I've had 2 bass lessons in my 8 years of experience, and my first lesson was the 1234 starting on the 7th fret of the e string. The second lesson which was 3 weeks later, was 1-4-1-4-1-4-1-4 on each string going from the 1st fret to the 4th fret. It was a bit stressful, but it has enabled my to stretch out my fingers with more ease, so it is much easier to jump from low notes to higher notes etc.
There are lots of "teachers" on the Internet who give advice, some good, some not so good. The value of the 1234 exercise, as you describe it, played close to the nut (in first position) is to teach the notes and to start playing simple exercises using open strings. Once a student understands this position the rest of the fingerboard is relatively easy to learn.
I think this is a good video. I've always done this 1234 exercise, but I agree that people are too quick to teach this to beginners. Its simply not useful to most players.
Jesus, i've been playing bass for many many years, and your videos are still teaching me new stuff and techniques ! Thanks for uploading these videos :)
@AtticusStount Uhh, there are three distinct muscle groups in the hands, those of the thumb, the little finger & the middle palm between the metacarpals
@AtticusStount most of the muscles that make move your fingers are located between the wirst and the lower part of your elbow, by moving your finger and practicing like in the video here you're actually building the musculator of your fingers even if they arent located in your fingers
Haha, Gulliver hands. Like Gulliver's Travels. In Frank McCourts memoirs, he talks about that. Well, he's Irish like you. Weeelll.... you might not be Irish. Are you? This has nothing to do with nothing. I just like to share my feelings.
You're right, but it's better to teach students to pivot from the thumb to reach the fourth fret rather than expect them to stretch their hands that distance. Fact of the matter is you will end up back in first position anyway so why not start there? The claims you make about causing injury are a bit pointless without evidence, too.
The 1234 exercise is a good one. Don't stop doing it. Do the index and ring finger only exercise too... And index and pinky only. Also, 123(like 1234, just leave out the pinky). If you don't practice exercises like these, you likely won't get good cause your not training your fingers how to move.
Do these exercises all over the neck and on every string. Don't focus on one spot.
@davemarks Thank you for this video, I bought an exercise book to help me learn to play as a beginner and I thought "How the hell am I going to stretch my hand like that?"
@jesus7777402 en resumen, dice que los ejercicios del tipo 1234 se empiezan en los primeros trastes del bajo, y requiere separar mucho los dedos causando mucho stress y a la larga podria causar una lastimadura, es mejor iniciar a la mitad de las cuerdas para empezar, pues aparte la tension es menor y como todo ejercicio uno debe empezar con algo ligero.
Dave, I see what you mean about beginners not to do anything drastic and that makes sense. Since I have been playing bass for a while I only practice this exercise at the lowest four fret BECAUSE it is the hardest. Then anything up the next will be easier. I guess it would be like a baseball player practicing hitting a dead softball so that when he hits a new one it will fly like hell!
@Brjostabarn hate to tell you guys hes not scottish .... hes irish hes from belfast but lives in london .. don't believe me look at his page it says there ... I knew straight away coz am scottish
THANK YOU! GOOD TECHNIQUE = the most efficient motions, using the least amount of energy needed to get the sound you want. Imagine walking and running. You MAY be able to walk with straight, stiff legs, and even run for short distances, but you are doing damage to your body, and you will NEVER be able to "fly" and run with endurance with this bad "walking/running" technique.
I'm glad that you post this video, when I first played I do that exercise on the 1st fret, not to mention my hands are incredibly small (even much smaller than the normal sized girls' hands, i know, scary right?) so it was spread kinda painfully. But I'm used to it now, is that okay? Because I don't want to not realize it, if something goes (or will go) wrong with my hands. By the way, great video dude
I wonder if this also holds true for people with small hands. I find since my hand cannot fully span the lowest four frets, so I simply move the hand more to keep the finger over the fret a second before I play it. I little more hand movement but the result is the same with less stress on it.
*light bulb goes off* Oh yeah, i should be doing it this way...god, and here i am thinking that fretting was "awkward" for my newbie left hand! Good tip.
what about how you hold the neck? ive had many people tell me my left hand position is wrong cuz my thumb is on the top side of the neck instead of around the middle i cant get my hand comfortable at all when i hold the neck like that
@ssiii Stop going for the cool metal look and slinging your bass around your knees, it has to be high enough for the hand to actually be able to play it.
I agree with some of the guys, you remind me of wolverine! :P
I've found your "bad habits" videos VERY constructive, for I've been playing guitar for 11 years and now started playing the bass (I really fell in love with this instrument, it's great) and needed some reference on wich the "correct" or "recommended" hand positions were the ones which would help me play the best.
