Mark needs to transfer all of his old videos into a blue background before he dies. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH BETTER THIS IS FOR MY EYES. I can actually focus on mark’s hands with this. Who’s with me?
As a professional saxophone player, former band director who is now studying electric bass (1969 P-Bass) I find you are one of the very best and thorough instructors I’ve come across. Thank you for your patience and clear understanding of how to communicate. Nick P.
Nice exercise, thank you.. My wife just asked what video i was looking at, when i said it was about the “ Best finger exercise she started to a bit suspicious…. 😂🤣
I killed flying fingers in like 10 minutes . I took my time and played "thriller" slowly making sure every time I used my pinky, rhe other 3 fingers were also on the string . It was hard at first but after a few minutes, it became easy and now I have no flying finger issues at all. Pretty cool.
Great exercise. You can use to improve musicianship by naming the notes while playing them. I do it in my head when I do a similar exercise for warm up.
Thank you Mark for a nice exercise to obsess on. No flappy hand for me. I also wanted to thank you for your video of the Bach G Major Prelude. Inspired me to learn the piece. I got it just about ready, I'll be posting it when it's there!
Glad I found this exercise in your previous video when I was first starting on bass. Super helpful to build the small hand muscles needed. I like doing this exercise going from 1st fret to the 9th fret, to work on my hand stretches along with strength.
Nice one I started to do a very similar one a few weeks ago, I do it as a warmup when I’m practicing or playing outside and overall everything just feel much better.
hello Marc, i am very happy with your website and your videos. i would like to thank you for the hard work you do again and again to surprise your fans with educational exercises that are still fun. really great. thanks. PS and on your website i can not leave compliments because on the website i can not leave anything.
I did not know that you are located on the Isle Of Wight. I have a good friend who lived there, Mr. Charles Bawden. He was a Headmaster of a school there.
Thanks Mark, still the best bass exercises on youtube in my opinion. Really appreciate it. Are there good exercises for improving timing apart from practising with a metronome? Recording myself helped me realise that I was not perfectly in time (I could visually see the time difference between the beat and me in an audio interface). The chorus of "If you have to ask" by the Chili Peppers is strangely hard to play with perfect timing.
This is like bel canto vocal exercies... for bass! Nice, easy to remember progression, and then repeat w/ hammer-ons?! Brilliant, part of my warm-up routine now. Using this for cello practice, too. Works just as well. :D Thank you!
Hello Mark, thanks for the great content. I should also mention that the blue background looks much better. I have a question regarding the curled fingers: this technique does not allow any fretting hand muting. So, how do we mute the higher strings? Or is fretting hand muting not the scope of this exercise?
@@DON112751 Use the underside of the fingers in the left hand for strings higher than the one you play (D and G string) and also use the thumb of the right hand for strings below.
As someone with small hands and a short pinky. My pinky won't reach the E string when performing exercises that use all 4 fingers. I have to substitute my ring finger as the "fourth" finger or the "4". The only way I can reach the E string would be to bring my thumb over the fretboard...and I know that it's not okay to do so. Is it OK to use the ring finger (3) to substitute as my number "4"? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you! :)
@@rodoherty1 I do 5 string videos from time to time but the bulk of bass players use 4 string. I like to only use 5 for 5 string specific vids otherwise beginners can get a little confused. But I will have more 5 string videos coming up.
Can I also suggest something? So instead of just using fingers 1&2 in the plucking hand all the time.... How about using 2&3 / 3&4 then 1&3 / 1&4 then 2&4???? So something like this: *** EXERCISE ONE *** FRETTING HAND = Fingers 1 & 2 (for frets 5 & 6) Along with: i. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 2 (up to fret 9 then back) >>> Repeat Exercise One but this time with >>> ii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 3 (up to fret 9 then back) iii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 3 & 4 etc... iv. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 3 etc... v. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 4 etc... vi. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 4 etc... *** EXERCISE TWO *** FRETTING HAND = Fingers 1 & 3 (for frets 5 & 7) Along with: i. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 2 (up to fret 9 then back) >>> Repeat Exercise Two but this time with >>> ii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 3 (up to fret 9 then back) iii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 3 & 4 etc... iv. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 3 etc... v. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 4 etc... vi. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 4 etc... I've been practising this and it's quite interesting!! Obviously not to everyone's taste but for those who pluck with 3 or more fingers it might be quite helpful😁 What say you??? 😊
This is one of those great "simple" exercises that are super helpful if applied regularly. You can also do this same exercise in the reverse order as a descending pattern. 1. Pinky to ring finger (4-3) 2. Pinky to middle finger (4-2) 3. Pinky to index finger (4-1) 4. Ring finger to middle finger (3-2) 5. Ring finger to index finger (3-1) 6. Middle finger to index finger (2-1) Then, in place of hammer ons, you can use pull offs. Combining this with Mark's original exercise gives you every combination and permutation of a 2 finger control exercise.
