Leading With Your Middle Finger on Fretting Hand

[rockstarbassist]

I've noticed over the years that a lot of people (who are better than me!) do this. I have tried it but it's almost an impossible habit to break of leading with my index finger on my fretting hand.

I totally get it in the sense that it makes runs and scales and octaves easier especially at higher speeds, so is there anything other really than just doing that can help here? I really don't have many issues leading with the index finger but for some stuff, I'd really like to try this out. Does anyone else here play like this?

[john grey]

Scale patterning helps a great deal if you are fixed upon using the index finger. And (IMO) I agree that once a comfort zone is reached with beginning in different positions on the neck, some doors are open to you that were not previously.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

I've noticed over the years that a lot of people (who are better than me!) do this. I have tried it but it's almost an impossible habit to break of leading with my index finger on my fretting hand.

I totally get it in the sense that it makes runs and scales and octaves easier especially at higher speeds, so is there anything other really than just doing that can help here? I really don't have many issues leading with the index finger but for some stuff, I'd really like to try this out. Does anyone else here play like this?

Just out of interest, if you pluck with your fingers do you favour a finger to match up with that fretting index finger?

Players can find it hard to break your type of habit because it is reinforced other the other hand if they are finger players rather than a pick.

To help you break your habit just play major scales using one finger per fret in any closed position starting with the middle finger. The fact you start on the middle finger means you have use all fingers to play the scales. If you are an alternating finger player, then play them starting on different fingers on your plucking hand and time and practice will sort it out.

p.s.
play the scales over all the fretboard, (include arps and triads) in cycle of 5ths and 4ths starting from the double dot octave and work towards open position at the nut.

[tbirddad]

Check out Bass Player mag Holiday 2011 issue, page 66 "Taming Your Fretting Hand" for some good exercises and tips. They also refer to the Oct 2011 issue for some similar ideas.

I agree it's hard to break out of a habit - but it's worth the effort. I play scales, riffs, patterns, etc using different fingerings just to do it. Start with different fingers and change the way you move across and up and down the neck.

Keep up with it and you'll find it pays off!

[Ace Marconi]

My first (and only) teacher taught me to play that way. I find it makes it easy to improvise, and follow things you do not know, since it forces you to learn to use all of the fretting fingers. Practice chord patterns & scales this way, and muscle memory will save you, anywhere on the fretboard.

Eventually you might come to realize that, since the root octave occurs on the pinky as a result, it also becomes a valid starting position.

Index on the root is also very useful for for more minor modes, chords & scales, and of course, it ends up with the ring finger on the root octave, yet another starting point for minor things.

There are many ways to play. I find this method works for me. You will still have to work at finding all of the pattern recurrences up the fretboard.

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by john grey

Scale patterning helps a great deal if you are fixed upon using the index finger. And (IMO) I agree that once a comfort zone is reached with beginning in different positions on the neck, some doors are open to you that were not previously.

That's kind of what I'm hoping to get out of this. I listen to guys (even in heavier music) who were/are formally taught and they do that a lot, and I always wondered why.
When I go back and listen to their riffs or runs, fills, etc. I see why they do it. All of mine after about 12 years of playing are sorta starting to run together so just looking for a way to change it up.

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Just out of interest, if you pluck with your fingers do you favour a finger to match up with that fretting index finger?

Players can find it hard to break your type of habit because it is reinforced other the other hand if they are finger players rather than a pick.

To help you break your habit just play major scales using one finger per fret in any closed position starting with the middle finger. The fact you start on the middle finger means you have use all fingers to play the scales. If you are an alternating finger player, then play them starting on different fingers on your plucking hand and time and practice will sort it out.

p.s.
play the scales over all the fretboard, (include arps and triads) in cycle of 5ths and 4ths starting from the double dot octave and work towards open position at the nut.

I'm actually about a 70/30 pick vs fingers player in my current band, so I'm not really tied to what you're describing per se, which is good!

It's funny bc I was watching some old Pantera videos last night and when Rex would do some of his walks and chord shapings and stuff, I was like wt! why does he do it like that?? So I got out the bass and tried some licks from his repotoire and it totally makes sense now, and is way easier from a fingering position.

I think Imma try and start doing this at our next rehearsal.

Thx guise!

