Four Finger Picking - Solo concepts lesson video

[Mike Flynn]

Hey All

I've been getting a lot requests for a video explaing ways to solo with the Matt Garrison 4 finger picking technique - so here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze-aW0SB5K8

Hope it helps

Cheers

Mike

[JimmyM]

super sweet! you make it look effortless!

[Intenzity]

These are really great, I have been looking for a way to get this going, and this video was very helpful in showing it in action.

Of course, I can't do it in any way But at least I can see how it is supposed to work.

Thanks! This is invaluable for a technique like this, this is one technique you have to see to get I think.

[jpTron]

subscribed for later

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by Intenzity

These are really great, I have been looking for a way to get this going, and this video was very helpful in showing it in action.

Of course, I can't do it in any way But at least I can see how it is supposed to work.

Thanks! This is invaluable for a technique like this, this is one technique you have to see to get I think.

Cool man - if you check the other vids on my channel there's another lesson vid that covers the fundamentals of this - and I should also say go sign up to Matt Garrison's Music Centre website - it's free- and has some great lessons that really go into this in even greater detail

Glad you guys are enjoying the videos

Cheers

Mike

[Luis Perenna]

Mike, thank you so much for posting this video lesson. This has been my inspiration for today's practice, and I think it will keep me busy for a good long while.

Using classical guitar notation p = thumb, i = index, m = middle finger, and a = ring finger, I started practicing sixteenth notes in by playing them a-m-i-p, but I have more definition and volume in the notes I play with my thumb if I play them p-a-m-i instead.

I also downloaded your album from Bandcamp. I really like it, especially the hip hop and urban influences. Good stuff!

[pandaman37]

AWWW dude im such a huge fan of yours i didnt know you were on here! i was totally with you when those people were givin you sh** on the footprints 6 string fretless bass cover, you were right on. and just so you know, when i grow up, i wanna be just like you. except without the sei bass, no offence im just not a fan.
the 4 finger vid was sick btw

[metalinthenight]

super cool video. I'm really glad I stumbled upon this! Thanks for sharing and for the great playing!!

Do you find that the ramp helps that much with this playing style?

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by metalinthenight

super cool video. I'm really glad I stumbled upon this! Thanks for sharing and for the great playing!!

Do you find that the ramp helps that much with this playing style?

Thanks man - and yes I do think having a ramp helps with this style - the point with a ramp is that it helps prevent your fingers slipping beneath the strings and helps maintain the consistency of each pluck. Which is really important when you're trying to get this stuff up to speed - but I also like the feeling of a ramp under my fingers when I'm just using index and middle - which I do 90% of the time - so yes ramps are very good for this stuff, not essential, but really helpful.

Thanks for the feedback and glad you guys are enjoying this

Cheers

Mike

[metalinthenight]

Rad. Now I'm just wondering if there is a way to emulate the effect of a ramp on my bass (i.e. a strip of wood or something else cheap) without having to actually attach one, just to see if I like it first.

[frankenjazz]

Originally Posted by metalinthenight

Rad. Now I'm just wondering if there is a way to emulate the effect of a ramp on my bass (i.e. a strip of wood or something else cheap) without having to actually attach one, just to see if I like it first.

most ramps are actually set to the body with double sided tape so you woudnt have to literally attach it to the body, just stick it on, and gary willis has a couple of videos up on youtube on how to make your own using balsa wood, i havent tried it (dont have the equipment) but even with minimal wood working skills its seems to be a fairly basic job

[metalinthenight]

thanks for the tip! I found a few links, looks like I've got some building to do!

[Ian the bassist]

Originally Posted by Mike Flynn

Hey All

I've been getting a lot requests for a video explaing ways to solo with the Matt Garrison 4 finger picking technique - so here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze-aW0SB5K8

Hope it helps

Cheers

Mike

I use my thumb alot too. For this kind of playing I'd only use 3 fingers though. Ring, middle, index, index up pluck and repeat. Or even just middle index, index up, middle up. The second one gives it a nice trebly sound.

[Infidelity]

Hey Mike!

I actually started learning your technique a few months ago and just wondering what's the difference between using the thumb(down), thumb(up), index and middle than doing thumb(down), index, middle and ring?

