Left-Hand-Technique #1
The "Steve Bailey-Hazard Exercise"
Here's a little pre-exercise, not the real thing yet, but understanding this one will make it a lot easier to go ahead:
Now comes the ascending version of the "hazard-exercise":
You start with your left index finger ("1st finger") on the 5th fret of your lowest string (that particular video shows the 4-string version on a 5 string bass).
Now you play your 1st and 2nd finger on every string until your index finger reaches the 5th fret on your highest string, where it "freezes" for the rest of the exercise.
With your 1st finger remaining in place, you play your 3rd and 2nd finger downwards from the highest to the lowest string. reaching the lowest string, your second finger "freezes" on the 6th fret of that lowest string (in addition to your 1st finger still being where it froze earlier!!)
Finally, you play your 3rd and 4th finger upwards on every string, until your 4th finger ends up on the 8th fret of your highest string, your 1st AND 2nd finger STILL being in place. Watch:
Needless to say, we'll also do the exercise as a mirror image, starting with your 2nd and 1st finger on your HIGHEST string (see the following video). If that exercise won't work wonders for you, I'll gladly refund your money (this is a free lesson, after all)...
If you feel like your fingers are
small enough to give you an excuse to skip this one, think twice: Steve
has about the smallest hands I've ever seen on a bass player, and he
does it on his 6-string long scale fretless bass
in 1st position!
Thus, enjoy...