I put the fret wrap on, tightened it good, and that seemed to do the trick. Crisis averted!
Thanks everyone, learn something new every day
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Yep, that’s the test, should have mentioned that, sorry.
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Ive got one that i struggle with. We play a song in the band where im doing octave D’s for a while. Its sort of like a slap rhythm, but im not very good at slapping, so i just sort of play it normally if you know what i mean.
Thing is, how the hell do you mute the E string? Im starting on the D on the A string, 5th fret, and then the higher D on the G string, 7th fret.
Which leaves the E string unmuted. Im playing the lower D with my thumb and the higher D with my middle, but this leaves no fingers to mute the E string. Ive tried leaning my palm onto it to help but it ruins the movement of playing the notes.
So i have to basically be very accurate and not hit the E string by mistake but even then, you get the noise of the E string slightly because its vibrating due to being close to the A string being plucked.
Riddle me that?
I can record it if you need to see how im doing it
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I would use my index finger on the fretting hand. While fretting the 5th fret on the A string, make sure that the finger is also touching the E string.
You can also try get your thumb around to mute the E string, but for that I think you would need huge hands to pull that of comfortably.
Another way would be to pluck with index and middle, then your thumb is still able to mute. But I also had my problems with that when it came up in the B2B course 
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Nice one for the info.
Yes im using index to fret. I tried touching the E string with it too, and it does kind of work, but i cant get the emphasis on the D like that as im really digging in to make the note pop. I can only get it right if i have my fingertip directly on the D itself.
I have hands like plates and i could bring my thumb over but ive always told myself not to learn that method. Im not actually 100% sure why though 
Hah yeah i tried swapping my fingers over on my plucking hand but as you say, it just lands you in trouble!
I might be able to use the knuckle on my right thumb to see if i can get it to rest slightly on the E.
Basically, and as usual, its just practice again, isnt it?!
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I wish I had big hands to do that comfortably! If you’ve never seen Louis Johnson play, check out how he uses his thumb.
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Today I’m struggling with me. And my lack of patience. Instead I’m needlessly frustrated, but it’s really me. I need to chill, but that’s a struggle today
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Lack of structure.
Frustration that I can play punk songs at .75 speed but can’t get to 100%
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I was trying to play a rock song yesterday at my lesson, and kept losing the groove at speed (heckin hammer ons). My instructor gave me some advice which seems to be helping.
Play a bar, skip a bar, then play the next bar, and keep adding bars in as you’re comfortable.
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I’m picking up most of the lessons well enough. I’m up to module 7 lesson 4. There are a few lessons I haven’t completed, which are some of the workouts (Billie Jean, the jazz improv and another one). I’m not too fussed about those as I’ll go back and revisit everything. But I am feeling some frustration with how my coordination is a bit rubbish on something as ‘simple’ as ZZ Top’s Gimme All Your Lovin’. If you look at a bass tab play along video, the fretting is pretty straightforward. I can’t change frets cleanly and then keep the plucking rhythm to save my life. But it’s such a fun song to play along to, except I completely lose the rhythm when I try and ‘dance’ side to side like Dusty. Maybe I need a fuzzy guitar and a long beard.
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Just keep at it @itsratso
I’ve found a lot of aspects do tend to just fall into place quietly as you plod along with continuing learning other things.
The beard approach wouldn’t hurt though. Always worth a shot
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Personally the last few days I’ve been struggling with my daft tendancy towards self sabotage and generally not believing in myself.
Do it all the time with work, hobbies, everything… Though getting less intense now I’m nore conscious of it.
With bass I’m getting to a nice place where family are commenting on being able to hear the improvement in my playing, and I’ve started feeling like I’m bonding with the bass, but have a voice at the back of my head saying how good I’d be at the Harmonica if I’d done the course on that instead, and would have spent far less money etc blah blah blah
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Ohhhh, you are right to put ‘simple’ in quotes - deceptively simple is more like it. ZZ Top is more about endurance and timing, as you have discovered. Have you tried slowing down the video in YouTube and playing along at a slower speed? I’ve found that helpful.
