Hi.Let's start our first column on electric contrabass at the Guitar-Clinic. At first, we'll pass some introductory exercises to the technique and first contact with the instrument. Some of the tips that we will give,can also serve to more experienced bassists.Tips such as position, movement and synchrony between the two hands.

Getting to know the instrument:

The contrabass is the instrument responsible for filling the low frequency aspect of the music. It uses a standard tuning: E, A, D and G , from the thick string to the thin one.

The contrabass, together with the drums, make what we give the nickname "kitchen". They are the two instruments that form the structure of the music, where later other elements (keyboards, guitars, voice, sax etc)will be placed.

For this reason,it is essential the extreme precision and security of as the bassist as the drummer. To master this security and precision we need some exercises of coordination:

Exercise 1: We'll start only with the right hand: - we will name "1" the Index finger and "2" the middle finger, ok? - Tip: Always make your exercises with a metronome!

Exercise 2: Let's understand the movement of the left-hand: - we will name "1" the index finger, "2" the middle finger, "3" the ring finger and "4 the little one.

Tips:

- Always keep your hand in parallel in this exercise;

-Attention for the movement of the fist;

- Always start slowly.It doesn't matter how advanced your technical level is.

And now the right hand:

- Your right hand will work in the same way as in the exercise 1, while your left hand will keep the movement shown on the exercise 2.

Tip:You should always pay attention to each movement of the hands.The speed will come according to time goes by. The aim of this exercise is to create autonomy between all the fingers of your hands.

Pay lots of attention to your fist, to assure that the moviments it will make provide the best perfomances and minimum risk of injuries.

Exercise 3. This is an exercise to start developing a more practical and extensive movement. This exercise is based on the work of the bassist Mr. Big - Billy Sheehan.

We'll play three different standards of fingers position.

Standard 1 (starting on the seventh fret.)

Standard 2 (starting on the fifth fret.)

Standard 3 (starting on the third fret)

Always pay attention to the correct movement. And always work with a metronome.

Luck and Success!