Fingerstyle correct technique

[Langueta]

I see some different aproaches while playing with 2 fingers (index and middle) concerning the little and ring fingers. For example Steve Harris or John Entwsitle leave both fingers open (so sometimes you think he is playing with 3 fingers, when he only uses Index and Middle), On the contrary, Jaco most of the time close the little and ring finger for his staccato technique.
Which one would you consider correct and why????'
What approach do you use???
Which style of music do you play???

[JimmyM]

i use both and it really doesn't matter, though i find leaving my hand open is a little more relaxed. and i play all different kinds of music and it's immaterial to the technique.

[RavynWolf]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i use both and it really doesn't matter, though i find leaving my hand open is a little more relaxed. and i play all different kinds of music and it's immaterial to the technique.

Indeed, there isn't a correct way. If it doesn't hurt and you are getting the sound you want, you're doing it right.

[BassMan7530]

I would also agree with there not being any correct way as well, I suppose. But most of the time, I just keep my fingers relaxed and my hand opened up a bit (as opposed to tucking the fingers im not using).

Often I find that when I'm playing fast passages that require a lot of speed an accuracy, I will use my index and middle, and sometimes my ring for 3 finger plucking if it helps. But if I'm playing anything that does not require constant plucking at a fast speed (such as steady 8ths/ steady 8ths with a couple of 16ths throw in), I will play with my index, and my ring finger will work together with my middle finger in unison with it as it plucks, essentially as one unit (for lack of a better term). Does anybody find this odd?

[Langueta]

I can play Come on come over way better tucking the fingers I am not using. It is a new way of playing for me but improved my technique a lot!!! In fast passages and playing agressive is best tucking IMO, what do you think?????? I can dig better this way.

[Langueta]

After like an hour of playing along come on come over my right hand is very tired!!!

[NKUSigEp]

If it gets the job done and isn't causing pain, it's correct. That's all there is to it.

Personally, if I'm playing with my fingers I use my index, middle, and ring fingers. I didn't learn how to work that ring finger in until just in the last year but it makes life a LOT easier once you get it to hit the string with the same force as the other fingers.

[DeluxeRed]

I leave my fingers extended, and the 3rd and 4th finger are usually anchoring on and muting any unused strings.

[Col E Loc]

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

I leave my fingers extended, and the 3rd and 4th finger are usually anchoring on and muting any unused strings.

+1

I find that curling my two unused fingers up leaves them cramped and hurting at the end of a show.

my most recent attempt to make my bass playing better is to not tense anything ever. it's a lot harder than i thought it would be.

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by Col E Loc

my most recent attempt to make my bass playing better is to not tense anything ever. it's a lot harder than i thought it would be.

+100. Left hand, right hand, shoulders... especially if it's a hard part! It wasn't until I started playing fretless seriously years ago that I realized how tense my playing had been. Fretless seems to require a relaxed approach to sound even halfway decent, so it (slowly) helped me get over some terrible habits.

[Guz2]

Originally Posted by Langueta

I see some different aproaches while playing with 2 fingers (index and middle) concerning the little and ring fingers. For example Steve Harris or John Entwsitle leave both fingers open (so sometimes you think he is playing with 3 fingers, when he only uses Index and Middle), On the contrary, Jaco most of the time close the little and ring finger for his staccato technique.
Which one would you consider correct and why????'
What approach do you use???
Which style of music do you play???

Actually, I think John Entwistle used four fingers most of the time. Anyway, I keep my ring and pinky open

[Tim C.]

Originally Posted by Guz2

Actually, I think John Entwistle used four fingers most of the time. Anyway, I keep my ring and pinky open

Nah, just about every video I've ever seen has him doing 90% of the time index-middle. Rarely all four.

[Nightwolf55]

Lately I've been trying to mute the lower strings with the same 2 fingers that I play with. I play a 4 stringer now. Do people usually do this for the 3 higher strings, or just for the 2nd lower string? I find it hard to mute the 2nd and 3rd strings.

[derJackal]

Originally Posted by RavynWolf

Indeed, there isn't a correct way. If it doesn't hurt and you are getting the sound you want, you're doing it right.

What he said.