Fingerstyle advice please

jimmy_entwistle · #1 05-21-2006, 07:49 PM

Hi everyone, this is my first post on these forums, so be gentle...

My question is this; when playing bass in my band, I used to use a pick all the time. Now, however, I'm branching out into fingerstyle a lot more. I 'm finding that when I play fast 8th or 16th notes it's really difficult to get all the notes at a consistent volume, and sometimes my timing goes a bit off. Are there any exercises I could do to help? Would a compressor be of use? Is my technique to blame (i use the index, middle and ring fingers of my right hand, and anchor my thumb on the bridge pickup of my Ric 4003)?

Any advice by you fine chaps much appreciated. Cheers.

skoti89 · #2 05-21-2006, 07:52 PM

well, i dont finger play as much as pick
just play a slow consistent song. just keep you fingers moving at an easy rate, then just slowly speed up. also, you might be playing a little to hard...thats just my experience

-skot

BenWC87 · #3 05-21-2006, 07:53 PM

Practice with a metronome!

Fong249 · #4 05-21-2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenWC87

Practice with a metronome!

+1234

jimmy_entwistle · #5 05-21-2006, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. Time to dig out that metronome, methinks

Erick Lam · #6 05-21-2006, 08:23 PM

http://garywillis.com/pages/lessons/lessmain.html

See right hand #1 and #2.

Edit: and keep the metronome out, and use it. Always.

jimmy_entwistle · #7 05-21-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

http://garywillis.com/pages/lessons/lessmain.html

See right hand #1 and #2.

Edit: and keep the metronome out, and use it. Always.

Cheers for the advice. These links seem to suggest a "floating" thumb technique. Without wanting to hijack my own post, what are your guys opinions on floating thumb vs anchored thumb. I tend to anchor my thumb on a pickup. Is this good, bad or inconsequential?

Cheers

Erick Lam · #8 05-21-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy_entwistle

what are your guys opinions on floating thumb vs anchored thumb. I tend to anchor my thumb on a pickup. Is this good, bad or inconsequential?

Cheers

How important is the floating thumb technique?

anomalybass · #9 05-23-2006, 04:33 PM

The more you play the songs, even if you're not nailing it right away, the better you'll get. I guess "practice makes perfect" would have worked here too. -joe

40Hz · #10 05-25-2006, 09:51 PM

Start with just the index and middle finger. Add the ring finger after you get consistent volume and timing down with two fingers.

From my experience, unless your ring finger is close to the same dexterity and strength as your first two fingers, it will tend to introduce differences in volume.

steve66 · #11 05-25-2006, 10:14 PM

since my middle finger is a half a pad larger than my pointer, to get a consistent tone, I angle my hand toward the bridge and finger the strings. This way both fingers have the same contact area on the string. I never anchor my thumb, I keep it near my pointer and use it to mute or slap a string when needed.