Need help with galloping.

[Psycho]

Or a triplet, tuplet, whatever. I can perform the three-fingered motion easy, my ring finger just won't pluck anything. I can play it with two fingers, but it's too slow. The type of music I play sorta requires it. Darn Steve Harris... Any tips?

[ShredderMaximus]

i gallup with 2 fingers myself, and i found the best thing to do when going at high speeds was just to keep my hand relaxed as much as possible and let it do its own thing instead of concentrating on it. oh yeah, and of course lots and lots of practice. It must have taken me a friggin GAJILLION years before i could keep up with Slayers "Raining Blood" triplets, but eventually with a metronome and time, i was able to conquer it and can play them rather effortlessly now.

[Psycho]

Yeah, I can do it at Slayer speed, but only once or twice before I just slow down. I've tried working on getting my ring finger articulate like the others but that may take some time. Should I focus on one way or another?

[ShredderMaximus]

I learned to do it with two fingers just because i couldn't be bothered to take the time to coordinate another finger into the mix, eh. you may be able to make some kind of hybrid technique, only using three fingers for the trips, but i recommend just choosing one or the other

[Captain_Arrrg]

I also use two fingers, but I use both sides of my fingers, down and up.

Originally Posted by Psycho

Should I focus on one way or another?

Do it whatever way feels right to you. Music is sound, and that's all that really matters.

[MrBorisSpider]

Honestly, learn to play Children of the Grave. It will improve your galloping by leaps and bounds.

[low-endz]

I gallop with either 2 or 3 fringers depending on speed.

I suggest you try to pratice the gallop motion on your work desk or hard surface when you are not playing bass so you can hear the intensity of each finger when you go thru the 1-&-a-2-&-a-3 motion start slow then build up speed.

My right hand endurance and sound balance improved when I started playing in High School by constantly "playing" my desk or side of plastic desk chair during class then of course the on bass woodshedding is the closer.

[pasta4lnch]

here's a tip:
when you are sitting around not using your hand () like on a bus or watching tv or something put it flat on something like a table or your leg and independently lift one finger at a time w/o lifting any of the others. then when you get good at that try doing it in different configurations like lifting thumb and middle (at once), then pointer and ring then middle and pinky. . . I also do a left hand thing where I put four fingers on the first four frets on the low E and bring the pointer and ring down a string (at once) w/o moving the other two and then bring down the middle and pinky. . .

fwiw these exercises have helped w/ my coordination greatly. gets your brain and your hand muscles to think more independently of your fingers . . .hope this helps