So thanks a lot dude! I'm now practicing with some Stone Temple Pilots bass lines, sounding much better!
1:30 unless you got a guillever's hands... lol.. nice tutorials... This is more for beginners.. as this teaches beginners like me that comfort in playing is the primary solution for learning fast. Nice.. subscribed.
I have fairly large hands and I started this way with no issues. It certainly wasn't easy at first and I can see moving up the neck to make it easier, but as far as injury, no way.
This shows the true advantage of playing V-string.
By playing E-string 1st-position keys (E - A) on and past the fifth fret of the B-string, you actually gain a higher string mentally and play across the neck.
I do find that the sound of the notes is softer, though, in the second position, as opposed to the first position. A little less snap maybe.
After teaching bass for a little while, I started to realise that it made no sense to teach the 1-2-3-4 exercise to beginners on the first couple of frets and I then started to show them it from at least the 5th-6th fret and sometimes the middle of the neck like you've shown.
Hmmm, IRONIC. I just took lessons today, and my instructors told me to do the 1234 excercise, but to start at the nut and go up then down. That help any?
hi, ive been trying this technique of playing lower down (im an absolute beginner) but it feels pretty uncomfortable as i have quite large hands, i cant seem to get much movement as my fingers (especially my pinky) stiffens up. ive also tried playing near round the first 5 frets, and although i have a bit more flexibility in my fingers, my hand tires quickly. i'm not sure which end i should start practicing properly from?
the 1234 excercise was taught to me early because i play in the church and they use this alot for shouting music. but my hands are pretty much used to it by now.
Thank you! I play as a hobby but I can't tell you how many people have showed me that exercise...I have pain in my pinky knuckle joint and figured I just have to work through it...your video makes total sense. Thanks again.
hey thanks man. I stoped playing like that when I started playing the upright, so now whenever I am at the low end I use both my thrid and fourth to hit the note.
im a kid and my hands are small im playing on regular sized 4 string bass. i am a begginer just starting today. i have trouble with puting putting preesure on my pinky on the upper parts of the bass to get a clean note. any ideas to help this also i have trouble stretching my fingers to four frets i can really only get three fingers on, any ideas?
hey dave, thank you for your free lessons..i started to play guitar 10 years ago..learning all by myself... now ive started to teach a friend of mine the basics of bassplaying and your vids really help me out with that! again thank you very much ...
maybe you want to watch one of my vids.. id be really thankful for some advices! :o) greetings from germany and 5*****
thanks for this. i've watched a couple youtube clips and they were starting from the first fret. carpal tunnel much? i thought perhaps my hand was too small for the bass. alas, i saw you're clip and now my hand isn't aching so much anymore. great advice :)
i start around the 8th or 9th fret as well with my students and when they are comfortable with that position i'll have them move it down continously 1 fret at a time until they're all the way in first position.
you know what i would like to see? you do a video about how stupid and illogical the floating thumb technique is.
@ManiacOfMadness #1 the reasoning i've heard to explain the supposed advantages of the technique make no sense and make it sound like pivoting the thumb on the pup or low e string to be hard when it's not #2 you can't rake #3 since the thumb is always on the string next to the one you're plucking you have less velocity in your finger attack because of the nearness to the thumb
You can very definitely rake with this technique - I do all the time.
Velocity is a matter of finger pressure and speed, not the distance your thumb is from your finger. I can play with maximum velocity using this technique because I have trained it.
We wish to minimize excessive movement in the hands - you're absolutely right, but at the same time, minimize tension and rigidity - these things cause fatigue.
Time and time again, I see students struggle to play in a relaxed fashion because they keep their hand locked up on the E string or on the pickup.
Having taught literally hundreds of bass players, I can only talk about what I've seen over the years, but I assure you, the advantages are there to be had....
@ManiacOfMadness #4 my philosophy about technique in general is to minimize excessive movement of the hands. floating your thumb over all the strings and pups continously when you could just plant them securely on the pup or e string and pluck with greater velocity and range of motion would seem to be optimal to me.
you dont have to justify yourself dave, i think its pretty cool.We all have bad habits, i didnt realise i was sticking my 3rd and 4th fingers out when i was "rockin' out". have been making an effort to tuck them in and it really does ease the tension! P.S. is there a factory in Ireland that churns out you guys, as you're spitting image of our guitarist, only you got hair!
Yo dave, ignore bastards like him, he went to the trouble of commenting on you video but didn't bother to actually listening to what you where trying to explain... typical troll.
Great tips by the way and thanks alot for teaching them.
