I keep coming back to this video whenever i pick up learning bass again. Scott has the best fretting technique I've ever seen. Many other bass players are super talented but I've noticed their technique isn't as clean.
@eralar22 күн бұрын
Now I need to relearn my right hand position... good thing I've just started 3 months ago!
@Moraena7 жыл бұрын
Ohh, that pinky finger thing was EXACTLY what I was struggling with! It was like you literally read my mind with the "I'm physiologically different" thing. Thanks a lot for some great advice! Cheers!
@mikelevshakoff46666 жыл бұрын
Man! I've been doing this (dragging my thumb behind my index finger) for decades! This few minutes of video has helped out so incredibly much! I'm now "holding a ball" as my hand goes up and down my bass. I greatly thank you!
@MarcusBingo3 жыл бұрын
If you switch to Scott's wrong left hand technique you will end up with wrist pain and damage. Adam Neely shows the correct technique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIPOhKaXpb6MqaM
@gcf717510 жыл бұрын
Scrumple, that's been what's holding me back. I've been scrumpeling all along. Thanks!
@shamarlunda80438 жыл бұрын
GCF same
@tangogrrl5 жыл бұрын
Is that a word? It is now!
@marvanpalmer55927 жыл бұрын
THANK YOU Scott! I'm a life long drummer that has picked up the bass and the "twisting" of my fretting hand is a problem! Everything w/drums the hands"contract or squeeze" ...now the spreading of the fingers is something totally new for me! Your lessons have helped me tremendously!
@LH-zv2zq5 жыл бұрын
I understand your situation. I too am a drummer 1st, bass learner 2nd. But, building up my left hand on the bass has improved my left hand action on drums. Glad to read your input.
@drumminfro2 жыл бұрын
As a drummer trying to learn bass, I'm having this issue as well
@LouisLambeau10 жыл бұрын
5:14 ... that little smile... you were thinking about something else than a ball mate, were you not?!! ;-)
@tomaskadlec95342 ай бұрын
The power and feel bass players have in their hands and fingers is really something more women should know :D :D
@Strat9110 ай бұрын
my god ! for 15 years ive been playing with my thumb directly behind my second finger and it has cause so much pain in my arm and curling the wrist and putting stress on my hand. now im so much more relaxed and playing with my thumb between the two fingers ! so much better!
@vanilla3697 Жыл бұрын
i just picked up bass for the first time and most people dont cover this at all, i was really struggling involving my pinky with my fretting so thank you so much :3
@devinebass Жыл бұрын
🧡🧡🧡
@dannirodgers27034 ай бұрын
True!!!!
@Ollapss7 ай бұрын
during my last year of bass lessons my bass teacher tried to cram this in my head for all he had and i just couldnt get it, for some reason now when i watch your video on it i got it almost instantly thank you so much in helping me with my fretting hand, you rock!!
@dominicheynderickx72210 жыл бұрын
I love your easy-going flow in your videos. I wish I could find another bassplayer/teacher like you to correct my technique and get me "motivated" again.
@t.s.racing3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Scott for the advice and your channel. I paid well for a instructor years ago who didn't care if I learned or I didn't. I too, pointed my thumb away from my fingers, parallel with the neck. I now try and keep my thumb somewhat in line with my second finger, and what a difference in my playing. Thank you Scott.
@JasonBurton-u4x10 күн бұрын
I've been a bassist for twenty five plus years (self taught) and I finally decided to learn to play properly instead of just play like I thought people played. One of the main things I decided was after so long to learn how to play without a pick as I thought it might help with some pains I've been having with speed picking as I was developing lots of problems in my right thumb because I was a real monster regarding attacking the strings rather than playing them but finger playing meant I started to develop pains in my left thumb and restricted movement in my fretting. After a lot of ploughing through technique videos I finally came upon this video and it's helped a lot but I think it'd be really good for Scott and Ian to do a new video that covers thumb pressure and some practice exercises for combatting it. I've heard other bassists talk about practicing without putting your thumb against the neck and this seems to be working for me but I'd be curious to hear Scott's approach. One thing I've considered is using a sponge between my thumb and the back of the fret board to try and release my death grip but I'm worried this might have the opposite effect where I find I'm gripping even tighter to over compensate for the sponge. Anybody have any ideas? Ps I know Ian did a short on this but having a dedicated video labelled as such would probably be really helpful especially for new players
@seaweedslitherzАй бұрын
Dude the thumb position changes everything, mobility, dexterity, flexibility, speed, the thumb stays in between the fingers!
