually play bass, I recommend you try to do so. I'm not saying what "Mr. Marks" aduces is utterly wrong

[FeDespiZtadoS]

I actually play with my fingers in that direction while playing binary bass lines, and only use 3 fingers while playing triplets or sextuplets, just thought I'd mention another side of the story.

[stejam58]

Fair enough - i forgot he only uses three fingers - despite seeing him live only three months ago:-). Still, Dave Marks gives good advice, and following it (if you play with two fingers as I do, will make life much easier if you are a beginner. I'm pleased to say that my playing displays none of Mr. Marks' "Bad Habits"...:-)

[DanielBassPlayer1990]

Man thanks a LOT.

[dharmaseed]

Dave- PLEASE post a video about the absence of timekeeping or any sort of groove among 'popular' bass players today. There are a lot of people out there (including bass players) that think that bass just follows the guitar.

[ToAsTy42o]

oh wow i never even thought of this, cause i probably never do it, and i mostly use a pick, however, my LEFT hand always gets cramped up... is there an excersize or perhaps a proper way to press down on the fret board without getting fatigued?

[plusmin09]

Check to see how your thumb lines up on the back compared to your fingers on the fretboard. Keep your thumb parallel to the frets and usually lined up with your middle finger. Make sure you aren't locking any joints in your fingers while you press down.

[manchapan]

You remind me of a younger version of dr.cox from scrubs lol

[rodol21fo]

XDDD

so unexpressive

[ivannagib]

hahaha yep man i agree! lol

[kbzon9224]

dave, ive got a problem... first, no one tought me how to play the bass, i learned by myself, so ive never know what to do with my thumb in the plucking hand, its always getting in the way. what do you suggest i do?

[SlaktadOchStolt]

Let it rest upon the pick up, that's what ive learned. This will relax your whole arm and also lets you pluck harder without moving the arm as you can kinda push with your thumb.

[colonelerotic]

amputate

[necropsyTR]

This is happening to many times to me!! Thanks

[SalvationHasCome]

Just look at what Jaco Pastorius did. You can say what you want about his music, but his technique was the closest you can come to perfect.

[QueensNight]

yeah

[DeltaGaryGordon]

Geddy Lee does this so i dont think its that bad. He also wraps his thumb around the neck over the top. I dont think these habits affect playing AT ALL.

[bassnotsomaster]

is it ok to pluck the strings right next to the bridge like were your pickup is instead of in the middle of the body.

[gwalj]

Thanks Dave - these instructional videos of yours are real gems, and have helped me to improve my playing so much.

[giantsharks]

WOO!!! SPIDERMAN FTW 0:50

[PikaMarioMan]

@giantsharks that isn't the spiderman hand grip thing

[heinygore2]

WOLVERINE!!!!!!

[F0URSTRING]

I didn't know that people had that problem. but I'm thinking of teaching bass, so thanks for making me aware of that problem so I can stop it on the newbies :)

[angelamezcua]

wierd thing is is that i never had a lesson till my cousin said look on youtube i seen it now and wierd thing is i figured this out on myself through out time and practise

[calebanREAL]

thank you, this has eliminated pain very quickly!

[oligiscool1]

...or you can just use a relaxed floating thumb technique a la Gary Willis...

[DzaksBass]

have you any knowledge about avoiding tension in your hand using a three finger plucking technique?

thanks,

Daniel

[lidesnowi]

Always keep the wrist strait !

[TheBrassHole]

Masterbate...

[jibber102]

Well, I don't know about you, but it's pretty much impossible for me to seperate my pinky and ring finger too much. So I always thought it was impossible to have that problem if your ring finger is playing..

[lidesnowi]

Play with a light touch and get a 1000 watt amp.

[ondejakob]

Hah, nice man.

[HDx89]

cliff burton's pinky usd to be out.

[fingerboy18]

He had bad technique. I'm not saying he was bad though.

[eaton1012]

And he could have been even better if he didn't have bad technique.

[EkkuZakku]

I play by plucking, and I've never had this habit, I'm pretty lucky. My ring and pinky fingers do point forward but they aren't sticking out.

[BOnEhEAdD]

Well, since you keep saying certain people shouldn't teach certain things, it makes me tell you you really shouldn't teach the right hand technique in such an obsolete way, especially speaking about rock bass. I'm not saying your playing sux, I actually like your playing, i'm just saying your right hand isn't your strong spot (perhaps from being taught by jazzmen..).

