KahunaNui Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Many years ago, I had a friend called Shaun Ward, who was a mean bassist. When he didn't have a bass in his hands, I never saw him without a set of car keys with a leather key fob. He'd hold the keys in his right hand, and rotate his arm & slap his thumb against the key fob as fast as he could. I've collected a lot of finger exercises for guitar that I can do while I'm at work, but can anyone suggest any for bass? Either right/left hand/finger strength, slapping accuracy/speed, or anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 There's an old book that I really like. Starts from basics and goes up high. You may find it in pdf format but the actual book contains many of the exercises played by him on CD. It may be no wonder that many players have put some to the youtube. Tony Oppenheim - Slap it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 14 hours ago, KahunaNui said: I've collected a lot of finger exercises for guitar that I can do while I'm at work, but can anyone suggest any for bass? Either right/left hand/finger strength, slapping accuracy/speed, or anything else. As far as I'm concerned, finger exercises to improve your playing is mostly bogus. You don't need that much strength in your hands to fret a note or slap a string, and accuracy really only comes when you've got the instrument in your hands. I'm sure if you've got hand problems or injuries then doing exercises can and will help with your mobility and dexterity but assuming that you're relatively healthy, I don't think it makes any difference to you're bass playing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KahunaNui Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Doddy said: As far as I'm concerned, finger exercises to improve your playing is mostly bogus. You don't need that much strength in your hands to fret a note or slap a string, and accuracy really only comes when you've got the instrument in your hands. I'm sure if you've got hand problems or injuries then doing exercises can and will help with your mobility and dexterity but assuming that you're relatively healthy, I don't think it makes any difference to you're bass playing. It isn't necessarily strength or accuracy (even that's what I said above). There are a few guitar exercises which aid finger independence, and others which build muscle memory for certain techniques. I can't imagine these won't help with any stringed instrument, and even if they don't they certainly can't hurt in moderation. Shaun said he used to slap his keyring to keep his wrist supple, and help build speed. Edited March 7, 2021 by KahunaNui 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 20 hours ago, KahunaNui said: Many years ago, I had a friend called Shaun Ward, who was a mean bassist. Shaun Ward of Floy Joy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KahunaNui Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 Aye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNY Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 He was also in Simply Red for a while. Great bass player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KahunaNui Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 1 hour ago, MNY said: He was also in Simply Red for a while. Great bass player. Yeah, lost touch with him just after that, although I bumped into him a few times later on. I think I sold him one of the first Steinberger fretless basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNY Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 On 07/03/2021 at 21:26, KahunaNui said: Yeah, lost touch with him just after that, although I bumped into him a few times later on. I think I sold him one of the first Steinberger fretless basses. He played it to pretty good effect on the Floy Joy album IIRC. An old work colleague of mine had a connection to him somehow, the company is based in the Sheffield area. I am guessing he is still knocking around by the sounds of it. I hope he is still playing although he could be in his 60’s now I reckon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KahunaNui Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 6 hours ago, MNY said: he could be in his 60’s now I reckon. Definitely. He was older than me, and I turned 59 the week before last. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNY Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 60 is the new 40 mate. Take care. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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