How do you use three fingerstyle?

[Vertex]

I have a few questions about three finger playing.

1. What is the order of playing? Is it 3-2-1-3-2-1 or is it -3-2-1-2-3-2-1 etc?

2. Do you use it only for quick moments or is it used all the time?

3. Do you have to keep within your order or can you break it for some quick triplets? Example, 3-2-1 I would assume would almost always be the quickest method to play three notes, if the next finger up is your first but you are playing a triplet would it be alright to start with your third finger again instead? Or is this bad habit?

Thanks for any answers!

[CameronF]

Personally I play it 3-2-1 and I use it from time to time but not all the time... it helps on triplets sometimes.... as long as it feels good in the context your playing it and it grooves...

[PabstBlueRibbon]

I was taught to play 1-2-3-2. I was also taught that breaking that pattern was considered a bad habit (like breaking the cross-picking pattern on a guitar). I'm not a stickler though, so whatever gets the job done seems fine to me. It is worth forcing yourself to keep the pattern while practicing though to gain some extra finger independence. Then you'll automatically use the third finger when you need it and probably gain some speed when needed. As mentioned above some lines do seem to grove better with the three finger approach, and it's fun. Definitely worth spending some time on at least

[sonic assassin]

i seem to only use them in gallops, triplets and rakes. always 3-2-1. havent found a practical use for it otherwise. my 1-2 is fast enough for almost anything i want to do. otherwise, ill just get a pick.

when i wasnt playing, i practiced them on my pocket. sounds dumb, im sure. anchor my thumb on the fold over edge of my jean pocket, practice patterns on it all day in school, at work, whatever. then when you get to a bass, you're already warmed up.

[Fergie Fulton]

It is different for each, so tap your fingers on the table like a horse galloping, the fastest and easiest direction is your style and starting point.

Follow the link for more info

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?f...ogId=519267158

have fun with it.

[Erick Lam]

I don't use any specific order and the ring finger stays one or two strings above the others and ready to play.

[Mad_Bassist777]

Originally Posted by Vertex

I have a few questions about three finger playing.

1. What is the order of playing? Is it 3-2-1-3-2-1 or is it -3-2-1-2-3-2-1 etc?

2. Do you use it only for quick moments or is it used all the time?

3. Do you have to keep within your order or can you break it for some quick triplets? Example, 3-2-1 I would assume would almost always be the quickest method to play three notes, if the next finger up is your first but you are playing a triplet would it be alright to start with your third finger again instead? Or is this bad habit?

Thanks for any answers!

I play 3-2-1 (Ring-Mid-Point)

I use this technique constantly no matter what im playing.

Just play whatever is most comfortable because on a triplet, I always start with my ring no matter what finger I used last.

[Cyber Soda]

1-2-3-2 for speed, 1-2-3 for triplets, and I alternate between that and two fingers.

Probably not the best way to go, but it gets the job done.

[MattyBass]

Checkout Billy Sheenan Videos on you tube there is one where he breaks down his method....

The first link Is just a kickass bass solo....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omFFeLEXFE

the 2nd link is the video i was talkin about... I forget which part he breaks down his fingerstyle method...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxctBP8Rufc

You gotta give sheenan props
even if your not a rock bassist.... that mutha****a is Fast....

[wizay]

I use the Sheehan method with great success. Ring Middle Index, cus that motion seems to be the most natural.

It goes like this: |R M I R | M I R M | I R M I | R M I R |, thats three fingers on four notes, that is a little akward. So "1" lands on a diffrent finger each time. And to prevent "gallop", accent the finger on the "1" in the beat.

Like DA-da-da-da-DA-da-da-da-DA-da-da-da
R M I R M I R M I R M I


Answers to question 2 and 3. I do always use three-finger technique. From time to time i may be using two finger with mi ring and index, cus those seems to be in the same lenght. Nr 3, i sometimes begin on Ring if im playin a quick triplet, but i try to keep the pattern going.

I also always rake, if im plucking the G string with my ring and I pluck the D string right after for example, i use my ring. Many say you should always use alternation but for me, raking feels the most natural. I can rake many notes with just one motion, thats economy of the motion, to play as many notes with the least amount of movement. But each to his own, of course. What works for me, may not work for you. Try and experiment what you want and feels the best about. I wouldnt use R M I M R M I, cus the middle finger works twice as much as the other, plus thats a little akward to do.

Hope this helps and good luck. Ive been playing this way for about 2 years, and i still work on getting the three finger tecnique as fluid as possible.
Here is a little video of billy explaining the consept "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CAGinmT9Po"

Daniel

[RestInPieces]

Originally Posted by wizay

I use the Sheehan method with great success. Ring Middle Index, cus that motion seems to be the most natural.

