Playing and improvining fast 8th notes.

[Bin Hire]

The bassist on this clip (the second one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9xf-...ext=1&index=24
is running 8th notes at roughly 336bpm when he solos.
I've watched it quite a few times and can get my right hand up to speed for a short time. No doubt practice will make my playing stronger and the time longer. I have practised the same three finger technique.
Here is my question.
What would members of this forum suggest to get my left hand playing good notes?
I am working with a metronome and varying the speeds from slow to faster.
Thank you.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Bin Hire

What would members of this forum suggest to get my left hand playing good notes?

You have to hear the "good" notes you want to play and figure out how to play them. Start slow and work your way into faster tempos. Kind of like using good letters when we write.

[Ken Smith]

Fast left hand requires loads of practice. Intonation is harder than faster even at slow speeds. Practice with the Bow. Learn all of Simandl and every other book like it. Learn the Dragonetti. Practice what you can of those with Pizz as well but Bow first. The fingers can't play what the left hand can't.

Get a Teacher that is a professional Orchestra player. It will make a world of difference. Been there, done that.

I lost some speed but gained accuracy. I made more money as a pro player in NY with the accuracy. The speed didn't pay so well!

I actually prefer the feel and tone of Ray Brown to the sound and speed of NHOP. He is great but I would rather listen to Ray if I had to choose between the two. Don't get sidetracked by speed. Find some clips of Ray Brown and study him musically before you start the race. Walk, don't run!

[Bin Hire]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Start slow and work your way into faster tempos. Kind of like using good letters when we write.

Thank you Eric. Very poetic.
Thank you too Ken. I am humbled to learn from your vast experience.
I don't think that I will ever get to be a pro player in New York. But I listen to what you say.
Here is a thought. I watch NHOP and wonder why one person can perform at this speed and another not. My hand is not unlike his. Okay you will say to practise a lot! Yes but there is something else.
Persistence? Self belief?
I don't think I have the self belief to do that. I think that is what I must change.
If I were to be successful at playing at this speed it would be a test of achievement. Did I succeed? Did I fail?
How does one play a beautiful improvised melody? Yes one must have something worth saying. But one must also have the confidence that it is worth saying. If one believes in one's self, one plays better yes?
Confidence comes from testing boundaries.
Thank you.

[Richard Prowse]

Bin,
I love that clip!
Both bassists are great!
The changes to Sweet Georgia Brown ((1st 16 bars (4 chords without the turn around) - any key)) are a good starting point for running 8th notes at fast tempos. Vary the tempos - from fast to slow/ slow to medium/medium to fast, etc. Also, try the 8th notes with a bow, it's actually easier! In my opinion 240bpm is a good median point to aim for at first. If you're playing those changes at different tempos, you'll probably discover that you are also exploring note possibilities almost by default. Try to make it fun - that never seems to hurt!

[Bin Hire]

Richard what strings are you using?
Are stiff or soft strings better for fast pizzicato?
I thank you sincerely for your advice.

[Bin Hire]

Sorry, after posting I just read this thread.
http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=1393
Are you still using Bel Cantos?
I have Weichs at present.