Unlock the Secret to Faster Fingerpicking & Incredible Stamina

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

Relaxing my hands and arms has always been a challenge.

[@samuelbrainsample]

Got me it’s my shoulder. I periodically have the presence of mind to scan my body and look for areas of tension and then relax them. Usually it’s the shoulder hunching up.

[@nicolasbournias3077]

Hi Mark! i took your other video on the same subject "where the streets have no name" and gave it a serious effort to build up speed. Nobody speaks about "how long it takes". When I started it was a bit like "swimming in an ocean" never know when if i will arrive at my goal. I started at 80bpm 16th notes and it took me about 50 hours net practicing (fingers on the board, pauses not included) to get up at 128bpm. I keep doing the exercise, actually, I am at 150bpm, i will stop at 200bpm if this is possible. Pure speed alone is nothing, the upside is that everything under 130bpm is now easy, stamina is available and most important the ability to accentuate the notes also comes. Just wanted to share and say thank you for the great videos and teachings.

[@pederhalvorsen2289]

Mark, you and Talking Bass are an absolute Godsend!!

[@ericbrunel8933]

Watched this video nodding in agreement to every problem Mark's mentionning, as I do have exactly this kind of issues when trying to play fast. 😄 I know I need to relax, but that's always easier said than done, especially when I'm recording myself, as the stress kicks in and makes me all tense - the classic syndrome, "as soon as I hit the 'record' button, I can no more play anything I used to be able to play without problems before" 😅

[@dentoncrimescene]

If you record, how do you limit the clicking and string slides? It's doing me head in.

[@ericbrunel8933]

@@dentoncrimescene For the clicking, it depends on what it comes from. If it's the strings hitting the frets, raising the strings a bit can help. Same if they hits the pickups, or lower the pickups. If you play with your fingers and not with a pick, attacking the strings more "across" than "down" can help too: I know I have a tendency to hit them down, i.e towards the body. This can cause a lot of clicking. But if I raise my right hand a bit and have my fingers move parallel to the body, the string will vibrate this way too, and it does limit the clicking. For the string slides, if they're unintentional, the only way I know is to work on lifting your fingers while moving up or down the strings... But all in all, if you're playing with other instruments, always check your bass line in context, i.e with all the other instruments. You may find out that what is driving you crazy when listening to the bass alone is actually almost unnoticeable with everything else.

[@Littledrummerboy101]

Tension is your enemy ! Warming up is important also. I get burning fatigue in my pluckers if try to go fast right away. Then keeping time is next to impossible. I like doing note value tree stuff as well as moving around the frets. Being able to switch note values cleanly and in time is a must have. On the drums , at least 120 bpm comfortably is needed to open up access to late beginner to early intermediate songs. While this kind of work isn’t the most fun, it’s something to do when you’re not feeling inspired.

[@deviousdieselmusic]

I have such a problem with this. I learned poorly, so I have a huge skill wall. I naturally strike very hard a-la Steve di giorgio or geddy lee, so I burn out quickly. THANK YOU!

[@mojoemurphy]

I have more issues with fretting hand keeping up, personally. Plucking hand I do ok at, but fretting hand feels like it gets left behind sometimes

[@LLoofusO]

The answer is the metronome. Need to speed up? METRONOME! Need to play more cleanly? METRONOME! Need to ensure proper timing? METRONOME! Got it down and can't master it any further? ... METRONOME!

[@glaceonus]

​@@LLoofusO This is correct. I learned hysteria with a metronome. Its my best song. Still, the metronome is annoying. Even though it works.

[@LLoofusO]

@@glaceonus You learn to love it, I'd say. You know how there are some video games that are so stressful that they're thrilling (e.g. Elden Ring, Meatboy, Super Mario Lost Worlds)? That's how the metronome can be. There will be a lot of, "Damn it!" or "I'm so close!" or "Awwww, come on! This is BULLSHIT!" But perfectionism gets addictive.

[@RMNim]

hello, i have a question. Can you please do video on explaining and breaking down in the simplest form how to create passing notes between each chord progression. I saw your 2 videos on approach notes which was very helpful and informative. So i was wondering if u can do a tutorial strictky on passing notes

[@joewoloszyn2540]

Thank you for the great tips!

[@florencedoberman8336]

Thankyou Mark, great workout tips 👍

[@girmaybass68]

Great advice as always thank you Mark!

