Coilte

I practice every day. Usually this consists of a little theory, reading practice, playing along for fun to some music, and generally working on my weaker points. I love playing the bass. Granted, I get more of a buzz when I play live, but generally I simply love the learning process, a journey which never ends.

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1351409429' post='1850814'] How do you find playing with gloves on? [/quote] I am curious about these myself. My first thought was that you have some sort of muscle problem similar to Scott Devine ? Or are they simply for show ? Love the music BTW.

[quote name='Ed_S' timestamp='1351353839' post='1850487'] I use Fret Doctor too - it's great stuff, isn't it! [/quote] Yes, on the rare occasions that I do use it, I find it very good indeed.

Fair play to you for having the interest and awareness to investigate and correct your technique. IMO technique is very important, not just for playing to a high standard, but for avoiding injuries such as you describe. It is very often overlooked, especially when advising people who are starting from scratch on the bass. I have referenced that link many times to people experiencing fretting hand problems. Good to see it getting another airing.

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1351083657' post='1847079'] If you meant Olive Oil then yes, you'd be right, but lemon oil would possibly still be cheaper. The same could be said for vintage cars; you don't see nearly as many of them around as you do vintage guitars. But maybe if the owners had put more maintenance in them you would. Things weren't always the right way of doing them in the "good old days". As I said a few posts ago, I was told by lifelong luthiers that too much lemon oiling with risk lifting your frets, twice a year max - that's not OTT it's about the same number of times I change an air-fresher in the car. AFAIK the lemon content is a degreasent, the rest of the wood is to feed what is essentially dead wood in the same way any other product does. [/quote] Maintenance is quite a different thing altogether than using oil in a "if it's not broken, why fix it ?" manner. I was not implying that you should not maintain your instrument in whatever way is required. My basic point is with regards oiling the FB, if we are talking about extremes, no oil at all, is better than too much. From what I have read on other forums, people [b]are [/b]inclined to go OTT in my opinion.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1351080336' post='1847007'] Don't put cooking oil on wood, it will go rancid. [/quote] +1. Better to not oil it at all than use cooking oil.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1351041453' post='1846629'] By the way, I just want to say this: A few minutes after originally starting this thread, I wondered if it might have been a bit trivial... Very surprised with the amount of helpful responses I've had so far... So thanks! Basschat and its members have once again proven to be an invaluable resource I hope at least one other person finds all the info here useful some time. [/quote] Anything that enhances your physical well being with regards bass playing is never trivial IMO. Hope you found the tips/advice in the thread useful. Best of luck.

The thought that always springs to mind with threads like this is how people looked after (or more to the point, [b]didn't[/b] look after) their fret boards in times gone by. To my knowledge, this idea of cleaning and oiling is comparatively recent. It has all the hall marks of being a marketing ploy. There are so many manufacturers out there saying that theirs is the best and only way to clean and oil your fretboard. Yet I regularly see basses from the 60's for sale which are in immaculate condition. I'm sure their original owners did not clean or oil the FB. Don't get me wrong, I like to look after my instrument as much as the next person. I just think we are inclined to go OTT with this. Also, it is often the case that the people who feel the need to oil and clean regularly, are the ones who don't have the presence of mind to wash their hands before picking up the bass.

[quote name='Martin E' timestamp='1350946010' post='1845554'] I would love to try a set of flats but they just don't come in light gauges unfortunately. [/quote] They do actually. TI (Thomastik/infeld) jazz flats are the lowest tension (and have a light gauge) flat out there AFAIK. They are expensive but worth it IMO. [url="http://www.lordofthestrings.com/lots/RAPRD/Thomastik-JF344-Jazz-Flat/11001621.html"]http://www.lordofthestrings.com/lots/RAPRD/Thomastik-JF344-Jazz-Flat/11001621.html[/url] As for string gauges, I am quite happy with 45-105.

[quote name='Themrperson' timestamp='1350933863' post='1845311'] Could anyone give some advice on what to do [/quote] Dont play the bass until your injury has had time to heal.

This topic always brings out the most varied of responces. Personally I would not use linseed oil. Yorick's suggestion above, is the most common responce. My own preference is "Fret Doctor" (see link). It is a bit on the expensive side, but as it's meant to be used very sparingly, it will last for years. [url="http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm"]http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm[/url]

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1350834718' post='1844007'] I concur [/quote]

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1350813546' post='1843639'] Of all the things to get hung up about and with me it's bloody strap height [/quote] Yes, it may seem like a trivial thing to be concerned about, but over the long term it can be of the utmost importance. It is true, that wearing the bass too high effects the R/H and too low, the L/H. The ideal compromise is to have the main body of the bass at about belt buckle height.