@davemarks I never thought about that....such a good technique to raise the whole thing up to the higher frets. thank you so much :) this really helped.
I have small fingers so I play a 5 string to move all my low positions up 5 half-steps. It helps alot when you don't have to play those huge first 4 frets all night.
...good points. Have a look at my vidz and my bass lessons to how you can really burn this idea across - up the fretboard...and I agree, best to start middle position and work down...also when you play this up higher, the fingers cluster real close together, which needs some work...good vid mate.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
dude! if a beginer learns to play 1234 on the top of the neck, it beter exercis becaus if beginer get yusd to wide finger playin, it will bee esyer to reach far nots for him in the futeor wen he will play harder melodis and musics.
Did you listen at all? It's about building up strength, not being able to stretch more. He's showing us how to do one thing at a time instead of giving 2 problems at once.
Let the newbies suffer! They must pay their dues with physical pain!!! j/k
Actually, I'm a bass teacher. U of M (in the US) music program alum. I teach all of my students this in the first position and will continue to do so. What I also teach them are two specific hand stretches that prevent injuries from the exercise. Interesting thought though. I can see if someone's hand is really small or something where moving it up to eighth position could be helpful.
Is it really necessary to use all 4 fingers to play? Except little fingers? I play on bass for 3or4 years, and I use only 3 f. without little finger... please tell me, sorry for EN. :)
it depends on what type of music you enjoy playing and your comfort level. If you are growing as a musician and you feel comfortable with 3 fingers.. great. But if you've mastered a certain level of play and feel you hit a road block because your three fingers are not agile or fast enough to play tougher more technical music than it may be hard to retrain yourself to use that fourth finger. But nothing is impossible. Play how YOU want to. Thats the fun of bass playing.
lol; Not to criticize but I know alot of Guitarist who can't play bass simply because the strings are too bulky. And I think it's easier for a Bassist to transfer over to Electric/Acoustic, I did and it only took me a few months to really adjust and get the hand of it.
No offense taken. Well naturally the right size fingers and hands can determine which instrument you choose to ultimately excel in. But for myself and I cant speak for others, I love playing bass because I enjoy the sound and being more part of the percussion and for me respectfully, I tend to be more creative on the bass. For these reasons I humbly (but proudly) call myself a bassist.
leprechaun
xbassassinsx 4 days ago
ahhh you cant get me im wolverine, im saber tooth, im wolverine
thefatkid6868 5 days ago
wolverine hair
paradox337 3 weeks ago
thanx !!!
renme2011 3 weeks ago
I've had 2 bass lessons in my 8 years of experience, and my first lesson was the 1234 starting on the 7th fret of the e string. The second lesson which was 3 weeks later, was 1-4-1-4-1-4-1-4 on each string going from the 1st fret to the 4th fret. It was a bit stressful, but it has enabled my to stretch out my fingers with more ease, so it is much easier to jump from low notes to higher notes etc.
Th3RussBus 1 month ago
What's this accent you guys keep mentioning? He sounds normal to me.
Diesel415 1 month ago
My way of exercising hand strenght: Slap like crazy without really knowing how to.
Oysy 1 month ago
I like how the bass and talk are on separate channels.
ujnawierzbie 2 months ago
Gulliver hands :D
MrDaoJones 2 months ago
we not made to play the bass... CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!!!!!
Koolikoo 2 months ago
There are lots of "teachers" on the Internet who give advice, some good, some not so good. The value of the 1234 exercise, as you describe it, played close to the nut (in first position) is to teach the notes and to start playing simple exercises using open strings. Once a student understands this position the rest of the fingerboard is relatively easy to learn.
MrWayneDouglas 3 months ago
I think this is a good video. I've always done this 1234 exercise, but I agree that people are too quick to teach this to beginners. Its simply not useful to most players.
hillerm 4 months ago
@yamahabb400 lame.
burntheship 5 months ago
GULLIVER HANDS LOL
Check out Left Hand Gulliver on urban dictionnary
Olima15 5 months ago
are you wolverine?
Chris3692184 5 months ago
Jesus, i've been playing bass for many many years, and your videos are still teaching me new stuff and techniques ! Thanks for uploading these videos :)
iglubobo 5 months ago
huh, i learned this bad habbit from my bass teacher and i found that it was still usefull
Runbassskaterock 6 months ago
The hands don't contain musculature :)
AtticusStount 6 months ago
@AtticusStount Uhh, there are three distinct muscle groups in the hands, those of the thumb, the little finger & the middle palm between the metacarpals
falcon45ca 6 months ago
@AtticusStount ...... they do how do you think your hand moves ?