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by Infidelity

Hey Mike!

I actually started learning your technique a few months ago and just wondering what's the difference between using the thumb(down), thumb(up), index and middle than doing thumb(down), index, middle and ring?

The difference is that the first method you describe is in essence what Vic Wooten does with the double thumbing technique - the main problem when using that as a 'finger style' technique is that the up stroke on the thumb means catching the string with your thumb nail - creating a percussive sound rather than a smooth finger plucking sound. I guess you could get it to work, or you can just kill the treble to keep the tone of the up stroke in line with that of the other finger plucks. The main advantage with using thumb, index, middle, ring is that you get a consistency of sound and once you work on it the thumb down and index up strokes become very intuitive, it's also less effort, and more economy of motion, if you use you index for the up stroke. I still use double thumb with one and two plucks but if I am playing a fast groove I've found using thumb down then index up is a great way to play fast and light - also using the three fingers and thumb I personally think is a lot easier to keep in time than doing a down and up stroke with the thumb.

Just my thought on the subject but I have been trying all these different variations for about 15 years and the Matt Garrison method for me is the most economical and accurate when playing 4 plucks in one motion - it's not slapping, it's picking and should be treated as such - though you can vary it any way you like - it's just another technique to be adapted and altered to suit you and your style

Cheers

Mike

[djaydjay]

I have been trying that technique for a few weeks. I get a quite consistent stroke, but it is very... "light" so to say.
Since I do stroke quite hard when playing with "normal" techniques, my sound level drops when I switch to this one.

I'm wondering if once I get more used to that technique, I will be able to pluck harder, or if I'm actually supposed to stroke light when using it? Which would means that I have to change my usual technique to not get that sound drop (or use a limiter)

[behndy]

nice. very helpful. MORE stuff to practice.

thanks!

[Skitch it!]

I've been practising this technique for over a year now, the most difficult thing I've found is playing the stuff you already play with 2/3 fingers. Alternating fingers for string crossing is the key I feel, getting 4 notes on one string is straightforward, getting 4 notes over 3 strings requires much more concentration on alternation and muting e.g. the head for Donna Lee which I use as an alternating exercise for 4 finger technique is quite a lot of muting and alternating over 4 strings also the muted Jaco style lines require a lot of independence.

I don't use a ramp (yet), the pickup's on my bass are positioned quite well for 'feel gauges' and my technique is reversed i.e. thumb, ring, middle and index. I recommend the hairband trick for muting help, it works surprisingly well, the technique is lighter than trad style but keeping it lighter helps with muting too imo.

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by Skitch it!

I've been practising this technique for over a year now, the most difficult thing I've found is playing the stuff you already play with 2/3 fingers. Alternating fingers for string crossing is the key I feel, getting 4 notes on one string is straightforward, getting 4 notes over 3 strings requires much more concentration on alternation and muting e.g. the head for Donna Lee which I use as an alternating exercise for 4 finger technique is quite a lot of muting and alternating over 4 strings also the muted Jaco style lines require a lot of independence.

I don't use a ramp (yet), the pickup's on my bass are positioned quite well for 'feel gauges' and my technique is reversed i.e. thumb, ring, middle and index. I recommend the hairband trick for muting help, it works surprisingly well, the technique is lighter than trad style but keeping it lighter helps with muting too imo.

That's all good - but my one tip on muting for this technique is doing it mainly with your fretting hand, notice on the vid how I keep my left hand index finger flat against the fingerboard most of the time, that's covering the strings I'm not plucking.

Re the other question about picking harder, being able to pluck harder and louder with this stuff does happen with practice, but a lower action etc will help you get more 'play' out of your strings, playing with two fingers IS louder but this is an effect that does work well - but just like mastering anything else takes time to develop properly.

Cheers

Mike

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by Mike Flynn

- The main problem when using that as a 'finger style' technique is that the up stroke on the thumb means catching the string with your thumb nail - creating a percussive sound rather than a smooth finger plucking sound.

I've been thinking about this one for a while, I have considered gluing a thin piece of felt onto the thumbnail for an experiment (don't try this at home folks) I'll give it a try sometime and report back