Awesome Finger Strength Exercise and Warmup for Bass

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Check out this hand strength exercise for the left hand (fretting hand). Every two finger permutation is dealt with in isolation in order to gain a more balanced approach.

[@decent_sand_6453]

I can't believe how little subscribers he has compared to how high quality his videos! He deserves more.

[@sammy-raycherry1543]

Tell me about it.

[@donbyrd1855]

The most down to earth bass instructor in the game. I love his patience and consideration.

[@1776Filmz]

Tried this today and my hand and arm were on fire! But I know that increases strength. Amazing lesson Mark. Thanks a mil for this one mate. Been subd for a month now. Love the vids

[@marcinszymanek3894]

"Equally mindless" :D nice one, Mark.

[@harrybhappy]

One of the most useful exercises I’ve ever seen here on KZbin

[@Littledrummerboy101]

As a beginner, these “warm ups “ can feel like a full exercise at times. Warming up to need a break… but you will get more comfortable in a short amount of time and it will actually be a warm up.

[@kfing1]

My hand when doing 3rd and 4th fingers: WTF? Me: Lol - good exercise to do, thanks

[@skybluemarshall]

The cool part about these exercises is, they immediately identify your biggest weaknesses and how you rely too much on the easier fingerings. For me, the 3-4 fingerings are the hardest. I know that I don't play the minor scale enough or this would be an easier exercise. I suggest flip flopping the exercises and doing the hardest ones first. I imagine that, many of the more casual players are like me. I practice in bursts, often picking up my bass for 10, 15 or 20 minutes at a time and I do it several times per day, rather than practicing properly for one or two hours at a time. I've developed a bad habit of starting with the same exercises all time. Eventually, I will log a lot more sessions of the first few exercises, such as playing major scales, because I will put down my bass, before ever reaching the exercises at the tail end of my routine.

[@kellnola]

A good practice is to play the relative (natural) minor along with the major scale, just alternate

[@dhatbmxgoon]

@skybluemarshall this is exactly how i did this excercise and it totatlly transformed my playing. To this day this is my favourite excercise ive done because of how effective it is. The results are crazy

[@sammy-raycherry1543]

Love for the Talking Bass! The fact that this legend dishes out this gold for free is incredible. Thanks for the help man!

[@jamieandjasminecretz8755]

I just started learning bass myself and so far I have F,G,C,D down fair, and i just need to trust my fingers to know the fret board like i do for typing... I am loving my new bass, I can't until I can actually start playing in church... Thank you Talking Bass for being here

[@davidcadogandc]

Thanks so much. My bass was gathering dust until I found your lessons. Now I love it! I'm a drummer and now I practice bass more than drums.....I've swayed to the dark and bassy side! ;) Totally subbed and notified to the hilt...

[@chesusjrist9733]

"Which fingers are weaker than the others". C'mon, we all know you're talking about the pinky.

[@pencilbender]

i have more trouble with my ringfinger these days, i can't punch on a note with it when i'm already with my middlefinger on a fret

[@dhatbmxgoon]

@pencilbender ME TOO i hate how my ring finger acts so dumb

[@godwingodlove6430]

Lol...

[@TyroneCLove]

The content quality on this channel is amazing. Thanks Mark.

[@smartkidscorner2084]

You are the best teacher! Other channels try to make sure we see how skilled they are. You are straight forward and make us feel like these things are achievable. You have helped me so much! Thank you!!!!

[@rdotkey]

Exactly what I need at this stage in my development. THANK YOU, Mark! A great way to get stronger in a meaningful way.

[@mcegypt20]

Honestly I had gotten my bass and was so overwhelmed on where to start that I hadn’t been playing. This has made me try every day!

[@mkoi228]

Excelent dude. Ty from a bass player in Argentina.

[@KevinCooperttt]

Great warm up lesson, thanks, so much!!

[@cynthiaarmstrong7972]

Really helpful for beginners. Improving the quality of your notes is fundamental & very motivating when learning theory. Thanks!!!

[@eddiegalvan6284]

Picking up the bass after a few years without playing. This is just the excerise I was looking for to get my hand strength back. Nice

[@lacabus1333]

I think this is the kind of warmup I've been looking for all this time. Thanks ;)

[@aladdinsane93]

i haven't even finished this yet but i just needed to say oh my god thank you! I have stupidly taken a very long (3-4 years) hiatus from bass playing and was just trying to jump into learning a song. silly, as my muscle memory is all gone. this is really helping. thanks again

[@jonahdavid1019]

Excellent.Simple exercise that adds so much of value.

[@stuarmstrong9939]

Really cool, thanks Mark!

[@dornelli1]

amazing lesson, simple explanation with acurate finger movement.

[@charlesdamian4485]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I can only pray you find this but this is the very first exercise i find even mildly enjoyable as a sproutling bassist. Once again thank you so much.