MappingFreak 5 months ago
@AtticusStount most of the muscles that make move your fingers are located between the wirst and the lower part of your elbow, by moving your finger and practicing like in the video here you're actually building the musculator of your fingers even if they arent located in your fingers
nickscreamingsilence 5 months ago
good info on the bass......but i've noticed dave looks like "wolverine" in this video...
usdoogie 6 months ago 25
even Flea say you should start at the first fret.... thats a shame.
Baiaii 6 months ago
Hi David!
Thanks for the videos!
Do you have any advice on where to put my thumb (on the neck hand)?
it's the only part of my hand that hurts like b****!
Thanks,
Valentin.
MrLeBatave 6 months ago
Haha, Gulliver hands. Like Gulliver's Travels. In Frank McCourts memoirs, he talks about that. Well, he's Irish like you. Weeelll.... you might not be Irish. Are you? This has nothing to do with nothing. I just like to share my feelings.
CarlosIsDown 6 months ago
Wolverine can play bass?
XxFlashBulletxX 7 months ago
@XxFlashBulletxX
everyone can play bass.
(just kidding, had to say ;D)
TommittajaFIN 6 months ago
You're right, but it's better to teach students to pivot from the thumb to reach the fourth fret rather than expect them to stretch their hands that distance. Fact of the matter is you will end up back in first position anyway so why not start there? The claims you make about causing injury are a bit pointless without evidence, too.
Tchutney 7 months ago
I think you're right Dave with the physicality but beginners aren't happy with the deep-end positioning mentally....
visog 7 months ago
Irish Wolverine playing bass? That's all kinds of awesome. Thanks for putting up the lessons, I'll be checking them when the bass arrives.
beeper313 7 months ago
excellent point-starting at the low end of the bass is like trying to teach a beginner on guitar the full-barre F major chord.
TheStatue1 7 months ago
The 1234 exercise is a good one. Don't stop doing it. Do the index and ring finger only exercise too... And index and pinky only. Also, 123(like 1234, just leave out the pinky). If you don't practice exercises like these, you likely won't get good cause your not training your fingers how to move.
Do these exercises all over the neck and on every string. Don't focus on one spot.
NuclearHendrix 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Who do you think you are? The Wolverine?
dorielementary 7 months ago
Should have been titled "Bad Grooming Habits"! Get a haircut and a razor. Hippie!
dorielementary 7 months ago
Very good point. Thumbs up for sure.
MrBassinyerface 8 months ago
@davemarks Thank you for this video, I bought an exercise book to help me learn to play as a beginner and I thought "How the hell am I going to stretch my hand like that?"
I'm glad to see I shouldn't have too! ^_^
MrStaffy3 8 months ago
thanks dude, i was doing this, you saved a life. a hand life.
Joshthebandboy 9 months ago
Thank you very much!
SysFader 9 months ago
oh no! theyre after me bass excersizes!
RedJazzBass1 9 months ago
wow I'm guilty of this habit lol
thanks you saved me from an injury
jaysanchez9800 9 months ago
habbits* ?
cultofd 10 months ago
@cultofd Who said hobbits?
kosmicwizard 9 months ago
@kosmicwizard lol read the title of video ... -.-
cultofd 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@kosmicwizard lol read the title of video.. -.-
cultofd 9 months ago
As someone who has arthritis and nerve damage in his fret hand, I can say that Dave is definitely on the ball with this video.
fieroturbo 10 months ago
i should like one traduction in spanish, excuse me and thanks
jesus7777402 10 months ago
@jesus7777402 en resumen, dice que los ejercicios del tipo 1234 se empiezan en los primeros trastes del bajo, y requiere separar mucho los dedos causando mucho stress y a la larga podria causar una lastimadura, es mejor iniciar a la mitad de las cuerdas para empezar, pues aparte la tension es menor y como todo ejercicio uno debe empezar con algo ligero.
pedrocrush 9 months ago
Dave, I see what you mean about beginners not to do anything drastic and that makes sense. Since I have been playing bass for a while I only practice this exercise at the lowest four fret BECAUSE it is the hardest. Then anything up the next will be easier. I guess it would be like a baseball player practicing hitting a dead softball so that when he hits a new one it will fly like hell!
msfosella 10 months ago
Sco-ish
Brjostabarn 10 months ago 16
@Brjostabarn Aw-rish
captainparadoxius 6 months ago
@Brjostabarn sounds irish
kingmoppy 6 months ago
@Brjostabarn hate to tell you guys hes not scottish .... hes irish hes from belfast but lives in london .. don't believe me look at his page it says there ... I knew straight away coz am scottish
malcolm619 5 months ago
@Brjostabarn That's an Irish ascent, don't know how anyone can mistake Irish ascent with Scottish lol
DustinsReality 4 months ago
@Brjostabarn no he sounds northern irish
IamBassplayerman 2 months ago
@Brjostabarn
Nope, sounds Irish to me :P
newbass28 1 month ago
@newbass28 He's Northern Irish, we have a way different accent down here in ROI, but up there thats what the accents like!
