Double bass fingering

[MicceO]

I started to play bass guitar a few months ago and I would like to ask about left hand technique. I bought a couple of books both of which recommended fingering where ring finger and pinky together are in charge of the third fret aka double bass fingering. First I found it a little bit strange (have played classical guitar earlier) but now I somehow like it. Later I've realised, that there are many who recommend a different, one finger - one fret technique. Anyhow, I'd like to carry on with double bass fingering which I've somehow adopted now. I understand that in certain situations four finger fretting is better, though.

Would someone like to comment on that!

[Pacman]

Using DB fingering won't hurt you - many recommend it. You may find later that using 4 finger technique will be natural in certain registers.

[CJK84]

On my EB, I use DB fingering most of the time, especially when playing anywhere near the nut (where the frets are spaced farthest apart).

As I move up the neck, I find the one-finger-per-fret approach is easier to execute and will incorporate the ring finger more.

[josh_m]

Originally Posted by CJK84

On my EB, I use DB fingering most of the time, especially when playing anywhere near the nut (where the frets are spaced farthest apart).

As I move up the neck, I find the one-finger-per-fret approach is easier to execute and will incorporate the ring finger more.

+1

There was a period where I was playing DB in the day and then at night going and playing BG, and I sort of happened upon it by accident, because I had been building some double bass speed chops for this one piece it made me a bit faster in the nut area, which came in handy for what went from a bass doubling a piano part to a bass solo with piano accomp. because the piano player couldn't do it (If anyone is interested it's the dance to "That's How Young I Feel" from the musical mame.

[WillPlay4Food]

I've been trying to not use the ring finger on the lower frets because I find whenever I fret with my ring finger on the D or G strings, my hand is rotating because I can't lift my ring finger enough to fret these strings. This either causes a slow down in what I'm playing (not good) or gives my hand cramps from moving all over the place.

I've been playing 1 finger per fret since I started playing so not using the ring finger feels unnatural. But, my hand isn't rotating and flying all over the place when I don't use my ring finger. Guess it's time to get back out in the shed.