Different Tone From Each Finger

Orangeclawhamme · #1 03-20-2008, 01:05 PM

I can't get the same tone from my index finger as with my middle finger when plucking. The tone from my index finger is more trebly while I get a nice, deep tone from my middle finger, which seems to have a thinker pad on it. I've been messing around for about four months while I try to figure out how to budget for a teacher.

Thanks,

Parabolic Box · #2 03-20-2008, 01:44 PM

That seems almost strange, since the middle finger is closer to the bridge....

Nails trimmed and all? You might be plucking with different parts of each finger (ie. tip with your index and pad with your middle finger). Ease up (if you're digging it, your middle finger could be travelling too far past the string), and try to pluck with the tips. If you haven't used the technique all that long, callouses may not have built up equally on your fingers.

#3 03-20-2008, 01:47 PM

Is your index finger more callused?

JmJ · #4 03-20-2008, 02:14 PM

Just use your middle finger - problem solved.
I've seen some James Jamerson videos where he uses just one finger.

S1dewinder · #5 03-20-2008, 04:26 PM

I've had the same problem when I started playing... if you don't play for that long, just wait till the calluses develop, then it will be ok. (worked for me) Also, check if you're playing with the same fingerparts (as mentioned above)

namraj · #6 03-20-2008, 04:32 PM

Jamerson was known as the claw because of his one finger technique!

Use the different tones to your advantage, even drop some thumb in there for another different tone, use ur index finger to enphasise note and your middle to groove, when you need speed the different tones won't be as noticeable.

David1234 · #7 03-20-2008, 04:40 PM

Are you playing the same spot on the string? If you play 2 spots an inch apart you'll get a tone difference that, on some rigs, is quite noticeable.

PocketGroove82 · #8 03-20-2008, 04:57 PM

OrangeClaw, this post could just as easily be on the double bass side of the board.
It's great that you can hear a difference, it could be a sign of your ears maturing. Although certain basses seem to amplify the difference (like double basses), you will need to work on your technique to balance the different attacks.

Shishkbob · #9 03-20-2008, 04:59 PM

i have this problem from time to time. mine is related to the conditions of my finger tips. i play aggressive in the studio when we practice so i end up getting aleast one blister on my finger tips. this causes a change in the my tone due to the hardening of the skin when it pops and dries out. to fix this i have been learning to play softer and turning up the amp. plus i try to make a point to play atleat 20 minutes everyday to condition my fingers.

as for how the finger attacts the strings, my middle finger is a half inch longer than my index so i actually angle the bass so they attact the same way.

mothmonsterman · #10 03-20-2008, 05:23 PM

well if you think about it, your middle finger is longer than your index (typically)
so you're going to have to work on evening out the attack.
I'm working on the same problem with my ring finger.
since it has very little callous wise, it's weak and it's sort. not as sort as my pinky, that's inbreed short.

Orangeclawhamme · #11 03-20-2008, 09:50 PM

Thanks, everyone. The index finger seems to have less meat on it that my other fingers. I tried my thumb. It sounds like my middle finger. So does my ring finger. My pinkie doesn't bend well enough to try plucking with it. I learned that I have to keep my nails as short as possible or my bass sounds like crap. I am using a Peavey Grind bass and Line 6 110 amp, if that makes a difference.

I intend to keep playing with my index finger. What I will try is using it exclusively while going against all advice I've read and do this while I'm watching tv or otherwise not trying to make music, but to build up a callous on the finger.

Incidently, I love the sound of a double bass. I wish I had room to keep one.

jschwalls · #12 03-20-2008, 11:38 PM

I have the same "problem" which I use to my advantage .. I am full aware that each plucking finger yields a different tone.. So I will use my fingers to help achieve the sound I am trying to get...
If you look at your hand and wrist relation you will find that the middle finger is actually the center of the hand and lines up with the wrist... ( my doctor explained this to me )

I found that my index and ring sound similar and make for a more consistant balanced tone when playing 2 finger parts that require a steady even tone.. Theses two fingers are closer in length than the middle finger so when bent, they have the same stroke as each other... If you notice the middle finger is curved outward a bit more and actually has a little further to go out before it returns to its original starting point... that slight distance gives it a bit more "throw" which adds up to a little more attack on each strike....

