Fingering while playing difficult riffs

TheInsane · #1 05-18-2003, 08:05 AM

As I have previously stated I have recently tried to play more with my fingers again instead of a pick. I find Metallicas songs good to learn to. However I have recently tried to play "blackened" off the "...and justice for all" album. I am about to get up to the "stamina" (not sure if this is the right word for it) to play the song right thru. However I seem to play it like this:

I = index, M = middle, R = ring

G|-----------------------------|
D|-----------------------------|
A|---7---7---7-8-7---7---7---7-|
E|-0---0---0-------0---0---6---|
I M I M I M R I

It's just that riff (that I know of) that I play like that because I find it hard to use the technique I normally use (that being ring, middle, index). What do you say, should I try to learn to play it "ring, middle, index"? I'm figuring that I can play this song like I do right now but it might be easier to learn more difficult stuff later on if I learn to play with the other method. I just need some oppinions on what you recomend.

Ziggy · #2 05-20-2003, 10:57 PM

Thelnsane,

I'm not familiar with the tune... it does look like the typical metal 'fluttering' of 1/16 notes. Yes??

For passages such as this, separating your 'mind' from concentrating on what your 'fingers' are doing, is pretty much a must do.

I've found an 'alternating' picking works well:
I-M-I-M-I-R-I-M-I-M..etc.

Does that help at all?
michael s.

TheInsane · #3 05-21-2003, 01:03 AM

I will try your picking style to but I was more interested in if you people feel it is important to always follow a pattern (R-M-I for example) or if you use 'alternating' picking styles.

Quote:

it does look like the typical metal 'fluttering' of 1/16 notes. Yes??

Well I'm not to familiar with music language (especiially not when it's not my first language). Let's say like this; it's fast and it has a strange rythm to it

. I have a bass note/tab book and it says 7/4 which it is. See a tab of the song here:

Metallica - blackened tab

thrash_jazz · #4 05-21-2003, 02:44 PM

There's no real need to follow a pattern as long as it's comfortable to play.

The general rule of thumb (pun intended) with multi-finger playing is not to use the same finger twice in a row - this can inhibit your speed.

A good thing to do would be to practice this line using ALL plucking finger combinations (ie, start with I one time, then M, then R). Try to keep the line smooth and flowing.

Ziggy · #5 05-22-2003, 12:19 AM

TheInsane,

Hmmm... better understand what you were inquiring of.

I think thrash has a good bit of advice; "don't concentrate so much on 'following' a pattern.."

Again, separate your mind from your fingers... let the fingers flow and play as it feels best for 'You'.

BTW: I'll check out the link for the tabs and see if amazon.com has a short music clip of the tune to get a more accurate listen to the song...
michael s.

TheInsane · #6 05-22-2003, 01:32 AM

Thanks people.

Quote:

BTW: I'll check out the link for the tabs and see if amazon.com has a short music clip of the tune to get a more accurate listen to the song...

Or just use Kazaa/Direct Connect and download the whole song

XxBassmanxX · #7 05-22-2003, 03:44 PM

I had the same problem a while back and posted a VERY similar thread. After a few weeks of strict R-M-I-R-M-I its definatly just as natural feeling. Its really helped me get clean sounding attacks even in really fast passages. I was never this fast with my old style 3 finger style. I say you can get good no matter which way you choose, since their are guys that are as fast with 2 fingers as i am with 3. If your going to try the 3 finger 321 technique it will feel natural after a few nights of working with it.

Joe