3 vs 4 fingers.

[ExYuBass]

A simple question.
I play with 3 fingers but can I reach the same speed as a 4 finger player?
I know its about music and not about speed but im just curious.
You who are experienced maybe know?
Thanks.

[cerealdave]

personally, i just stick to the 2 fingers and i find this much faster than using 3. i find 4 finger playing pretty impossible too cus i cant get any fluency

[Silas Martinez]

Talking right hand (plucking) or left hand (fretting) here?

For my plucking hand, I too, prefer 2+thumb (though that alternates between my index and middle, and index and ring fingers), however, for certain figures, I will use three+thumb - that would be signs of my classical guitar training coming out. Plenty of people are plenty fast with one finger, or thumb. Two fingers is the standard - heck, Steve Harris uses two fingers.

For my fretting hand, though... Four fingers is the standard for the electric Bass Guitar. If you're only using three, you are artificially limiting yourself. Develop the strength and independance to fret accurately with all four fingers.

[ExYuBass]

Originally Posted by khaspir

Talking right hand (plucking) or left hand (fretting) here?

For my plucking hand, I too, prefer 2+thumb (though that alternates between my index and middle, and index and ring fingers), however, for certain figures, I will use three+thumb - that would be signs of my classical guitar training coming out. Plenty of people are plenty fast with one finger, or thumb. Two fingers is the standard - heck, Steve Harris uses two fingers.

For my fretting hand, though... Four fingers is the standard for the electric Bass Guitar. If you're only using three, you are artificially limiting yourself. Develop the strength and independance to fret accurately with all four fingers.

Yes, I was talking about the plucking hand

[kipsus]

I'm okay with rmi with occasional fallbacks to two finger or thumb. But really, if you manage to make efficient use of that (weak, short etc) little finger, go for it. Add thumb and you're a 5 finger plucker

[benthughes]

practice and you can play stupid fast with 2 fingers. Whip out the thumb for muting or classical guitar style. Sometimes I'll use my ring finger for triplets. I don't have the patience to practice using my ring finger Sheehan style. Playing consistent groups of anything other than 3's that way is just...well, I'd have to practice and there's no way I'm willing to practice to get better. Hopefully theres a pedal or bass I can buy to do it for me.

[Roland777]

I'd easily already start practicing on 4-fingerstyle if it wasn't for the fact that fluidity and congruence with four fingers is a bit hard since the differing lengths of the fingers. I'm going with 3 now, however! A very very useful tool once you break out of the "3-3-3-3"-mindset.

[Levin-esque]

Well, plucking with 3 or 4 fingers should come out instinctively. I mean, when doing triplets I find myself automatically using my index, middle and ring fingers in a 'galloping' fashion. Otherwise, I'm using all four fingers. I strongly believe that you should never limit yourself to plucking with just two or three fingers; training up that pinky gives new dimension in your playing.