It goes like this: |R M I R | M I R M | I R M I | R M I R |, thats three fingers on four notes, that is a little akward. So "1" lands on a diffrent finger each time. And to prevent "gallop", accent the finger on the "1" in the beat.

Like DA-da-da-da-DA-da-da-da-DA-da-da-da
R M I R M I R M I R M I


Answers to question 2 and 3. I do always use three-finger technique. From time to time i may be using two finger with mi ring and index, cus those seems to be in the same lenght. Nr 3, i sometimes begin on Ring if im playin a quick triplet, but i try to keep the pattern going.

I also always rake, if im plucking the G string with my ring and I pluck the D string right after for example, i use my ring. Many say you should always use alternation but for me, raking feels the most natural. I can rake many notes with just one motion, thats economy of the motion, to play as many notes with the least amount of movement. But each to his own, of course. What works for me, may not work for you. Try and experiment what you want and feels the best about. I wouldnt use R M I M R M I, cus the middle finger works twice as much as the other, plus thats a little akward to do.

Hope this helps and good luck. Ive been playing this way for about 2 years, and i still work on getting the three finger tecnique as fluid as possible.
Here is a little video of billy explaining the consept "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CAGinmT9Po"

Daniel

This. Same way for me.

[dalconthenovice]

Originally Posted by Vertex

if the next finger up is your first but you are playing a triplet would it be alright to start with your third finger again instead? Or is this bad habit?

Thanks for any answers!

as far as technique goes i like to make this very very clear, if it works it works there is no bad habit, if you see my slap techniques alot of them are very err... different and alot of people frown on them but you know what? it sounds the same and i can play better slap bass than most of the players in the seattle area (that i know) even if it is different

technique? hey man, its just a tool, its what you USE that tool for that matters you just got to be aware the boundaries of that tool

[dalconthenovice]

and i play R-M-I-M-R(repeat)

and i do that same form of triplet and i've seen alot of other bass players do it too

steve harris is good at that kind of triplet

so was john paul jones

[nysbob]

The only bad habit is not playing in time. I go primarily R-M-I, but in the heat of battle anything might happen.

[wizay]

Originally Posted by nysbob

The only bad habit is not playing in time. I go primarily R-M-I, but in the heat of battle anything might happen.

hehe- very true

[J-B'ass]

I play 1-3-2, which at a glance seems fairly unique. There's nothing more awkward than going 1-2-3, even if your overall pattern is 3-2-1-2-3, so I avoid that.

I use it for everything unless there is a particular advantage to using two fingers. Three finger plucking really comes into it's own for fast triples and the occasional disco octaves. Using finger 1 for root and 2 +3 for octave you get a nice Bom Didi Bom Didi sounding thing.

[Tylerrr51]

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

i seem to only use them in gallops, triplets and rakes. always 3-2-1. havent found a practical use for it otherwise. my 1-2 is fast enough for almost anything i want to do. otherwise, ill just get a pick.

when i wasnt playing, i practiced them on my pocket. sounds dumb, im sure. anchor my thumb on the fold over edge of my jean pocket, practice patterns on it all day in school, at work, whatever. then when you get to a bass, you're already warmed up.

i do the pocket thing all day! people always scream at me " STOP PLAYING IMAGINARY BASS!"
i thought i was alone in the world

[jazzbass_5]

All great methods!, I just play by feel and how I feel, not sure when I'm using my 3rd finger Its there when I need it, kinda weird how that works.

[Groove Doctor]

I studied a Steve Bailey cassette about 18 years ago -
He taught 1-2-3-2-1-etc method, but emphasised learning independance - not having to play any particular finger on the main beat. Very slow and hard at first but SOOO good now in letting my fingers play any which way, keeps a driving feel nicely

So 4/4 16th notes
|1232 1232 1232 1232 |etc

and 12/8 triplets
|123 212 |321 232 |123 212 ..etc

I use it 50+% of the time, rest
- two finger style (12121212) for more sparse bass lines or playing right next to bridge
- Upright style 1st and 2nd fingers together to dig in EXTRA HARD
- side of thumb knuckle +/- palm mute for more thud (dub, upright, motown-esque,)...also great for jazz guitar style lines (deep bass with thumb + nice flourishes/ lead lines/ double stops with fingers... but thats another story

[Mr wiggl3s]

321 is the gallop, and 12321 is the 3 finger. check out the demystifying metal styles thread for help.