Same finger from bottom to top string

some1 · #1 09-19-2011, 07:54 PM

This might be a minor detail here but I'm just curious

So I'm a fingerstyle player. And I'm using my index and middle fingers alternating (no Jamerson style here). What I realized about my playing is that when I play 2 consecutive notes from one string to another one on the immediate top string, I use the same finger. So if I'm picking a note on the A string, say with my index finger, if the next note is on the E string, I play that one with my index finger also. I've playing for a long time and that just always felt natural to me. So I'm wondering if there are other people doing the same or if this can be considered a bad habit. Thanks.

lowfreq33 · #2 09-19-2011, 08:32 PM

That's called "raking", and there's some debate about whether it's proper technique or not. Some people believe you should never stray from strict alternate plucking regardless of which strings two notes reside on.

I am not one of those people, but to each his own.

VitalSigns · #3 09-19-2011, 08:50 PM

If it works, sounds good, and feels good, who cares?

chaosMK · #4 09-19-2011, 11:25 PM

I don't purposefully "rake" but whatever works and sounds good for you. I tend to use any other finger than the last one to get a more solid attack. In the styles of music I jam in and my playing preferences I prefer the most articulation I can get. If I was doing real smooth soft stuff, raking might create the right tones if I wanted to be real inobtrusive about it.

I feel like it might allow you to play a little faster/easier or something but only if your RH has some deficiencies which could be improved on with minimal consistent effort. After writing this, it appears I'm non-raking school

Don't let it be a crutch I guess.

KalTM · #5 09-20-2011, 12:07 AM

Some parts are more comfortable to "rake" and one of my songs even requires it. I see no problems with it and would never consider it bad technique.

Akami · #6 09-20-2011, 12:45 AM

Glad to see the subject come up as the focus of a thread, particularly because I'm one who will very often, but not always, rake when dropping to the next string down. Still don't feel like changing yet, but it's good to see the subject brought up.

Carry on...

some1 · #7 09-20-2011, 07:03 AM

Yeah it feels natural to me playing that way. Obviously when I play more than 2 alternating notes between two strings I don't "rake", which I consciously put some effort to. And I'm realizing that most of the stuff is more suitable for raking than the other way around.

Fergie Fulton · #8 09-20-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KalTM

Some parts are more comfortable to "rake" and one of my songs even requires it. I see no problems with it and would never consider it bad technique.

It is not bad technique, because it is a technique. The point most will make, and myself included is that alternating is a great way to play, it is a better technique than a rake.....but better in what circumstances?

Raking is a boni-fidi technique to be used, from Jerry Lee raking his finger down the piano, to a rock player back raking, to jazz player learning to sweetpick, (even a strum on a guitar is a form of rake, it is a technique some may see it as an easly way to move about the fretboard as they see it with ease, but for me i say learn to alternate and have the use of a rake as an expression to add to your playing because you can, not because you have no alternative to.

K73 · #9 09-20-2011, 04:05 PM

I also frequently "rake" rather than alternate, it just feels more comfortable and natural to me. I see where people are coming from saying that you should strictly alternate but if it feels and sounds good to you I don't see it being a problem.

dave64o · #10 09-22-2011, 10:33 AM

I use it a lot, but not all the time, and often have no reason why I did or didn't use it. I just kind of developed it without realizing it and my instructor pointed it out to me. He didn't have a problem with me doing it if it seemed to help, but he does like to see me alternating fingers most of the time, too, just so I learn how to do it.

BassGen · #11 09-22-2011, 10:38 AM

I always believed that to be the preferred "correct" technique. Likewise you would never do that when moving in the other direction. It takes to long and it's clumsy.

I think raking gives you better control in your playing. I'm still learning it myself but with practice it is starting to feel more and more natural. I can see how it will benefit me when I want to play more difficult passages.

wrench45us · #12 09-22-2011, 10:40 AM

I have a related question
when switching strings with fingerstyle how does one prevent the string being 'vacated' from ringing (as its now open)
This doesn't seem to be an issue on slower patterns, but quick energetic patterns I'm getting a lot of open ringing
I've only been at this a month and don't want to develop bad habits. It sesm like I'm missing some sort of damping technique. It seesm leaving a string therr should be sorm sort of damping, but that finger is leaving to fret another string, so...

BassGen · #13 09-22-2011, 10:47 AM

When moving from a higher note string to a lower note string you should be able to mute by not fully releasing the fretting finger immediately. If there isn't time you would have to train another finger to do that job for you.

When moving the other way you can move your thumb to the last played string as an anchor point and also to mute the string.