=) =) =)
fredthebluetakman 1 month ago
Gulliver hands, hahaha lmao
One teacher I had called this the "Quazi-chromatic" excersize!!
LHracing34 10 months ago
bod hobbits
BeingCoolIsMyJobMan 10 months ago
He looks very well rested
TheGreaterLionTurtle 10 months ago
OMG Wolverine beard! :O
luffy8000 10 months ago
THANK YOU! GOOD TECHNIQUE = the most efficient motions, using the least amount of energy needed to get the sound you want. Imagine walking and running. You MAY be able to walk with straight, stiff legs, and even run for short distances, but you are doing damage to your body, and you will NEVER be able to "fly" and run with endurance with this bad "walking/running" technique.
EqualityRevolt 11 months ago
Should have posted this to novicevillage.
You play it up the neck at first? duh.... no shit....
Playing down the neck will give you a serious injury? bullshit.
mryellow123 11 months ago
Nice... Now I can really improve on playing the Bass...
harvey300791 11 months ago
Thank you!
acerobbins 1 year ago
Yeh great tip.
SirJ26 1 year ago
gulliver hands lol. i lik ur accent
flip810 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Teaching bass to two friends. Good advice
CryptSphinx 1 year ago
i am a begginer your video makes perfect sense! thanks alot i'm going to try your exercise now :).
timothybowen5 1 year ago
The power of the Irish!
Respusianism 1 year ago
I'm glad that you post this video, when I first played I do that exercise on the 1st fret, not to mention my hands are incredibly small (even much smaller than the normal sized girls' hands, i know, scary right?) so it was spread kinda painfully. But I'm used to it now, is that okay? Because I don't want to not realize it, if something goes (or will go) wrong with my hands. By the way, great video dude
anonymouslikeyou 1 year ago
I wonder if this also holds true for people with small hands. I find since my hand cannot fully span the lowest four frets, so I simply move the hand more to keep the finger over the fret a second before I play it. I little more hand movement but the result is the same with less stress on it.
msfosella 1 year ago
Great to see another Irish bass player contributing!
ConorSomerz 1 year ago
He is so pieced off !
THSiKario 1 year ago
You probably never played double bass mate..
rabbitasshole 1 year ago
dude you always look so fryed, great lessons by the way
whiteboy7890 1 year ago
*light bulb goes off* Oh yeah, i should be doing it this way...god, and here i am thinking that fretting was "awkward" for my newbie left hand! Good tip.
drew25kra 1 year ago
you are cool ! I subbed.
sagasa456 1 year ago
what about how you hold the neck? ive had many people tell me my left hand position is wrong cuz my thumb is on the top side of the neck instead of around the middle i cant get my hand comfortable at all when i hold the neck like that
ssiii 1 year ago
@ssiii Stop going for the cool metal look and slinging your bass around your knees, it has to be high enough for the hand to actually be able to play it.
mryellow123 11 months ago
I agree with some of the guys, you remind me of wolverine! :P
I've found your "bad habits" videos VERY constructive, for I've been playing guitar for 11 years and now started playing the bass (I really fell in love with this instrument, it's great) and needed some reference on wich the "correct" or "recommended" hand positions were the ones which would help me play the best.
So thanks a lot dude! I'm now practicing with some Stone Temple Pilots bass lines, sounding much better!
handrix89 1 year ago
1:30 unless you got a guillever's hands... lol.. nice tutorials... This is more for beginners.. as this teaches beginners like me that comfort in playing is the primary solution for learning fast. Nice.. subscribed.
anakngburglar 1 year ago
I have fairly large hands and I started this way with no issues. It certainly wasn't easy at first and I can see moving up the neck to make it easier, but as far as injury, no way.
joncast64 1 year ago
This shows the true advantage of playing V-string.
By playing E-string 1st-position keys (E - A) on and past the fifth fret of the B-string, you actually gain a higher string mentally and play across the neck.
I do find that the sound of the notes is softer, though, in the second position, as opposed to the first position. A little less snap maybe.