@ahmedmoussa796 жыл бұрын
New bassist here, that was an awesome video! thanks man!
@rcmakingtracks185 жыл бұрын
Scott your a legend. Your video's are making me a better bassist. Thank you so much.
@LH-zv2zq5 жыл бұрын
As an American, I've really been taken over listening and learning from Scott the Brit! Cheers!!
@stogiechomper9 жыл бұрын
Excellent tips! This should help my fretting hand technique a lot. Thanks Scott, for your great contributions to bass education.
@woodfamily52298 жыл бұрын
Just started playing two weeks ago and I am glad that I wathced this so early in my playing!! I was doing this all wrong and didn't even know it. Thanks!
@Prentach7 ай бұрын
How is going your bass journey so far ?
@canvoodoo10 жыл бұрын
Always looks like you need a heater in that room.
@GregsBassShed5 жыл бұрын
canvoodoo ha it does look cold in there!
@lordrabies4921 күн бұрын
Look what he has on, Hes freezing.
@PhantterY10 жыл бұрын
Great video Scott. You are a great teacher. What I found interesting was that a few years ago I adopted new fretting-hand technique from a video by Adam Neely, to help with tendonitis on my wrist. The techniques I adopted were exactly what you describe as bad technique here. Having my thumb to the side is a must for me, because it releases all the small muscles on my arm, and palm. And to me having my finger perpendicular to the fretboard causes fatigue in my thumb. Using the pinky was always a no-brainer to me. I never got how some people just ignore its existence while playing. While my thumb on the other hand (pun intended) ...is just there... being stupid :D
@nerdtavern35595 жыл бұрын
Hey I know this is a mega old comment, but as someone struggling with tendonitis I don't suppose you could point me in the direction of that video you mentioned by Adam Nealy?
@vitormuzzi1925 жыл бұрын
@@nerdtavern3559 search for 'developing safe left hand technique for the bass guitar'
Same here. I'm new to bass, but have small hands and developing tendinitis. Adam's video, which contradicts the advice in this one, saved me. I wonder if the difference is at the low end? I can do Scott's technique in the middle of the Fretboard, but must do Adam's at the low notes.
@hotwasabi692 жыл бұрын
Ancient conversation but the answer I believe is the anatomy of your wrist. Which is genetic. Try holding your forearm, hand, and fingers in a line while bending your pinky freely. You either can, or your ring and pinky finger tendons are linked and they cannot bend independently of each other in that configuration. It can't be trained in, it's just biology. I happen to have both cases in either hand. With my left being mobile. And my right hand fingers being linked. This may be the case with this. I don't experience any “scrunching” of my fingers in any thumb orientation possible. Maybe because of how the thumbs tendons have developed. Some people obviously do. Probably best to just play what works and is comfortable. I point my thumb up at the head. I also have very long spindly fingers and my thumb is sorta in the way when I reach up to the E if I have it parallel to the frets.
@TheHolyCorron5 жыл бұрын
Scott you are the man!!!! Been playing for a little while and couldn’t seem to get comfortable I appreciate you showing us how to beat to nuances and not just that showing us why. It’s like teaching us 1+1 is two but also breaking down why
@HabAnagarek9 жыл бұрын
I love this. I'm still a novice, but thankfully I was taught years ago by a double bass uni student, so always thumb behind the neck, between the index and middle finger. Interestingly, at least from what I remember, double bass players didn't use their ring finger much, so I got used to using my pinky a bit, but ring finger is still very weak (even though I played piano for years when I was younger; now I realize I avoided using the bugger). I simply can't fathom putting my thumb over the top of the finger board and trying to play anything, but that's what most players do in rock/pop/funk/alternative/punk etc.! So I find trying to play, e.g. Steve Harris challenging because of his unorthodox plucking and fretting.
