String Skippiing:Help!!

[Modulus1906]

I have a question regarding string skipping. I would like to incorporate the correct technique into my practicing/playing. Let's say I'm alternating between the E and D strings (skipping the A). I've found that the most natural feeling for me at this point is to alternate fingerings but on the same string. For example, I will pluck as follows (string over fingering):

E D E D E
i m i m i

Notice how the index is always plucking the E string in this example such that I never have to cross over the A string with either finger. However, I'm wondering whether it's more "standard practice" to pluck as follows:

E D E D E
i m m i i

The second method does not feel natural to me nor does it seem to make sense because you stand to inadvertently hit the A string after plucking the D string and reaching for the E. Is this called "string raking". Thanks for you help.

[codeinedreams]

if I'm alternating between those strings, I would most likely do it the first way you have written. if that gets you the best tone and definition and feels the most comfortable, then do it. the only reason to learn "by the book" techniques IMO is to know what the general standards and limits are and to have an "ideal" method to relate to. after that, it's up to you to extrapolate from there and free yourself up to do what's least cumbersome for you and gets the job done

[greggster59]

The middle finger is usually a person's longest finger making it more natural for use in the example you provide. Of course, do what works best for you but the first example you give is probably the most efficient.

[JimmyM]

Strict alternation is always more efficient when playing fast stuff. I think it's more efficient all the time, but the rakers on here whine and cry if you say that. Of course, they rake and don't strictly alternate, so how would they know? I do both, and alternation is where it's at.

[FretlessMainly]

Your premise of whining and crying almost serves to make my contradictory argument doomed to the scrap heap of whinging rubbish. Jimmy, sometimes you post like a lawyer.

In any case, I've recently evaluated my right hand technique thanks to another thread on this topic (I've basically just been playing for 30 years without thinking too much about it), my conclusion, having determined that I use a healthy mix of alternate and raking is that if you can develop a technique that works well for you, that's always the best way to do it.

And that's the only use of the word always I'll use in this thread.

[GangstaBean]

I find it more comfortable to rest my hand on the bridge, and use my thumb and index/middle finger.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

if you want a string muted sound inbetween notes, then "raking" over the "A" string is fine... but if you want to speak the E and D strings with no other ghost notes, then the i m i m pattern is just fine.

To skip strings, you have to tweak your technique a little bit from the standard next string over raking / alternating patterns...