Fingering faster notes

[geniusgoalie]

I've been playing bass for about a year now, and I'm getting better, but it feels like I've hit a wall with my speed. When I hit something faster than a sixteenth note, I fall apart. It just seems that my fingers can't go any faster. Should I start trying to play with my third and fourth fingers? Or does anyone have any suggestions on how I can hit those ultra-fast notes?

[Led_Zeppelin678]

Working in a third finger is a good idea. Other than that, just practice practice practice.

[FREAKofNATURE]

Get weights for your fingers or use a grip master. It helps alot.

[Chris K]

Is it all about speed? Why not try some chords, try some tapping. Take focus off speed and chill out, then when you return to your speed chasing, you'll feel refreshed and better equipped to meet your goal.

Alos, try learning to play with three fingers...I only do this when I'm going trough the fastest of passages, I much prefer the feel and rhythm I get from two fingers...

Also, try slowing down what you're trying to play. Take a fast lick, for example, and slow it right down on the metronome. Keep playing it slowly until it's down perfectly. Then, when you speed it up, it will be cleaner and you will be faster.

[ignignok]

Doublethumbing, anyone?

[Chris K]

Doublethumbing, anyone?

Another path entirely, my friend.

[Riouken]

Doublethumbing, anyone?
As Chris K said, it i stotally different:

Diffrent sound, different attack etc.

Also, double thumbing would be taken a quicker route. For example, I've been learning to Double thumb Flight of the bumblebee, it's not as bad as I thougth it would be, but it is MUCH harder with fingers.

i.e. Maybe he should learn to do thefast run with his fingers first anyway. If Sheehan can, then so can he.

[Foxfire]

A 16th note at how fast of a BPM?

A 32nd note triplet at 180 BPM is different from 32nd notes at 60.

[funkyhoney]

i found i could play 16ths at about 20-30BPM's faster after i'd practised tapping for a few days, maybe give that a shot

[geniusgoalie]

Thanks a lot for all of the tips :)

Also, I was saying 16th notes at around 120 BPM.

[albinoblacksheep]

keep the alternating clean...its often overlooked. especially while switching strings.

[ToolBox]

keep the alternating clean...its often overlooked. especially while switching strings.


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[Phalanx]

yeah, make sure your fingers are always going 1212121212 for two fingers, it is incredibly important even when changing strings, if you don't, you're severly limiting your speed

[dragonzmad]

I'm having a similar problem with speed. I guess I have to be patient. I am definitely not a smooth player. I didnt pickup the bass as a smooth player and the movements of my fingers aren't smooth and flowing. I guess it's just something I have to live with and try and work around.

[Gravaged]

16th notes at 200- 210 bpm shouldnt be a problem, with only 2 fingers, if you keep on practicing.


edit -at least, thats about what i manage regularly

[DemBonez]

I generally sit down every day for about an hour playing with a metranome. I spend about 10 minutes on each string, playing quarter notes, making sure each note is clean, clear, and spaced evenly. After a week try upping the speed, and if you can do it there, then keep it, if not go back down and try again.

[The_Fender_Bender]

Practise those crazy Steve Harris Triplets
That helps you play faster, but its hard to explain how he does it.
OR use all four finger and maybe your thumb

[FU.CKY.OU]

Not triplets.

8th notes followed by 2 16th notes.

[JBass]

start at 120BPM 16th notes and playt he major scale up and down, a quarter note on each note, but in 16th's (like play 4 16th notes for every one note), and play until you can play the scale up and down that way, then punch it up to like 121 or 122 and keep repeating, thats what i did when i first started playing and i went form like 90 to 135 in a matter of 2 weeks or so