Finger Per Fret technique

Bass In Ya Face · #1 12-11-2006, 12:16 AM

Hi Guys,

Just a quick question about the finger per fret technique. I have been practising for a few months now. Orignally I had an Ibanez gsr200 which was 34" scale but due to having girlie hands, i traded for a shorter scale 30" bass.

I am practicing the finger per fret technique from frets 1-4 on the e string but try as i might, i can never get my wrist turned enough to able to hold down the first fret of the e-sting. My first finger always seems to be kinda sideways on it. Looking at pros playing, their hands always appear to be flat to the fretboard. Is this a technique that i will master in time or do i just have freakishly small hands?

I still struggle to hold down the first four frets also without it making that horrible "twank" sound due to my fingers being to close to the frets...i am hoping this is a technique that will also come.

I am beginning proper lessons next month so hopefully this is something i can take guidance on. Also i have noticed several high profile bassists use the rock grip with the fretting hand, would you recommend this for a learner?

Thanks

j-bass-kreep · #2 12-11-2006, 01:16 AM

There is a reason people hardly ever do solo's on bass... It takes time but you should be able to strech those fingers . I have girlish hands and I can do the stretch on a regular 34' bass . Also there is the "rockers" grip and the rigth grip . the later being much harder to do .

Phlintlock · #3 12-11-2006, 05:48 PM

I had mad issues with that when I started, made me want to stop from day 1, but my dad gave me a new tennis ball and told me to squeeze it 10 times each hand, do that whenever you have a minute or two a day for a month, and you will be fine, after 2 weeks of that I had no holding fret down issues. My position on F (1st fret) on E string had the same issues you do, but I grew out of it fairly quickly, so I wouldn't worry on it too much. ( I haven't had lessons yet so you're ahead of me on that one)

Poop-Loops · #4 12-11-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass In Ya Face

I am practicing the finger per fret technique from frets 1-4 on the e string but try as i might, i can never get my wrist turned enough to able to hold down the first fret of the e-sting. My first finger always seems to be kinda sideways on it. Looking at pros playing, their hands always appear to be flat to the fretboard. Is this a technique that i will master in time or do i just have freakishly small hands?

I still struggle to hold down the first four frets also without it making that horrible "twank" sound due to my fingers being to close to the frets...i am hoping this is a technique that will also come.

I am beginning proper lessons next month so hopefully this is something i can take guidance on. Also i have noticed several high profile bassists use the rock grip with the fretting hand, would you recommend this for a learner?

Thanks

Not sure what you're saying. The first finger is always sideways (as in, the knuckle right above the fingernail is closer to the headstock than the fingertip is). I can't see how it would be flat.

Something to think about: When you are playing, don't squeeze the string with your finger. Only apply enough pressure to have the string against the fret, and then just let the rest of your arm go limp. The weight of your arm will keep the string tight. And make more effort to place your finger right behind the fret than to play fast. So slow down and make sure to do it right.

scottice · #5 12-11-2006, 06:46 PM

I hear 'ya. I am also beginning and the left hand it tough. Mostly for me it's fretting all four fingers properly. That pinky is sure difficult! I think it will come in time... and alot of practice. Keep it up!

I think poops comment about the pressure is really key. I find myslef witha death grip sometimes. I gotta' relax.

Also, have you had your action set-up properly? It might be worth it to have it professionally done. Maybe lowering it a bit might help you?

Good luck!

Kristopher · #6 12-11-2006, 06:48 PM

I used to have this problem (I have small hands as well). Now I play on a baseball-neck Precision. It took a while, but I was able to do it.

One of the things that helped a lot was fretting all of my fingers. For instance, if I played a note with my middle finger, I'd also place my index finger on the fret before it. If I was fretting a note with my pinky, all of my fingers would be down, each on one of the frets before. My biggest leap of hand stretching came from doing this while playing G on the D string with my middle finger, then A with my pinky (still on the D string), then Bb with the middle finger on the G string, and back down again to D and G again. Repeat until stretched (or in pain).

Also, I notice I have trouble with the one fret per finger thing when I fret a note with my index right behind the fret. If I move it back a bit to where it's almost between the frets, my middle and ring fingers have the right space to do what they need to do. Maybe it's because I can stretch a lot between my index and middle fingers but not between my middle and ring. Not sure if that's the same with anyone else.

H2ODog · #7 12-11-2006, 09:40 PM

There is another method, 1-2-4-4 fingering. I'm starting to play again after a long layoff and i'm considering using this method. Anyone else try it?

Poop-Loops · #8 12-11-2006, 10:23 PM

1-2-4 was used more in the days where amps were crappy, so you had to play harder, which meant higher action, which meant having to press down harder and thererfore one finger per fret hurt. These days if you get your action low enough, it shouldn't be a problem to play one finger per fret. I'm 5'10" with girly hands, not like some of the giants on here, either, and I can do fine. Just remember to pivot your wrist on the thumb to get a longer reach as opposed to stretching out your fingers.

K2000 · #9 12-11-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2ODog

There is another method, 1-2-4-4 fingering. I'm starting to play again after a long layoff and i'm considering using this method. Anyone else try it?

Yes. Use BOTH techniques, switching off as needed. Need to stretch, or play a little rifffy section? go with one finger per fret.

Just chugging along for a bar or two, or playing something groovy that doesn't need more than a two fret reach? go back to the 1-2-4 mode. This is easier on your hands and conserves energy, especially on the low notes (to the original poster... !)

