Fast B-string fingerstyle

[BassOrdinaire]

I'm having trouble playing as quickly on the B-string as I can on the rest of the bass (tuned BEADG) because my right-hand fingers have nothing to fall back against and are as a result flailing around in empty space behind the string.

I'm trying to do a sort of rapid three-finger picking to match a tremolo-picked guitar, and it works well on all of the other strings.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[lokikallas]

Originally Posted by BassOrdinaire

I'm having trouble playing as quickly on the B-string as I can on the rest of the bass (tuned BEADG) because my right-hand fingers have nothing to fall back against and are as a result flailing around in empty space behind the string.

I'm trying to do a sort of rapid three-finger picking to match a tremolo-picked guitar, and it works well on all of the other strings.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I would suggest trying a technique where you have your wrist more parallel to the body. Your fingers will hit the body instead of a string. I use this method on the 4 string typically.

[winegamd]

You could try using a ramp ala Gary Willis and his three finger technique.

[jabsys]

I struggled with this, my solution was to move my thumb so the fingers hit the pad of my thumb.

[BassOrdinaire]

Originally Posted by jabsys

I struggled with this, my solution was to move my thumb so the fingers hit the pad of my thumb.

I tried this but with the pickup instead of my thumb and it seems to be working better. Still not as fluid as the rest of my strings but it's better.

[devilman666]

Funny question what guage strings you play? I ask cause I found as a metal bassist who plays fingers only in a fairly fast tech band that loose "B" strings cause a ton of wasted movement. I fond by going with say a 135 if you tune to B that the extra tension will keep you finger from having suck a large swinge if you will .I tune "AEADG" and play a 145-105-85-65-45 but i als play DR ddt so they have a higher tension even for the normal gauge strings due to the hex core. Just an idea

[Toastfuzz]

Originally Posted by lokikallas

I would suggest trying a technique where you have your wrist more parallel to the body. Your fingers will hit the body instead of a string. I use this method on the 4 string typically.

This is typically what I do... I play in a faster rock/metal band in Drop B and for fast riffs along the B string, I'll anchor my hand very close and parallel with the body of the bass, so my fingerpad hits the bass body after it plucks the string. You can get pretty fast 2-finger or 3-finger runs that way.

[devilman666]

SORRY about the spelling early morning lol

[nysbob]

It's partly the physics of the string - more mass, less tension - it's slower to speak - the same thing happens even when you play with a pick. To compound the problem, whatever you're playing though will also have great deal of difficulty reproducing very low notes at high speed.

I know a metal head doesn't to hear it, but you're probably better off playing half time or up an octave.

[chaosMK]

When I have to do tremolo stuff on B I use a technique more like T-R-M-I or T-M-I where I slap the first note. It give you a nasty accent on the downbeat and once you get the rotation down with your wrist you can play insanely fast and consistently without getting tired. I dial in a sound and use gear that helps this type of slapping sound good though.

If I just want to do fingerstyle down there I rest my thumb on a pickup. No biggy.

[BassOrdinaire]

My issue isn't with the thickness/floppiness of the string (.135 DR Sunbeam btw), it's with the lack of anything behind the string to "catch" my fingers, so to speak. I'm almost tempted to get a six with a low F# just for this purpose LOL!

also, I play fretless and really abhor clacky bass tones. I'm going for a more Sean Malone/Jeroen Thesseling sound.

Thanks for all the replies so far

[Jay2U]

My bass is BEAD tuned and I experienced something similar on the B string. My solution is to play the B closer to the bridge. There it feels a little stiffer. I place my thumb on the edge op the bridge pickup and hit that B with two, somtimes three fingers.

[Edgar664]

Originally Posted by jabsys

I struggled with this, my solution was to move my thumb so the fingers hit the pad of my thumb.

+1

[oniman7]

Here is a picture of my hand position. Those grooves are from my nails wearing the wood down. I come down through the string so my finger us caught on the body. I also sometimes use the pickups as a ramp