@EBattousai10 жыл бұрын
Great video! Helps me so much to know what to look for in my fretting hand. Play with the fingertips, thumb behind the fretboard where I'm playing, and hand dropped below the board instead of resting on the side of it. Wow. Thanks Scott!
@aaronjanusch60905 жыл бұрын
Don't worry about FD! I'm missing half of the top pads of my right middle and ring fingers. It's odd to work through our individual "oddities", but if you're determined to keep the love while pushing on, it can be achieved! You're awesome, Scott, and I love the lessons!
@dougp291710 жыл бұрын
There it is! I've been "thumbing for a ride" for months on that neck! HUGE impact on mobility. Thank You, Scott.
@cryptic-jack81084 жыл бұрын
I'm struggling when using my pinky but after watching this video, I am now able to use it with ease when playing. Thanks a lot. You earned my sub 😁🙂
@Jason-cm6uh8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all you do! Ive learned more in a week than in years. Scott you have re-inspired my guitar and bass playing. Pay attention kiddies! Big test coming up
@quimwellarcadio48806 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Mr. Scott. I regret hiring a personal instructor. Im so grateful this video you shared is very helpful. God Bless!
@wadecottingham2 жыл бұрын
I love your teaching. Thank you !!!!!!
@matthewdorais30763 жыл бұрын
Great advice, thanks for the video, I’m brand new to playing the bass, I will make sure to learn it the right way to begin with.
@edrock264 жыл бұрын
Excellent tutorial! Thank you!
@eddowens21862 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot my placement was like I was hitching a ride. Got work to do now
@4rch4ngel4 Жыл бұрын
thank you scott, i recently picked up the bass and was struggling massively with my fretting technique...turns out the main cause was my thumb placement. really appreciate the tips!!! ❤
@devinebass Жыл бұрын
Glad that that has helped you!
@fab95666 жыл бұрын
C'est juste le meilleur pédagogue pour moi sur le sujet. Et en meme temps je bosse mon anglais. Au top
@dewman02692 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing that tip on thumb position... That has been my problem since I started playing 6 months ago... I'm a bass newbie....
@chrisnichols22419 жыл бұрын
You're doing Gods work, Scott
@yeeeello Жыл бұрын
Incredibly insightful!
@stevegiller1331 Жыл бұрын
I clicked on this vid just to have a closer look at that base. Love the natural wood look. 🤟😎🎸
@lungimsam2 жыл бұрын
What are your thoughts on Carol Kaye left hand technique guidelines? Which is basically this: Thumb points to headstock and always 1 fret behind index finger. Pivot off thumb to move whole hand up/down/ fingerboard. Fingers stay together and support each other even though using one finger to fret. Never spread fingers unless fast passages above 10th fret.
@fibrewire088 жыл бұрын
I think this video is a must for almost every bass player. Noboby except this guy mentioned those two things.
@tate90965 жыл бұрын
Thank you Scott!!!
@marclajeunesse33295 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the advice
@LH-zv2zq5 жыл бұрын
I don't know why I didn't catch this lesson before, but super glad I found it. I don't want to "scrumple."
@earlofmar119 жыл бұрын
Having been trained as a classical guitar player many years before ever touching a bass, this fretting hand position has always been the normal thing for me to do. I've always wondered at the awkward positions I see many players (bass and electrical guitar alike) using, often with the thumb hopping over the "wrong" side as well...
@erradate64256 жыл бұрын
I dont know if Im missing something but this technnique you show is an absolute pain, I cannot even do a scale with the thumb in this positions it either blocks my fingers or hurt my wrist. Meanwhile having the thumb pointed toward the headstock gives me a full range of motion and doesnt hurts. Should I persevere or should I just keep my thumb pointed toward the headstock
@doesitmatter945 жыл бұрын
user 14555 keep your thumb pointed toward the headstock and keep your wrist straight. Your career will be shortened if you thrash your wrist
@jorgekuntzpyles25610 жыл бұрын
Hey Scott, great lesson! my teacher plays with the fingers over the stringsbut I cant to do that.... I try and try again.... I´ll try to follow your lesson and keep my fingers over the fingerboard like you. Thanks a lot.
