Fingering Advice - quick switch to the next string

[oldrocker]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to play this. This a quick riff with a quick transition from D string 7th fret to A string 7th fret.

The riff goes D string 5th fret (G) to D string 7th fret (A) then quickly to the A string 7th fret (E) to G string 5th fret (C) and finally back to the D string 7th fret (E).

I'm having trouble with the A to E transition.

I've tried a couple of possiblities but I'm not sure which to stick with so I asking how do you real bass players play something like this.

Would you use the ring finger switching quickly from the A to E. Or maybe somehow bar both the E and A notes at the same time or maybe use the ring finger for the A and somehow get the middle finger up for the E note.

I appreciated the help guys.

[oldrocker]

The riff looks like this:

[OriginalSnub]

I would probably do index, pinky, ring, index, ring, open

[JimmyM]

either way is fine but i usually bar. but if it's not working for you to bar, then try using two fingers. it's all good as long as you don't drop the beat.

[James Judson]

Yeah what he said. Good advice so far. What I sometimes do is kinda roll my fingers from string to string. Rolling my finger also helps deaden the string I'm not playing.

[Fergie Fulton]

All great recommendations, but i personally would tell you its about what is happening before and what you have to do after the riff. Fingering is about movement so where you come from and where you go are part of nailing any riff.
FTR i would use any three finger combination based on what i have said and no open string.

[Swicked]

Buy her dinner first.

[Bassbuster]

Originally Posted by Swicked

Buy her dinner first.

Ahahaha

[makkE]

Either how originalsnub said, or without the open D, I'd play:

Index Pinky Ring Index Pinky Middle

[Jools4001]

What OriginalSnub and MakkE said, except if I was going to play the D on the 5th fret of the A string instead of the open D, I would use:

Index, pinky, ring, index, ring, index

But...my choice of whether I played the open D, or fretted the D with either the index or middle finger would depend on what notes come afterwards

[ShredderMaximus]

roll the bar

[Skitch it!]

Similar to the other chaps, but I'd play the last fretted note with the pinky: Index - pinky - ring - index - pinky (as it's in place there above the fret, no finger swap, keeps the left hand closed muting position a little more stable, decreases the stretch) - open, or if you wanted to fret that D, I would do it with the index.

BPM is something to take into consideration too with this, I think it's down to what you find more fluid and automated my 2.

[SaucyJackBass]

Originally Posted by OriginalSnub

I would probably do index, pinky, ring, index, ring, open

+1, just played it and it works perfect. the pinky/ring going up a string is common for me.

I have more trouble going down a string quickly if the transition is off that string on the next note. I'll actually slide ring down and mute with my right thumb in those cases.

[RickyBassBalls]

Try practicing it backwards as well as forwards.

[oldrocker]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions

I'm going to use the index - pinky - ring - index - ring combo, Either planting the pinky and ring at the same time or rolling from pinky to ring.

Just comment on some of the questions:

- The riff is not super fast but it's fast enough that I can't use the ring for the A on the D string and move it quick enough up to A the string for the E.

- That (open) D is really the 1st note of the companion or answering riff to this riff. I have no trouble playing that part so I didn't include it.

- There is really nothing before this riff. It starts the song after a 2 measure drum intro and repeats twice after each verse.

And as Jimmy said the most important thing is not to drop the beat. That's why I was asking for help to play these notes without dropping the beat.

Thanks Again