Technique Crossover

[Cannabassist]

Hi, I've been thinking of incorporating some unfamiliar techniques into my fingerstyle playing after 5 years of playing. I currently play with strict alternation on my index and middle fingers and floating thumb; on my 5 string. How difficult would it be to add the following techniques to my playing?

3 finger picking, like Steve Harris etc &

4 finger picking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PigAe4VIMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exn9CtqBVac

I understand the pros and cons for these techniques and can see the benefit of using them, but I'm concerned about losing the previous technique. For example when I began playing I used to rake/ anchor my thumb, I now only use strict alternation and floating thumb technique. The problem is I only just got to the stage where I am not fumbling over notes as I am torn between raking/alternating etc.

Is it possible to know many techniques and instictively know which one to use without being confused and also is it easy to transition between these? Finally, how does technique and learning new techniques relate to playing a 6 string bass (is there much of a learning curve?).

Or, as it seems to me, if I learn these techniques will I just be sacrificing my old technique for a new one i use exclusively?

[Beginner Bass]

Practice them equally.

[shadow_FIX]

When you learn a technique for the first time, I know what you mean. You think "How in the hell am I going to 'know' to do this on the gig?"

Practice these (or any) techniques until you feel very confident in them. Then try playing something that incorporates those techniques for, say, a few of your friends. Now that you're given an audience, you might be able to test yourself to see how much you remember "on the spot" or "under pressure." Even though they're your friends, you still want to play well for them so that presents you with a level of pressure, the kind of pressure you might feel on the gig to play everything correctly. I do this with everything, from my classical double bass pieces to all the new metal riffs I've been working on.

The next part is, if you can, use your newly found skills often in playing situations where they are applicable. You'll start to figure out how to use it...also make sure to listen to other players doing what you want to do (WATCH them if you can!)

[Chris K]

I was in the same ballpark (2 fingers, floating thumb) and I decided to go for combinations with my thumb, like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHP0P...ext=1&index=10

[251]

Originally Posted by Cannabassist

Hi, I've been thinking of incorporating some unfamiliar techniques into my fingerstyle playing after 5 years of playing. I currently play with strict alternation on my index and middle fingers and floating thumb; on my 5 string. How difficult would it be to add the following techniques to my playing?

3 finger picking, like Steve Harris etc &

4 finger picking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PigAe4VIMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exn9CtqBVac

I understand the pros and cons for these techniques and can see the benefit of using them, but I'm concerned about losing the previous technique. For example when I began playing I used to rake/ anchor my thumb, I now only use strict alternation and floating thumb technique. The problem is I only just got to the stage where I am not fumbling over notes as I am torn between raking/alternating etc.

Is it possible to know many techniques and instictively know which one to use without being confused and also is it easy to transition between these? Finally, how does technique and learning new techniques relate to playing a 6 string bass (is there much of a learning curve?).

Or, as it seems to me, if I learn these techniques will I just be sacrificing my old technique for a new one i use exclusively?

I have been practicing a 4 finger technique (TIMR) off & on for about 2 months. I still have trouble relaxing enough to switch from 2 to 4 fingers smoothly. If I forget to increase the volume & lighten up on 2 fingers, I lose too much volume when I switch to 4.

I suspect it has more to do with how much practice time I put in. Lately, I haven't put in much time. YRMV. 8-)