[@scantojack09]

another great lesson many thanks from LA

[@jacksonberry4438]

These bass-ic lessons are really helpful

[@pencilbender]

you're a real pun amBASSador aren't ye

[@jperez7313]

Excellent Teacher. Thank You

[@wolfstyle68]

This is useful.Thank you.

[@MrTennisgolf]

One of the best lessons ever seen. I have a short pinky finger and really have to stretch.

[@miladbaygan10]

Thank you you are the best teacher.

[@morganbrennan9090]

most of these guys talk bs about independent fingers of the left hand this guy actually shows how to achieve that wow!!!!!!! just subscribed watched so much shite cant believe i finally got what i needed you sir are a star bless up

[@davidsmythe2223]

I’m starting out and this is most helpful

[@rachael8142]

This is really helpful, thanks!

[@CGHandME]

This is one of the better teachers out there because he doesn't bombard the learner with personality like that pretty boy Josh guy does. Just gets to the daggum point and I like that.

[@Littledrummerboy101]

I agree. I bounce back and forth between them. Sometimes not in the mood for extra noise and just want to get to the point. Sometimes I find the relentless , more dry, approach exhausting. Both of them have great content and I am thankful for the content of both. What ever keeps you moving forward.

[@Marco-ls6ou]

Thanks Professor! Very good exercise!

[@angiekpro]

great exercise! Thanks!

[@ashwinutamchandani955]

hahaha the stutter on the middle finger was brilliant man. love your content dude, the lessons on your websites are ace.

[@RedbackBreeder]

Thank u for this one! Helped a lot more than just doing plain old chromatics!

[@jaime65portillo1]

thanks for posting, it really help me with my fingering skills

[@rocksonlaishbassjourney7417]

Thanks for this lesson

[@connorlee8983]

Thanks!!

[@andrewpantry1332]

love this exercise. and your cardiacs shirt!

[@NuncNuncNuncNunc]

For variations go from 12th to 7th fret and start with 4/3 then 4/2, 4/1, etc and also do string crossing patterns. It's like a left-hand wake up call.

[@Peleloify]

I'm really struggling with starting on the 2nd finger for strumming and alternating back to 1st. It's like trying to rub your head and pat your stomach at the same time....

[@waikhombidyalaxmi699]

Good lesson

[@user-mo9mt6yu8y]

Thanks

[@waynefouche6129]

Seems like I have a lot of work to do......Thanks for sharing Mark

[@jazzaiyana]

Yikes, my fingers are shaking! My hands are pretty small so I feel like making up the difference with strength is pretty important and I have a feeling this is going to help a lot.

[@joseMendez-up3pu]

I play the bass and im 14 this video really helped me

[@benjamindudas9386]

It's not mindless training, It's jazzy! :)

[@therandomsocietyrecordings4025]

Like that tune -TRS-Records

[@gtthompson5818]

Cool shirt 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ScoutXdude]

Nice shirt!

[@koga9592]

trying to play the bass line for billy jean and my hand was killing me i couldnt play through the entire song is there anything besides finger techniques that could help

[@jan9th1977]

This guy is good

[@tinhtoowai1386]

Thanks for the lesson , BTW as for me my right hand used to start with index finger but here you mentioned middle finger for the start, may I know is there any reasons or recommendations ?

[@tarkus3106]

at first step, it may seem useless and easy but it works so well, my left hand is burning :D. Seriously try the exercise, you will see how it works

[@jasonstone3231]

"my exercise is equally mindless" lol awesome 🍻 🍻

[@dornelli1]

his basses are the most beautiful Ive ever seen

[@princejeff3210]

You should contact Cameron Cooper from KZbin. He is putting together a group and your great bass playing would compliment his amazing guitar skills! He is also an English lad like yourself!!

[@sshjaguar]

Or just play 'Politician' swagger by the late great Jack Bruce! I joke but this exercise sounds like it which is in D. Nice bit mate, thanks for your tutorials! ~b

[@santino4561]

this is great thanks - ive just started playing and my 3rd and 4th fingers are pathetic. I keep hearing the metallic vibrating on the strings because i cant press down properly with those ones

[@umni]

feel u bud

[@giuly8jojo]

sameee

[@ekx5120]

We're all there. I've been doing this exercice at 70/80 bpm for about a week, I hear the metallic vibration less and less, and it doesn't hurt so much. My 3rd and 4th fingers are gaining a little strength and independance. Keep practicing!

[@kevinsavela7102]

Wish I had a longer pinky lol

[@fernandosepulveda8748]

thanks for showing me how to finger!

[@grahammckay-smith4187]

Cardiac fan. Woohoo.

[@oldguydiscgolf9631]

@2:27 Mark flipped me off! ;)

[@vincentvince196729]

Hi Mark, I can't help beginning plucking with index and not middle finger ... is that a problem ? I feel like I kinda miss the exercise .. ?

