Disco octave RH fingering

[Kevin.Kevin]

Hey

So i'm workin on this tune, and its just really quick. It's one of those "1 and a, 2 and a" type octave runs. where you play one root, and two octaves on the last two 16th. Im wondering if you guys tend to finger it like 1 21, 1 21, 1 21 ect... or alternate 1 21, 2 12, 1 21 ect..

Hopefully you get what i mean

[Craigmartini]

Originally Posted by Kevin.Kevin

Hey

So i'm workin on this tune, and its just really quick. It's one of those "1 and a, 2 and a" type octave runs. where you play one root, and two octaves on the last two 16th. Im wondering if you guys tend to finger it like 1 21, 1 21, 1 21 ect... or alternate 1 21, 2 12, 1 21 ect..

Hopefully you get what i mean

Hello Kevin,

It seems most natural to me to use 1 12, 1 12, 1 12, 1 12

For some reason it works for me this way best.

Play the pattern however it feels most natural to you. Once you decide how you want the right hand fingers to play it, stick to it and just play it over and over.

Craig

[HaVIC5]

For that specific pattern I play thumb, 2 1. Thumb, 1 2 works as well, for you Matt Garrison technique fans.

[jgroh]

I used to play primarily with a pick so these kind of disco-root-octave lines were easier (dont know why, just MHO) but in the last year I have moved to using mostly fingers. What I do on a couple of our cover songs is use my index finger to play the root and my middle to play both notes of the octave. So depending how fast the line is, each finger is responsible for its own string (if that makes sense) Its made this kind of thing alot easier for me to do cleanly, but you have to be quick with your strokes.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

You can see the way I play that pattern here. Hope that helps.

[BillyIVbass]

I like using thumb 1,2 or thumb 2,1. I'm still trying to decide which I like better.

[John Wentzien]

1 21 1 21

[nsmar4211]

LOL I'm an oddball. I'll do 1212 until my finger gets tired, then I do 1313

[Jactap]

I guess I'm an oddball too. 1 32 1 32

[puff father]

1 12, 1 12, 1 12 or thumb 12, thumb 12, depending on the song

[gregmerrill]

Probably your first way but I do practice what I call the reverse octave starting with 2nd finger. I always think you should be able to execute anyway and all ways. But it is much easier to start with the 1st finger per the way our hand is shaped.

[longfinger]

Hey,

BUMP, as I'm working on this same thing now.

There seems to be a big tonal difference once the thumb is brought in, compared to just the index and middle finger. How are you all balancing the values of tone, fluidity and speed?

Does anyone do

1-2^ , 1-2^

(i-m^, i-m^)

where the ^ is the middle finger picking up (on the nail)?

[Russell L]

You can always just slam your fret finger down on the lower note to make it sound and then just pick the higher two notes with your picking hand fingers. Huh?

I don't have to worry about it anymore since I quit playing that music.

[Lecomber]

I used to find 1 21, 1 21.. easier, but after practicing 1 12, 1 12, until I nailed it i've found it alot easier to play fast disco lines

[Phil Smith]

Thumb, 1, 2 is not going to have as strong an attack as 1 ,2, 1 or 1, 1,2. on that first note.

[CYDbass]

Originally Posted by Jactap

I guess I'm an oddball too. 1 32 1 32

This.

Not played a song like it, but getting my bass out now and trying all the options, this feels most natural to me and would be the one I'd work on.
Just try them all and see what you manage best

[Schizo Sapiens]

Originally Posted by Jactap

I guess I'm an oddball too. 1 32 1 32

+1

Why do all the back and forth jumping when you can use 3 fingers?

[WalterBush]

I play 1 32 1 32, as well.

I'm working on 1 21 2 12 as part of a regimen of strict alternation on all the parts I play. It's not comfortable right now, but I can see where it could allow for a lot more mobility in the left hand in the future.

[BassJunkie]

Haha. The first song that comes to mind for me is "Hot Stuff". I use thumb,2,1.

[Schizo Sapiens]

Originally Posted by WalterBush

1 21 2 12

Wow, i never thought of strict alternation on this pattern, gotta try it at home.