However it's very good idea to mention the idea of "playing how it works so far" on stage and improve oneself at home

[SecretHtr1123]

the little things like this make my life easier,...keep em' comming,...p.s. my girlfirend thinks your accent is sexy

[oolassarran]

useful vid, but this technique does cause a problem: when playing higher strings (especially on a 5- or 6-string), you need your pinky or your ring finger to mute the low strings (so that they don't resonate)

[fingerboy18]

I rest my thumb flat across the strings that aren't being used. It keeps your wrist very straight too. I tend to use 3 fingers and just let the outside of my hand go limp.

[walruswaspaul123]

I don't think it makes any difference. Just play and breathe.

[angelokinho]

nice video :D but i'm looking for The offspring- BAD HABIT Bass HAHAHA :P

[tosko2107]

thanks a lot, i always wondered how unhealthy that 3rd and 4th finger movement was

[machine66677]

i think i might have a problem with this... lately when i try to play just a fast simple rock line (mostly open notes) the sound i get is really metallic and buzzy and overall not very good. could that be from plucking too hard?

[Renosaber1]

Hey man im also new at the bass world i saw some of your bad habits videos and its helping me a lot thx man u rock

[coolchickmom]

This is very helpful. I am a new player, but I have been a graphic designer and desktop publisher for many years, so my hands and wrists are already suffering a bit from too much computer work. Thus, your videos will help me alleviate any further damage!

Cheers!

[wykydsyx]

Ok that does help a fair bit so thanks. The main problem I have is that I tend to not pluck consistantly with my two fingers, I tend to occasionally pluck too hard and I keep randomly hitting the string above.

[dasgre0g]

Thanks Dave. Your videos are greatly appreciated and very resourceful.

[BillyTalentFan8]

This is really useful, but I also have another problem. I wanna try to increase the speed of my two-finger plucking and I've been trying for half a year and it still hasn't gotten faster. What should I do?

[DuxJerome]

Buy two dumbells. Do 20 to 40 arm curls (you can do this standing up or sitting down). pause for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times. Do this 3 to 5 times a week and i promise you can play faster in a week. You train your biceps and most important your forearms and hands too. Let me know if this helped.

[BillyTalentFan8]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try it.

[davemarks]

I'm sorry - but this is dreadful advice. It's all the wrong kind of muscle development. Speed isn't a matter of strength - it's co-ordination and focus. Practice things slowly in a very controlled fashion. Focus on using as little effort / motion as possible (economy of motion) and build up speed slowly over time with a drum machine / metronome.

[BillyTalentFan8]

Can you explain that in a more simple way?

[ThriceDog]

I can't play with my two fingers, I have to use my thumb or a plec :/

[zzprojects]

That Hair is the SHIT!!! HAHAHA

[riserebelrevolt]

thank you dave, ive been working on incorporating this into my technique for over a month now.

its natural now my fingers just do it

:)

[suarezstyle]

These videos are so awesome, thanks for posting them.

[zaksnaporaz]

thanks man, excellent advice ! That's one mistake I am doing without even knowing it.

[tbcass]

I don't totally agree with this. I've been playing 35+ years and rarely curl my fingers under like that. I also don't stick them straight out in a tensed position. I hold them relaxed just over the strings which leaves them in a good position for 3 or 4 finger plucking or for muting. If you curl them under they just get in the way. Of course I've been playing so long that I've developed total independence of my fingers so I can pretty much hold them in any position without problems.

[AL11984]

it seems my bass tutor has been teaching me well ! i dont seem 2 have any of these problems altho when i did the 1,2,3,4 technique thing i started on E string 5th fret:A n i got ache at start but im alright now n stretch well! :D

rock d fox !

[planyrescape]

i can play my fav sweet bass so much faster cause of this! thanks so much!

[politico222]

;O)

[WoollyMonkey]

Great advice -

more people need to know this! I see so many bass players with wandering pinkies and ring fingers! :)

[eaton1012]

Dude love this Bad Habits For Bass series.

[talub]

thank you. it helped a lot.

