How much and when do you use middle finger pops?

[Earthday]

I've seen some people strictly alternate between index and middle, some completely ignore the middle, some only use the middle when they need 2 pops in a row.

When do you use it?

[BillytheBassist]

I usually only use the middle finger to pop when i need two pops inna row or when i'm plucking flat 5's or 7's.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I usually alternate, but my middle takes a dominant role on a higher string and my index on a lower one, so if I'm doing single, spaced out pops on the D and G strings for example, my middle handles the G.

[slybass3000]

First,the 2 fingers don't sound the same. I find the index sounds thin while the middle sounds more meaty.
Second, because of the shape of the 2 fingers, I also find the middle to sound more slick and precise especially at slow tempos and popping the D string.
The index sounds good at very fast speed.

I think it is important to practice exercices with both fingers.

Hope this will help,
SB

[MarztekMilita]

I usualy only use my middle when I pop, mainly because I got a slight case of egzima on my index. but when I start to go fast, and start double poppin', thats the only time I'll use my index.

[Redhotbassist]

I use my index for normal one note pops, but if im doing a victor wooten triplet thing with.. slap-pop-pop i'd use my middle finger for the secondary pop..

[MikeyFingers]

I use the middle almost as much as my index. Depends what I'm playing usually. If I'm just messing around/improvising, I tend to use it quite a bit.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

I strictly use my middle finger for popping the G string and the index for the D. In the extremely unlikely instances in which I have to pop the A string, (like on Stu Hamm's "Count Zero" intro) I do it with my index finger.

[Figjam]

Generally only if i have 2 quick pops in a row without a muted slap inbetween. (otherwise i usually just do Pop x Pop very quickly with one finger).

[bassist66]

i use both a lot, with the index seeing slightly more action. sometimes, especially if i haven't been slapping in a while, or if i just play a ton of bass for a long while straight, ill start to develop a mini-blister on my index, so i'll use my middle more.

[JimmyM]

I'll use my middle if I'm doing double pops or popping double-stops. otherwise it's all index.

[FaithNoMan]

Being a pick player, it helps to use it when other musicians tell me that's not the right way to play the bass....