@v1sq10 жыл бұрын
5:14 A grapefruit? Yeah right...
@caseykittel7 жыл бұрын
Cool. I noticed your right hand holds a vertical line as well. Most importantly when you are moving your fretting hand all over the neck, your picking hand is only moving vertically - not following your fretting hand. Seems to make the sound more consistent. Also, makes it easier to play fast! This was a problem I had for a long time.
@bauke-LV4263 жыл бұрын
Awesome, that's exactly the kind of tip I would expect from you! I've been watching you for years, because I've been "playing" for years (I'd call it "messing about for years" because I'm still sh*t). I'll start bullying my brain into doing the imaginary-knuckles-line thing. Thank you 👍
@shaylenm46918 жыл бұрын
That's a big question answered, thanks.
@markgiallo31296 жыл бұрын
thanx scott those were some really helpful tips cuz i dont have the longest fingers so that was inciteful
@JDJBrooks10 жыл бұрын
Hey Scott, great tips that I wish someone had taught me ten years ago :). What I found is once I started practising fixing my flying fingers, (which I learned from your video), and the general rule you always give of not stretching to a note but moving your hand to it that the two issues you talked about in this generally went away as I fixed these other problems! Cheers, and thanks because since I've started following your videos a few months ago I've seen my bass playing improve more in that time than it had in any given year previous.
@EclecticHillbilly10 жыл бұрын
I looked up "scrumple" and according to several on-line dictionaries, it is a word, mainly British in usage. :-)
@MegaSweetpea7210 жыл бұрын
Hey Scott. I have just started with the bass and you are definitely the best bass teacher on earth. You explain everything so well and in so much detail. I have a tutor but you certainly help a lot between lessons. Thank you so so much !
@BartBe Жыл бұрын
This was most helpfull. thank you.
@mainetimmermans80335 жыл бұрын
Hi Scott, thanks for your lessons! As a physio i have to disagree with your comments about thumb position, The thumbposition you suggest is not possible for most players and has no positive effect on fingers movements what so ever. Most important is a relaxed position of the thumb.
@taukhouse443 ай бұрын
Scrumple is definitely a word I've used it many times lol 😊
@nitram_nosnibor28 күн бұрын
It does help having very long fingers like you have ;) Mine are stubby and short :(
@barondavis5692 Жыл бұрын
You’d think we all know this, but we don’t. Thanks
@markmanbeck52105 жыл бұрын
i love that scott started playing and was like "yeah?" as if we would say no to his fantastic little lines
@bec9477 жыл бұрын
this is AWESOME. I never eveb realised how much of a scrumpler I was.
@ziharkeus781410 ай бұрын
Adam Neely had (still has probably) a different opinion regarding the left thumb position. And honestly the much better one since it takes out all the tension that you get with the "pincher" technique of putting your thumb behind your index or middle finger. His video about it is super old but still holds up. I think it's called "Developing safe left hand technique".
@awlthatwoodcrafts891110 жыл бұрын
What about when playing an acoustic bass? The neck is at least 4 inches further away so it's more of a stretch to get my knuckles turned parallel to the neck. Is there variations to the techniques you teach that should/could be applied to playing an acoustic bass?
@UroboricNate2 жыл бұрын
Interesting, im just coming from an old Adam Neely video where he recommends having the thumb pointing towards the headstock, nothing static though, he mentions that depending on what and where youre playing on the beck that it makes sense to have shifts in positioning. Makes it a bit confusing when trying to help my daughter with bass technique.
