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[AlphaMale]

Um.. Are there pros and cons to using 3 fingers. I don't really feel much faster I would like people to discuss why they use two or three fingers so that way I can make my decision.; Thanks so much Talkbass.

[Foxworthy925]

I use two primarily, and just started training myself to use three. so right now as it is, I'm slower with three than two. but I only started last week with three fingers, so I'll eventually gain speed as I practice. One pro of using three as apposed to two, is your fingers won't get tired as quickly, since your using them 1/3 as often. this should ultimetly allow you to go faster as well, once you get more skilled. plus, you can do killer triplets with ease.

[seeinsidemycell]

Speed, of course..

I could play way 16th notes way over 200bpm using 2fingers back when i was into the whole shred thing, how fast do u wanna go?

I also used three fingers and it was a bit easier to play over all strings.

[AlphaMale]

The ability to play faster translate to versatility to me. The faster I can go the more versatile of a player I am. I guess it will help me be more versatile but how much faster is it? Are there are cons to using 3 fingers?

[doctorjazz]

I've been using three fingers since day 1, and I love it. IMO, it's only moderately faster than using two, but a lot more comfortable. You never have any awkwardness from having to play several sequential notes with one finger, and it's easier to play lines across several strings. I don't have to think about my technique at all, because I always have another finger handy and within reach of whatever string I'm playing on, so I'm free to concentrate on the music instead of my right hand.

[Poop-Loops]

Same. For me it wasn't a question of speed, since 2 fingers can go pretty fast, but because I have that extra 3rd finger I can use, so why not? My fingers don't get as tired, because they share the load.

[user101]

Originally Posted by AlphaMale

The ability to play faster translate to versatility to me. The faster I can go the more versatile of a player I am. I guess it will help me be more versatile but how much faster is it? Are there are cons to using 3 fingers?

I remember seeing a few topics like this somewhere here before.

But anyway...the only con i can think of is having one extra finger to train. Triplets will sound like gallops if you're not disciplined enough to really sit down and drill yourself to get those fingers consistant in terms of speed, tone and volume. I mainly use 2 fingers but i do throw in the ring finger every now and then. For me it comes in handy when i skip strings because i can't do it very well with 2 fingers. And i didn't really bother practicing it with 2 since i could do it fairly well with 3. In terms of speed i am faster with 2. But that's just because i never practice runs with 3. But at 16ths going at about 160 i don't consider myself fast. Never needed anything pass that speed before since i'm not into all this shredding and metal stuff.

And to your thought about speed = versatility, i would say not only speed. There are many other factors as well.

[seeinsidemycell]

Originally Posted by AlphaMale

The ability to play faster translate to versatility to me. The faster I can go the more versatile of a player I am. I guess it will help me be more versatile but how much faster is it? Are there are cons to using 3 fingers?

The better u can translate ur mind into music, the more versatile u become.

Or are u saying that michael angelo is a more versatile guitarplayer than david gilmour?

[lomo]

Just started 3 fingers 2 months ago-I have more stamina for longer fast runs. More importantly, I can jump strings MUCH quicker-for eg I pluck my E twice with index and middle and my ring finger is already on the next string starting another triplet or run of 16ths. I also find the sound of 3 finger triplets and 16ths more even and "rumbling" than with 2 fingers.

[FoHBass]

I use the third finger occasionally without even thinking about it. In my old band (heavier) I would use it for faster stuff, but now I'll use it to reinforce another finger or for Entwistle style "clusters" of notes.