Nacho66 1 year ago
mangled hand shape.
acoustic18 1 year ago
You look like the guy from Static X, but with an irish accent.
dethbymagix51 1 year ago
WOLVERINE!
mrciaran96 1 year ago
thats pretty interesting. what part of Ireland you from? I'm from up north haha
ConorSomerz 1 year ago
dude, no joke I was just doing this to warm up, i haven't been playing much in the past few years. Thanks for the tip :-)
FiredUpZ28 1 year ago
After teaching bass for a little while, I started to realise that it made no sense to teach the 1-2-3-4 exercise to beginners on the first couple of frets and I then started to show them it from at least the 5th-6th fret and sometimes the middle of the neck like you've shown.
mikecallejaful 1 year ago
@mikecallejaful ugh read a few pages of these comments and it becomes very apparent that there is nothing common about common sense.
mryellow123 11 months ago
Thank you, that was a very informative and thoughtful video.
hello89898 1 year ago
"Gulliver Hands" = awesome
JumpStartYoHeart 1 year ago
my teacher told me to start at the first fret then keep on moving up until u hit the twelfth fret
PINGPONGDYNASTY 1 year ago
Good to see some serious Northern Irish musicians on YouTube!
NattMoore 1 year ago
thank you scottish wolverine!
Nathalian987 1 year ago
@Nathalian987 Northern Irish...
NattMoore 1 year ago
Hmmm, IRONIC. I just took lessons today, and my instructors told me to do the 1234 excercise, but to start at the nut and go up then down. That help any?
OotHEWoW 1 year ago
hi, ive been trying this technique of playing lower down (im an absolute beginner) but it feels pretty uncomfortable as i have quite large hands, i cant seem to get much movement as my fingers (especially my pinky) stiffens up. ive also tried playing near round the first 5 frets, and although i have a bit more flexibility in my fingers, my hand tires quickly. i'm not sure which end i should start practicing properly from?
kenc85 1 year ago
Comment removed
kenc85 1 year ago
You have the groove my friend
magikmhan321321 1 year ago
Sorry bad english but do you need to have the previous finger pushing the cord when you play the others ?
Like, do I need to push with 1 & 2 on fret 8 and 9 when I play the 3 and 4 on fret 10 and 11 part ? or can I release the others fingers ?
tudumdum 1 year ago
@tudumdum Release/raise each finger as it plays the note, 1 finger in contact at a time.
This way it's ready to be placed down on another note without first having to be lifted, giving you more time to move.
mryellow123 11 months ago
good thing i have "gulliver" hands lol
thameatwad 1 year ago
the 1234 excercise was taught to me early because i play in the church and they use this alot for shouting music. but my hands are pretty much used to it by now.
elavate7 1 year ago
just practice minor and major scales
stuntdoub201 1 year ago
Thank you! I play as a hobby but I can't tell you how many people have showed me that exercise...I have pain in my pinky knuckle joint and figured I just have to work through it...your video makes total sense. Thanks again.
ceviche666 1 year ago
Your videos are awesome and helpful, thank you.
stychin 1 year ago
hey thanks man. I stoped playing like that when I started playing the upright, so now whenever I am at the low end I use both my thrid and fourth to hit the note.
Dreadmonkey1 1 year ago
this makes alot of sense, that 1234 is crazy to do besides i have small hands.
bluegrassman776 1 year ago
im a kid and my hands are small im playing on regular sized 4 string bass. i am a begginer just starting today. i have trouble with puting putting preesure on my pinky on the upper parts of the bass to get a clean note. any ideas to help this also i have trouble stretching my fingers to four frets i can really only get three fingers on, any ideas?
thanks
donius22 1 year ago
PRACTICE
JIMBOND27 1 year ago
Great advice Dave, You should be called Doctor Dave. Thank you very much.
JimWindinhishair 1 year ago
Comment removed
JimWindinhishair 1 year ago
hey dave, thank you for your free lessons..i started to play guitar 10 years ago..learning all by myself... now ive started to teach a friend of mine the basics of bassplaying and your vids really help me out with that! again thank you very much ...
maybe you want to watch one of my vids.. id be really thankful for some advices! :o) greetings from germany and 5*****
mindsoldier 2 years ago
wow your bass has HUGE frets, way bigger than mine, or any other i would assume.
Nuttbuster 2 years ago
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good video man. maybe splash some water on your face beforehand though haha
myweedislikemedusa 2 years ago
thanks for this. i've watched a couple youtube clips and they were starting from the first fret. carpal tunnel much? i thought perhaps my hand was too small for the bass. alas, i saw you're clip and now my hand isn't aching so much anymore. great advice :)
mysticblu3 2 years ago 4
Thanks very much!
