Right hand four finger technique

[bassictraining]

I noticed that it looks like you use a classical guitar style fingering at times with your right hand. I am looking for some way to speed up my right hand which no longer keeps up with the left by alternating two fingers.

Before I begin I wanted to ask you if you alternate strictly from thumb to ring finger on every stroke. Or if as you move from one string to the next do you go back to the thumb...

I hope my question makes sense. For instance if you played a c-major scale you would play the c with the thumb then the d with the first finger. Would the e then be played with the middle finger and so on....??

Thanks for your time as I know you are very busy!!

[janekbass]

to be honest I rarely use that technique at all anymore. It's so closely associated with Matthew Garrison (although most people don't realize Dominique di piazza was doing that in the 70's) that it really didn't have any place in my music. If I do use it then it's normally for effect rather than execution of a line. Perhaps using it in the context of chordal playing like a piece of classical music. But definitely not using it to run up and down the instrument at all.

When I did work on the technique I didn't pick each note with a separate finger. It was pretty much two right hand plucks per note.

One thing that working on that technique has improved in my playing is independence between each finger on the right hand. So where I really don't use the specific technique you're asking about, I do use lots of combinations of fingers on the right hand while playing in general.

There is nothing wrong with working on any kind of technique like that either. I think the more time you spend with your instrument the better, and the more things you'll find out about what works for you and what doesn't. I just came to the realization that that particular technique didn't really have a place in my playing.

Janek

[bassictraining]

Thanks Janek, it's always inspiring to watch you and you definitely have your own style. Wether playing pop or jazz it always seems very tasteful.

[andresrot]

Have you guys seen Matt Garrison latest video lesson about his 4-finger technique?!

I helped producing it - it is part of a series that is coming up in his Youtube Channel and his website. Enjoy: Matthew Garrison 4 Finger Technique - Groove Applications - YouTube

[Adam Wright]

you should really try using a mic on Matt next time. His voice is barely audible.

[bassictraining]

Thanks Andres and congrats on a really cool gig!!