just using index finger for plucking?

[IAmTheDood]

I had started playing a few months ago only with a pick .. as that was what was most comfortable to me ..

I want to now learn exclusively using fingerstyle .. I like the tone a lot better and can be a lot faster ...

With a pick I had a hard time keeping up on songs like the Doors - LA Woman .. and things like that.

I find with two finger plucking, it's hard to do some of the things I was taught .. like always start with a certain finger when jumping strings .. I find I'll use my middle finger when my fretting hand is using the right side of the position i'm playing (pinky finger, ring finger, etc) .. my tempo isn't very good either and the sound is off .. i'll hit notes too hard or too soft as I'm switching fingers.

I found that if I use one finger - my index finger .. I have a ton of speed (LA Woman - No Problem) ..much better tonal controls and tempo controls.

I'm sure the middle finger will come with time and practice ..

but I'm liking so far with just using the index finger ... anybody else do this? Would this cause a lot of fatigue throughout a set? anything else I might be concerned about when using this technique?

[morf]

Practice alternating your index and middle finger to pluck. Start on open string or 1 note, then try to run some scales. You'll get the hang of it.

[Eric Grossman]

I'm mostly a one finger player, too. I do add a second finger, when it's necessary, though. I do this for evenness of tone, especially in the studio.

[nysbob]

Jamerson did pretty well with one.

[rockwarnick]

Jamerson!!!

[MonetBass]

I've always been an almost-exclusive one-finger player too, and have never had a problem with speed. When I was learning guitar, I was taught a method with the pick to play fast: a quick back and forth motion. I can do this same technique with my index finger, and it works for me.

I have been practicing adding the 2nd finger, but after nearly 30 years of one-finer playing, it's tough. Keep at it!

[molsen]

yea, one-finger here too. well...if i'm on one string. i have to use my middle finger when going from string to string most of the time...but for a steady rythm on one strong, my index does the job just fine.

[BullHorn]

Play simple songs like Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit and alternate the picking fingers each hit. In time, you'll do it smoothly.