So I, as I’m sure is the same for many others, continue to be plagued by the flying fingers of my fretting hand …
I also spend the majority of my day working in IT and I noticed earlier this week, that my fingers were flying whilst typing on the computer keyboard. So I thought “why not work on stopping/minimising the flight of my fingers whilst typing?” … now I may be guilty of bias, but after a few days it feels like it’s actually helping a little bit!
So if you spend a lot of time driving a computer keyboard, and are also struggling with flying fingers, I thoroughly recommend working on it as you type and see if helps your bass playing
I wish I had started playing bass the same time that I began to learn home row and typing, which was first grade (I’m over 40 now). I’m a pretty good typist and don’t have flying fingers there, but not so much on the fretboard. It is a lot better than when I began, however! But that’s great that it’s helping you on your journey!
I don’t have trouble with flying fingers but I’ve always had trouble with independent use of my left ring finger while typing. Working more on using that finger for bass has helped with my typing
This is a great tip! All the advantages of economy of motion that apply to fretting a bass would also apply to typing. And yet it never occurred to me.
I’ve found it helps a lot to just play more slowly and be mindful of my getting fingers. So I’ll play a scale or chromatic exercise with 8th notes at 60 BPM and really focus on what my fingers are doing. Arpeggios are a great thing to practice with too.
Wait until you try to play something fast and/or technical, or try to play for a few hours straight. That’s when the flying fingers will really get you. Not to mention the very real possibility of injury.
Economy of motion is very important. I’ve been reflecting lately over my fretting hand speed and realized part of my problem was my plucking speed; I wasn’t fast enough which made me very tense and my fingers started to fly when difficult spots came up.
So now I’m working on my plucking hand. There I also have problems with flying fingers when it goes too fast. But I’ve gotten better at reducing my movements. Breathing has become very important for me, so remembering to exhale when the fast part comes, it really helps a lot. And also look at your fingers! I sometimes move my bass so I can really see my plucking technique.
I usually play 2-3 hrs every evening, or at least 5 days a week. I don’t use my pinky as much as I should, but I noticed the more I play (each day) the more the flying fingers settle down on their own. I think it’s something that comes naturally practice. Certainly wouldn’t hurt to force it and mindfully control them, but once everything else in regards to a certain song/riff becomes familiar and comfortable, the flying fingers seem to take care of themselves.
Yeah, I try to fit in about an hour of practice each day and have definitely noticed my fretting improving as a result.
It’s probably the case that the flying fingers will continue to improve as I practice, but I’m wondering if concentrating on my typing might speed the process along