@KyleS.1987 Жыл бұрын
I have the same issue. For me, I need to let my thumb drift further away from my fingers as I go higher up the neck (pointing toward the headstock), or else I have to bend my wrist at an extremely uncomfortable angle to reach notes on the E and A strings with my very short pinky. I have immense respect for both Adam and Scott, but I have to go with Adam on this one. His technique works for me, and Scott's just does not.
@JamieClark10 жыл бұрын
5:10 wasn't fruit you were thinking about, Scott's Bass Lessons I'm sure DMAC will back that up, he was there!
@PaladinHD10 ай бұрын
Thanks for this video, I had no idea what I was doing with my left hand lol
@İvan-i3v4v Жыл бұрын
Dude this Video is very helpfull thank you 🤘
@devinebass Жыл бұрын
🧡🧡🧡
@marq1w17 жыл бұрын
great video helped me a lot thank you
@BartFunkBass5 жыл бұрын
Very helpful!
@Gamborg010110 жыл бұрын
My weakest finger is actually my ring finger! But the way i got my technique sorted out, was by learn Jaco Pastorius - Come on Come over.. That is a great song, to get your technique down! :)
@K100music10 жыл бұрын
Hey Scott great video again! I was wondering could you maybe go over 2 octave minor scales and how to apply them and how to do them in different keys? I enjoyed your 2 octave major scales!
@Big_Old_Bondy5 жыл бұрын
Hi Scott, Thanks for the advice. This has been my problem forever! One question, are you applying any pressure on the fretboard between your thumb and fingers?
@trevcornwall816010 жыл бұрын
Nice one Scott duly noted! :-)
@alexfithero5 жыл бұрын
Helpful video
@dmccombe75 жыл бұрын
I use my little finger but just picked up on the thumb position that i think is maybe why i'm suffering with little finger cramp on long sessions. 6hr rehearsal tomorrow and gonna try the thumb positioning change to see if that helps. Cheers Scott.
@ItsABOUTflamTIME Жыл бұрын
There's no denying that you're a skilled bass player, but what you teach as "good technique" is what many others teach as "bad", and what you teach as "bad technique" is what many others teach as "good". From a physiological perspective, I think it's clear that your technique is the one that's tougher on the wrist- and this may be fine for you, but it worries me that others may be adopting this technique and facing tendonitis/RSIs as a result.
@fexnah10 жыл бұрын
I always get worried when you take off your glove, like something bad is about to happen!
@kainetyrie53558 жыл бұрын
thanks man instantly easier to play anything :)
@MichaelJohnson-eg4bj Жыл бұрын
Thank You ,struggling with the song ...i cant help myself ,reason being is my left hand technique Thank you
@michalsalanci13132 жыл бұрын
I just started with base, but I can't play put the pinky to E string, without unwillingly touching the other strings
@devinebass2 жыл бұрын
Hey Michal - Check out this video, it should help! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYPThayra7pggMk
@Gothgalactica Жыл бұрын
I just want to know if you still use "scrumple" 😂 As someone who is always making up my own words, I loved it and will totally use it. Thank you for you awesome tutorials.
@bradstricker4134 Жыл бұрын
when your hand moves up and down the fretboard. Does your thumb pivot up a move and then move it or more like your thumb and index finger move a long together?
@rawstarmusic10 жыл бұрын
I move my hand more than you do. Then I play a pattern deliberately in different positions to encourage me to fly around the fretboard. I also keep my right hand free without any anchor, that feels natural to me.
@MM-un8ew8 жыл бұрын
great feeling in my hand with your advise, but i get a weird pain in my left scapula... do you know this problem, Scott?
@fezstavrou77424 жыл бұрын
scot do you have the FDS tendon in pinky? many great bassists do not have in pinky. i wanna know if more do not have it!
@dmbakker110 жыл бұрын
Scott, I had a stroke, on right side..hard to feel the strings when plucking..Any ideas???
@johnbeer28542 жыл бұрын
You seem to hold your thumb on the string lower than the one you're fretting ? is that also the thing to do rather than keeping on the top of the pickup ?
@jupitor9198 ай бұрын
Do you get a four fret stretch from this hand it looks like even though using the whole hand, you’re only spanning three frets.?
