Master of puppets riff

[Neel]

There is a riff in master of puppets that goes something along these lines on the E and A strings
--2--3--4--3--22
01-01-01-01-01

It looks a bit wonky because of the alignment issues that I don't care to fix, but thats the general idea.

To those of you who play this, do you finger it in such a way that you play the first note with your leading finger, the second note with the other finger, then both the third and fourth notes with your leading finger? This would create a pattern that goes something along the lines of LSLLSLLSLLSLLSLS if L is the leading finger and S is the second finger.

I am relatively new to playing the bass, and I find this song to be a challenge that is not beyond tackling, but still difficult to play (can't do it at full speed). This is the only way I can play this part. Alternating between the fingers every note seems nearly impossible for me, but using my lead finger by strumming it across both strings at the right speed seems doable.

Is this poor form? Thanks for your input.

[MacNilly]

I play using raking. Honestly I tried to tab it out for you but it was too confusing. I guess I just play it my way. Using raking.

Don't let anybody tell you a specific technique is better than yours regarding raking.

[myhot4]

practice plucking with the middle finger first. That would help you not think of which finger to use each time. So make it a habit. Second, practice makes perfect. I would not bother with speed, until you get teh accuracy down pat.

[Neel]

Originally Posted by MacNilly

I play using raking. Honestly I tried to tab it out for you but it was too confusing. I guess I just play it my way. Using raking.

Don't let anybody tell you a specific technique is better than yours regarding raking.

I think raking may be the term for what I was trying to describe. I pluck two consecutive notes with the same fingers because the second note is on a string one higher than the first.

It just makes sense to do it that way, and I can also think of my fingers as having somewhat of a triplet feel. I don't know if that makes any sense (especially the triplet part), but thats just the only way I can describe it.

[Mike Money]

Well, do what i do... and no one notices anyways.


00--7--00--8--00-9-00-8-00-77

[Neel]

I would, but thats clearly not the same. That one fret makes a world of a difference to the person who actually listens.

Its also a bit more impressive.

[blikeng]

Originally Posted by Mike Money

Well, do what i do... and no one notices anyways.


00--7--00--8--00-9-00-8-00-77

Sounds ten times better if you get that little fret before you go up.

Myself I use a pick, as always, though I dunno if it's easier than with the fingers.

And for a great tip: Master of Puppets is a great song to learn if you're new, When you've learned that one you've learned a lot

[elpelotero]

i guess watch videos of trujillo doing it? it's a very tough riff

[Loempiaketzer]

What i try to do most of the time fingerstyle is just look at ergonomical issues.

Just alternate fingers as long as you are on the same string.
If you would have to move up a string use your "next in line" finger.
If you would go from the A-string to the E-string let your finger youre using fall further down to the lower string in 1 motion. *it kind of happened when i was on auto pilot*

When playing the beginning of orion, skipping 1 string, i keep the same technique, but with other songs i tend to use 1 finger for 1 particulair string.... dont know how this happened, and it is playable imho.. But i think you should always try the first method i explained... youre fingers will be less likely to mess up imho.

I'm trying master of puppets too...
but have most problems getting the "1" on the E string arround rather than plucking prob's..

hope this helped at least a litle bit...

have fun

[MacNilly]

Originally Posted by blikeng

Myself I use a pick, as always, though I dunno if it's easier than with the fingers.

Yes, it is easier to use a pick. Sounds cleaner too. For me anyways. I got alternate picking down from playing guitar and my old band. For some, probably easier with fingers. But I still think it sound cleaner with a pick anyways.

Originally Posted by blikeng

And for a great tip: Master of Puppets is a great song to learn if you're new, When you've learned that one you've learned a lot

Actually, yes you do learn a lot.

[Neel]

Originally Posted by MacNilly

Actually, yes you do learn a lot.

Yeah, I thought he was being sarcastic because of the smiley, but it seemed like a valid statement to me. Oh well, different strokes.

[TeeMartin]

I cheat and hammer on the 1s.

[rob2966]

Originally Posted by TeeMartin

I cheat and hammer on the 1s.

Ditto

[Elemetal]

This is my two cents and a lot of people will probably disagree with me but I just go LSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLS always and I find I play with good precision to the rhythm as when I rake I kind of get a little hickup kind of deal. What I mean by that is it is not steady. I just found that to be a problem but now I alternate constantly and it works great. However it takes a bit of practice if you've been raking it. In my opinion it's worth it though. I use the always alternating with tonnes of other stuff and it helps. Some cases I'll rake though. I'm not saying raking is bad cause I rake a lot too. Just pick your battles when it comes to raking and alternating.

[Chriso21]

don't cheat buddy, learn it properly so you can hold your head high that you didn't cut any corners. It will take longer, but will definitely be better for you in the long run....

[Depth_Charge]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhaC_m-sSoU

We used to play this in a metal cover band over 10 years ago. We were the only band at the time that had "the guts" to play it live.

I used to just cheat by playing the open E twice as well, but played the A#, B and C on the A string. Noone noticed and I even got compliments from other bassists for "pulling that tough intro riff" off.

Might go learn it properly now. . .it sounds better fo' sure!

[Risen Ashes]

Originally Posted by Loempiaketzer

What i try to do most of the time fingerstyle is just look at ergonomical issues.

Just alternate fingers as long as you are on the same string.
If you would have to move up a string use your "next in line" finger.
If you would go from the A-string to the E-string let your finger youre using fall further down to the lower string in 1 motion. *it kind of happened when i was on auto pilot*



have fun

I agree I say you learn to play it with fingers because thats how it was recorded but (and this is up to you) learn it with a pick also. Alternate picking so when you so same idea, don't "rake" up-down-up-down-up-down. You can using raking for another Cliff song- Anesthia (pulling Teeth) in the intro after the first arpeggio-chord... it goes between D and G strings 12-14 and then the next note is 10-12...there you pick down thruogh both strings or "rake"

Good Luck and Keep It Dirty for the ladies!

[Gobnoof]

I can play it with both fingers and pick but personally I prefer to use a pick. I find I get a better tone witha pick, and its a very fast precise song and the pick gives me that precision. But if your a dedicated finger player, then my advice is to slow it right down and practise alternate fingers at a very slow tempo. Then when your a bit more confident with it speed it up, and keep going that way until your up to full tempo. It takes a while, but its worth it in the end.

[blikeng]

Originally Posted by Neel

Yeah, I thought he was being sarcastic because of the smiley, but it seemed like a valid statement to me. Oh well, different strokes.

Hehe, wasn't meant sarcastic...wrong choise of smiley

[jnprather]

I alternate every note on my right hand (no raking). I don't have any great tip to help you get the riff down, however. For me, I remember my right hand being able to play it long before my left hand could.