[@rominaeguiluz5888]

how do u separate the pinky from the ring finger? i find that doing the pinky exercise my ring finger automatically connects with my pinky for support

[@Thunderfork]

Is there any reason you don't go straight to the 1st and 2nd frets to practice? Though in the beginning it would be harder, I figure that, after some time, it would help more than practicing in the 5th and 6th etc. frets.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Probably just because it's a nice comfortable area. No need for stretching or awkward arm positions. However, it's absolutely fine to try from 1st fret to 5th fret for a change of scene or a bit more of a challenge.

[@onwa.beauty]

I feel like I'm having a hard time with the two finger plucking. I'm frustrated but I'm gonna keep at it. Thank you for your videos

[@countesscrows]

I practice two finger plucking watching something on yt and not using my left, i feel it helps me relax my fingers and arm in general. when it feels more "natural" i start playing some notes and go from there. It's helped a lot so far

[@onwa.beauty]

@@countesscrows thank you I've been doing that lately and it has helped ❤️I will keep it up

[@ktrock77]

Feel the burn!

[@coachwillridley1374]

Ken Trock yes it is !!!

[@aquamarine99911]

I don't understand why on the RH you have to lead with the second (middle finger). Is there some benefit to that? It's very uncomfortable.

[@SeanVplayer]

I have the same question, I alternate but other way round. Been doing it that way for years and now trying to learn it Marks way because I Trust him implicitly, but still wonder if it makes a difference. It's Really hard trying to break a habit years in the making.

[@RockHeiland]

It is either his preference or to practice leading with the second finger

[@russellpalmer2112]

It’s supposed to feel more natural as you move up string, because your middle finger is longer. And you lead with your index finger on the way down for the same reason

[@misterarmadillo222]

so I really struggled with this after my 3rd week of owning a bass. Anything with little finger (pinky in American) and it goes badly as with others. My question is do we slow right down to the point where we try and get the best sound - or do we try and struggle to maintain speed at loss in quality ? From learning point of view I mean? I'm finding I literally cant reach with little finger so have to slide the hand up and down to get to it which slows down massively. I know its doing good . thanks fot the great video.

[@cont1993]

how is going now? x)

[@kellnola]

Just stick with it. There sort of exercises are boring but do build finger strength and dexterity. If you have real problems with your hand size, you can try Simandl technique instead of 1FPF - uses three fingers only (1,2,4 or 1,2,3 above 12th fret), and a lot of shifting. Pinky is supported by the third or second finger where it matters. You might also consider short scale (30") instead of 34". Keep in mind these exercises build finger strength better than any gadget I've tried if you're thinking about that. As far as speed, just be patient. Practice with proper technique (no buzzing, slurring etc.) always, as fast as you can. As your fingers become more comfortable you will be able to play faster and faster.

[@lewisbaxter5552]

👍

[@alistairpeck9667]

Wicked t-shirt Mark! What's that all about?

[@talkingbasslessons]

Well Alistair, funny you should mention that. Cardiacs are/were an awesome band from the UK that don't get half of the recognition they should. Prog meets Punk meets Circus meets Zappa (I put Zappa in his own category!). Tim Smith the lead singer/guitarist/songwriter is pretty much a genius but unfortunately suffered a stroke and heart attack in 2010 and has been off the music radar ever since. If you like your music a bit different then check them out. There's a massive cult following and you can find lots of album tracks and live footage kicking about on KZbin. They were a big influence on loads of popular bands (Blur being one particularly famous one) and Mike Patton is a big fan. I'm a huge fan and could rant on all day about them. With Cardiacs, you tend to either love or hate them but all the fans tend to be hardcore obsessives.

[@sethbell6254]

Jim smiths a good tight bass player!

[@wolfgang548]

@@talkingbasslessons What make and model bass did you use for this video? It's really nice.

[@marekpietruszka9347]

I didn`t know that Eminen play bass.

[@SoundtheTrumpet2023]

Doable!!!!!!

[@amber0planet]

Ace shirt

[@hyperbiscuit2284]

Man, I just need a smaller bass.

[@decent_sand_6453]

Not gonna lie, he looks just like my music teacher. I mean identical.

[@talkingbasslessons]

I've been experimenting with a cloning serum I found on Ebay. Did it a few times but seemed a waste of time so just flushed it down the toilet. Looks like it worked. Ask him if he remembers anything before waking up in the sewer. Maybe there are more. I'd better investigate.

[@mashbrown8622]

He called it mindless, lol.

[@johnbedinghaus2390]

OK?

[@signalsoldier]

You sir are a gentlemen and a scholar! ┌─┐ ┴─┴ ಠ_ರೃ Cheers

[@ekx5120]

No dark mode, then.:/

[@kendallmckinzie3351]

He works to fast

[@FloraGaohehe]

Too fast😂😂😂😂😂