3 finger technique: How to...

[motionkid]

Ive been reading alot of articles on 3 finger technique. Ive read articles that say play on your right hand in this sequence: 1-2-3 and others backwards 3-2-1. Which is correct or easier? Because Ive been learning it 1-2-3 and Im curious if going 3-2-1 would give me better speed/accuracy.

[wizay]

no way is correct.. i do ring middle index.. but thats just the way i started, cuz that felt most natural for me. Try both, and see

[Fetusyolk]

i started learning three finger technique by doing what you first mentioned, and then decided to go 3-2-1. it's easier, and less stressful for me, but it IS harder for me to keep constant steady rhythm when going faster, which is why i use the three finger technique only when it's needed

[Thundar]

Im a 3-2-1 guy

[bassyeah]

There isn't a right or wrong here... whatever is comfortable. I do 3-2-1

[wnelson]

3-2-1 for me as well with the fingers....it comes naturally to me...during practice, I will mix it up to build dexterity
and coordnation...alternating between each finger as a starting finger...

I even apply this to bass

[ShavedHippie]

I've even heard of people playing 3-2-1-2, especially during fast sections.

[Gordon of Eden]

There is no hard rule to 3 finger technique that I know of. I did see a video clip of Gary Willis demoing his techniques and they seemed very well thought out.
I took lessons from a guy who I saw play live with 3 and just started trying to fit that 3rd finger in where appropriate.
I'd say just start experimenting with different ways and find what works best for you.

[Erick Lam]

I've used three fingers for about 17 years and never followed a sequence. I think it's a lazy/mindless approach. I get a bit tired of the "do what's comfortable" (or natural). If I did what's comfortable, I wouldn't play bass. I've had lessons in 4 different instruments with several excellent teachers and never been told to do what's comfortable. Playing an instrument is not natural to begin with.

I follow the Gary Willis approach. Search for it on youtube. It's uncomfortable but not in the sense that it hurts. It's difficult, slow, unnatural, different, like learning a new instrument.

[Ubersheist]

3-2-1 here, but I wish I got used to 1-2-3. I think it's easier to combine the double thumbing technique with -1-2-3 then with 3-2-1.

I'm sure someone's done it, but I've never seen anyone master double fingering technique with three fingers.

[rarisgod]

For me it's easier to let the fingers roll with 3-2-1, but for double-thumbing it seems it'd be easier with 1-2-3.

[Doodaddy]

I normally start off with 1-3-2 and then transition to 3-2-1 or whatever depending on how that particular part of the song is going.

[Bman83]

I naturally play 3-2-1...it doesn't matter though. Do what feels comfortable.

[GrindYourMind]

Everyone plays 321 but HIGHLY recommend breaking that habit and working on four finger, thumb index middle ring, Matt Garrison/Di Piazza technique. Once you get it down it's so much easier to play and you conserve so much energy. Don't do away with your standard 2-3 finger technique for it, just don't fall into the muscle memory pitfalls.

[J. Crawford]

321, but it always comes out as a Steve Harris run. I cant get it to ave the steady pace of 2 fingers, or a pick.

[nysbob]

3-2-1 here and there's nothing unsteady about it.

[Rocky McDougall]

I never know which finger is going to do what. They just go where they want and do their thing.

Does the thumb come into this technique?

[HogieWan]

Originally Posted by ShavedHippie

I've even heard of people playing 3-2-1-2, especially during fast sections.

That's what I tend to do

[ShavedHippie]

Originally Posted by HogieWan

That's what I tend to do

I've tried it before, and don't find it very comfortable. If you can make it work, you're a better man than I!!