Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Been playing bass for about 10 months. Two band practices a week and some pracice in between. What is anyone's guess for how long 'til the muscle memory makes it so I don't need to look at my fretting hand? Any suggestions on particular practice excercises?

practice practice practice practice, take a break, repeat. If you have songs written or covered, play them over and over. Think about them in your sleep. The more you play the more comfortable you get with just rocking out and not worrying about it, but it takes some time. It seems I always just get a few inches in progressing for awhile, then one day BAM! I'm playing stuff I wouldn't have thought possible just a few weeks earlier.

I've been playing for 22 years and still have to take a glance here and there. There is nothing wrong with looking....it's better than not looking and ruining the song.
It's more a question of your level of comfort, I think, than muscle memory. You'll get there....just don't worry about it too much and before you know it it will seem like second nature and you'll be looking everywhere except your fretting hand.

By the way....welcome to the board !

Excellent, because as Paul McCartney might say, I do eventually want to be able to check out the "birds" in the adoring audience.

play out live as much as possible. And yes just play play play.

I concur, 'cuz groupies don't like guys that can't give 'em a wink from the stage.

consistency wil help on the biologic side.
Try to practice in the same manner that you play. (standing for instance)
finger exercises to subdivide the motor units for your fingers will go a long way too.
IE: put your palm up in front of you, fingers outstreatched as if someone will put something in your hand, then bend each finger down(as it would be in a fist) one at a time, without moving the other fingers.
Then make a fist and extend them one at a time.
It way take a month or so before you can actually controll the fingers well. (dont cheat by holding the fingers - mind over body!)
but when you can it means you have divided the muscle motor units to more precisely control your fingers. Its cool, nerves grow = more control...

JP

I practice the parts with my eyes closed, therefore focusing more on my position on the neck and not having to look down as much to know where I am. Helps me get a better "feel" for the bass.

I second the "practice the way you play" advice. We rehearse standing up and in general are arranged the way the band would actually play a show. I practice at home standing up nearly all the time, unless I am really just kind of goofing around "playing" as opposed to a serious practice session.

One of my guitar players used to practice in complete darkness to force him to gain muscle memory.

All great input guys, thanks much

Practice my boy, practice. (spoken in a W.C. Field's like voice)

Train your ears. Don't worry so much about positioning and feeling where you are on your fretboard, let your ears tell you.

All great advise. I still find myself looking at the board at times. Mainly b/c I've gotten into the habit of looking at the frets. But practice, playing out a lot, and using your ears are all good ideas.

I've been playing for close to 38 years and I still sometimes look at it, I don't usually have to but hey I'm not in a pop band and don't have to smile at the audience and I'm married. I play upright and look at it less, the scale is so long that looking at it doesn't really do you much good and there are no frets or dots to look at anyway. I look around and use my ears more.

use the force, Luke.

Let it flow through you...