Noob basic fingering questions

[D_T]

I'm the proud new owner of a Squire Jaguar bass. Love it so far. I'm sure I'll love it much more as I learn to play and finally get a nice amp setup. Yes, everyone was right, the instrument sounds pretty crappy through my stereo, despite being run through a DI box and/or a Mackie 1202.

Anyhow ...

I was going through some of Stu Hamm's videos last night and I have a question about fingering. How important is it to use all four of your left hand fingers? EG., the pinky. I'm finding it a bit tough to stretch my hand out far enough for a "one finger per note" deal like Stu is doing here:

How To Play Bass Guitar - Lessons for Beginners - Chromatic Scales & Accidentals - YouTube

Using three fingers isn't so bad, but still harder than I thought. I can reach almost 1.5 octaves on the piano. Something about curving my left hand makes my fingers collapse inward and harder to stretch them out.

So amazing to hold such a "live" instrument in my hands. So very different than even the most responsive "controllers" in terms of timbre and sensitivity. EG., shaking the bass body makes noise. Things I wouldn't have expected to make sound ... make sound ... and it sounds good.

[nysbob]

The more you use your pinky, the more useful it will become. You might as well get it going now - it will get stronger and you're going to need it.

[Duckwater]

My pinky is my second most used fretting finger, I would be at a huge loss without it.

[fivestringgecko]

+1 to nysbob

The more you use all your fingers, the better player you'll be. A tip that I always offer when someone asks a question like this (and I can't stress this enough): use a metronome religiously! Start with slow scales, maybe 60bpm and gradually increase the beats, making sure to use all your fingers. Not only will you get used to using your pinky and increase coordination before you know it, you'll also develop your sense of time which is INVALUABLE as a bass player.

5sg.

[icecycle66]

I avoided using my pinky for years because it was a pain to deal with; the same reason you stated
.
Then once I broke down and started using it, I realized all the wasted effort i put into trying to make notes without using the pinky.

It sucks now, but learn it now. It is a lot less trouble in the long run.

[russtolium]

Using the pinky will make things easier. Don't think that you have to obey the 1 finger per fret rule religiously. I often use my pinky for notes 2 frets away when playing below the 5th fret that would normally be fretted with the ring finger higher up. I find that more comfortable usually and I think it comes down to what you're playing too.

[gumbynotpokey]

Use it!

Index, pinky, middle and ring (in that order of use for me).

It's good feeling the newness/pain etc. You'll grow to the opposite. The range the pinky provides you will greatly appreciate down the road!

[Stev187]

Please take my comments with a grain of salt, because I am primarily a DB player (but I started on and still play BG).

• 1 finger per fret is probably the most efficient method for BG fingerings, as it dramatically reduces the amount of position shifts required. Scales and modes are in standard box patterns all the way up the neck with limited shifting.
• New players, or players with smaller hands, should not feel bad about using a 3-finger LH technique. If 1 finger per fret requires a lot of uncomfortable stretching, consider a 3-finger LH approach. You will only need to do a little shifting with this approach, and several great BG players use it exclusively.
• If you do go 3-finger, DON'T let your pinky be the unused finger; move your ring and pinky finger as a unit and do the actual fretting with your pinky. When you let that pinky fly, chances are you're deviating from good ergonmic LH position with the other fingers.

While there are newer 4-finger LH approaches for double bass, the 1-2-4 method described above is standard for that instrument (search the DB side for Simandl fingerings).

The most important LH issue for new bass players is to avoid locked knuckles and muscular co-contraction. The best way to avoid these is to use a "C-clamp" position with the LH; grab a tennis ball or baseball firmly but without clenching. Position your thumb so it lines up between your middle and ring fingers. That's the ideal. Nice round shape, no locked knuckles, etc.

And I'll echo what others have said previously; you need to do what works, and you will deviate from whichever "method" you select as needed. Ed Friedland's Hal Leonard Bass Method uses the 1-2-4 approach, btw.

--Steve

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by D_T

I was going through some of Stu Hamm's videos last night and I have a question about fingering. How important is it to use all four of your left hand fingers? EG., the pinky. I'm finding it a bit tough to stretch my hand out far enough for a "one finger per note" deal like Stu is doing here:

How To Play Bass Guitar - Lessons for Beginners - Chromatic Scales & Accidentals - YouTube

Using three fingers isn't so bad, but still harder than I thought. I can reach almost 1.5 octaves on the piano. Something about curving my left hand makes my fingers collapse inward and harder to stretch them out.

So amazing to hold such a "live" instrument in my hands. So very different than even the most responsive "controllers" in terms of timbre and sensitivity. EG., shaking the bass body makes noise. Things I wouldn't have expected to make sound ... make sound ... and it sounds good.

