String Skipping

[Tiger50]

Hello,

After playing electric/acoustic guitar for the past 5 years or so, I've took the plunge and got myself a bass rig! I'm quite proficient at using a pick, however I'm looking to learn how to play bass using fingers only.

I've been progressing quite well as of late, but i'm having trouble with certain songs that involve alot of alternate picking and/or quick string skipping with the right hand (e.g. LedZep - Lemon Song, Rush - YYZ etc) Sometimes I can nail sections whereas other times it sounds quite messy even when I try and play it a tad slower. Can anyone recommend any more songs from their experience of playing that I could try to help me improve in these areas?

Cheers
T

[Doddy]

I wouldn't recommend any songs to help you with string crossing.

However there are a couple of exercises that I would recommend.

Try taking a major scale and break it up in to different intervals,my particular
favourites are thirds and sixths.
So,for example,if you were going to play in thirds,you would play
C,E,D,F,E,G,F,A,G,B,A,C,B,D,C. It makes it more interesting than regular scales,and
you are crossing strings more. Even more so in sixths.
For wide intervals you could try playing the same thing in tenths.

Arpeggios are always good too-especially over two octaves.

Also,try and keep a strict alternation of the right hand fingers when playing playing these
exercises. It'll make things easier in the long run.

Edit.... Don't rush it either-speed will come with accuracy.

Edited March 25, 2010 by Doddy

[Musicman69]

Sound advice that ^^ Heed it!