I'm looking at the Hal Leonard Bass Method book 1 (since I'm at that level), and they mention "the 3 finger method"; using index, middle, and pinky to span 3 frets.

Is this at odds with the 1-finger 1-fret meme I see here?

In the end I'll be doing what my (soon to be) instructor tells me to do, but want to know what may lay ahead.

Thanks

Sounds like the standard double bass Simandl fingering. I use it on electric too.

when i asked about 1234 vs 124 fingering on another list, all the pros responded the same: They switch back and forth without much thought.


for the lower frets, 124 (URB/Simandl/Carol Kaye method) is appropriate because the stretch is so big as to make 1234 fingering impractical (Assuming you have normal sized hands)

as you go up the neck and the frets get tighter, 1234 fingering becomes more practical.

In the end, it is what is comfortable and healthy for your hands/wrists to play cleanly and clearly that matters.

when i asked about 1234 vs 124 fingering on another list, all the pros responded the same: They switch back and forth without much thought.


for the lower frets, 124 (URB/Simandl/Carol Kaye method) is appropriate because the stretch is so big as to make 1234 fingering impractical (Assuming you have normal sized hands)


I don't if mine are normal, but they're certainly not BIG, and yes way up near the nut those stretches are really hard for me.


as you go up the neck and the frets get tighter, 1234 fingering becomes more practical.

In the end, it is what is comfortable and healthy for your hands/wrists to play cleanly and clearly that matters.

Great, thanks.

I use 1234 fingering only. I have no trouble fretting the lower frets in spite of the wider spacing. I guess it is because I played guitar for a while and got used to doing it that way. My hand size is probably about average.

First the Simandl fingering you use your ring finger to help support your pinky. As you go up the neck you will switch to one finger per fret. After awhile you will switch back and forth without even thinking about it. As many things in bass if there are multiple ways of doing something best to learn/practice both then let your subconscious decide which to use as you play.

i use 124 low on the neck and 123 up high. my left pinky is kind of a useless prop.

you shouldent learn finger techneque from a book, atleast i dont think so. if larry graham had corrected himself by reading a book, would he have done himself any good?

jaco says the 1 finger per fret thing is the way to go, the 3 finger 4 fret thing is taken from upright techneque. i use both, but never have to conciously think about it. they switch when neccesary.

Do a search, we have been over this about a billion times before.

Mutedeity has spoken. This thread is closed.

nyah nyah still open...

to elaborate on what DocBop said: yes the pinky is supported by the ring finger in 124 fingering.

Actually, I strive to have all my fingers support furthest one being used. so If I'm fretting 1234 and my 3rd finger is down, fingers 1 and 2 are also right there, supporting. and so on for all fingers...

i switch it up when needed.

sometimes i play 124 on the lower notes and sometimes i play the 1234 on lower notes.

once i go high, i usually do 1234 unless i am playing an octave or a chord, then i play 14.

Book 2 discusses 1 finger 1 fret (4 fingers 4 frets) :-)

When I practice my stuff(scales,arpeggios,patterns etc) I ALWAYS use 1234. But when I play basslines like 1-8-b7-5 in grooves and stuff like that it is totally comfortable to use 124. It depends on the situation.

I would see the 1234 more as an open position with a lot of notes choice while the 124 feels more like a closed position with less notes option.

Sylvain