[EggplantofDoom]

Thats how I play normally actually. o.o that's not normal?
I play on a 6 string, so having a longer finger lead over the wider board just feels natural and more efficient.
Try, as a previous poster said, to run your basic scales and do basics leading with your middle, it should come pretty easy depending on how stuck in the habit you are.

[BassChuck]

I use all kinds of fingerings. Lead with the middle finger for major chords, first finger for minor chords and 4th finger for modal shifts. Its possible to get used to anything if you work at it.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

I'm actually about a 70/30 pick vs fingers player in my current band, so I'm not really tied to what you're describing per se, which is good!

It's funny bc I was watching some old Pantera videos last night and when Rex would do some of his walks and chord shapings and stuff, I was like wt! why does he do it like that?? So I got out the bass and tried some licks from his repotoire and it totally makes sense now, and is way easier from a fingering position.

I think Imma try and start doing this at our next rehearsal.

Thx guise!

Just checking here, you do know that in basics a scale can be fingered melodically or harmonically.
For example A major melodically starts on the middle finger and from the same root position A major harmonically starts with the little finger, this will allow associated Triad and Arps to be played. Where as with the melodic one you have to have either the 3rd or the 5th you cant have them both so to speak.

In a standard blues progression using triads, when players are just moving a box shape or pre shaped position around in a I- IV- V, when the get to the V they move the whole hand to accomodate the middle finger, rather than use the little finger, then use the middle finger on the IV and the I. So for example in C with the hand in 7th position the whole piece can be played from this one position...no need to move the hand as the fingers have all the access they need.

[rockstarbassist]

Yeah I'm about 10 years behind on my scales to be honest! LOL
It's something I'm working on with my guitarist though as he is all fresh on theory and whatnot which is why when he solos/weedlies, it all "makes sense" and isn't just a bunch of notes hashed together and stuff, so I'm trying to get out of that as well and not add my flavors so much by ear, but with how notes are supposed to go together.

[KingRazor]

What do you mean by "leading" on the fretting hand?

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

I use all kinds of fingerings. Lead with the middle finger for major chords, first finger for minor chords and 4th finger for modal shifts. Its possible to get used to anything if you work at it.

Bass Chuck is wise.

It is useful to "lead with your middle finger" for certain common (but limited) fingering patterns -major chords as mentioned.

It's a good starting point. But don't be a slave to the "box." Over time the need to constrain yourself to fingering patterns should be allowed to fade away as your comfort and knowledge of the fingerboard and music in general frees your left hand to express your music as needed, in the "box" or out.

[Ace Marconi]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

What do you mean by "leading" on the fretting hand?

To me that would mean that when the lead calls out the key, I'll position my middle finger on that note, unless I suspect a minor, in which case I may "lead" with my pinky, just in case.

[KingRazor]

Interesting, I never even considered "leading" with any specific finger. I just use whatever finger is closest.

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Interesting, I never even considered "leading" with any specific finger. I just use whatever finger is closest.

There's really no right/wrong way to do it; I just have seen people that I like and look up to do it this way for a long time now, and always found it sort of difficult. I rely on my index finger on fretting hand way too much I think, and so was just seeing if there was a proper way to go about learning something extra.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

There's really no right/wrong way to do it; I just have seen people that I like and look up to do it this way for a long time now, and always found it sort of difficult. I rely on my index finger on fretting hand way too much I think, and so was just seeing if there was a proper way to go about learning something extra.

I would tend to disagree, because there is a right and wrong way based on the whole composition of the piece you play. That means you fret map the whole piece to make sure you have the best way to play it, usually the most efficient and practical blended with whatever tone you use. In this you will settle on the best way to approach a song or piece of music everytime you play it, so you become familiar with it, you ingrain and remember it better, you in fact give your playing consistancy because the task of playing becomes easily repeatable.

Transcribing, doing a chord sheet, chart etc, has the same effect, by mapping out the changes and arrangement you ingrain and internalize it better, so you remember it better, faster and for longer. Have fun with it all, better late than never

[kr0n]

Fingering is not an exact science of how and why except to the point which is the most fluent and sounds the best (for the piece). If the next note is higher minor 3rd from the scale it makes sense to start with either index or ring finger, depending if the note is on the same string or next. Fingering patterns, all permutations and variations with string crossing help as do scales. Thinking in intervals help as well... Oh you start on Ab and go down to F? Better start with pinky...