It should have more "power" than the other fingers as well being as it is center of hand and all.. If you are really interested have a doctor ( who cares ) explain it to you... better yet just wait til you develop hand problems and are forced to see one anyway.. no,,,, on second thought take care of your hands and just ask out of curiousity.

Orangeclawhamme · #13 03-21-2008, 05:03 PM

This morning I tried to concentrate on using the tips of my fingers. This meant filing down my middle finger nail more than it already was, but it did seem to help.

Scot · #14 03-21-2008, 06:50 PM

As already said, just keep working on balancing the two. It will never be perfect but practice will go a long way towards getting it close. Work on 1/16 note funk-type grooves where you play lines with a lot of two consecutive notes, e.g.:

1-4/4 bar of consecutive 1/6 notes:
A string: E E E E
D string: A A A# B
G string: D D
D string: B B A A A# B

Try muting each note played with the opposite finger (when playing a note with the index immediately mute it with the middle and vice versa). These types of lines are great exercises, are fun to play, can be used in a musical contexts, and will really get that balance you're talking about together.

Keeping the length of your middle finger nail slightly longer may help a little too.

SirCanealot · #15 03-21-2008, 06:56 PM

My fingers are like this, and I consider it an advantage.

My index finger is fairly calloused all over, but the flat of my middle finger is fairly smooth.

When picking 8th/16th notes quickly the tone is even enough (since I'll be using more towards the tips), but when I want tons of treble I did in near the bridge with the tip of my index finger. When I want a deep, full tone with no treble, I play using the flat of my middle finger over the neck pickup.

Works for me and lots of other players it seems

JmJ · #16 04-02-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangeclawhamme

Thanks, everyone. The index finger seems to have less meat on it that my other fingers. I tried my thumb. It sounds like my middle finger. So does my ring finger. My pinkie doesn't bend well enough to try plucking with it. I learned that I have to keep my nails as short as possible or my bass sounds like crap. I am using a Peavey Grind bass and Line 6 110 amp, if that makes a difference.

I intend to keep playing with my index finger. What I will try is using it exclusively while going against all advice I've read and do this while I'm watching tv or otherwise not trying to make music, but to build up a callous on the finger.

Incidently, I love the sound of a double bass. I wish I had room to keep one.

I heard Mike Watt describe his Flipper Technique as playing with all four plucking fingers attack a single sting at a time. I've seen Bootsy, on video, also looking like he was slapping the bass with his open hand and getting clean single notes. I couldn't get those techniques as well as I would have liked. I did manage to scale down the Flipper Technique to two fingers, index/middle. Sounds fatter and louder than a single finger. You might find the semi Flipper useful.
Play with two fingers as one. If I remember correctly Jerry Scheff plays with the one finger technique.

Charred · #17 04-03-2008, 03:45 AM

IMO
Do NOT try to alter the attack differences of your individual fingers. Thats what makes you sound like ...YOU!
I'll suggest instead using a pro quality compressor to balance the output levels of your fingers. The great side effect this has is that it imparts your own 'signature' to the
tone...piece...music. The compression required per difference in attack will add to your individual ,footprint, err.... fingerprint. Dont be affraid to tweak your tone to your technique. Thats what makes the great 1's stand apart.

Cheers, Charred

I prefer and use the rack unit DBX 160(A orX)
read Harmony Central reviews.

Scot · #18 04-04-2008, 03:59 PM

Using a piece of gear to compensate for technique is never the way to go, IMO. You should strive to get a good consistent sound without the help of a dynamic level-altering device. Then you will get your sound and always sound good, even when sitting in on someone else's gear.

Gyoon · #19 04-04-2008, 04:08 PM

I have a drummer friend of mine who plays traditional grip (holds one drum stick standard, the other one more like a pencil or chopstick) His two hands each have their own distinct sound, so his drum rolls are never perfectly even. (I should say, I never noticed this until he pointed it out to me) He's still a bad ass drummer.

Glenn

Scot · #20 04-04-2008, 04:12 PM

Yeah but the whole point of working on drum rudiments is to work on evenness and consistency between the hands.