Same problem, different thread, same solution, just move your hand to position the the fingers to the correct fret, remember where ever the hand goes the fingers go, anyone can play one finger per fret if the move their hand to position the finger to the fret.


Finger Spread

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

just move your hand to position the the fingers to the correct fret, remember where ever the hand goes the fingers go, anyone can play one finger per fret if the move their hand to position the finger to the fret.

exactly!
too many noobs miss this important point.

as second point that often gets glossed over:
use your fingers to back eachother up.
When I fret with my pinky, it's not the only finger muscles I use. fingers 1,2,&3 are right on the fret board behind finger 4, lending the full strength of my hand to the effort.

a third point: use your muscles for accuracy, not gripping hard. Most beginners fret way to hard. chekc out Gary Willis' advice on this: Gary Willis On Finger Pressure - YouTube

[Ron G]

Originally Posted by D_T

I'm the proud new owner of a Squire Jaguar bass. Love it so far. I'm sure I'll love it much more as I learn to play and finally get a nice amp setup. Yes, everyone was right, the instrument sounds pretty crappy through my stereo, despite being run through a DI box and/or a Mackie 1202.

Anyhow ...

I was going through some of Stu Hamm's videos last night and I have a question about fingering. How important is it to use all four of your left hand fingers? EG., the pinky. I'm finding it a bit tough to stretch my hand out far enough for a "one finger per note" deal like Stu is doing here:

How To Play Bass Guitar - Lessons for Beginners - Chromatic Scales & Accidentals - YouTube

Using three fingers isn't so bad, but still harder than I thought. I can reach almost 1.5 octaves on the piano. Something about curving my left hand makes my fingers collapse inward and harder to stretch them out.

So amazing to hold such a "live" instrument in my hands. So very different than even the most responsive "controllers" in terms of timbre and sensitivity. EG., shaking the bass body makes noise. Things I wouldn't have expected to make sound ... make sound ... and it sounds good.

I mainly use a Three-Fret Stretch this is the write-up.

The three-fret stretch helps us to groove. The name is slightly deceiving, because it may suggest that we only use three fingers. However, we're actually spreading all four fingers over three frets. I call this "the cup" or "bunch of bananas". It is the best fretting-hand fingering technique for groove bass playing because:

1. Three frets is just about the width of your four fingers, so it's a natural hand position.
2. The "bunch of bananas" helps mute strings you are not playing and articulate the notes you are playing (it allows a bit more punch).
3 It allows for economy of motion.
4. It puts less stress on hand and wrist joints.
R&B BASS by Glenn Letsch

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

Critique of One-finger-per-fret technique - YouTube

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by Stev187

Position your thumb so it lines up between your middle and ring fingers. That's the ideal. Nice round shape, no locked knuckles, etc.

A very important part of Steve's post. Correct left-hand position will make everything easier, including using your pinky.

[parmezans]

Originally Posted by Stev187

Please take my comments with a grain of salt, because I am primarily a DB player (but I started on and still play BG).

• 1 finger per fret is probably the most efficient method for BG fingerings, as it dramatically reduces the amount of position shifts required. Scales and modes are in standard box patterns all the way up the neck with limited shifting.
• New players, or players with smaller hands, should not feel bad about using a 3-finger LH technique. If 1 finger per fret requires a lot of uncomfortable stretching, consider a 3-finger LH approach. You will only need to do a little shifting with this approach, and several great BG players use it exclusively.
• If you do go 3-finger, DON'T let your pinky be the unused finger; move your ring and pinky finger as a unit and do the actual fretting with your pinky. When you let that pinky fly, chances are you're deviating from good ergonmic LH position with the other fingers.

While there are newer 4-finger LH approaches for double bass, the 1-2-4 method described above is standard for that instrument (search the DB side for Simandl fingerings).

The most important LH issue for new bass players is to avoid locked knuckles and muscular co-contraction. The best way to avoid these is to use a "C-clamp" position with the LH; grab a tennis ball or baseball firmly but without clenching. Position your thumb so it lines up between your middle and ring fingers. That's the ideal. Nice round shape, no locked knuckles, etc.

And I'll echo what others have said previously; you need to do what works, and you will deviate from whichever "method" you select as needed. Ed Friedland's Hal Leonard Bass Method uses the 1-2-4 approach, btw.

--Steve

Originally Posted by MonetBass

A very important part of Steve's post. Correct left-hand position will make everything easier, including using your pinky.

Developing Safe Left Hand Technique for Bass Guitar - YouTube
I recommend you watch this video. It's very informative and rational. Actually, I think everyone should see this.