[ilrollatore89]

me too

thanks

[penguboii]

When i start to pluck with my thrid finger, i cant keep my pinky in curled position . Advice? (:

[zirgelis]

use knife

[ampeg69]

great lessons! I've had a serious injury and couldn't play for a few years. RSI because of computer work and playing the bass. So i am very careful since then.

[wolfmanjeb]

In addition to what he said (which is totally right), don't try to play with an un-wrapped sprained wrist. Put a wrist brace on first, you'll thank me later.

[sean6932]

great point. i noticed this myself a few months ago, i was playing like crazy and afterwards my forearm was all tight. i watched some les claypool video's and noticed how relaxed and limp his hand looked.

after this video, it all makes sense. im gonna watch the rest of yours, thanks. so many helpful bassists on youtube.

[itsthebaniman]

great video.. ^__^

hey dave.. can u give some pointers on how to use the ring and pinky fingers on your plucking hand?? been playing for a while now and im still using only two fingers..

[TheMork]

Lol I'm such a clown, I meant DAVE :S

[TheMork]

Very wise words, I've been playing for about 2 years, and I played my first gig about 3 months ago. I was so hyped up that I used WAY tpp much force with my plucking. By the start of our third song, I had gotten really bad cramp and could barely move my right hand!

Mark is totally right, it's really important to develop a relaxed right-hand technique :)

[MeowKernel]

my pinky just stays curled when I pluck

[legend142]

What would you suggest for playing with 3 fingers? That seems to be when I get cramps

[boonokian]

good topic and good points made throughout the vid,

cheers

[gzr0]

Cheers for that, im jsut starting and i didnt even realise i was doing that

[weldon29]

Thanks for the info.

[DelicateViolence]

I'm just starting out with guitar/bass, and I wanted to say that your videos are great. Very informative, and fun to watch. I especially like the "Bad Habits" series, because I can learn what not to do before it becomes a habit. Keep up the great work, man!

[Albtraum13]

This is one habit I really have a problem with. I have only 1 video of my playing but if you watch it... my hand looks like a crippled crab! I've tried these excersizes with tucking the 3rd and 4rd fingers in, but I can't hold them in place. Any other things I should try? I don't wanna get carpal tunnel lol.

[Albtraum13]

Any insight, Dave?

[chesupernaut]

If you smoke weed before playing, you body will naturally fall into a perfect playing posture. Relaxation will allow your body to fall into a natural, comfortable position. But smoke weed.

[davemarks]

This is a bunch of crap. Smoking weed will more than likely make you slouch into whatever position feels most comfortable for the chair/couch/bed you are on. It is ridiculous to suggest this as a serious system for sorting your posture. It may make you feel all warm and fuzzy while you play, but it doesn't mean that you will play well or have good posture. Get serious and stop encouraging people in such BS.

[BrocTheMagnifico]

Weed helps me play because it gives me a better grasp on the music I'm making. My posture's OK too. Stop hiding being social stigmas to ignore what may actually be of help to some people.

[quaz18]

what about three finger stuff, cause I always jut my pinky out when doing that? But If I didn't the speed doesn't transfer to my ring finger because there's no stabilization.

[kelvsxxx]

what up with your hair? lawl. nice vids. i learned a lot. could you recommend some titles for walking bass?

[mlcha2sq]

how can i get your book and c.d? great lesson thanks for the love!

[RachelAnne55]

Ha! Excellent, one bad habit I DON'T have! What a relief....Thanks Dave.

[jatoripdon]

Thanks alot man

[takarayray]

Really enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[apektnjulius]

Thanks a lot!

[Cidiuss]

That's very useful for me. From now i can see what i should not do :) great job man!

[ourmaninsweden]

This is fantastic Dave, I live out in Stockholm and teaching myself so your videos are a great help to me. You should stick a donate button on your site so some of us can send you some beer vouchers in return for this excellent advice.

[ourmaninsweden]

Sorry Dave, just seen your donate link!

[chrisparry89]

I seem to get tension in both plucking and using pics, although only when I'm playing live, and it really restricts my playing live, any help anybody?

[miclovin1959]

ROCK ON!!!!! will use this

[operalover19]

I always wondered why I got the pins and needles on my hand. Great new series on "Bad Habits", Dave.

[Degslon]

this is quite the helpful series of videos

[j3rdog]

tension in my fretting hand needs help..I'm glad to see though that I don't have this problem with my plucking hand.