Proper Left Hand Technique for Root, Fifth, Octave

alienscape · #1 09-11-2009, 09:36 PM

I have just fairly recently begun playing the bass and I am not sure the proper fingering for playing a root, fifth, and octave, let's say sequentially. Well, obviously I know to use my index finger to play the root, and then my ring finger to play the fifth, right? But, when I play the octave, should I fret that with my ring finger also or use my pinky finger?

ReBass · #2 09-11-2009, 09:44 PM

Pinky.

BassMan7530 · #3 09-11-2009, 10:08 PM

I would say pinky as well. Seems as if it would be the most comfortable and logical.

TheBasicBassist · #4 09-11-2009, 10:38 PM

pinky.

J. Crawford · #5 09-11-2009, 10:39 PM

All depends.. If Im going for speed, I use my ring and kinda of roll from the 5th to the octave. But if Im slow funkin, or walking, I use my pinky.

HaVIC5 · #6 09-11-2009, 11:04 PM

I teach index, pinky, pinky unless its further up along the neck, then index, ring, ring. Pressure rolls are an often neglected aspect of left hand technique.

alienscape · #7 09-12-2009, 06:15 AM

THanks for the input.

Zooberwerx · #8 09-12-2009, 06:22 AM

Index (root), ring (fifth), pinky (octave) from the 5th fret up. Otherwise, I use index, pinky, pinky. All stems from an exercise I learned years ago.

Riis

Lichtaffen · #9 09-12-2009, 10:16 AM

I feel like I can get more control doing index, ring, pinky. I wouldn't neglect the 'pressure roll' concept though. I just personally wouldn't rely on it.

Sensory_Rupture · #10 09-12-2009, 06:50 PM

Whoa hey HaVIC, I remember reading your posts and listing to your songs BACK in the day when I first started playing, your stuff really inspired me to get better.You used to post on musicianforums too right? Crazy... Good to see you're still a contributing member of the community

On topic: pinky for the octave definitely gives you more control, the pressure roll works but, at least in my case, forces me to contort my hands out of their usual position and doesn't sound as clean at high speeds, though that might be because I play a 6 string, and it has a very flat neck.

ShavedHippie · #11 09-12-2009, 06:52 PM

I always do index, ring, ring. I'm kind of surprised that not everyone does. (not because there's anything wrong with other methods, I've just never considered anything else)

hasbeen · #12 09-12-2009, 07:11 PM

you asked what is "proper". There really isn't a proper one. As most here posted though, you may find pinky best for the octave.

Since I play a lot of DB, I tend to use my pinky for the fifth if only playing "root fifth". I also use index/pinky for playing octaves while playing slap style too.

billjr · #13 09-14-2009, 02:13 PM

I use index, pinky, pinky, but change to index, ring, ring sometimes as I move up the neck.

A good song that uses this technique is Hotel California. If you get that song down, your pinky rolls will be super bowl worthy.

alienscape · #14 09-16-2009, 10:20 AM

Yeah, as I have been practicing, index, pinky, pinky seems to be the most comfortable to me low on the neck.

warnergt · #15 09-16-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShavedHippie

I always do index, ring, ring. I'm kind of surprised that not everyone does. (not because there's anything wrong with other methods, I've just never considered anything else)

That's what I do.

Or else I use middle, pinky, pinky so I can use the index for the 3rd.

Sartori · #16 09-16-2009, 01:43 PM

I use my pinky for both the fifth and the octave. I hardly ever use the ring finger except to strengthen the pinky.

standupright · #17 09-16-2009, 01:45 PM

depends on where you plan to go from the octave.

chjohnst · #18 09-16-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Index (root), ring (fifth), pinky (octave) from the 5th fret up. Otherwise, I use index, pinky, pinky. All stems from an exercise I learned years ago.

Riis

I pretty much do the same thing, but I need to break a bad habit where I am using my pinky to play something where I should be using my index finger. Its weird when I first started playing I could barely use my pinky and now its one of the strongest fingers I have for fretting. I have neglected my index finger!

BiigM · #19 09-16-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

I teach index, pinky, pinky unless its further up along the neck, then index, ring, ring. Pressure rolls are an often neglected aspect of left hand technique.

I do the same with my students.

HaVIC5 · #20 09-16-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lichtaffen

I feel like I can get more control doing index, ring, pinky. I wouldn't neglect the 'pressure roll' concept though. I just personally wouldn't rely on it.

Why not? If you spend the time you need to perfect it, pressure rolls are invaluable, and afford more control and precision than using two different fingers to finger a perfect fourth. You can get by the other way for most practical situations, of course, but on more "fourthy" stuff like the head to "Freedom Jazz Dance", that approach to fingering falls apart. Besides, it's borderline useless if you decide to make the leap to fretless - pressure rolls are far better for intonation.