Any advise,I'm from the old school of Thumpers,Been trying to use my fingers But

[LowBass]

I can't hit note evenly with my fingers ,like I get confuse playing with them.I use My thumb only, but when I play with my fingers,I find myself confuse trying to switch back to my thumb.
Any suggestions on things to do to help cross over? I'm trying to use the next months cleaning up bad habits.
Thanks in advance

[ddwilkins]

I had this problem when I first started.  I started playing with my thumb, but didn't have the endurance and speed to keep up on certain songs, so I just made myself switch to using my fingers by practicing, practicing, and practicing.  I fumbled across the strings until I was able to just get it right.  Only advice I have is continue to practice.

[bassthumpa]

Yep, lots and lots of practice, then lots more.

Oh, and get yourself a metronome.

[ladybass]

LowBass ... you can use your metronome with a book like this ... it's filled with finger exercises (standard notation and tab).  start at a comfy metronome speed and as you practice, practice, practice.... increase the speed

[jeremyr]

LowBass ... you can use your metronome with a book like this ... it's filled with finger exercises (standard notation and tab).  start at a comfy metronome speed and as you practice, practice, practice.... increase the speed

Thats is a GREAT BOOK!!!!!  I actually ahve it and don't really use it.  If you want it you can shoot me $7 and i'll mail it to you. 


I also started with just my thumb.  What you really need to do is WATCH your fingers and CONCETRATE.  Do some exercises for around an hour a day while watching tv and i guarantee after a week that you will be leaps and boungs more comfortable then you ever imagined.


Now this doesn't mean you should throw away your thumb technique.  Once you get the fingers down you can experiment with mixing the two of them to play chords or just get a different sound.

[ladybass]

Now this doesn't mean you should throw away your thumb technique.  Once you get the fingers down you can experiment with mixing the two of them to play chords or just get a different sound.

I agree ... I've seen Justin Raines & Dale Black use a mix of thumb and fingers techniques.  That's also something I'm working on ... gotta keep expanding on diver techniques

[DWBass]

Yeah, it takes some practicing. I've actually done the opposite. I've incorporated using my thumb along with my fingers. 

[MikeGee]

Wow, didn't realize so many players started with their thumb, so have I. I practice and practice. Now I use my thumb for ballads and my fingers for eveything else that is not slap......

[bassthumpa]

LowBass ... you can use your metronome with a book like this ... it's filled with finger exercises (standard notation and tab).  start at a comfy metronome speed and as you practice, practice, practice.... increase the speed

I keep hearing great things about this book, I'll have to quit slacking and pick it up soon.

[MrEdabass]

I got to order me one of these.

[Cherri]

LowBass ... you can use your metronome with a book like this ... it's filled with finger exercises (standard notation and tab).  start at a comfy metronome speed and as you practice, practice, practice.... increase the speed

This book changed my fingers for real. I use it daily now with a metronome...  Don't wait any longer $7.95 or 9.95 whatever, it's worth every penny. This book is the Hanon for Bass!

[MikeGee]

This book changed my fingers for real. I use it daily now with a metronome...  Don't wait any longer $7.95 or 9.95 whatever, it's worth every penny. This book is the Hanon for Bass!

LOL, I need total body fitness. My hands and fingers are great.

[BassFool]

This book changed my fingers for real. I use it daily now with a metronome...  Don't wait any longer $7.95 or 9.95 whatever, it's worth every penny. This book is the Hanon for Bass!

I still consider myself a newbie but tis is te first book I bouht as a new bass guy. I a has helped me a lot. Please forgive the typos I need a new laptop. My keyboard is just garbage.  BassFool...

[malthumb]

Wow, didn't realize so many players started with their thumb, .......

Guilty as charged.  It's actually the history behind the screen name I use on bass-related sites.  Comes from a really stupid nickname a member of my first teen-age band gave me when I thought I was the 2nd coming of Louis "Thunder Thumbs" Johnson.

Lowbass,

All the advice so far is on the mark.  It's time and practice.  Work with a metronome and focus on exercizes that alternate fingers.

Peace,

James

[BassAddict]

I naturally tried to start playing with my thumb buI was told that was the wrong way like my first week , so I just started using my pointer finger and from there I started using both pointer and middle, and fo like the last year almost I have become comfortable using my thumb on the lowest notes of the song and fingers for the rest.

But just starting out I would just concentrate on the pointer finger from there, it may be rough at first but the Lord will help you get through it.