You should check out this clip : [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA[/url]

If, as RhysP says that it was just a snapshot, and you dont permanently play with the wrist bent like this, then I'd say you are OK. If however, the bent wrist is more the norm, then IMO it would be prudent to rethink your L/H technique. Sometimes physical injuries take years to manifest themselves, so just because it does not hurt now, does not mean that it is OK. Granted, lots of players get away with playing with a bent wrist, but a lot experience problems.

[quote name='vmaxblues' timestamp='1350754396' post='1843147'] Now, either I have to stop digging my thumb into the corner of the pickup, or create a curve on the pickup with sandpaper or learn the harmonica. [/quote] ...or use the "Floating Thumb" technique. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU[/url]

I agree 100 %. Their music seems to be timeless, and every time I listen I hear something new. However, I find that their more recent material just does not have the same appeal. I played "Two Against Nature" and "Everything Must Go" many times, and just could not get into them. Just seems like more of the same. Perhaps it's just me.

Another reason why there might be a shortfall of potential bass players, especially among teenagers, is to do with showmanship, or more to the point, the lack of it that is associated with the bassist's role.. Yes, there are exceptions but rightly or wrongly, the bassist is generally perceived as the one who stays in the background holding everything together (with the drummer), creating a platform for the guitarist to strut his stuff out front in full view, soaking up the applause. Quite apart from musical knowledge and playing talent, it takes a certain kind of mind set to be a bassist.

[quote name='elom' timestamp='1349650865' post='1828811'] So I'm looking for some help with my pick technique. [/quote] Then take the advice of master pick player Carol Kaye. See tips #26 & 27 in this link. [url="http://carolkaye.com/www/education/tips1.htm"]http://carolkaye.com/www/education/tips1.htm[/url]

I found this clip very good for developing the pinkie, and getting it to do what you want it to. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab-dtzrAnkg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab-dtzrAnkg[/url]

Check out "Edly's Music Theory for Practical People" : [url="http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html"]http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html[/url] Not specifically for bass, but a great book.

[quote name='Ashwood1985' timestamp='1348920818' post='1819774'] .Regarding us all giving and recieving advice on how to mute unwanted sound and play fluidly at the same time, I think it's important to communicate and take note of the physical attributes of each persons hands. To give or receive advice without establishing an understanding if each others hands are similar could be very problematic! [/quote] Agreed. Forums can only give opinions, and it's up to each individual to decide what works for them.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1348748094' post='1817658'] In that case, you'll work out what works for you. but muting or lack of it just bad technique so people should put more time into what they already do. [/quote] People may just need a little direction. This is not being lead, they merely want to ask for the opinions of more experienced players. That's why we have forums like BC. Once armed with the appropriate information, these people are in a position to try out all the advice given, and can [b]THEN [/b]decide what works for or matters to them.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1348731568' post='1817358'] But does it matter...? [/quote] Well...yes it could do, if you are prone to wrist injuries due to having it bent most of the time. Granted, lots of people play with a bent wrist and get away without problems, but others find that they experience carpel tunnel type problems, so the FT is ideal in this case. I use FT all of the time.

Regarding strength and bass playing, lets discuss for a second, just how much (or more to the point....how little) is required. Try fretting a note without the thumb on the neck. Press gently until the note rings clearly. This is the total strength required to fret a string. This strength has been there in most healthy people since about the age of seven or eight years of age. So, can someone explain the need for lifting weights etc., when so little strength is required ????? As pointed out above by "risingson", endurance (stamina) and dexterity are what's needed. The former is best achieved by gradually building up your playing time on the bass. As I mentioned earlier, the lifting of the fingers [b]off of the fretboard[/b] (the opposite to gripping) without them getting in each others way, is what's required in fretting. This agility and nimbleness lets us move around the FB with ease, and has nothing to do with strength. I firmly believe in warming up and down afterwards with hand/wrist/finger stretches first, then slowly playing chromatic scales etc above the fourth fret for a couple of minutes. After this, I usually stretch the hands/fingers again, then I am ready to play.