3-fret stretch

Basscotti · #1 05-22-2006, 04:45 PM

I've been playing bass for three years now, but I've never bothered to incorporate this technique. Well I read about it in "Bass for Beginners" by Glenn Letsch. It involves using all three fingers over three frets (where thats applieable). Anyway, does anyone use the technique, and what advantages is there? Maby some exercises?

Kronos · #2 05-22-2006, 04:54 PM

Actually, as far as I know, most of us use the one finger per fret rule, which would mean 4 fingers/4 frets.

Stanley Design · #3 05-23-2006, 12:15 AM

I know it's bad technique, but I always use my pinky for octaves and such instead of my ring finger. It sounds, feels, and is better for me, but I'm wierd. I practice with my ring finger sometimes, maybe someday it will strengthen moreso.

Tom · #4 05-23-2006, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Stanley

I know it's bad technique, but I always use my pinky for octaves and such instead of my ring finger. It sounds, feels, and is better for me, but I'm wierd. I practice with my ring finger sometimes, maybe someday it will strengthen moreso.

It isn't bad technique. It puts much less of a strain on your hand. I think that the looser I am, the better I play. Although my hands are pretty huge, I often use 1-2-4 fingering when it suits me to do so. I use OFPF (one finger per fret) in higher positions and when I must in lower ones. Even then, I try not to stretch, pivoting instead so that my hand stays relaxed and flexible.

Pantsman · #5 05-23-2006, 02:29 AM

I use my pinky for octaves too, so my ring finger is free to play the 5th(not sure on this, i'm a theory n00b) it just feels easier that way, but for everything else, i use finger per fret, even in 1st position (i have large hands)

Aussiephoenix · #6 05-23-2006, 03:32 AM

Crazyeelboy · #7 05-23-2006, 04:54 AM

I'm a bit of a hard-a$$ on my fingering technique, but I don't see anything wrong with a pinky-octave if that works best for you. I guess fingering technique is a lot like studying Latin (not much fun and not apparently useful at first, but really valuable later on) - I have found using a pretty strict approach to technique has not only helped my playing, but I actually get compliments on my technique at most gigs (never expected that)!

Blunt · #8 05-23-2006, 05:13 AM

Pinky on the octave is standard technique basically. It frees you up for funk lines that need the 7th. bass guitar technique is one of endlessly shifting compromises. The one fret per finger is of course standard for scalar work. But even this falls down when playing walking lines. You adopt a hybrid approach to fingering eventually.
Everyone when playing some extended vamp in the low positions uses the pinky to cover three frets. This has been discussed for 30 years.

Crazyeelboy · #9 05-23-2006, 08:07 AM

...and probably will be discussed for 30 more...

Juneau · #10 05-23-2006, 08:18 AM

Well one thing to keep in mind that Adam Nitti pointed out to me, is that you dont have to keep your hand in one place while playing 1 finger per fret. If you need to move your hand slightly while traveling those 4 frets in the lower register to keep your hand from stretching, thats not a bad thing. Then again, with the Dingwall, my 1st position stretches are larger than most might be used too (37" B).

And I use my pinky for octaves as well, it frees up my ring finger to hit the 5th if I want too, and is more comfortable, even with my large hands.

Snarf · #11 05-23-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Stanley

I know it's bad technique, but I always use my pinky for octaves and such instead of my ring finger. It sounds, feels, and is better for me, but I'm wierd. I practice with my ring finger sometimes, maybe someday it will strengthen moreso.

Yeah, like everyone else pointed out, you've kinda got it backwards. Pinky octaves/fifths definitely free you up to change positions, and decrease tension on your hand. Only time I ever use 1234 fingering is when I'm doing straight-up scales or soloing. The rest of the time, I use 124.

Basscotti · #12 05-23-2006, 01:24 PM

I don't know if you understood exactly what I was meaning. i meant that you use index on one frett, the middle on the next, and both the ring and the pinky on the last. if you only use finger 1 2 and 4, what about the third? It just seemed like it was better than the 124 thing. What do you think about it?

Mike Flynn · #13 05-23-2006, 03:36 PM

Can't really say much about just using three fingers - i.e. I use them all - but one of the previous posts mentions the idea of actually moving your hand when using one finger per fret. I was showing someone this the other day - basically when you're playing arpeggios you can close and open your left hand (or right) fretting hand - keeping your pinky on the higher interval - while you move you index to the next highest interval - so this allows you to shift position while holding a note - creating a smooth shift. Strength and flexibility comes with time, practice and patience - investigate your own solutions to these things but just don't hurt yourself.

M