Galloping w/ 2 Fingers

str8_bourbon · #1 09-20-2006, 01:27 PM

How does one play a galloping line properly with 2 fingers? I use "index - index -middle" (for the "8th - 16th - 16th" notes). I was wondering if there's a more efficient way, for example strict alternating?

What if the bassline was something like, 8th - 16th - 16th - 16th - 16th - 8th(accounting for 2 beats), how would you play that with two fingers?

BrandonBass · #2 09-20-2006, 01:38 PM

keep strictly alternating, play at a slow pace were your comfortable with. practise until its second nature then slowly increase speed

thewanderer24 · #3 09-20-2006, 04:50 PM

Your default should be to alternate the fingers unless you have a good reason not to. It's just a hell of a lot more efficient, and a lot easier once you get used to it.

Alec W. Conway · #4 09-20-2006, 10:18 PM

8/index-16/index-16/middle-8/index-16/index-16/middle, etc....

for your 8-16-16-16-16-8-16-16-16-16, it would depend on the tempo.

for 150-160 ans below, I'd go index-index-mid-index-mid-index-index-mid-index-mid

faster, I'd use my weird ass 3 finger technique
index-index-mid-index-pinky-index-index-mid-index-pinky

Yea, I use my pinky for 3 fingers. Don't ask

ironflippy · #5 09-21-2006, 12:16 PM

I've always done gallops like this:

I IM|R IM|R IM|R

I = index
M = middle
R = ring
| = bar line

for an 8th 16th 16th pattern. Basically, the start of the gallop is with the index, then every downbeat after that is with the ring finger.

scourge · #6 09-22-2006, 10:30 AM

I-M-I, I-M-I. Repeat.

WillBuckingham · #7 09-22-2006, 01:04 PM

I think the vast majority of good bassists would advise you to follow the first two posts , i.e. strict 2-finger alternation, and not the other posts.

Byron Santo · #8 09-22-2006, 02:44 PM

If I'm using two fingers to play something like Maiden I'll alternate i-m-i, m-i-m. It takes practice but you can get really fast at it. Plus it will make your triplets easier.

DeathDancer · #9 09-24-2006, 01:19 AM

If you're going to use just two fingers then it is a better habit to alternate. When I use two fingers I do: M - I - M (But that is because I lead with my middle)

Kronos · #10 09-24-2006, 08:59 AM

Have you tried using 3 fingers? When I play any Maiden stuff for fun, I always use 3 fingers for the gallop. Makes it so much easier.

steve66 · #11 09-24-2006, 09:26 AM

Steve Harris of Iron Maiden does it - See Bass Player Magazine Oct 2006

1 - index
E
& - index
A - Middle

NamelessOne · #12 09-25-2006, 10:08 PM

I always start the gallop on my middle finger, which tends to hit a little heavier, providing a beat where I want it. It's better for your groove than alternating start fingers, as each finger always moves at the same speed. the middle is doing 16ths on the beat, and the index is sticking with 8ths on the weak beats.

Diowulf · #13 09-28-2006, 01:37 AM

I also start with my middle finger, but I alternate my starting finger. M-I-M I-M-I etc.

sloppyjaloppy · #14 09-28-2006, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8_bourbon

How does one play a galloping line properly with 2 fingers? I use "index - index -middle" (for the "8th - 16th - 16th" notes). I was wondering if there's a more efficient way, for example strict alternating?

What if the bassline was something like, 8th - 16th - 16th - 16th - 16th - 8th(accounting for 2 beats), how would you play that with two fingers?

i do the same except reverse. like "middle-middle-index"
and for your 8-16-16-16-16-8, id probably play "m-m-i-m-i-m" depends on the whole feel and tempo of the bassline. i hope this helps, although im almost sure it wont as it doesnt make a lot of sense

mike phillips · #15 09-29-2006, 10:48 PM

just got done watchin iron maiden live in brazil. durin the trooper steve plays it with three fingers. most of the set he uses three fingers.

bassist 4 life · #16 09-30-2006, 05:10 AM

In all the interviews with Steve, he swears that he only uses 2 fingers.

Erick Lam · #17 09-30-2006, 09:02 AM

Alternate or not, it doesn't matter one bit.

richard simmons · #18 09-30-2006, 11:26 PM

I use two fingers (I,M,I,M) and it takes a long time to develop if you are inexperienced. All i can say is to practice as much as possible until you get fast and don't get discouraged.

machine gewehr · #19 10-02-2006, 12:20 PM

I do it with 2 fingers alternating.It takes a couple of months to do it perfectly,its not easy but not impossible.If I could do ıt,you can do it too.Practice practice practice...

ps I had a physical therapy for my plucking hand a month ago and my playing got 3-4 months back,now I can't play gallops,I need to practice,practice and practice.

droythorne · #20 10-02-2006, 05:39 PM

Having forced myself to play with three/four fingers from the beginning, playing gallops with two fingers now seems really unnatural. Something along the lines of what ironflippy suggests is good with me, although you could advisedly learn to do it with either index, middle or ring finger accenting on the beat as a measure of the control you have over the plucking fingers.