Noob question: Index/Middle finger tone

barestdegree · #1 08-11-2008, 01:50 PM

I've been playing for about 4 months and have been reading a bit (Bass Guitar for Dummies), practicing with a band fairly regularly, and trying to learn as I go. For equipment, I have a 2004 MIM Fender P-Bass and an Ashdown EB 15-180 combo.

My question is, when alternating between my index and middle finger, I can't seem to keep an even tone. It sort of sounds like: BUM BOM BUM BOM (you get the idea). I've tried changing my attack and striking pressure, but I can't seem to really keep an even tone between fingers. When playing a series of the same note, I'll generally play them all with one finger instead of alternating in order to better keep an even tone.

I'm wondering if it may have something to do with the fact that I have smallish-narrow fingers? Does it have anything to do with my P-Bass being passive vs. active? Is this something I should really be concerned about down the line?

Thanks!
Brian

Twnty1inRF · #2 08-11-2008, 01:57 PM

There aren't really any secrets other than practice practice practice.

Start slow and concentrate on making every tone even and gradually increase your speed over time.

You'll get there...

barestdegree · #3 08-11-2008, 01:59 PM

Hmm...after futzing with my search strings, I found a similar thread on this topic. Please feel free to comment, however, or just ignore me and I'll go away.

waynobass · #4 08-11-2008, 02:03 PM

The sound from the two fingers will never sound exactly alike. But I'm pretty sure that when the whole band is playing no one, not even you, will notice.

Orangeclawhamme · #5 08-11-2008, 02:55 PM

I started a thread about this a while back, when I was having this problem. I found that, in addition to the practice, which seems to help just about anything, that filing my nails on those two fingers helped, even though I was not having a problem with my nails hitting the strings.

crazyguy832 · #6 08-11-2008, 11:00 PM

Calluses still may not be fully formed.

Also, your middle finger is slightly fattier than your index naturally, so it will sound different.

To really listen to natural differences between your fingers, play a simple line with only your index finger, then only your thumb, then only your pinky (yes, it's hard, I know, haha). You may be surprised at how different all your fingers sound naturally.

lexxmexx · #7 08-12-2008, 12:50 AM

Try to identify the finger that usually make the undesired sound and experiment plucking with different intensity.

Deacon_Blues · #8 08-12-2008, 05:30 AM

They will sound a bit different whatever you do. You can use that to your advantage, or try to minimize it by focusing on plucking equally hard with both fingers.

Vincent P · #9 08-12-2008, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twnty1inRF

There aren't really any secrets other than practice practice practice.

Start slow and concentrate on making every tone even and gradually increase your speed over time.

You'll get there...

Agree. Using a metronome set to 50, start on open E and practice one-two-one-two. Pay attention at how each finger acts and adjust. Once you beging to get clean notes, or notes your happy with, beging to gradually speed up the metronome. Begin to encorporate fretting and moving up the strings and to the others. E to A to D to G and back.

As boring as this may seems, it will do a few things when added to the start of your practice routine. Warm your hands both Fretting and plucking along with building stamina and the tone quality your looking for.

SwamiRob · #10 08-12-2008, 05:54 AM

Yeah just keep practising, and if you can't get rid of the effect for some reason, then try use it to develop your own style. Plenty of musicians have had to overcome worse set backs.

To be honest it just sounds like you need more practise though. How long you been playing?

Martin Bormann · #11 08-12-2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barestdegree

I've been playing for about 4 months and have been reading a bit (Bass Guitar for Dummies), practicing with a band fairly regularly, and trying to learn as I go. For equipment, I have a 2004 MIM Fender P-Bass and an Ashdown EB 15-180 combo.

My question is, when alternating between my index and middle finger, I can't seem to keep an even tone. It sort of sounds like: BUM BOM BUM BOM (you get the idea). I've tried changing my attack and striking pressure, but I can't seem to really keep an even tone between fingers. When playing a series of the same note, I'll generally play them all with one finger instead of alternating in order to better keep an even tone.

I'm wondering if it may have something to do with the fact that I have smallish-narrow fingers? Does it have anything to do with my P-Bass being passive vs. active? Is this something I should really be concerned about down the line?

Thanks!
Brian

The answer is your attack on the strings is different depending on the finger. Friendly advice is to abandon the 2 finger picking style and move to a three finger method. Doing this won't just be more efficient than two fingers but it might help you overcome this attack problem.

Practice very slowly, every time your attack ceases to be even, stop and start over very slow.

Also, it should be known that you might be able to mask your problem a little by getting different pickups in your bass. If you chose to go this route (which I hope you don't) you might need to go talk to some experts.

LightGroove · #12 08-12-2008, 06:26 AM

For someone that's only played for 4 mths it sounds like your headed in the right direction. There is a lot of great advice . To tell a noob to learn a 3 finger technique before even learning the notes might be a little out there. Its good advice but maybe not for a beginner.

I'm unclear as to the style of music your playing. That may help clear things up a bit. If your just thumpin single notes to get familiar thats one thing...if your playing a tune with a driving note its another. I think a lot of people get caught up in semantics and totally forget the groove. Your undertones may fit a certain song nicely...Oh and who says you can't play with 1 finger?? If your worried about speed....well I don't think the bass was designed for speed...

My advice is the same as others....practice little by little. If you get too advanced it can become real discouraging. Look at other great musicians as influences but not someone you can emulate just yet...after all they are professionals (most). Take the time to learn the fretboard...the notes...the other fingers will follow.

Stick with it...if frustration sets in come on back and chat some more. I wish I had this resource and community when I was starting to learn.

barestdegree · #13 08-12-2008, 10:04 PM

Thanks for all of the good advice. We've mostly been playing rock covers (Pixies, James, Garbage, Placebo, Clash, Hooverphonic...you get the idea) for now, and we're working on some original music. I can read music, so I'm not a complete newbie to the whole thing.

For what I'm currently playing, I don't really need to use two fingers to hold a constant line, and using both fingers for different notes sounds just fine. I just want to make sure I'm prepared for more challenging stuff down the line.

Bob the bassist · #14 08-12-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Bormann

The answer is your attack on the strings is different depending on the finger. Friendly advice is to abandon the 2 finger picking style and move to a three finger method. Doing this won't just be more efficient than two fingers but it might help you overcome this attack problem.

Practice very slowly, every time your attack ceases to be even, stop and start over very slow.

+100 re: the 3 fingered method, especially if you're not too habituated to two fingers yet. Metronome, etc., and accent the 1 at first to help you get the feel of 4 over 3.

**Mark Wilson** · #15 08-12-2008, 11:20 PM

Slow and steady my brother!

Practice scales. They'll get all your fingers working.

If you want, PM me and I'll help you out!

barestdegree · #16 08-13-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Slow and steady my brother!

Practice scales. They'll get all your fingers working.

If you want, PM me and I'll help you out!

Thanks, man! You Canadians are always so friendly! I used to think of Canada as the United States' hat, but it's really more like the US is Canada's knickers.

(I apologize profusely for the GWB mishap. We're currently trying to correct the problem)

**Mark Wilson** · #17 08-13-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barestdegree

Thanks, man! You Canadians are always so friendly! I used to think of Canada as the United States' hat, but it's really more like the US is Canada's knickers.

(I apologize profusely for the GWB mishap. We're currently trying to correct the problem)

haha it's not affecting us. It's you guys who are getting shafted

just let me know if you need any thing!