4 finger questions

basegetar · #1 11-24-2001, 09:16 PM

I've been trying to play with more than two fingers for a while now, I figured, why not shoot for 4. What is the best finger pattern? I've been trying for 1-2-3-4-3-2 is this the best/easiest way to play with four? Anyone have any help ideas who play with four? I've already read that "hanging ten on the bass" article, I want to hear from other people.

JMX · #2 11-24-2001, 09:23 PM

I found that it's more ergonomic not to change the direction and to go from pinky to index finger.

So I either play ring-middle-index or pinky-ring-middle-index.

It's like the leg movement of a millipede.

There's a video of classical guitarist Sharon Isbin @ guitar.com who shows that very well.

You can practice that motion you mentioned for finger independence, but for "real-life" playing I think it's better to do it like mentioned above.

melvin · #3 11-25-2001, 12:17 AM

Yup like JMX said. If you go 1-2-3-4-3-2-1 then your middle and ring fingers dont get a whole lot of rest, and since theyre used so much with that pattern they will have to be really fast.

1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 or 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1 is the best way to go.

basegetar · #4 11-25-2001, 01:14 AM

Am I suppose to get a gallopy sound out of this?

Orco87 · #5 11-25-2001, 01:25 AM

I'm also incorporating my pinky to the strings, and I find using the 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 method works fine. Other then the fact that it's a lil' difficult at first, it all works out over time.

melvin · #6 11-25-2001, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by basegetar
Am I suppose to get a gallopy sound out of this?

You probably will when you start off, but start really slow, start doing quarter notes, then when the space between the notes are equal, move to eights, then sixteenths. I know theres a lesson at www.harmony-central.com that really helps your finger dexterity(sp?) which'll help get a steadier sound.

ldiezman · #7 11-25-2001, 10:53 AM

I'm not saying don't use your pinky, but if you haven't got the 3 finger motion down perfectly, I would say don't rush it. You'll be playing bass for a long time, you have time to be patient, I know plenty of bassist that just use 2 fingers and are extremely fast. The bass prof. at My College last year only used two fingers and he is one of the fastest bass players I've ever heard not to mention one of the best. He left this year to go to california... but dang he is good.. oh well.. anyway.. I really on use 3 fingers.. not including my thumb... but that is just me