The first exercise is played on a single string at a time, each one in it's turn, E through G. The exercise walks your hand up the neck four frets at a time, like this:

0 1 2 3 - 1 2 3 4 - 2 3 4 5 - etc.

For the first group of four notes, you will use only the index, middle and ring fingers because of the open string that begins the exercise.. However, the first note in each of the remaining groups is fretted with the index, and you'll use all four fingers.

As you move to each successive finger, allow the hand to relax. There's absolutely no need to keep your hand streched out and it only leads to muscle fatigue. By the time your little finger begins to fret the fourth note of each group, your index should have relaxed into position to being the next group of notes.

The second exercise works across all four (or more) strings in each position before moving up one fret at a time. Other than that, it's the same concept as in the first example.

In both exercises, when you get to the last fret on your neck, work your way back down. Start with nice, fat quarter notes at 60 bpm (beats per minute), striving for perfectly articulated notes with each finger connecting with the fret wire. Remember my Ten Times Perfect rule and don't increase tempo until you can perform each exercise flawlessly. Accruacy before speed. Always.

Below are charts (standard and tab) to get you started for both exercises. They show the first few groups of each exercise, both up and down - just enough to show the way. I'm sure you'll be fine from there.

Even after you've achieved stunning fretting accuarcy, these exercises are a great warm ups. You can do them in just a few minutes to limber the fingers before really digging in. Have fun, and...

Keep Thumpin'!

Lane on Bass

Four Fret Warm Up #1

Four Fret Warm Up #1