@tylerbell516210 жыл бұрын
Hey, Scott... I totally get everything you are saying... And I hate to be that guy who says "but I'm different!" but about the only way I can bring my thumb in to be opposite my index and middle fingers is if I put my wrist at a 90 degree angle, which means my fingers don't move AT all. Or I can curl(scrumple?) my thumb under so that the back of my thumbnail and knuckle are what rests on the neck. That's not comfortable either. and by "not comfortable" I mean " The only thing that is comfortable has my thumb over the top of the neck when playing on E. Even G my thumb is only about 1/4 of the way around the neck So when you say that your thumb should be opposite, can you go into more detail? Perhaps(again, I'm being "that guy") my thumb is less opposable? hah.
@barrywiseman559 Жыл бұрын
my pinky finger was broken years ago, just popped the second joint back in and taped it. now when i try to use my pinky it locks up, i still use it, but any tips for a jacked up pinky finger. thanks man
@pinkskies219 жыл бұрын
im confused. in other videos you say to avoid extreme wrist angles and to keep your wrist relaxed as possible, but look at some of the angles ( like at 4:16 ) you got going on here. this technique really hurts my wrist and feels very unnatural.
@forkheader6 жыл бұрын
I cant even physically put my hand in that position
@AzuriteCoast6 жыл бұрын
Right there with you. This video also stands counter to Adam Neely's left hand technique video. The thumb shouldn't be in the middle of all of the fingers, that will cause strain over time for many.
@jwal19926 жыл бұрын
"I'm sure there are teachers watching this right now" (00) I feel personally attacked lol
@ariefwinarto56133 жыл бұрын
Hi Scott. I am bassist of a pretty well know band in Indonesia called ten2five. 7 years ago I was diagnosed with General dystonia. It affected my left fingers. Now I lost my pinkie abilities to bend due to uncontrollable spasm. I wonder if how the glove help your condition . Help me with any information about this, since I have stopped playing on stage since 6 years ago. Thanks in advance
@HansyPants1843 жыл бұрын
Hands are pretty weak right now (Guitar player 🤣) would you recommend a lighter set of strings for developing technique and strength then going back up to my good ol' 45s after the technical aspects have been addressed? OR do I just suck it up in shorter periods until the endurance is there to get back to playing enjoyably?
@mqaisataloss.5951 Жыл бұрын
What if your struggeling with the ringfinger ? I Mostly use my pinky middle en index finger. My ring finger doesn't rly wana coöperate with the pinky or the middle finger. I can move it well on it's own but when I grab a note with it it's never clean.
@IanJKnapp10 жыл бұрын
Hey, thanks for the video! What do you find to be the best technique for playing notes on the same fret. i.e. if i were to be playing a C on the third fret and then moving to the G right above it, (or below it if we're being musically technical.) I find the my fingers get jumbled together and it can be an awkward move from note to note that way.
@kfing14 жыл бұрын
Holy shit - that thumb thing - works a charm
@tomgingell83477 жыл бұрын
Revisiting this video as I'm noticing with my fretting hand I'm not always using my tips to fret as I find it a stretch sometimes to do it particularly trying to do one finger per feet. I've noticed my knuckles are never in line with each other pointing down like you show here. I'm at a bit of a end here I do have quite small hands but i just don't really know where I'm going wrong.
@tabealsoundlab92669 жыл бұрын
cool stuff
@Vsko47810 жыл бұрын
Moogerfooger just chillin' in the back
@jillshort92415 жыл бұрын
People normally have a pinkie that goes up to the second knuckle of their ring finger. Mine is only a little more than halfway to that distance, so I am "missing" at least a quarter of an inch on my pinkie. I've only just started, but I'm finding it difficult to do some of the exercises that require stretching that finger, and I've only got an Ibanez Mikro, about the shortest short scale there is. Am hoping I can figure it out or compensate somehow, but don't know yet. Of course, being female, my hands and fingers are smaller than those of you guys, anyway. Sigh. Just another hurdle for an old lady to try and overcome...