Is 'Raking' bad?

Rogue181 · #1 08-28-2007, 08:40 PM

When I'm playing on one string or moving from a low (piched) string to a high one I alternate 'twixt my middle and index finger on my right hand. However, when I move from a high string to a lower one (eg G to D) I tend to use the the same finger to 'rake' the two strings, which breaks the alternating pattern. I think this might slow me down; should I always alternate fingers, even when traveling down a string?

ras1983 · #2 08-28-2007, 08:48 PM

If it was good enough for jaco, its good enough for everyone else.

I personally find raking to be far more efficient when moving from a higher tuned string to a lower tuned string because your finger is already moving in that direction. however i find it easier to alternate on the way up.

it takes some practice to get it sounding smooth but its worth it in the end.

sublime0bass · #3 08-28-2007, 08:49 PM

your style is considered standard for a lot of instructors

Scottgun · #4 08-28-2007, 08:52 PM

There is nothing absolute about alternating fingers. Heck, James Jamerson just used one finger.

geoffkhan · #5 08-28-2007, 09:43 PM

Personally I think raking is more efficient. It's the equivalent of economy picking on guitar.

JimmyM · #6 08-29-2007, 03:17 AM

You guys trying to get me started again? Of course raking's bad! But I've discovered that the rakers are always going to defend raking with faulty arguments like the Jamerson thing and the "economy of motion" nonsense. So whatever. I'm done saving the world.

Hawaii Islander · #7 08-29-2007, 03:26 AM

Raking is a good thing when you want to play an adjacent string on the way back to ring together to form a harmonic to help emphasize the note and fatten the sound. Jack Casady does it. I like it.

The BurgerMeister · #8 08-29-2007, 03:40 AM

if it works, it's good. i do it all the time, and it works. so... it's good for me.

largo · #9 08-29-2007, 03:57 AM

Here we go again, trying doing a search before posting.
IMHO it disnae matter.

elpelotero · #10 08-29-2007, 07:30 AM

please do a search. there was a massive thread on this about a month ago. in essence, do whatever feels right to you, as long as you can play it clean at fast tempos.

Rattlehead · #11 08-29-2007, 07:45 AM

Hey JimmyM,

I can think of one good reason why raking is bad. Most of the time you move down by 1 string but every once in a while you move down by 2. If you're used to raking it's going to feel REAL weird to alternate fingers to jump 2 strings down since you usually never alternate fingers when going down strings (in terms of numbers the vast majority of movement along strings is going to be the next string up or down).

Basically you'd have to put aside alot of practice time to get that 2 string jump so you can pull it off properly whenever it shows up.

I don't rake that reason. Is your reason different?

Scottgun · #12 08-29-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You guys trying to get me started again? Of course raking's bad! But I've discovered that the rakers are always going to defend raking with faulty arguments like the Jamerson thing and the "economy of motion" nonsense. So whatever. I'm done saving the world.

Well, tell you what. Rather than get into the flak of assertions of faultiness with no support, and since I don't have a gig at the moment, I'll start a regimen of practice dedicated to exploring alternating versus raking. I'll also explore anchor, movable anchor, and floating and report from time to time. How about that? I just got my first 5-string and it is already apparent I need to revisit some fundamentals, so I am open to anything.

Scott

rockwarnick · #13 08-29-2007, 08:11 AM

[quote=Rogue181;4608561] I think this might slow me down; QUOTE]

how would that slow you down? i like to do it cause its faster and uses less effort/movement. i dont think raking is bad at all. i like rake with three sometimes four fingers. creates a cool effect.

elpelotero · #14 08-29-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottgun

Well, tell you what. Rather than get into the flak of assertions of faultiness with no support, and since I don't have a gig at the moment, I'll start a regimen of practice dedicated to exploring alternating versus raking. I'll also explore anchor, movable anchor, and floating and report from time to time. How about that? I just got my first 5-string and it is already apparent I need to revisit some fundamentals, so I am open to anything.

Scott

according to Jimmy M in the thread I started a month ago, someone did this for a month and said alternating was the way to go.

FWIW, I've been trying to do alternating for the past 1-2 months and I already find my playing to be cleaner. I had sloppy technique before, whether I raked or alternated, but sticking to simply alternating has gotten me to be more accurate. I've also been trying to do floating thumb, movable anchor, etc...The floating thumb is very nice but I tend to dig in too much when I play and it kills everything for me. I would need todd johnson's DVD to develop floating thumb properly. For now, I've been sticking to movable anchor and it works fine.

The main point is do whatever feels right as long as you can play clean at fast speeds.

Erick Lam · #15 08-29-2007, 11:10 AM

Raking is very good, especially on autumn leaves.

Scottgun · #16 08-29-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elpelotero

according to Jimmy M in the thread I started a month ago, someone did this for a month and said alternating was the way to go.

FWIW, I've been trying to do alternating for the past 1-2 months and I already find my playing to be cleaner. I had sloppy technique before, whether I raked or alternated, but sticking to simply alternating has gotten me to be more accurate. I've also been trying to do floating thumb, movable anchor, etc...The floating thumb is very nice but I tend to dig in too much when I play and it kills everything for me. I would need todd johnson's DVD to develop floating thumb properly. For now, I've been sticking to movable anchor and it works fine.

The main point is do whatever feels right as long as you can play clean at fast speeds.

Fair enough. I think I mostly do alternating anyway (I've played so long I don't pay attention), but I will still concentrate on it since some bad habits have creeped into my technique.

Just J · #17 08-29-2007, 01:13 PM

I rake coming down. Sometimes I alternate if it's multiple strings... hell, I just play it whichever way is comfortable depending on what I'm playing.

jeff schmidt · #18 08-29-2007, 01:18 PM

put me down as a huge raker.

I bitch slap also. don't know if there's a bass rule against that too.

J.D.B. · #19 08-29-2007, 01:41 PM

Analysis to paralysis.........................again!
Josh

Rogue181 · #20 08-29-2007, 01:45 PM

Oops. I guess I'll do a search next time!

I think I'll try to alternate for a while. Raking comes more naturaly to me, but when I get into complicated lines, my right hand losses it's rythem and generaly gets confused. While I'm rethinking my technique, I'll try the movable anchor to. Thanks for the input guys!