Going back and forth between the two playing styles is easy, and I found it to be a very helpful trick.

To the original poster, I'm always surprised when people assume that they can learn the bass in a matter of months. It takes time, just be patient and play a lot. Lessons are good. Bass is definitely a "more you put into it, more you get out of it" deal. Lots of things will seem hard at first, then a few months from now you'll forget you ever struggled.

Good rule of thumb: "It's only hard the first 500 times you do it" (maybe some would say first 1000 times). What's that tell you then... just practice diligently and you'll get there soon enough (and don't forget to have fun with it).

scottice · #10 12-11-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2000

To the original poster, I'm always surprised when people assume that they can learn the bass in a matter of months. It takes time, just be patient and play a lot. Lessons are good. Bass is definitely a "more you put into it, more you get out of it" deal. Lots of things will seem hard at first, then a few months from now you'll forget you ever struggled.

Great words to live by. I am just starting and don't aim to be Flea by next year... but I would like to be able to jam with buddies and not look like an idiot! LOL
I have a day job, so bass for me will hopefully be an escape as well as a reason to get together with friends and have fun making music. Back to practice now!

Jazzin' · #11 12-11-2006, 10:44 PM

I use the 1-2-4 LH technique unless I need to do something that requires the 1-2-3-4 technique. I became used to 1-2-4 after taking up double bass over the summer.

It's okay to not use the finger-per-fret technique all the time.

Bass In Ya Face · #12 12-12-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottice

Great words to live by. I am just starting and don't aim to be Flea by next year... but I would like to be able to jam with buddies and not look like an idiot! LOL
I have a day job, so bass for me will hopefully be an escape as well as a reason to get together with friends and have fun making music. Back to practice now!

Oh don't get me wrong, i realise just as with any musical instrument there are hours of hard graft to be put in, i'm sure some my bass heroes such as Sting,Bruce Foxton, JJ Burnel and Mick Karn didn't just strap on a bass and start playing. I am getting a lot of reward from playing bass, unlike the lead guitar when i tried that. I tend to see more results quicker than i did with a six string. Plus i think bass players are cooler (just check out the list of players i mentioned earlier). I am already x10 a better player than when i first played 2 months ago, i just have had no formal instruction as yet and didn't want to pick up any bad habits!...thanks for your input guys

Poop-Loops · #13 12-12-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass In Ya Face

I tend to see more results quicker than i did with a six string.

I think it's just that your experience with a lead guitar is helping you with bass.

For me, I played bass for a grand total of 6 months and now I temporarily jumped ship to lead guitar. What am I finding? Guitar is EASY and I am getting results fast. But it's probably just because I already have a bit of playing under my belt (however little it may be).

I think I'll just get a 10 string bass/guitar so I can play both. Whenever I pick up one, I get an urge to play the other.

Gone · #14 12-12-2006, 12:18 AM

You say you can't get your finger flat on the fingerboard?
Is your thumb on the back of the neck. If you're gonna use 1 finger per fret make sure you don't put stress on your wrist. Thumb should be on the back of the neck to provide more access to the fingerboard. Similarly, if your playing standing up, you may want to put the bassn higher up on the strap or tilt it more upright to make it more comfortable to reach all the frets without putting strain on your wrist

Bass In Ya Face · #15 12-12-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gone

You say you can't get your finger flat on the fingerboard?
Is your thumb on the back of the neck. If you're gonna use 1 finger per fret make sure you don't put stress on your wrist. Thumb should be on the back of the neck to provide more access to the fingerboard. Similarly, if your playing standing up, you may want to put the bassn higher up on the strap or tilt it more upright to make it more comfortable to reach all the frets without putting strain on your wrist

Yes the thumb is, that's the weird thin about it. Still in the grand scheme of things it doesn't seem to stop me playing much, it's just annoying. Think i may try the tennis ball idea though mentioned earlier.

geoffkhan · #16 12-12-2006, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phlintlock

I had mad issues with that when I started, made me want to stop from day 1, but my dad gave me a new tennis ball and told me to squeeze it 10 times each hand, do that whenever you have a minute or two a day for a month, and you will be fine, after 2 weeks of that I had no holding fret down issues. My position on F (1st fret) on E string had the same issues you do, but I grew out of it fairly quickly, so I wouldn't worry on it too much. ( I haven't had lessons yet so you're ahead of me on that one)

Wait, wait, hold on. Really, you shouldn't be having to do any sort of "squeezing" motion with your fretting hand. All the fretting is done by pulling back with your fretting arm and shoulder. Really your fretting thumb should be very relaxed against the back of the fretboard.

lemur821 · #17 12-12-2006, 02:40 AM

If you're technique relies in any way on thumb pressure then it is wrong and dangerous. The thumb's only purpose is to remind you where the neck is and to keep it stable when you lift all your other fingers.

K2000 · #18 12-12-2006, 12:54 PM

Don't bother squeezing a tennis ball, finger weights, etc. If you want to increase your ability to play bass, spend time playing the bass, not doing wrist curls, grippers etc. Specific skills like playing a bass are not transferrable... to improve, play more.

Poop-Loops · #19 12-12-2006, 01:03 PM

You should be able to fret strings without using your thumb at all. Try it. If you can't do it, your mechanics are wrong.

lemur821 · #20 12-12-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

You should be able to fret strings without using your thumb at all. Try it. If you can't do it, your mechanics are wrong.

+1
In fact, you should be able to play most of your repertoire without it. Hammer ons from open strings are the only potential problem, since the neck will move around if you aren't touching it at all.