Which right hand finger could you play the best with?

[jnprather]

Hi guys,

I'd like to know which one finger on your right hand you would play with if you were forced to play with only one finger (or, if you do only play with one finger, which one you use).

The reason I ask is that I was watching a performance of Dio performing "Heaven and Hell" and the bass player was using his index finger to do the main verse bassline (do do doot.. .do do doot... do do doot...). Normally I would play that line with both fingers, but I can see why he is playing it with one finger (it probably has a more consistent sound through the notes). I picked up my bass and started trying to play it with one finger, and found that my MIDDLE finger was stronger by itself than my index finger.

There are alot of players over the years (Jamerson, etc) who have played with one finger and it is usually the index finger. I thought that was a bit weird that my middle finger seems stronger, but I wanted to see if maybe that's more common than I thought. I normally use pretty standard two-finger right hand technique and can use my middle finger for some things when needed. I'm curious if maybe there's a trend among people who have upright experience (I do not) one way or the other as well...

John

[the_fonz]

index
sometimes i end up using it alone subconciously
i don't notice any change in my sound or consistency when it happens, so no foul

[bassfacekevin]

I guess I misunderstood the question. I voted thumb, because I thought you meant you had to choose only one, and I figured with double-thumbing and etc. it was the most versatile of the digits.

~K

[datsgora]

I use my index finger quite a bit.......so that would be my answer. John

[funkydjembe]

My index is secondary to my middle finger, both on upright and electric. The index starts working more when crossing strings or when speed is an issue. When playing some sorts like swing/some jazz, then the middle takes a ghost note before the index hits.

[Deacon_Blues]

Voted index, but middle works almost as well for me. I get a better attack with the middle finger, but the index just feels more natural.

I sometimes use only one finger for mid-tempo eights like in "With or without you" by U2. There's always a slight difference in the sound between the two fingers because of the difference in the distance to the bridge. Playing with only one finger makes all notes sound the same and suits this kind of music well IMO.

[PrimusNut]

Middle. But usually when I play with only my middle finger, I hold my index and middle finger together, and only hit the string with my middle.

[Jonny B]

I use a three finger technique, but my middle is the strongest. Also, I sometimes find myself just plucking with the middle if I'm playing quarters at a slow tempo (god help me).