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Originally Posted by drurb  +1! Forgive me if I am wrong but I seem to sense a reluctance on the part of the OP at being told that he should change what seems to work for him. I emphasize the word "seems" because, while his current technique may suffice for his current repertoire, his teacher is likely taking a longer-term view. It is also not surprising that when using a new, unfamiliar method that his playing seems to suffer in the short-term. That's completely normal and expected.
I started playing about 35 years ago. Along the way, I have had teachers who identified little habits that were hampering my playing efficiency. It sometimes took weeks of constant work to change those habits but, oh, the payoffs! Had I persisted with what seemed to be working fine for me I never would have been able to progress as I have.
My personal approach is to place almost blind faith in a well-chosen teacher and to do it his/her way. That's why you're paying an expert. |
And this is why we have "Ask a Pro" on TalkBass.com. You are asking me, an "expert" (supposedly). So for all the grand discussion here, some strong opinions and some PC opinions, the "facts" from my experience is that one builds technique over a long period of time. Whether your focus is on electric bass playing or double bass or both, what is primarily important is SOUND production and nuance, inflection, expression. Whether you use four or five or two (like Gary Karr a lot of the time) fingers is not nearly as important as whether you create the sounds you want and those that are expected for the genre. If you are in the orchestra or aspire to an orchestral job, there are certain "clique-like" attitudes and expectations that you must meet. If you don't sit while playing and all the other members of the section do, you may not get the gig. If you come into a heavy metal gig with an acoustic electric bass, you may easily be kicked out of the auditorium! So, it is NOT whether you are playing using four fingers that is important. One must simply identify one's goals, musically, and procede at developing the technique to produce the MUSIC!!! Don't forget, technique is to serve the music. I wish we had this lively discussion about bow technique or French vs German bow, or standing or sitting... but it seems bassists are obsessed with what their left hand is doing when they should be listening to what sound they are making! (If you don't like that gliss, another fingering is needed!)...
So, tho' it's nice to say "I'll just let my teacher tell me..., " in the end of the process YOU adapt what technique YOU are going to. Take advise from many, do TONS of listening and observing, and develop a technique (including ALL aspects, not just fingering) that is personally yours, that you developed from a desire to express yourself and your music ... knowing full well that the music you chose will be "structured" by the society it is reflecting. And the music drives the technique.
Last words: There are people that are stuck in believing there is only one way. There are people that believe there are multiple ways. There are people who have not tried any way.
All people are needed to make music.
PN
