Multi finger picking

rainbownorth · #1 08-21-2006, 07:10 PM

Im learning to play with three fingers at the moment. Ive heard bassists say that theres no point in working your pinky into the picture, as its just too weak. Im skeptical of this opinion.I think itd be worth it simply for the speed and flexibility of having four fingers picking, and having a finger per string available. Before i bother with this arduous and time consuming task, though, what do you guys think?

lemur821 · #2 08-21-2006, 07:46 PM

I think it's as useful as the ring finger, which is pretty weak. I'm of the opinion that using any more than two fingers for straight ahead playing is pretty useless though.

I do think you should be able to play to some extent with all your fingers -- and indeed I can play passably alternating between any two, and with three or four as well, although not at too high a speed -- merely because you'll have them if you need them and because I think it's important to be flexible, but I don't think there's any real reason to go to three or four for speed's sake.

So I'd say make sure you can use the pinky (and thumb, of course). You never know when you'll need another finger or have blisters on your first two. I'd recommend against working too hard on i-m-a-c alternate plucking, since I think it's a waste of time.

rainbownorth · #3 08-21-2006, 09:11 PM

Thats a fair enough analysis. I mean im pretty quick with two fingers anyway(at least for having played for 8 months), but i didnt wanna bother with training my pinky up if it isnt worth it.It does seem like, at the least, I'd have to seriously rearrange the way i hold my picking hand to use all four fingers, which is just a pain.

lemur821 · #4 08-21-2006, 09:56 PM

Some guys swear by three or four finger plucking, and I'm sure they'll be along eventually, but I'm not one of them.

Jimbow · #5 08-21-2006, 10:03 PM

I use the third occasionally, but never the fourth.

Erick Lam · #6 08-21-2006, 10:09 PM

For me, the main advantage of three finger plucking is string crossings and muting. For plain speed, say a bunch of 16th notes on a single string, two fingers are more than enough. I do use the pinky to mute (similar to palm muting) and sometimes to pluck artificial harmonics, but not for regular plucking.

Poop-Loops · #7 08-21-2006, 10:25 PM

I play with 3. The pinky is useless, let it go. If you want a 4th digit, use your thumb. I've actually seen that work.

I use 3 so that my fingers don't get as tired. If I ever want to play super death thrash metal (and I will), I will most likely just use a pick. Really nothing wrong with that.

Alec W. Conway · #8 08-21-2006, 10:32 PM

I use my pinky all the way for my 3 finger technique. The ring finger is much too dependant on the middle finger, muscularily : its the finger thats the harder to wiggle on its own, and when you wiggle the middle finger, the ring tends to wiggle too. The pinky is much more independant.

Index-middle-index-pinky-index-middle-index-pinky is the way I do it. I find it more natural.

You need to adapt to the position, but for me it works MUCH better than using my ring finger. That one is the useless one to me. As for the strength of the pinky, its like anything else, practice, it'll strengthen up with some time!

HeavyFingers · #9 08-21-2006, 10:38 PM

I primarily play with three fingers, though, at times I find myself subconsciously playing with two for a certain part of a riff and then throwing in the ringer finger when it would naturally fit in - all subconciously mind you. I mostly play metal and some hard rock so I picked up playing with a 3rd finger early on thinking that it would give me a ton more speed.

It has helped me out in that department and when trying to play more complicated pieces of music that jump across the strings as well....but along with its positives comes the negatives. One of the challenges of playing with 3 (or more) fingers is making sure that that extra finger hits the notes with the same vigor as the pointer and middle finger - if not, that 3rd finger pluck will always sound different. Another challenge is catching the 3rd finger up to 1)speed with the other two and 2) up to time as well. Speed doesnt take too long but the timing may - otherwise you will always hear a sort of 1-2-3(tiny pause)1-2-3 pattern instead of a 1-2-3-1-2-3 pattern (if that makes anysense). Practicing with a metronome helps out tremendously in this department - even if you sit there for 15 min just playing the open E at a fast say 200-250 bpm, trying out differnt patterns (like 3 notes, pause for 2 beats, another 3 notes etc.) but always hitting the sting on the beat.

