Right Hand Fingering System?

[steverpeterson]

Todd,

I was watching your Walking Bass Line Module System - Volume 1 - Triad Modules and noticed that you often use only your middle finger of your right hand instead of an alternating index/middle approach. Sometimes it's your index finger on the E string and your middle finger on the others.

Noting that you're very organized and you've obviously put a lot of thought into developing a specific system for your left hand fingering and walking bass modules, I'm wondering if you have some thoughts about right handing fingering technique: alternating, middle finger only, first finger only, raking, etc.

Thanks,

Steve

[Todd Johnson]

Originally Posted by steverpeterson

Todd,

I was watching your Walking Bass Line Module System - Volume 1 - Triad Modules and noticed that you often use only your middle finger of your right hand instead of an alternating index/middle approach. Sometimes it's your index finger on the E string and your middle finger on the others.

Noting that you're very organized and you've obviously put a lot of thought into developing a specific system for your left hand fingering and walking bass modules, I'm wondering if you have some thoughts about right handing fingering technique: alternating, middle finger only, first finger only, raking, etc.

Thanks,

Steve

Hi Steve,

"In General"...I use/promote a "floating thumb" 2 finger, alternate picking type of "right hand system"... I also do a bit of "palm muting/thumb" type of playing as well....

I'm not a thumb slapper....I'll leave that to all the other guys who do it so amazingly well. (you know who they are!!)

I really appreciate your observations....but I suspect my "mostly 2nd finger" demonstration was simply a matter of me spacing out during filming!! Ha!! It's that simple....Doh!!

I do however cover "right" and "left" hand techniques in my "Techniqe Builders" DVD....

I hope that helps...

Thanks for a great question!!

[steverpeterson]

Todd,

Thanks for the quick response. I had been watching and wondering if there was a specific purpose to using only the middle finger, perhaps for more even tone, etc. especially given the very moderate pace of these walking bass modules.

I've also watched through your techniques video and observed that sometimes it's alternating, sometimes single finger, sometimes raking.

I do appreciate your systemic approach to the left hand.

Do you know of any specific book that offers drills or exercises to develop better skills with the alternating approach?

Thanks,

Steve

[57fenderjazz]

Sometimes I will practice only using my middle finger on my right hand. It builds strength and forces me into using more hammer ons and pull offs with my left hand.