Steve Harris finger technique on Rime of the Ancient Mariner bridge ?

[Johnny Rico]

Hi, I'm working on this section:

G[--11------11------11--12------12------12---14-----14-----14-----14-----14--14----]
D [-----0-0-----0-0-----0----0-0-----0-0-----0----0-0----0-0----0-0----0-0----0---0--]

I don't know which is the best fingering technique, should I simply use alternate 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2...? Or a more adapted technique for this stuff ?

Thanks !

[J-Building]

This is my favorite section to play. I use my middle finger to play the G string, while using my index finger to play the D string. It takes a fair amount of practice to get it down at first, but it's quite fun.

This is an example of the pattern I use:
M II M II M II M II M II and so and and so on...

If you'd like, I can take a video of how I play this section, but it might be a while before I can get ahold of a bass (I'll be in China for a few weeks).

[Johnny Rico]

This is confusing, sorry, but you say you play this stuff with strict alternate fingering, starting with the middle finger ?

If so, you do reverse the fingering at the fourth note of this stuff ? (the F# on the 11th fret)

Thanks

[markkoelsch]

You could also play it on one string, which might make the fingering easier. Just a thought anyway.

[Johnny Rico]

Don't want to, obviously !

[I<34080]

You could play the D with your thumb.

[Johnny Rico]

Excuse me, but no one can confirm me a proper two (three ?) fingers technique ?

Thanks !

[Psycho]

I do MM I, just work on twitching your middle or index. It's tricky, but easy once you get it down.

The slower bridge is easy, just downstroke with your thumb.

The whole song is a beautiful piece.

[J-Building]

I'm not sure what you mean by strict alternate fingering, but I always use the Middle-Index-Index pattern until near the end of the phrase where the notes are a D and an A. At that point, the pattern is just M I M I. You'll hear it. I only use the index to play the D string, and the middle only to play the G string. I'm not sure what you mean by reversal either, but it's still basically what I said above.

[joeydavidson]

I just alternate the middle and index fingers; MIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMI........

[Beginner Bass]

Just looking at it I'd say

F#-I I M I I M I M
G - I I M I I M I M
A - I I M I I M I I M I I M I I M M

Try raking.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

gary willis right hand technique!!! it is hard to get on with it but once you are settled you will just play anything without problems!

[derJackal]

Originally Posted by Johnny Rico

Hi, I'm working on this section:

G[--11------11------11--12------12------12---14-----14-----14-----14-----14--14----]
D [-----0-0-----0-0-----0----0-0-----0-0-----0----0-0----0-0----0-0----0-0----0---0--]

I don't know which is the best fingering technique, should I simply use alternate 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2...? Or a more adapted technique for this stuff ?

Thanks !

Steve does it with a two finger string-pong (Geddy uses this a lot as well - MalNar is a prime example). It took me a while back in the 80s, but I got my index finger fast enough to play all the open D with one finger using the middle finger to play the G run.

And while "one string" may be easier, it sounds wrong w/o that ringing open D.

[fourstringburn]

Finger technique? use what is most comfortable and produces the sound you are looking for. You can copy everything technique you can about any Bassists but you still wont have his soul!

[derJackal]

Originally Posted by fourstringburn

Finger technique? use what is most comfortable and produces the sound you are looking for. You can copy everything technique you can about any Bassists but you still wont have his soul!

True, but every technique you learn is one you can add to your own arsenal. That just helps you define a signature style of yourself. We're all thiefs and magpies.

[J-Building]

Originally Posted by derJackal

Steve does it with a two finger string-pong (Geddy uses this a lot as well - MalNar is a prime example). It took me a while back in the 80s, but I got my index finger fast enough to play all the open D with one finger using the middle finger to play the G run.

And while "one string" may be easier, it sounds wrong w/o that ringing open D.

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

[Elrend]

Originally Posted by Johnny Rico

Excuse me, but no one can confirm me a proper two (three ?) fingers technique ?

Thanks !

The proper technique is one that doesn't hurt and allows you to play the part. Be original!

[derJackal]

Originally Posted by Elrend

The proper technique is one that doesn't hurt and allows you to play the part. Be original!

What's wrong with learning how he does it? I won't say it's the "proper technique", but learning to play it that way did hurt me. You have to build stamina and strength as a player regardless of who's style you may be parroting or if you're trying to go fully on your own.

Getting up to that level of speed and stamina is going to involve some amount of pain. Unless that pain is somewhere other than your forearm and fingers - you build the speed, you build the strength over time. You hurt less and less each day and then it just becomes effortless.

As a result of learning how Steve plays his parts, I have very fast index and middle fingers. And as a result of Steve and Geddy both leading heavily with their index fingers, I've got a very fast index figner of my own. I've used those abilities (along with others) to frame my own style and compositions.

Having all those tools allowed me to do some things with bass parts I would not have been able to do otherwise. Watching the guy who followed me in my last band struggle with those parts made me feel less bitter about how my whole deparure played out.

[El Sordo]

Here's how I do it. I pluck the 11th fret with my index, then I also pluck the open D string with my index, and then with my middle finger. Repeat it to the end of the riff Sorta like sweeping the first 2 notes with my index.

[MistaMarko]

^

Yes. Exactly. This is the most efficient way to do it as far as "economy of motion" goes.