Mark needs to transfer all of his old videos into a blue background before he dies. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH BETTER THIS IS FOR MY EYES. I can actually focus on mark’s hands with this. Who’s with me?
You didn't have to kill him there 😂
@@Futurelove.S_official oh that was there for dramatic effect so that mark would consider it a bit more
There’s ways to change background color of videos in software. I’m sure it’s doable to convert them albeit time consuming.
@@NateTheGnat I would imagine so.
Agreed!
As a professional saxophone player, former band director who is now studying electric bass (1969 P-Bass) I find you are one of the very best and thorough instructors I’ve come across. Thank you for your patience and clear understanding of how to communicate. Nick P.
Thanks very much
Agreed!
Nice exercise, thank you..
My wife just asked what video i was looking at, when i said it was about the “ Best finger exercise she started to a bit suspicious…. 😂🤣
I killed flying fingers in like 10 minutes . I took my time and played "thriller" slowly making sure every time I used my pinky, rhe other 3 fingers were also on the string . It was hard at first but after a few minutes, it became easy and now I have no flying finger issues at all. Pretty cool.
Cool. 3 months doing exercises. Getting somewhat better but I will throw this into my repertoire. Having a claw for 63 years not easy to change.
Thank you for your Generosity and your willing to make us progress. Take good care
I look forward to adding this to my practice routine. Thanks Mark!
Great exercise. You can use to improve musicianship by naming the notes while playing them. I do it in my head when I do a similar exercise for warm up.
Oh yeah. This is a super addition.
Thank you Mark for a nice exercise to obsess on. No flappy hand for me.
I also wanted to thank you for your video of the Bach G Major Prelude. Inspired me to learn the piece. I got it just about ready, I'll be posting it when it's there!
Great technical exercise! Thanks for the work out!!!
Thank you. This beginner appreciates you! 🎉 I NEED THIS!
-Maria
You’re the best! Glad to hear your voice is feeling better.
Glad I found this exercise in your previous video when I was first starting on bass. Super helpful to build the small hand muscles needed. I like doing this exercise going from 1st fret to the 9th fret, to work on my hand stretches along with strength.
I never saw the original version of this video so I'm glad to see it now 😁
Thanx a lot Mark.
You're the best teacher over there.
👍👍👍
Mark… thanks for all you do! 🙏 Cheers.
Glad you're feeling better Mark! I hope the move went smoothly as well!
Awesome! Thank you Mark!
Nice one I started to do a very similar one a few weeks ago, I do it as a warmup when I’m practicing or playing outside and overall everything just feel much better.
Excellent exercises ! Thanks Mark !
hello Marc,
i am very happy with your website and your videos.
i would like to thank you for the hard work you do again and again to surprise your fans with educational exercises that are still fun.
really great.
thanks.
PS and on your website i can not leave compliments because on the website i can not leave anything.
whatva humble and clever man..start practice from today ....❤ from Sri Lanka boss.cheers 🇱🇰
I did not know that you are located on the Isle Of Wight. I have a good friend who lived there, Mr. Charles Bawden. He was a Headmaster of a school there.
Brilliant and useful as always, thanks a bunch!
I use Sade's "Paradise" and Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On" as finger exercise songs.
Thanks Mark, still the best bass exercises on youtube in my opinion. Really appreciate it.
Are there good exercises for improving timing apart from practising with a metronome? Recording myself helped me realise that I was not perfectly in time (I could visually see the time difference between the beat and me in an audio interface). The chorus of "If you have to ask" by the Chili Peppers is strangely hard to play with perfect timing.
Brilliant!! Thank you 🤜🏾
Thank you this is very helpful!
Thanks as always, Mark!
This is like bel canto vocal exercies... for bass! Nice, easy to remember progression, and then repeat w/ hammer-ons?! Brilliant, part of my warm-up routine now. Using this for cello practice, too. Works just as well. :D Thank you!
A humdinger of an exercise. Thanks
Great exercises
Thanks for sharing this Mark 🎶🎸🇬🇧
Hello Mark, thanks for the great content. I should also mention that the blue background looks much better.
I have a question regarding the curled fingers: this technique does not allow any fretting hand muting. So, how do we mute the higher strings? Or is fretting hand muting not the scope of this exercise?
Thank you so much, Sir ❤
Call that a move! LOL. Glad you got your voice back. Great exercise, thanks
Thank you Mark…🤙😺
I like this! If I do something, I like to do it properly.. no cheating or shortcuts 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks Mark.
