Right hand fingers

[AZslim]

I'm trying to start out by alternating my index and middle fingers. I'm thinking if I get into this habit now, it will make it easier to play faster later.

My question is do you usually start with the index or middle finger? For example, if you are playing 16th notes, would you play the 'one', and the 'and' with the the index and the 'eh' and the 'uh' with the middle? Or the other way around because it seems the middle finger wants to lead. If that's true should I always try to do it this way? Like quarter notes, middle, index middle, etc?

Or am I letting drum technique screw me up on the bass?

Edit: I'm a right handed player.

[Nashrakh]

Whatever feels natural to you.

It's great to be able to do well with both, though. Personally, I'm a middlefinger-type person, but it can't hurt to train your index.

[bobknowsbass]

In my experience, drum technique can only help you! I alternate strictly between the index and the middle, just as you describe. Reading Adam Nitti's BP articles on consistent right hand technique really helped to lock in my articulation. In fact, do paradiddles and triplets to really enhance your playing. If Steve Bailey says its a good idea, it probably is.

[Fergie Fulton]

It does not really matter so long as you can show the beat. Think of it as being the same as right and left handed, one is natural to the player, one is not, so work on your natural one.
Playing with you fingers is a great way of showing expression, so it does not really matter if the notes are even, so long as you know where the beat is. By that i mean don't work on trying to smooth out your fingers so that they are equal and sound and function the same.
In an ideal world you would play alternate fingers for all, regardless of starting finger and never think about it again.
So next time you practice move the beat around and see what works for you and work on it till you know longer think about it. Maybe you might move on to three finger occasional, then three finger alternate, where the one does really move about.
Remember your technique must reflect what your playing, in a applicable, safe and healthy way for the music.....or its pointless.

[MadMan118]

You're off to a good start. It doesn't matter what finger you start with.

[bakjewel]

It's always good to be able to do everything.

[RAM]

I agree it's good to learn with each finger leading. You'll have a preference, which is perfectly okay, but you'll get better control when you learn to lead with either one. One thing you'll find, though, is that when you're raking strings you may have a preference to use your middle finger. It doesn't have to be done this way, but for many people, myself included, it feels more natural.

One of the fun things you can do while building your skills is to find different ways to play everything! You can be as creative as you like, which can be part of the fun of it. It'll also help you expand your musical vocabulary.

[AZslim]

Thanks all. My middle finger wants to lead and my index finger when playing faster, my index finger wants to make the long stretch to the different strings. I figure since I'm at that awkward stage where everything is new anyway, I might as well work on a technique that will help me play smoother and faster in the long run.

[JHorstmann]

well... while people say it doesn't really matter, which is mostly true... it can kind of matter. there are 2 things i've learned from taking bass lessons here about right hand technique:

1) start out leading with the same finger every time, just for practicality's sake, in the end it just helps muscle memory faster to learn one way and the other.
2) don't rake your fingers just yet!!! start out by, no matter what note you play, to not rake your fingers when going down a string (from the g to the d, the d to the a, the a to the e). don't get me wrong, raking your fingers is an awesome practice, is theoretical, and is easier, but it's hard to find a bass player who can not rake their fingers every time they go down the strings, making uneven notes and bad tonal errors.

Anyways, i'm sure alot of people will disagree, it seems strict, and you can obviously learn from doing it other ways, this is just what i've found most helpful and saved me from having to relearn some things over later down the road.

[Vittu]

ive found if i worry about what finger does what i play sloppier than if i just go with the flow

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by JHorstmann

1) start out leading with the same finger every time, just for practicality's sake, in the end it just helps muscle memory faster to learn one way and the other.
2) don't rake your fingers just yet!!! start out by, no matter what note you play, to not rake your fingers when going down a string (from the g to the d, the d to the a, the a to the e). don't get me wrong, raking your fingers is an awesome practice, is theoretical, and is easier, but it's hard to find a bass player who can not rake their fingers every time they go down the strings, making uneven notes and bad tonal errors.

Point one is irelevent and really an phalacy. It makes no difference what finger you start on in a two finger alternate technique. Its your brain that works out the relevence not your fingers. By that, i mean alternate fingering means one follows the other, so forefinger follows middle finger, and middle finger follows forefinger, then forefinger follows middle etc etc. So the relevence is mental, the fingers will follow what ever you choose so the muscles still develop an alternate use.

I agree with point two whole heartedly, learn the proper fingerings then rake. Rake is a technique, effect, a sound, call it what you will but it is some used inconjuction with playing and as such when used adds to line or piece of music because i sounds different.

[lolaviola]

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