index and middle finger sound differences

freeridden · #1 12-01-2010, 07:26 AM

Hi all,

I've been learning bass for about 1 year. About 4 months ago, I started playing with my fingers. I have come to a problem. I can't seem to get my middle and index finger to make the same sounds. My middle finger seems more muted and just doesn't sound right. Is this something that all finger bass players have? How can I correct this problem?

Many thanks.

dpbass66 · #2 12-01-2010, 08:13 AM

Ive been playing bass for 30 years. At about 15 years of playing, I injured my middle finger on my right hand playing baseball (jock and musician dont mix well...). The injury created some scar tissue that made my middle finger "fatter" and more rounded in shape, thus making it sound "softer" and more "muted" in sound as compared to my index finger. I tried for years to get them to sound more alike, and to some extent ive done that, but they still sound discernibly different. The most effective approach Ive come upon is to strike the strings with my fingers at an angle (slightly pointed toward the bridge...Stanley Clarke plays like this....), thereby causing my middle finger to catch the string more on its edge, not on the meaty middle part. All this also assumes you are NOT using a technique where you literally "pluck" the strings with the fatty/meaty part of the finger. Good technique is to "glance" the strings with the very tip of your finger, using a light touch. I also have noticed that if you keep your fingers calloused (from playing alot) the callous itself is harder/rougher and seems to impart a scrappy/more pronounced tone more like the index finger.

All in all though, based on the anatomy of your fingers, you may not have many options short of surgery!

Ive found the tone difference in fingers to be most annoying when playing soft low volume gigs (ie jazz/cocktail) or just when practicing. it doesnt seem too prevalent under a loud band situation.

Fergie Fulton · #3 12-01-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeridden

Hi all,

I've been learning bass for about 1 year. About 4 months ago, I started playing with my fingers. I have come to a problem. I can't seem to get my middle and index finger to make the same sounds. My middle finger seems more muted and just doesn't sound right. Is this something that all finger bass players have? How can I correct this problem?

Many thanks.

Check your technique against the video in the link
Check that you fingers have the same angle of approach and attack. I personally believe that the fingers should have a slightly different sound, it is the nuance of playing that gives players a certain feel in their playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeodP4P0ivM

15000volts · #4 12-01-2010, 12:31 PM

well, the middle finger is longer than the index, so either you hit the string with a different area of the finger or you change the position of the middle finger, which will change how you hit the string. either way both fingers are gonna sound different. the callouses are different, both differ in strength and length...there's quite a difference between them, in short. IMO, having the fingers give a nuance of tone to the notes adds dynamics to your playing, so I don't fight it. I use that along with not playing I-M-I-M all the time, I change that according to the flow and groove of the song to enhance dynamics

okcrum · #5 12-01-2010, 01:05 PM

The above posts capture the essence of it:

1) Dig in the same with both fingers. Whether you slant your hand or not is your choice.
2) Build up your callouses.

Beyond that, it's a matter of practice/repetition. Just play ostinato (repeating) on an open string. First use your index finger, then your middle, then alternate. Listen carefully and adjust your playing a little at a time until the two sound the same. It won't happen overnight.

Valerus · #6 12-01-2010, 01:14 PM

Mine sound different as well. To hear it, I hit just a bunch of eighth notes of the same note. I alternate index and middle for a bit, then I just do index, then middle. I guess that's really the only time where it's completely noticeable.

AcidFripp · #7 12-01-2010, 01:43 PM

Don't even worry, man. It's not as if anyone except you notices anyhow.

freeridden · #8 12-03-2010, 06:51 AM

Thanks all. And thanks to the person that posted that video. When I play with my fingers, it sounds more like picking than that quiet blues bass sound that you can hear. I was trying to use more flesh than the tips of my fingers cause I was trying to get that sound instead of my usual sharp tone I get when I bend my fingers. That's when you can really hear a distinct difference. My teacher told me that my sound is quite sharp like the sound you get with a pick, so I was worried about it.

Again thanks for the help.

Matthijs · #9 12-03-2010, 07:51 AM

I try to use the sound difference to my advantage, but in the cases where I do want them to sound the same I use my ring-finger. It's about as long as my index finger and it's easier to get an even sound.

KingRazor · #10 12-03-2010, 09:16 AM

It's the same as the difference between up strumming and down strumming. They sound different. Just pluck in the order that sounds right. Some bass lines sound best starting on the index finger, others sound better starting on the middle finger. For triplets, I use an I-M-M I-M-M pattern.

Ian the bassist · #11 12-03-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeridden

Hi all,

I've been learning bass for about 1 year. About 4 months ago, I started playing with my fingers. I have come to a problem. I can't seem to get my middle and index finger to make the same sounds. My middle finger seems more muted and just doesn't sound right. Is this something that all finger bass players have? How can I correct this problem?

Many thanks.

My ring finger and thumb sound different but my middle and index have always sounded the same? My ring finger has alot less calluses because I only really use it for triplets, flamingo style guitar pickin and some double hand tapping. Have you gotten some kind of blister on one of your fingers? It might be that the calluses on one of your fingers is alot thicker. :/ Not too sure though.

freeridden · #12 12-03-2010, 11:40 AM

If I play with complete flesh, then they should different. If I have a little bit of fingernail, then they sound alike. I checked out that video and I curl my fingers like the guy says to do, but that takes away from any clean, blues-like sound. I just sound like I'm playing with a pick.

guroove · #13 12-03-2010, 11:47 AM

yup, the two fingers sound different. That's why I've always believed in there being a place for a one-finger technique. You won't have the same speed, but you get a consistent attack when the song requires it. I've also utilized the technique of using two fingers together as one like you would on an upright bass.

frisbieinstein · #14 12-04-2010, 06:06 AM

I practiced this a lot in the old days and my two fingers sound identical. It's like a little machine, dit dit dit dit dit. Angle your hand so the fingers seem like the same length and practice motoring on an open string. Then worry about moving between strings.

I'm a big fan of right hand exercises. Left hand, not.

frisbieinstein · #15 12-04-2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeridden

Thanks all. And thanks to the person that posted that video. When I play with my fingers, it sounds more like picking than that quiet blues bass sound that you can hear. I was trying to use more flesh than the tips of my fingers cause I was trying to get that sound instead of my usual sharp tone I get when I bend my fingers. That's when you can really hear a distinct difference. My teacher told me that my sound is quite sharp like the sound you get with a pick, so I was worried about it.

Again thanks for the help.

Sounds like you are picking at it, like a classical guitarist. That's a good sound. If you want speed and a more bassy thing then try keeping your fingers straight. For even more bassy use both fingers as a unit like Ron Carter. That's good for slow blues.