Thanks 👍🏻
Great tips Mark! What do most players do when their hands are small? I can't do the 1-4 with my pinky on the A string and the E string.
Hi Mark, love your videos. Please share how you handle muting unplayed strings when all your fingers are curved?
@@DON112751 Use the underside of the fingers in the left hand for strings higher than the one you play (D and G string) and also use the thumb of the right hand for strings below.
Mark can you do a lesson on fretting? I am having a very hard time placing and keeping my thumb against the neck of the bass the way I should.
Very useful work out, thanks ever so much.
Btw, what bass you play? Never seen one like yours anywhere else
@@jalmarirantala6059 Thanks. It’s an Enfield Lionheart. Made by Martin Sims.
@@talkingbasslessons thanks, I've never heard of those. They look and sound great. Greetings from Finland
As someone with small hands and a short pinky. My pinky won't reach the E string when performing exercises that use all 4 fingers. I have to substitute my ring finger as the "fourth" finger or the "4". The only way I can reach the E string would be to bring my thumb over the fretboard...and I know that it's not okay to do so. Is it OK to use the ring finger (3) to substitute as my number "4"? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you! :)
very nice
plucking hand endurance particularly as it relates to 16th notes?
i only moove the thumb on the A string when im playing the G string. I dont see it necessary when im playing the D string. Is that ok
Nice to see other backdrop than white
@@midiplaybox3453 it hasn’t been white for a while now
Is there an exercise that helps with speed in making large jumps? For example, going from C on the third fret to G on the 12th?
Look at the twelfth feet before you make the jump and use thumb pivoting.
Can I order one or more of his books or can I only get online subscriptions? I’m not that computer savvy. Help.
@@nickpalise2448 There are no online subscriptions. You simply buy courses or ebooks.
What is the procedure to either buy online courses or buy ebooks? What are ebooks and how do I pay for either course? Help! 😩
Hi Mark, would it be worth doing a survey asking if your audience would like to see 5-string bases featuring a little more in your videos?
@@rodoherty1 I do 5 string videos from time to time but the bulk of bass players use 4 string. I like to only use 5 for 5 string specific vids otherwise beginners can get a little confused. But I will have more 5 string videos coming up.
3-4 is a tough one.
Play different techniques, like fingerstyle , slapping, chord's , and even tapping.
Can I also suggest something? So instead of just using fingers 1&2 in the plucking hand all the time.... How about using 2&3 / 3&4 then 1&3 / 1&4 then 2&4????
So something like this:
*** EXERCISE ONE ***
FRETTING HAND = Fingers 1 & 2 (for frets 5 & 6) Along with:
i. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 2 (up to fret 9 then back)
>>> Repeat Exercise One but this time with >>>
ii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 3 (up to fret 9 then back)
iii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 3 & 4 etc...
iv. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 3 etc...
v. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 4 etc...
vi. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 4 etc...
*** EXERCISE TWO ***
FRETTING HAND = Fingers 1 & 3 (for frets 5 & 7) Along with:
i. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 2 (up to fret 9 then back)
>>> Repeat Exercise Two but this time with >>>
ii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 3 (up to fret 9 then back)
iii. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 3 & 4 etc...
iv. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 3 etc...
v. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 1 & 4 etc...
vi. PLUCKING HAND = Fingers 2 & 4 etc...
I've been practising this and it's quite interesting!! Obviously not to everyone's taste but for those who pluck with 3 or more fingers it might be quite helpful😁
What say you??? 😊
@@inspector-tech lol. Go for it. I wouldn’t ever bother with anything like that but each to their own. If it works then great.
"Busy moving my studio from the one end of Isle of Wight to the other".... I will most likely never visit Isle of Wight...
This on a 5 string is hell on my pinky LMAO
It feels like the number of strings just doubled
@@nsukucredence1884 plus how big the B string is. The strength needed by my pinky is huge 😂😂
🤚💫✌💥👍🤌🤌🤌🤌👌
This is one of those great "simple" exercises that are super helpful if applied regularly.
You can also do this same exercise in the reverse order as a descending pattern.
1. Pinky to ring finger (4-3)
2. Pinky to middle finger (4-2)
3. Pinky to index finger (4-1)
4. Ring finger to middle finger (3-2)
5. Ring finger to index finger (3-1)
6. Middle finger to index finger (2-1)
Then, in place of hammer ons, you can use pull offs.
Combining this with Mark's original exercise gives you every combination and permutation of a 2 finger control exercise.
lost ypur voice and it came back as Matt Berry lol
He left the Isle of White and now his background is blue...
I like this dude but the way his head bobbles around like a demented marionette really creeps me out
😂😂
finger gymnastics still ..after thousands of videos, lessons..Oook
Insanity.