2 fingers or 3

[machine454]

I"ve been playing for 3 years and I play finger style . I keep reading that 3 fingers is better than 2 for speed and recovery and 3 fingers makes you more of a skillful player. I find 3 fingers difficult I just don't want to waste my time and energy on a technique I really might not need and having short thick fingers isn't helping much

[mambo4]

3 fingers does not make you faster or more skillful. You can be just as fast and skillfull with 2 fingers or a pick. Learn it if you want to, but don't assume you need to.

Speed is a by product of accuracy and good technique, which paradoxically comes from practicing slowly.

[machine454]

thanks , 2 fingers is working fine for me , so keep it simple .

[Bassline00]

2 fingers works for me

Cheers
Bassline00@gmail.com

[AdamJames306]

I've incorporated my ring finger as a third plucking finger for a few years now, and it definitely comes in handy. I'll agree that it is by no means a necessity, but if you just start throwing it in here and there in your playing, after a few months it'll become natural. And the more natural it becomes for you, the more you'll find a place for it in your style.

And why not have an extra little something in your bag of tricks?

[Strat Hater]

I used to use 3 fingers. I had an accident where I lost the ring finger on my right hand. It took me a while to adjust but now I can play some stuff better. I found I had to change my style. I use my thumb a lot more, and I go back and forth between the thumb and fingers. If I need speed I use the thumb and I an developing a quazi slap style. Seems to work for me

[El-Bob]

contrary to what's been said, 3 fingers does have the potential for more speed than 2, at least when we're talking about picking straight 16ths. It will also add endurance for that purpose too.
However, it is a huge amount of work, and if you don't have a specific need to be able to do it, then I would honestly say that it's not worth the time. keep in mind that this is coming from someone who does utilize it (however poorly )

[k31bassman]

Originally Posted by mambo4

3 fingers does not make you faster or more skillful. You can be just as fast and skillfull with 2 fingers.

+1
Stanley Clarke seems to have plenty of speed with the 2-finger technique. That said, I've found 3-finger technique useful for repetitive triplets on one string, so it's worth spending some time/effort learning.

[paganjack]

If you want to play speed metal and other extreme types of music it is certainly useful. It's also nice to be able to reduce fatigue over a long night. There are plenty of ways to play extremely fast though, it's just one method amongst many.

[TomA1234]

I find three fingers easier to do triplets with, but you can do them just as well with 2 with enough practice

[Skitch it!]

I use different combos for whatever I'm playing, 1,2,3 and working on 4 finger tech. I usually play with 2 after years of playing with 3, but for quick runs, or taking the pressure off using the 2 I bring in the third. I found it a bit trickier than 2 for string crossing so I gravitated back to 2. For chordal picking/flamenco/harmonics/other type effects I use all 4 in different combinations.

Sheehan was the inspiration for 3 for me, to play some of the stuff from 'Eat 'Em and Smile'.

For 2 finger fleetness, Hadrien Freud is up there.

This was originally played with a pick, I use 1 for the consistency of tone for the slower parts, 2 for in-between, and 3 for the plectrum trills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JItU30XscXY

[iammr2]

4

[Stingray89]

I predominately use the 2 finger technique but sometimes I'll incorporate the 3rd finger for a fill or some faster runs. Just practice both techniques and do what sounds best to you.

[chawk610]

Originally Posted by Stingray89

I predominately use the 2 finger technique but sometimes I'll incorporate the 3rd finger for a fill or some faster runs. Just practice both techniques and do what sounds best to you.

+1 I do the same thing... youcan get a 3 finger roll going, but in my opinion and case... you have more control and a cleaner sound with 2

[KimGT99]

I play bass now for about 15 years. I started with 2 fingers, then 3, then pick. Pick because I needed a sound with great amount of attack (metalcore). This for almost 10 years.
Since octobre last year I find myself in a project that's between Dream Theater and Symphony X. So, I renewed my fingerstyle playing (not that I didn't play fingerstyle all those years, but not very often). Since I barely learned proper technique, I thought at least this project would be the opportunity to do so. I then was very afraid how poor my 3 finger technique was. I managed to play almost every piece of music with 3 fingers, but no proper technique.... So, now I'm into proper technique with 3 fingers, but it was lots of work to me (and still is).
Long story short: 3 fingers

[4001]

Two for me.
I am astounded at how Gary Willis incorporates three fingers.
Just incredible.

[kr0n]

If you can fit in 3, go for it.

[Apt403]

I switch to three fingers if I'm playing lots of triplets, though I'm trying to incorporate three into my standard technique.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by machine454

I"ve been playing for 3 years and I play finger style . I keep reading that 3 fingers is better than 2 for speed and recovery and 3 fingers makes you more of a skillful player. I find 3 fingers difficult I just don't want to waste my time and energy on a technique I really might not need and having short thick fingers isn't helping much

Many years ago, when I had been playing about 2 or so years, I heard "Rock & Roll Jelly" on the radio (if you don't know it, do a search) - I immediately started practicing with 3 and 4 fingers and bought every Stanley Clarke album I could afford...

I never really mastered his "zillions of notes" thing, but the effort has allowed me to have a tool in my kit. When I need to, I can use my 3 fingers to rip out a very fast scale or run. I'm also very comfortable using my right ring finger for normal play, should I injury one of my other two primary fingers (a cut or something). I've had to do this on many gigs and played it just fine.

In short, it's never bad to have more tools in the kit... but you might find that your reasons for trying to master this new tool end up being... well, silly - silly like trying to play 64th or 128th notes as if it's musical!

[dirtdobber113]

1-2-3 depends on the genre/song. Thumb, pinkie I never know what I'm going to throw in there when I'm in the groove man.