Fretting Hand Question

[Get_da_funk_Out]

So i've been trying to clean up my technique lately and trying to rid myself of some bad habits. I know that I should be using the 1 finger per fret rule, but i'm getting myself confused a bit. Say i'm playing on the "E" string on the 5th fret and move back down the E string just playing root notes and not a scale, as i move back down should I be playing first position as I move down (meaning 1st finger on first fret and so on)? And secondly does the finger per fret rule apply to wherever I choose to play root notes (again not a scale). So if I choose to play Eflat on the E string it would be with my index finger and so on. Is this correct?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

You dont NEED to play one finger per fret.

Personally, when I have my first finger on the 5th fret and higher, I am 1 finger per fret, above the 12th it can be spread across 6 or more frets depending on where on the fingerboard.

But anything from 1-4th fret with the first finer, I use my 2nd and 4th finger ala Upright and what I like to think of as funk position to me..

Of course, there is always an exception to this rule, like when playing in C# using the 4th finger on Astring C# and 1st finger on the E# (F)... then you are in 1, 2, 3, 4, fingers on 1, 2, 3, 4, fret.

Playing just roots, walking lines, or solo, you should practice the same technique.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

You dont NEED to play one finger per fret.

+1. Nothing is written in stone. OFPF is a good technique, but personally I use it only when playing above the 5th fret. Below that, the stretch is too much for most people. If you are only playing say, roots and fives there is no need for OFPF. Only use it when/where it is required.

This clip explains things very well.



YouTube - ‪Bad Habits for Bass: The 1 Finger Per Fret System‬‏

[kr0n]

OFPF makes it easier to think in intervals. Root on 1st finger and you got minor 3rd on pinky and 5th/octave on ring finger. Root on middle and major 3rd on 1st finger etc.

It tends to encourage playing in a position rather than switching to lower position for chord/scale.

OFPF is great for finger independence and developing physical ability. And tbh, the stretch for 34" isn't that much. It just takes a while.

It's however not limited to keeping the root 1st & middle fingers. Think of 3 string major/minor arpeggio and you need to root with pinky on E. It all depends on where the bassline is taking you. If it's a descending it's different.

[russtolium]

Originally Posted by kr0n

OFPF is great for finger independence and developing physical ability. And tbh, the stretch for 34" isn't that much. It just takes a while.

I think that's true to an extent, but I think the problem with the stretch is that it compromises a good, straight, relaxed wrist form. That's the problem I've had with it anyway. You can mitigate it by angling your fingers and playing with the neck at a higher angle, but it doesn't work always work so well for me on chords (6 string bass).

I find it a bit more helpful to disassociate specific fingers for specific roles and focus on whatever feels best in a given scenario, but then again I haven't been playing anything that requires super fast fret technique yet, so that might be a challenge later on.

[john grey]

One issue that I have seen is that folks do not experiment with the position of the neck in-so-far as height & access. While wearing a comfortable strap (important) experiment with altering the position in which you wear the instrument so that the neck is in a very easily accessible position. Occasionally, the individual is so focused on the hand's position they don't pay attention to the neck starting to drop or shift.

I have large hands but there are position that would not help access easily all frets. I have seen folks with VERY small hands RIP insanely and one thing they do is make very sure that the position of the neck is maintained.
A very simple suggestion is do a lot of practice on shifts that give you a positional advantage also. Anyone's finger's will move a lot faster if they are moving a shorter distance. There has been a great deal of this explored by a great many people."Grid" and "linear" shifting can be applied to a given piece if you play it through for awhile & think about the shortest distance.

[kr0n]

Originally Posted by russtolium

I think that's true to an extent, but I think the problem with the stretch is that it compromises a good, straight, relaxed wrist form. That's the problem I've had with it anyway. You can mitigate it by angling your fingers and playing with the neck at a higher angle, but it doesn't work always work so well for me on chords (6 string bass).

I find it a bit more helpful to disassociate specific fingers for specific roles and focus on whatever feels best in a given scenario, but then again I haven't been playing anything that requires super fast fret technique yet, so that might be a challenge later on.

What makes you think you have to keep the stretch always? Just use it when you need it for that minor 3rd. Then relax the hand. When you got the tech down you can alter it, switch it up and loosen the technique. What strains the hand most is having a stiff stance. OFPF merely links fret positions/intervals to different fingers.

When you play a note it's not like you keep your hand perfectly still and when the next one arrives you jump to it lightning fast. You keep moving your hand for the next target note. Fluid motion.