I say go for it!

BrandonBass · #10 08-21-2006, 10:43 PM

I invested 1week of training and I can play 3fingers naturally now but I dont think it helps much to be honest....

if 2fingers is enough for jaco, juan alderete and wooten then it should be enough for most us. The only reason I wanted to play w 3fingers was cause I wanna imitate sheehan

check out this vid, juan alderete is only playin w 2 and insane fast

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

Erick Lam · #11 08-22-2006, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alec W. Conway

The ring finger is much too dependant on the middle finger, muscularily : its the finger thats the harder to wiggle on its own, and when you wiggle the middle finger, the ring tends to wiggle too. The pinky is much more independant.

Actually, most people can't flex their pinky without the ring following.

ostrich · #12 08-22-2006, 04:21 AM

first id say its always better have the resource and not use it than need it and not have it

IMO there are 7 different practical movements the right hand can make

Thumb up,down Fingers index, middle, ring, pinky and not so common downstroke with the index

as far as doubkle thumb goes wooten is the text book example and il say no more about it other than 2 fingers with it is probably the most efficent amount of fingers to incorporate

i only use 4 fingers for tone i like the train goin under a tunnel sound you can create with it but thats maybe just me

3 fingers is IMO the best way to play fast while crossing over strings but playing root notes desnt sound so good and thats were

2 fingers comes in definitley the comfiest technique for playing fast and gettin good tone but can be gruelling if your playing fast for long periods of time

using the index finger with a up pluck and downstroke isn't as fgar as i know used by many bass players most famous that i know of who does is louis johnson. creates an intresting sound and can be used to increase variety in right hand picking patterns sounds good when used at the end of a bar and makes a more smooth and rounder entrance to the next bar again this techniquyes is probably best used inconjunction with the middlefinger

im not saying this is definitley good but i think these are good variations on finger style

Alec W. Conway · #13 08-22-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

Actually, most people can't flex their pinky without the ring following.

Then I'm special

Yell03SpecV · #14 08-22-2006, 07:29 PM

I only dip into rin-finger-land when playing a 5- or 6-string, because it helps my octave grabs out a bit (i don't like to put the thumb anywhere but on the p/u cover). Two fingers should be enough for 90% of the work you do, save for some chording techniques.

Byron Santo · #15 08-24-2006, 09:31 PM

I use all 5-fingers of my right hand but it does require a differnt hand position.

It also requires work to develop the independency between m & a and a & c due to the common nerve that is present but it is possible.

If one wants to develop a or c they must first develop strength outside of the common nerve dilemma. This can be accomplished by developing i & a and m & c.

Bman83 · #16 08-24-2006, 09:51 PM

The only reason I would use my pinky would be for tapping. Though for me, I prefer not to. I use my index, middle and ring finger. I've tryed using my pinky, but it is definately too weak. so I don't bother. I'm content with not using it. I get along just fine. Really the only thing I use my pinky for is muting either the E or A string when I'm playing all on the D and G string. But, I guess it's not a bad idea working on strengthening the pinky for such playing. As far as tapping, if you've ever seen Stu Hamm play live, he uses his pinky on his right hand to tap; and does a fine job of it to. Good luck to ya.

Bman83 · #17 08-24-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

Actually, most people can't flex their pinky without the ring following.

That is true of my right hand. But since playing bass I'm able to flex my left pinky without the ring following. I guess from the movement of going around from fret to fret I gained that flexibility.

Daniel Baskin · #18 08-24-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ostrich

as far as doubkle thumb goes wooten is the text book example and il say no more about it other than 2 fingers with it is probably the most efficent amount of fingers to incorporate

I've been practicing thumb down-thumb up-I-M-R-P (index, middle, ring, pinky...6 in total) for kicks. And you know what? I've actually slowed it down, practiced, sped it up, slowed it down again, etc...and now I can get it going pretty fast if I'm warmed up, but not quite as fast as the simpler down, up, pluck pluck with the index and middle. The hard part is getting your pinky to make direct contact at a consistent relation to the other plucks.