How many fingers should I use?

[andj2001]

How should I determine the number of fingers to pick with? Right now, I'm using 2, but I'm wondering if adding the thumb or even the ring might help. If it didn't take so long to get good with them, I'd just try out different combinations. Any thoughts?

[sedan_dad]

Whatever feels right to you really.
I don't think there is a wrong way of playing as long as you get the results you want. I mean look at Entwistle's type -writer style.I don't think you'll find that in a Mel Bay book.

[IanStephenson]

Two is fine for 99%+ of stuff.

I recently added in the ring finger for "gallop" type parts and found it very usefull, but its an EXTRA techniqe, rather than a replacement for two finger style. It took about a week to get to the piontt of being usable - It's still a long way from being totally natural. I can't play complex parts using it, but usually when I need it I'm just pedalling roots anyway, so it's a usefull addition to the trick bag.

Viewed in this way, I'd say you should give it a go, but don't feel like you've got to rebuild your entire playing style.

Ian

[El-Bob]

well, i started with 2, learned to use three for triplets and gallop, and then learned to use three alternating for stuff like master of puppets, and most other fast tempo metal songs, but it takes a while to perfect the alternating technique (i'm still working on it )

[PrimusNut]

bah, 2 is all you need! I can do very fast tripets, and even reach a near-tremolo-picking speed with only 2 fingers. It's really up to you.. Just expirament, and if you don't like it, just train yourself better for 2, thats what I did.

[BassicJohn]

I switched to using all four fingers shortly after I started playing and it really seems more natural for me. But, it two fingers works for you then there is no need to change.

[AmazingGracePlayer]

Depends on what you play, but most things require index and middle fingers, thumb for some funk but it's not neccessary.

[SteveC]

You never need more than 2, sometimes your thumb for certain things.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by SteveC

You never need more than 2, sometimes your thumb for certain things.

Depends on your definition of need. Jamerson played all most bassists need to play with 1 finger, if you're playing in that style of music. Lots of fusion guys nowadays are playing stuff you can't play without using more than 2 fingers.

If it's possible to figure out what you what to play in the future, then do that now- if you plan on using more than 2 in the future (or doing a hybrid 2-3 technique as Gary Willis uses), then it's best to start as early as possilbe. Don't worry if it's not comfortable or doesn't feel natural at first- using 2 fingers consistently when we first begin isn't comfortable or easy either.

[IconBasser]

I recently added in the ring finger for "gallop" type parts and found it very usefull, but its an EXTRA techniqe, rather than a replacement for two finger style. It took about a week to get to the piontt of being usable - It's still a long way from being totally natural. I can't play complex parts using it, but usually when I need it I'm just pedalling roots anyway, so it's a usefull addition to the trick bag.

I'm exactly the same way. Cept I use it for shredding. Billy Sheehan does the same thing.

[Descent2Cocytus]

uhm, try technical deathmetal/blackmetal, that's hard with two fingers.

[IconBasser]

uhm, try technical deathmetal/blackmetal, that's hard with two fingers.

yeah, like emporer. They're pretty good. Steer clear of Mayhem, they blow...

[69segundos]

YOU need as many fingers as YOU need. But everybody knows you should use all 15 of them.

[Peregrine]

I think the vast majority of stuff only requires two, also using more fingers can give you a less consistant tone.
I've experimented with three and even four but have always come back to two.

[doctorjazz]

I've always used three, using only two feels like playing with a hand tied behind my back. I can't really see using my pinky, it's too far out of the way to do anything meaningful.

[Audiophage]

You should use as many fingers as you want to use. What kind of a question is this?

[MistaMarko]

I used two for about 2 years, then started getting into prog rock and Dream Theater and stuff, and it took me a good 3-4 months to get completely used to 3-finger technique. I can't imagine playing the stuff I do now with 2 fingers...it's just not fast enough.

[Swift713]

11

[Human Bass]

I think this whole question of how many fingers really depends on your physical constitution or even genetics...i mean, some people have a more independent ring than others while others can play really fast with 2 fingers so they dont need a third (Steve Harris for example). John Entwistle could use 3 fingers easily, but he used 2 99% of the time.

[rockwarnick]

as many as she can handle


o wait, i only read the title...

(come on, someone had to)