bad technique with acoustic bass.

[TheBassBoy]

Hi.

I have a really bad problem. whenever i play acoustic bass, i get in this really bad habit of using my fingernail to pick the strings instead of index-middle. ne ideas to help me stop doing this?

[weemac]

It depends.. If you are doing it subconsiously your ear may be prefering the sound of the string being pulled that way, try to think of the real reason you are doing it.
I have long nails on my plucking hand (for guitar) and they also work well enough for bass guitar but for me when I play upright I really don't like that sound so I really have to turn my hand to use the side of my fingers apart from the odd flamenco flair where I do use the nails.
Its a bit of my finger that does not get used for any other instrument I play so.... blisters...

If you don't like the extra clack just try to remember to rotate your hand a little or cut your nail a bit shorter.

Please bare in mind I'm not from the school of technique, I'm from the school of "If it works for you thats fine"

emac.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Wider strings spacing and higher action will solve the problem!

[TheBassBoy]

u guys do mean picking them and not pressing on the frets right?neways, thanks. im just wondering if it makes u look bad as a bass player to do it.