I know that voice - would love to stuff a sock in it, or get it a calming goat or something. I think the trick is to find it something to fuss about that would be useful to you, like “if you’d just practice for an extra 30 minutes on that song, you’d be good enough to play live by now.” Or something equally as silly. Then you can just laugh at it.
(side note: just because harmonicas are generally less expensive than a bass doesn’t mean you’d spend less. You’d probably buy more - GAS translates to all kinds of things.)
I’m struggling with not playing at all because of other life/work projects. Logically I know it’s OK to take a break when other things take priority, it will still be there, but…I miss it. And I miss being on the forum as much. Ah well - it’ll come back around.
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Thanks @kristine and good point on the gear. I meant that the bass itself costs so much more, and I already have a harmonica to begin with (though I admittedly didn’t mention that at all).
On the plus side, having an acoustic means there isn’t really any gear for me to be tempted by in the first place.
Took a walk on my lunch hour and less sulky now I’ve had some air and got moving.
Being objective the doubting myself is I think likely just a case of too much o my plate, as I started a new job (where I am hopelessly out of my depth) at the same time I started bass, so possibly trying to absorb too much information simultaneously. Plus with an 8 month old at home, we haven’t had a solid night’s sleep since he’s been born (the longest he’s ever gone without waking up is about 2 hours) so I’m quite likely a touch sleep deprived too.
Hope you get the opportunity to play bass a little more soon if life’s a bit busy
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That’s relatively slow for a ZZ Top song however that’s still chugging along at 120bpm.
It’s taken me nearly 2 years since starting to be anywhere close to being relaxed at 120bpm.
I started at 49 and have a long fun bass filled road ahead of me. Go at your own pace and don’t compare yourself to others and their progress.
I think if it more like a month by month improvement thing rather than smaller amounts. 
I also practice between 2-4 hours a day. So if you want to get better then it’s just time with the bass in your hands. I’m pretty stupid and even I can do it.
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OK, you hit on something that is critical to every aspect of life: sleep, or lack thereof.
Having a young baby most often destroys parents’ sleep patterns, and things are suddenly much tougher to do. So cut yourself some slack. You’re going through some trying times at the moment.
Also, changing jobs is stressful as hell. Combine that with lack of sleep and, well…it ain’t easy.
Lastly, sleeping is when the brain has a chance to subconsciously sort all the things you’re learning during the day. If you’re deprived of that recuperative opportunity, your physical coordination and memory recall can be affected, too.
Taking a walk as you did certainly helps a lot, but, again, give yourself some slack and try to sleep more. That will help improve every aspect of your life. I know: it’s easier said than done, but it’s important, so give it a shot. Good luck.
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Thanks Mike
It’ll fall in to place sooner or later, and the baby will start sleeping more at some point. It’ll work out
The comment on coordination and recall is interesting - the last month or so I’ve been barely able to string a coherent sentence together outloud and been walking into objects far more than is usual
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That’s exactly what happens. The brain needs quality downtime to recuperate and run all things efficiently throughout waking hours.
The baby will start sleeping longer, absolutely. And things will equilibrate for everyone. Just keep that in mind and grab as much rest as you can. That will pay huge dividends in your every daily pursuit, including learning bass.
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Sleep - essential to learn bass. Many a time I try something new and do it horribly, go to bed, try it the next day and nail it easily.
Babies=sleep deprivation androids
Now that I’m caught up, I am struggling with my Squier 50s P
I have assorted technical hardware issues which will get sorted, because this is what Dusty played and I’m determined.
But I am not comfortable with the neck yet. New profile. Standing is fine, but as my knees are bad sitting is more the thing and I need to change how I hold it
I’m thinking restarting B2B and just commiting to it
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Good idea.
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