Getting discouraged with the 3-2-1 finger pluck technique...

[MistaMarko]

Just, I CANNOT fret for example frets 1 2 3 with 1=index, fret 2=middle, and fret 3=ring, and to pluck those frets go 3-2-1. Its like going towards its other in the flow of fingers, and its a complete brain twister to me..I cant even do it slow..does anyone else have this problem? how did they cope with it?

Also, I'm having a hard time doing 16ths with 3 fingers..its just mind boggling to go THREE two one three TWO one three two ONE three two one THREE...anyone having this problem?

[cann0n]

Hey not much of a poster but I saw your thread and had to post. It took a couple of months of practice and constantly drumming my fingers to be able to use 3 fingers in 16th note pattern. What i found helps is starting with the ring finger and going : Ring, middle,index,middle starting each quarter note on the ring finger. I do not know if this is good bass technique but its solves the habit of slipping into triplets when using 3 fingers.

Hope that helps

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

Just, I CANNOT fret for example frets 1 2 3 with 1=index, fret 2=middle, and fret 3=ring, and to pluck those frets go 3-2-1. Its like going towards its other in the flow of fingers, and its a complete brain twister to me..I cant even do it slow..does anyone else have this problem? how did they cope with it?

Also, I'm having a hard time doing 16ths with 3 fingers..its just mind boggling to go THREE two one three TWO one three two ONE three two one THREE...anyone having this problem?

its kinda awkward for me, but i have no problem if i go really slow. But I still cant play 3fingers on 1 string fast and consistent yet....so i stick to 2 in the meantime and practise 3fingers once in awhile

[nysbob]

If you want to learn to do it, you will.

Keep trying. When you get it, you'll be mighty glad you did.

[Poop-Loops]

Try it 1-2-3.

I started out doing 1-2-3, and when fretting 3-2-1 with my left hand and plucking with my right it was just like you said. Suddenly my pattern was changing by itself. But I kept working on it and it was better.

Try doing this:

Fret 2-1-2-1-2-1 or 3-1-3-1-3-1, etc, while plucking 3-2-1-3-2-1. There's less to think about, so it might ease you into it.

Doing 16ths is definately a challenge for me. I just stop thinking about it like you do, and stick to the beat. It should sort itself out. At first I did have to think about it, though, or else I would start doing triplets.

[bearcubs9497]

Right hand three finger playing is something I wish I could do, but it's a literal physical impossibility for me. My right hand ring finger is a bit freakishly short for it.

My advice is to just take is slowly, and concentrate on accenting the 4th beat for right now. Sooner or later, everything will come along seemingly naturally

[lemur821]

You can't do it even when you go slow? I don't think you're slowing down enough.

[Poop-Loops]

What also helps me is thinking in pairs. Instead of trying to go all out 4 counts, go "one, two, one two" It breaks the habit of doing triplets, and that's all you're really trying to do. If you can do a 2 count, you can do a 4 count.

[jzucker]

What's really tricky is playing 4 note pentatonic sequences using 1-2-3 fingering...

I've found that it takes a minimum of 4-6 months to naturally incorporate a new technique into your playing. Particularly true if the technique is something radical like adding a finger or learning to play tapping or slapping.

Slow it down to 40 on the metronome...

[Bryan R. Tyler]

It's one of the reasons I said "screw three fingers" and went to four

[paintballjunkie]

^im starting to use my pinky finger.i've always thought it would be cool to play using all fingers.