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ASCAP & AI
by Brian Austin Whitney - 07/09/26 08:22 PM
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OCCIO
by Gary E. Andrews - 07/08/26 11:11 PM
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EG Kight
by Gary E. Andrews - 07/08/26 10:59 PM
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Of Virtue
by Gary E. Andrews - 07/08/26 10:42 PM
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Block
by Gary E. Andrews - 07/03/26 05:44 PM
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 280
Serious Contributor
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OP
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 280 |
My husband recently started taking bass lessons. His first teacher was great but flaky, forgetting lessons, not showing up etc. So he found teacher #2. The new guy wants him to play very HARD, so that "his fingers bleed and blister." He is playing rock, not funk, and this seems weird to him. Is it? ------------------ Marian Mastrorilli mastrose@aol.com http://www.projectmercury.net
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,814
Top 100 Poster
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Top 100 Poster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,814 |
Hi Marion-
I'm sure the guy wants to build 2 things
1. this will toughen up his callouses and strengthen his hands, which helps any stringed instrument and
2. Rock is partially "attitude" and playing hard helps that out. Just looking the part is a piece of the battle.
He should just say OK, and then play as hard as he WANTS to, if he feels the teacher is good and he's learning something, otherwise find teacher #3
Herbie
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574
JPF Mentor
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JPF Mentor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574 |
I don't understand the "playing hard" instructions. I've played for a long time, and with my calluses, I can play very hard if I choose to. Playing hard can make the strings clank and snap. You can play real hard if you play near the bridge, that reduces extraneous the noise. For a lot of tunes, I play very soft. Playing soft on the bass gives you a clean tone. For building up calluses, I'd recommend playing a lot rather than playing hard. I'd never recommend making the fingers bleed. Most of the time, when I play, I play with medium strength on the strings. All the Best, Mike ------------------ Mike Dunbar Music
You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash It's only music. -niteshift Mike Dunbar Music
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 194
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 194 |
Playing bass, or any other instrument for that matter, should not be painful. I've played professionally for years, and yes, I have calluses. But I play often and I play with a wide variety of dynamics. Playing hard is actually going to make it more difficult to play since your forearms are going to tense up and restrict movement. This could lead to poor technique, a lack of musicality, and worst of all, tendenitis. Get a new teacher.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 555
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 555 |
This guy sounds like a nut. Blisters and bleeding should be avoided at all costs. You risk infection for one thing. The most recent edition of Bass Player magazine addresses this issue. The last thing a new player needs is to learn bad technique. If your Husband plays often enough the callouses (which you do want) and hand strength will come.
I'm with Boaz. Find a new teacher.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 280
Serious Contributor
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OP
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 280 |
Hey, thanks for the responses, guys! I'd forgotten that I posted in here. I'll pass your comments on to my husband. ------------------ Marian Mastrorilli mastrose@aol.com http://www.projectmercury.net
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574
JPF Mentor
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JPF Mentor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574 |
Wow, Marian, I hope he has fingers left ![[Linked Image]](http://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/smile.gif) Mike ------------------ Mike Dunbar Music
You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash It's only music. -niteshift Mike Dunbar Music
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 280
Serious Contributor
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OP
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 280 |
Mike, Actually, since that last weird lesson, he's taken to working with bass lessons on DVD! I think in time he'll look for a new, 3rd, and hopefully NORMAL teacher. ------------------ Marian Mastrorilli mastrose@aol.com http://www.projectmercury.net
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