[@henryeowens]

I’ve been working on this speed for weeks. I’m trying to play a song with all 8th notes at 210 bpm. I can’t seem to get it even faster than 180bpm. Thank you for the useful exercise. It’s exactly the help I need.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Relaxation is the key. If you tense up you’ll reach your limit very quickly.

[@matthewbraman7202]

Is it possible the original version used a pick?

[@mattwilson317]

Nice one mark, ive been playing 32 year, buf dan if your channel 😁👊

[@kurakazu19790514]

nice lesson!

[@dannywongkai6495]

Sometime the String stuck my nail, Could you show the short of Index and middle finger nail, ty

[@secallen]

Cheers Mark

[@ellejundeloria1764]

good lesson...

[@graemerobertson5160]

I have had problems with string tension, not hand tension limiting my speed for years. It boils down to the fact that I started off playing bass with a pick and figured out that I was limiting my finger picking speed becuase I was trying to replicate the pick action with my fingers. I was hoping you would say something about the trajectory of the plucking fingers and what quartile segment of the string to aim to graze through, but as expected, along with many others you don't. Only recently I started to think about the mechanics of fast plucking and by trial and error I am getting some progress. I found I could get more speed by using the forefinger and third finger instead of the little finger. That told me you have to move the fingers in different trajectories because they are different lengths. I can see you are doing that in your video. But nobody seems to point that out.

[@bernieconatser1028]

Timely advice.

[@markbass354]

nice video Mark

[@sbagwell98]

Jeff Beck Group - Going Down. This will test the best players!!!!

[@mmartak]

One thing I really like about this exercise: there isn't anything to memorize!

[@flandyc4513]

Yes! It's like learning to run long distance. Nothin much to it, just a few little techniques done diligently will get you there

[@edburdo]

Question... I seem to be able to play faster on the higher strings (pitch wise). Is this common or something I'm doing wrong?

[@zxccxz164]

pure guess. maybe because they are thinner strings?

[@edburdo]

@@zxccxz164 That's my theory too... just curious

[@lilnjdevil116]

And just like that I can play Hysteria by Muse!

[@alfiechia]

My speed is shit... Can't keep up all the way (half notes) through a song of BPM 164...

[@bestlaidplans4511]

I didn't know I was deformed until I started playing the bass.

[@diegoq8417]

What about the looking glass?

[@understanding77]

I couldn’t even do 80bpm😂

[@PorchBass]

I don't feel like 120bpm is achievable at 16ths for long. Dean town is 114bpm and it's taking years to get close for me. Your 110bpm+ isn't perfect either! Programmed music is deceptive. Honestly I'm in despair trying to play 303 type lines above 110

[@talkingbasslessons]

It just takes practice but most of all relaxation. Remember, this was only playing a pedal bass line on one note. There are many players that play a lot faster than that across all strings. Just start out slow and relaxed then increase speed and relax. Relaxation and effortless playing is the key.

[@jahmariemorales7698]

i am a blind subscriber. i have a question: do you think a blind person can play bass guitar?

[@guillaumebatail8244]

Of course it's possible !!! Give it a go and Enjoy the touch of the bass strings, the sound of depth and the feeling of groove !! 🤘

[@jahmariemorales7698]

i dont have a bass guitar for my selfi started lurning the 5 string.@@guillaumebatail8244

[@doctorhugocat]

Absolutely, totally, 100%. Once you get basic comfort with the instrument you wouldn't be looking at your hands anyway. I would start on a 4-string, but there's no reason why you can't start on a 5-string.

[@patrickdavid6525]

100% brother ! Proud of you go for it and enjoy !

[@malegria9641]

Absolutely dude!! I’m guessing you’re using text to speech to read this, but check out Amadou & Mariam. They’re a blind couple from Mali who are really famous musicians. Amadou is a world class guitarist despite learning while completely blind

[@joninawhitecoat]

Ballroom blitz?

[@RedRocksStagehand]

Play Alot. Muscle memory is the only way. How you build that memory Varies. And play multiple times a day. Don't let your hands stiffen up again keep em loose. Also. Close your eyes. And visualize it while playing. Focus too hard it's over engineering it. Think about sasquatch while u play not theory. ~Berklee Alumni~

[@pimcramer2569]

It seems my ringfinger is actually limiting my middlefinger. Anyone have the same problem? Solutions?

[@oliviermonge6377]

Too late. Fallait pas te marier.

[@davidbalan6571]

Unlock the secret to faster fingerpicking to build their momentum how to slapped funkiest bass with major pentatonic scale .

[@corasundae]

I thought the 80 bpm backing track was supposed to be doable... 🥲