Exercises
I will examine proper right and left hand exercises.
Right Hand Exercise
First, strike the lowest string with the index finger of the right hand, then alternate between your index finger and middle finger. Try to keep the sound even, and now change strings. Practice alternating strikes between fingers as you go from the lowest string to the highest string, and back down. You should strike each string 4 times. Finally, accent the first note you play on each string. Now, if you started on your index, start the exercise on your middle finger.
First, strike the lowest string with the index finger of the right hand, then alternate between your index finger and middle finger. Try to keep the sound even, and now change strings. Practice alternating strikes between fingers as you go from the lowest string to the highest string, and back down. You should strike each string 4 times. Finally, accent the first note you play on each string. Now, if you started on your index, start the exercise on your middle finger.
Left Hand Exercises
My bass teacher taught me the following exercise. Place your left hand index at the 7th fret on the low string, and let your other fingers rest on their own fret. For the first exercise, I use my index, middle and fourth finger. My index finger will now press into the 7th fret, and my right hand will coordinate striking the string. Now my middle finger will press into the 8th fret, along with the right hand striking with a different finger. Finally, my fourth finger will press into the 9th fret, and my right hand will strike the final note on that string. Now, repeat the exercise, going up the strings and back down. Different combinations of fingers will create different strengths. For example, I am working on building up strength for my fourth and pinkie finger, so I do the exercise only with the fourth and pinkie finger. This is a great way to build up strength for your left hand, so always change the combination of fingers used!
My bass teacher taught me the following exercise. Place your left hand index at the 7th fret on the low string, and let your other fingers rest on their own fret. For the first exercise, I use my index, middle and fourth finger. My index finger will now press into the 7th fret, and my right hand will coordinate striking the string. Now my middle finger will press into the 8th fret, along with the right hand striking with a different finger. Finally, my fourth finger will press into the 9th fret, and my right hand will strike the final note on that string. Now, repeat the exercise, going up the strings and back down. Different combinations of fingers will create different strengths. For example, I am working on building up strength for my fourth and pinkie finger, so I do the exercise only with the fourth and pinkie finger. This is a great way to build up strength for your left hand, so always change the combination of fingers used!