So how am I supposed to strum this thing?

[wbailey08]

Hi all, I am total newbie to the bass. I've played guitar for about 15 or so years but now want to learn to play the bass as well. I play mostly reggae and ska type music so I've decided to ditch the pick, and learn with my fingers but I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to be doing.

In the few lessons I've found online they have said to anchor your thumb to a pick up or pickguard which I can understand, but I'm not sure what my other fingers should be doing? Should I assign each finger to each string? If I play with 2 fingers, is there any sort of rule as to which finger should pluck first or second or how many times? Any tips you can give me on playing with your fingers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[MadMan118]

You usually alternate fingers beteween your index ans middle. Does'nt matter which you start with. So if your playing straight quarter notes it goes like this :
1 2 3 4 <note
I M I M <finger (index and middle)

[wbailey08]

Thanks for the response. I know the question seems a little dumb, but I just want to make sure I teach myself the correct way so that I don't develop any bad habits that could hinder my progress later on. I couldn't seem to find any place that would give me a definite answer on finger technique so again, thanks for your help!

[Poor Tom]

Just about every beginner book you would find at sam ash or guitar center or any other music store will start off by teaching fingering technique. Just go "window shopping" and skim through a few of them or maybe buy one. Good luck and have fun, it's a great instrument.

[MadMan118]

Originally Posted by wbailey08

Thanks for the response. I know the question seems a little dumb, but I just want to make sure I teach myself the correct way so that I don't develop any bad habits that could hinder my progress later on. I couldn't seem to find any place that would give me a definite answer on finger technique so again, thanks for your help!

Thats why we're here. And you're spot on about the not developing bad habits. I developed some bad ones myself early on and after years of playing I'm still trying to correct them.

[Buslady7803]

Grab a book like they said. If ya can, a teacher too will help you develop your skills too.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by wbailey08

Hi all, I am total newbie to the bass. I've played guitar for about 15 or so years but now want to learn to play the bass as well. I play mostly reggae and ska type music so I've decided to ditch the pick, and learn with my fingers but I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to be doing.

In the few lessons I've found online they have said to anchor your thumb to a pick up or pickguard which I can understand, but I'm not sure what my other fingers should be doing? Should I assign each finger to each string? If I play with 2 fingers, is there any sort of rule as to which finger should pluck first or second or how many times? Any tips you can give me on playing with your fingers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

check out the floating thumb technique.....