STAMINA
I recently read an article about Jaco Pastorius where various musicians who'd known him and played with him were commenting and reminiscing about their friend, the master of the electric fretless bass. I noticed that a recurring theme was Jaco's stamina. His bass lines were undoubtedly more demanding than most, both physically and mentally, and Jaco had an advantage in those MONSTER-sized hands of his, but there's no getting away from it... he had stamina.
Stamina is important because it allows us to go where we want to go, rather than being dictated to by flagging hands or fingers, but it takes time and effort to cultivate... like anything else. I've devised some short cut techniques that will get us there more efficiently, but be warned... they can HURT! .. at least in the beginning. So take it easy, warm up into them and don't push yourself TOO far, just a little far!
I always encourage playing fingerstyle instead of with the pick because of the noticeable difference in tone and versatility. Fingerstyle is more of a workout, especially over the duration of a gig, and especially if you're like me and prefer to play hard. I've also noticed that when it comes to gig time, I seem to play 10 times harder and my forearms feel like they're going to explode, no matter how much rehearsal time I've had. What's the cure? Keep gigging I suppose; but this isn't always possible, so we'll try Plan B...
Example 1a is a straight-forward octave pattern. The key with all these exercises is to play them as quickly as you are able while still keeping the left and right hands in sync... (but don't forget to warm up into them first! Don't want you doing yourself a mischief!). Pluck the string firmly and close to the bridge for maximum benefit. If you are able to make the octave stretch with the 3rd finger instead of the 4th, then do so... (which will make the fingering: 1-3-1-3 etc instead of 1-4-1-4 as shown). If the 1-3-1-3 stretch is too much, play the pattern an octave higher with the 1-3-1-3, to get used to it. Also try playing this exercise using the 2nd and 4th fingers, to get all the fingers moving... this exercise is so simple, but it works.
Exercise 1b is a variation using a paradiddle-type pattern. Example 1c is another rhythmic variation. Look for some of your own too. For a bigger stretch do the above exercises with a 10th interval, as in example 1d. If you play a five or six string bass, you can make a bigger interval jump from the top to bottom strings. (You may be experiencing a bit of PAIN right now! This is okay, but if you are, take a break, make a cup of tea, and resume in 5 minutes!).
Example 2a is a pattern similar to a riff I played on "Riptide" on Gary Hoey's soundtrack album The Endless Summer II. Make a loop of this and the following patterns, keeping the left and right hands in sync and maintaining evenness with each note. Examples 2b and 2c are more variations that work specifically on the ring finger and little finger (pinkie).
Example 3 is a Jaco favourite, the 6th interval scale, which also helps develop dexterity. There are many variations on this theme.
Example 4 is the up-tempo solo section from Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused", which always got me gritting my teeth (in pain!). For an all-round workout, alternate the fingering between fingers 1 & 3 (as written) and 2 & 4.
When I think of stamina, I naturally associate it with physical fitness. My own experiences have shown me that I'm a better all-around performer when I'm in shape. I've seen both sides of the coin. During my days with The Firm and Blue Murder, I was not in shape. In fact I was doing everything I could to be out of shape! Talk about Dazed and Confused! Still, I attained a certain degree of success, but I now believe that any success achieved while out of control is ultimately short lived. Then there's the other side of the argument; Would Jimi Hendrix be the Legend he is today if he'd been a drug-free, jogging vegetarian? I don't think so! It's all about timing, the age we live in and personal evolution. Myself, I'm happy to be healthier now, as I feel more equipped to face the rigours of life as well as the hurdles of the Music Industry.
For maintaining musical stamina there's no substitute for playing and jamming. When I'm not gigging or recording, I like to get together with other musicians to jam, or I use a drum machine. I make grooves from the exercises in this bass lesson. I make up new ones. I deliberately play a little harder, but not too much. Trust me, I've found out - the hard way - the value of staying in shape between gigs. It's necessary to rest but you never know when that big break is coming: the all important audition which often arrives at a moment's notice. I blew a really important audition back in the 80's because I was out of shape, and believe me, that hurt FAR more than my forearms did! Don't let it happen to you. Get strong and stay strong! Thanks for listening... see you in the gym!
Copyright 2000 Tony Franklin