Calistria520 2 years ago
i start around the 8th or 9th fret as well with my students and when they are comfortable with that position i'll have them move it down continously 1 fret at a time until they're all the way in first position.
you know what i would like to see? you do a video about how stupid and illogical the floating thumb technique is.
mindbodylightsound10 2 years ago
@mindbodylightsound10 I'm really interested in hearing why is that, cause I use it pretty much. Every advise is good. =)
(I'm talking about the floating thumb technique.)
ManiacOfMadness 2 years ago
@ManiacOfMadness #1 the reasoning i've heard to explain the supposed advantages of the technique make no sense and make it sound like pivoting the thumb on the pup or low e string to be hard when it's not #2 you can't rake #3 since the thumb is always on the string next to the one you're plucking you have less velocity in your finger attack because of the nearness to the thumb
mindbodylightsound10 2 years ago
Hey dude -
You can very definitely rake with this technique - I do all the time.
Velocity is a matter of finger pressure and speed, not the distance your thumb is from your finger. I can play with maximum velocity using this technique because I have trained it.
We wish to minimize excessive movement in the hands - you're absolutely right, but at the same time, minimize tension and rigidity - these things cause fatigue.
davemarks 2 years ago
Time and time again, I see students struggle to play in a relaxed fashion because they keep their hand locked up on the E string or on the pickup.
Having taught literally hundreds of bass players, I can only talk about what I've seen over the years, but I assure you, the advantages are there to be had....
davemarks 2 years ago 2
@ManiacOfMadness #4 my philosophy about technique in general is to minimize excessive movement of the hands. floating your thumb over all the strings and pups continously when you could just plant them securely on the pup or e string and pluck with greater velocity and range of motion would seem to be optimal to me.
mindbodylightsound10 2 years ago
My sentiments exactly!! Gr8 advice - tks.
Xnocturnus 2 years ago
that's an interesting approach. Never really thought about it but you do make a lot of sense.
SotR59 2 years ago
Great tips from all three videos. It's good to learn different techniques even if somebody may not use them.
fuji302 2 years ago
you dont have to justify yourself dave, i think its pretty cool.We all have bad habits, i didnt realise i was sticking my 3rd and 4th fingers out when i was "rockin' out". have been making an effort to tuck them in and it really does ease the tension! P.S. is there a factory in Ireland that churns out you guys, as you're spitting image of our guitarist, only you got hair!
MrUndermensch 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
are you fuckin serious?
proper left hand techique is "bad habits"?
"mangled hand shape" ?
holy fuck...please SUCK IT UP!!!
matako07 2 years ago
dude. Did you actually watch the video? Did you follow the idea? The exercise is a good one, but you should not start it at the bottom of the neck.
I didn't say you shouldn't use it. You simply shouldn't start it at the bottom of the neck.
Basic good idea.
davemarks 2 years ago 34
Yo dave, ignore bastards like him, he went to the trouble of commenting on you video but didn't bother to actually listening to what you where trying to explain... typical troll.
Great tips by the way and thanks alot for teaching them.
Greeting from Portugal
PushTheSky 2 years ago
@davemarks I never thought about that....such a good technique to raise the whole thing up to the higher frets. thank you so much :) this really helped.
maidenvspriest 7 months ago
@matako07 stfu dill wad, if we are what we eat your a giant cock.
purpleheartache 2 years ago
maaaaaaaaaaaan what happen to your hair :D
pippozzolo 2 years ago
Damn rite not being able to play would be a drag...!!!!
SmoothOperator3769 2 years ago
"And that would be a drag" - Win
Also, thanks for these videos.
ekoukano 2 years ago
What's wrong with having Gulliver hands?!
RLHubner 2 years ago 27
This has been flagged as spam show
@RLHubner he never said there was anything wrong with it.
gutzs 9 months ago
@RLHubner Makes it hard to wank...
MrNick2D 8 months ago
thanks Dave!
wowamonn 2 years ago 3
The man speaks sense.. ... 's obvious when y' think aboooot eet.
tonedeffman 2 years ago
wow very nice ive been told to do the 1 2 3 4 but that seems like too much of a stretch thanks!
freddy8finger 2 years ago
I have small fingers so I play a 5 string to move all my low positions up 5 half-steps. It helps alot when you don't have to play those huge first 4 frets all night.
bassman50 2 years ago 2
Realy good point, never thought of that.
wtfAvailableUser 2 years ago
well put!
MileSeventySeven 2 years ago
...good points. Have a look at my vidz and my bass lessons to how you can really burn this idea across - up the fretboard...and I agree, best to start middle position and work down...also when you play this up higher, the fingers cluster real close together, which needs some work...good vid mate.
