Need advice on plucking with my ring finger

**Ívar Þórólfsson** · #1 06-26-2001, 04:56 AM

Hi all!

I tried to search for this subject here in this forum, and I got 214 responses. Since I´m too damn lazy to go through all them, I´ll ask here :-) (hope you forgive me)

I´m selftaught and I´ve been playing bass for 8yrs. Mostly fingerstyle but I´m quite fluent with the pick as well. For the past couple of years I´ve been trying to use my ring finger in plucking, but with little success. I need to learn proper techniques in order to develop strength and coordination in plucking with my index, middle and ring finger. Has anyone got any good advice/technique for me to practise at?

All help is greatly appreciated!

W/best regards,
Ivar

**Ívar Þórólfsson** · #2 06-27-2001, 02:53 AM

Anyone?

**Pacman** · #3 06-27-2001, 07:01 AM

I don't pick with my ring finger (I use two) but my suggestion would be to slow it waaaaay down and work in your ring finger carefully. I wouldn't do strict alternation (1-2-3-1-2-3 or 1-2-3-2-1), but try to find the places where the 3rd finger can add to the line.

sorry I couldn't help more.

**Ívar Þórólfsson** · #4 06-27-2001, 08:22 AM

Thx!

I wonder if 1-2-1-3-1-2-1-3 could also help?

I read somewhere that a good way to develop your ring finger is to tape it to the middle finger and practise that way. Wonder if that´s any good?

Thanks again for the tip!

gruffpuppy · #5 06-27-2001, 08:26 AM

give it a try, if you goto this link http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/...s/Hanging_Ten/

you will have the instructions for 4 finger the directions may help. I tried it for a couple of months but went back to 2 finger.

dancehallclasher · #6 06-27-2001, 08:46 AM

do you need it for speed on one string? because when i'm playing fast lines, they're usually straight 16th notes and i find that plucking with an uneven number of fingers messes up my timing, like playing 3/4 over 4/4, if you know what i mean. i use my ring finger for reaching up and hitting the D or G string, depending on where my hand is at the moment. so when i'm jumping strings a lot, the ring finger is very useful.

**Ívar Þórólfsson** · #7 06-27-2001, 08:55 AM

A little bit of both I guess...

I guess it´s all up to a lot of practise!! Looks like there´s no shortcut to greatness

Thanks for all the replies guys!