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Can't reach both frets 2 and 4
I'm still fairly new to the bass (if the thread title didn't tip you off), and my stubby little fingers are really holding me back. Any time I need to play a note on the 4th fret I'm completely stymied, especially if it immediately follows a note on the 2nd fret. I've spent a solid month trying to make the 2-4 transition without moving my hand, with no success.
I've got my index finger pressed down on fret 2, and my ring finger just won't bridge the gulf. I can get close if I strain, but I never succeed. I can mash my pinky down on it if I'm lucky, but this usually involves twisting my hand to such an angle that my fingers are muting the strings below.
Are there any exercises or stretches I can do to extend my reach, does it come with practice, or is my hand gonna stay this way?
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Re: Can't reach both frets 2 and 4
8/12/2010 5:30 PM
Brian Sharpe (20950) wrote:
Psuedo, welcome to AB.
I'm going to take a wild guess that you're not an adult yet and your left hand has not yet reached its full size -or- that you have unusually small hands.
One very simple stretching exercise you can do is to just spread your pinkie and thumb as far apart as you can comfortably and hold that for 20 or 30 seconds. A second is the press your hand on a flat surface and by pushing downwards bend your fingers back a bit (again - not to the point of discomfort) - over time this will improve the flexibility in your hand.
Bottom line is if you can't reach without pivoting on your thumb then.....pivot on your thumb. Adapt your technique to meet your needs and abilities.
You may also want to consider either a 3/4 size bass or a short scale bass.
Good luck!
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Re: Can't reach both frets 2 and 4
8/12/2010 5:42 PM
Pseudo Nym (4) wrote:
Hi Brian,
Nope, I'm not about to grow any bigger (except maybe
sideways), my hands are pretty average sized but my fingers
are stubby. It's hell buying gloves.
I'll give that stretch a shot and hopefully it will work. If not, I
guess I'll hock my Squier and pick up a smaller bass.
Thanks for the prompt response!
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Re: Can't reach both frets 2 and 4
8/12/2010 6:41 PM
Barney Brazitis (17673) wrote:
You can also use your pinky, and make sure that the ring finger is right behind it as support. So in other words press your pinky and your ring fingers down together as one and your pinky is the one doing the fret. Upright players use this technique (no frets of course!).
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Re: Can't reach both frets 2 and 4
8/12/2010 6:45 PM
Brad Mock (15518) wrote:
Without seeing how small your hands really are we are just guessing and trying to be helpful. I have my students start out at a place where hitting all the notes is comfortable. There are a series of finger coordination exercises that I will have them do, bass lines, scales and arpeggios until that feels comfortable. Then have them move down 1 fret for a few days and keep that progression until they are comfortable all the way to 1st position. That said there are some limitations especially if you are short and there is no shame in playing a short scale bass if that is more comfortable, plenty of players do: Bill Wyman, Tina Weymouth, Paul McCartney even Stanley Clarke as tall as he is plays a short scale bass.
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