GrantSmithBass 2 years ago
hey dave......thanks for bring in lil details like this which could make it easier and effective to learn bass...ur a gud teacher...thank you....
bassbubbles 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
dude! if a beginer learns to play 1234 on the top of the neck, it beter exercis becaus if beginer get yusd to wide finger playin, it will bee esyer to reach far nots for him in the futeor wen he will play harder melodis and musics.
spirit3241 2 years ago
what........
odepaj 2 years ago
its comments like this that make me want to kill myself
biggest184 2 years ago 4
Did you listen at all? It's about building up strength, not being able to stretch more. He's showing us how to do one thing at a time instead of giving 2 problems at once.
ArkAngelSlave 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wths with his hair
godhand95 2 years ago
duhr... it's exploded...
SomeBeardedDragon 2 years ago 2
Let the newbies suffer! They must pay their dues with physical pain!!! j/k
Actually, I'm a bass teacher. U of M (in the US) music program alum. I teach all of my students this in the first position and will continue to do so. What I also teach them are two specific hand stretches that prevent injuries from the exercise. Interesting thought though. I can see if someone's hand is really small or something where moving it up to eighth position could be helpful.
iamheasyouaremeandwe 2 years ago
Well, there are songs you just CANNOT play using only 3 fingers. Try to play Judas Priest's "The Ripper" and you'll understand. =)
HzeronoveII 2 years ago
Hey master, I've got a question.
Is it really necessary to use all 4 fingers to play? Except little fingers? I play on bass for 3or4 years, and I use only 3 f. without little finger... please tell me, sorry for EN. :)
vampRaziel 2 years ago
it depends on what type of music you enjoy playing and your comfort level. If you are growing as a musician and you feel comfortable with 3 fingers.. great. But if you've mastered a certain level of play and feel you hit a road block because your three fingers are not agile or fast enough to play tougher more technical music than it may be hard to retrain yourself to use that fourth finger. But nothing is impossible. Play how YOU want to. Thats the fun of bass playing.
archados 2 years ago
thx :)
vampRaziel 2 years ago
No problem friend. Remember, any guitarist can play a bass guitar. But only a bassist plays bass from his soul.
Keep playing bass and help your fellow players! :)
archados 2 years ago 2
Right! have a good day, greetings from Czech rep. :)
vampRaziel 2 years ago
lol; Not to criticize but I know alot of Guitarist who can't play bass simply because the strings are too bulky. And I think it's easier for a Bassist to transfer over to Electric/Acoustic, I did and it only took me a few months to really adjust and get the hand of it.
ArkAngelSlave 2 years ago
No offense taken. Well naturally the right size fingers and hands can determine which instrument you choose to ultimately excel in. But for myself and I cant speak for others, I love playing bass because I enjoy the sound and being more part of the percussion and for me respectfully, I tend to be more creative on the bass. For these reasons I humbly (but proudly) call myself a bassist.
archados 2 years ago
dude u ook baked in every on of ur vids
ccsucks123 2 years ago
lol wolverine
bass602 2 years ago
they teached me that wrong too
(u look like wolverine)
illusionFTW 2 years ago 2
The chromatic exersise.
jolleyjames13 2 years ago
i laughed at 0.49 :D
saurman12345 2 years ago
are you that dude from that 70's show?
lowfreq65 2 years ago
Man, your hair is cracking me up. Great videos though, good food for thought.
Seanbo88 2 years ago
its people like you, dave, that makes it easier for learners, thank you very much
ashleycoles 2 years ago 2
haha.. LOL im going to shred you BUB... wahahaha..
chachaselrahc 2 years ago
play Master of puppets bass line that gives good hand strength
Tariqalhajri 2 years ago
lol thats funny... my first bass teacher told me to do that exact thing (starting on the first fret)
fleamanATW 2 years ago
logaan hahahahaha
owwnvm 2 years ago
great job.. LOGAN! wahaha
chachaselrahc 2 years ago 2
LOGAN AHAHAHAHAHHHA
danferr 2 years ago
rofl hahaha i dint find it funny till i saw your comment then i thought for a sec and started to LMAO wwaahahahahahahhaha
AllExhalesAllMetal 2 years ago
I remember it felt like I broke my hand when I first started.
I'm pretty sure I did start on the first fret with exersizes like this, but 5 years later it aint hurt me none, haha.
PhatLarkin 2 years ago
Gulliver Hands! 1:30
gpcl16 2 years ago
He looks like wolverine! Great video
blackhebrew06 2 years ago 25