Need advice on which fingers to use most effectively

[okieman]

I'm a newbie trying to master my first bass line. I'll put a link to my version of the tab below. There are several parts that are underlined. Every time I get to this part of the song, I get confused about which fingers to most effectively use to hit those notes. Sounds incredibly simple, but like I said this is my first attempt. I'd like to hear some suggestions from several experienced bassists.

[Pollinator95]

If you mean your fretting hand, 1 finger per fret is quite effective as a starting point. If you mean your strumming/picking/thump hand, you shouldn´t even need to think about it.

[Eminor3rd]

If you're talking right hand, build a habit out of alternating between your index and middle fingers every time, whenever possible. Overusing the index finger is a VERY difficult habit to break.

[okieman]

I should have been more clear; yes it's my fretting hand. As for my right hand (don't freak), I've switched to a pick. Strings muted like Carol Kaye. Thanks for the one finger per fret tip. Do you mean, for example, in that section where there are three notes on the fifth fret and two strings that I should lay the finger down flat to bring both strings onto the fret? Then slightly lift the finger knuckle or tip to mute the unplayed string?

[polyrhythmia]

That's the way I do it, rocking the fingertip to a lower pitch string on the same fret. Going the other way, laying the finger onto the higher pitch string and lifting the fingertip to mute the lower pitch string. As I understand it, this is the correct way to go up or down a fourth interval, but it does require some flexibility in the fingers.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by okieman

Thanks for the one finger per fret tip.

Be careful about using the OFPF below the 5th fret. It can be too much of a stretch, regardless of whether you are a noobie or more experienced player. Here are some links explaining why.



YouTube - Bad Habits for Bass: The 1 Finger Per Fret System


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y57-2eaTBwc&NR=1

[Infidelity]

Originally Posted by fearceol

Be careful about using the OFPF below the 5th fret. It can be too much of a stretch, regardless of whether you are a noobie or more experienced player. Here are some links explaining why.

YouTube - Bad Habits for Bass: The 1 Finger Per Fret System

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y57-2eaTBwc&NR=1

I was about to post this.. I think the 1 2 4 method is what I would advice.. Doing scales do OFPF but on playing IMO 1 2 4 is the way to go..

[okieman]

Can someone point me toward a 1 2 3 4 tutorial? I'm curious.

[James Judson]

1 2 3 4 is simple and easy to understand and makes sense. If I'm playing in the key of A my index finger is on the 4th fret and middle finger on the fifth and ring on the sixth and pinky on seventh. The whole major scale is within easy reach. Dave predicts serious injury within 5 - 10 years. I been doing it for almost 50. Hmmmm I must be f@@ked up and just don't know it. What I would like to add to the 1 2 3 4 method is sometimes you need to drop your index finger to the third fret and sometimes you have to raise your pinky to play the eighth fret. Another tip is using two fingers together for more power.

My advice is don't take advice from the internet just cuz the internet says so. Now Dave may be an awesome player but I didn't hear anything that wanted me to say "I want to play like him".

I met a bassist recently that only used his index finger. He was much better than average and I was amazed what he played with just one finger. I would have liked to tell him "using 4 fingers makes it easier" but I would have been wrong. Ya see he only had one finger on his left hand.

Don't let anyone tell you your playing it wrong. What works for you is what you should do. But if you do find someone playing better than you, "steal all the chops you can from him" (thats what I do).

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by James Judson

My advice is don't take advice from the internet just cuz the internet says so. Now Dave may be an awesome player but I didn't hear anything that wanted me to say "I want to play like him".

I entirely agree that everyone should play what seems comfortable to themselves. There are no hard and fast rules. However, especially where noobies are concerned, it makes sense to point out the possible pitfalls that playing a certain way can have. Noobies often think that they must play in a certain way, because their idol "Mr X" does so. If they feel pain, they often think it is OK to play through it, as they assume that "Mr X" went through this too. I think Dave is merely trying to show an alternative way. I also think he would be the first to admit that he'd prefer for someone to be original, and not to copy his playing.

[Arthur Strand]

Hi! Newbie. With the left hand: index finger on fret 1, 2nd finger on fret 2; 3rd finger on fret 3& little finger on fret 4. Index finger fret 5 2nd on fret 6 3rd on fret 7 & 4th on fret8 etc. suppose you are in F# then you can adjust to index finger on fret 2 etc. This applies to all other keys and positions.Sometimes, you need to do a guitarist type fingering.
With the right hand: Alternate notes between index and middle finger. This is the "walking" bass inherited from Jazz double bass players. You can sometimes build up to thumb and 3 fingers. I recall seeing a Big Band bass guitarist using thumb only many decades ago. Plectrum may be used if the job calls for it.

[Rockmusician]

Originally Posted by Eminor3rd

Overusing the index finger is a VERY difficult habit to break.

It worked for James Jamerson