three finger question

[d8g3jdh]

Is it bad technique to only use three fingers at a certain time? Like, during quicker triplets? or should i be consistent?

[JimmyM]

Don't know. What do you think?

[Oysterman]

Yeah, that's more of a philosophical question than a practical one.

[wtg203]

I assume you're talking about the right hand? (If you're right handed that is.) I think it's basically a stylistic thing. I've seen an instructional video by Gary Willis (the name of the video escapes me) in which he documents his 3 finger method. I've allways used 2, as that's what I've been taught. The only thing I would be careful of is to not let your 3 finger approach hinder your 2 finger alternating.

[nysbob]

Originally Posted by Grug

Is it bad technique to only use three fingers at a certain time? Like, during quicker triplets? or should i be consistent?

Whatever works well for you cannot be construed as bad by someone else.

[steve66]

Originally Posted by nysbob

Whatever works well for you cannot be construed as bad by someone else.

I agree. What ever works for you in a particular musical situation would be the right way for you.

[cliffburtonfan]

Originally Posted by Grug

Is it bad technique to only use three fingers at a certain time? Like, during quicker triplets? or should i be consistent?

nah i do the same thing, two fingers for everythin exept when im throwin in a few triplets or playin some maiden!

Think about it triplets= a group of three notes, makes sense to use three fingers.

Now if only i had 32 fingers

[NoisemakerD-Lux]

Originally Posted by Grug

Is it bad technique to only use three fingers at a certain time? Like, during quicker triplets? or should i be consistent?

When I'm playing with fingers (I'm a big pick fan), I constantly switch between the 2 finger approach for the slow or medium speed lines and the 3/4 finger technique for the really fast stuff (Sheehan / guitar shredder speed).

Actually, even for the slow stuff, I'll sometimes do 3/4 fingers... great for ultra quick dynamics.

You could say I'm a Stanley Clarke / Billy Sheehan hybrid for finger style.

So..... switch away and switch often. From one lick to the next.

[Verbannter]

I currently alternate between my index and middle finger on my right hand and am currently working on applying 3 fingers into my work (Excluding my thumb for the occasional slap; yes I know what you're going to say.). I'd do with what you feel comfortable with if it's effective, because why sacrifice what works? I am not saying not to practice applying that, quite the contrary. Just don't sacrifice your rhythm.

By the way, do you have any suggestions when playing with 3 fingers? When I try to play with my (What I would assume would be kind of like the ring finger of the right hand *Shrug*) it seems incredibly weak and quite awkward. And when I try to incorporate it into anything outside of exercises I fall back to alternating between my index and middle fingers. Any suggestions? I am not the best of bassists so please, just constrictive criticism.

[Funkateer]

IMHO, the best reason to incorporate using the third finger of your right hand ("a" to classical guitar types) is that when you play figures that skip a string, your hand doesn't have to move as far. Having two choices for alternating fingers (i and m, and m and a) makes a lot of this string skipping stuff a LOT easier.

For example: Try playing a 16th note octave ostinato: first two 1/16s low note, second two high note. i.e. Bb on E string, and Bb on D string. Pretty awkward, right? Now try it with i-m on the low note and a-m on the high note. A lot easier; at least for me.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Three-finger technique has been kind of a frustration to me because I think it can be really useful for certain things, but I really dislike the fact that my tone changes a lot when trying to use it. I can play some lines with three fingers (not Billy Sheehan stuff, of course) but I always end going back to two. The best example of this situation for me is "The Trooper". I can play it with three fingers and it's a lot more comfortable, but the tone I get is notably less powerful that way, so I prefer playing it with two. It's a matter of practice for sure, but I've tried to improve this with no satisfying results.

[Suckbird]

I would recommend you always practice with 3fingers...

my first attempts using 3fingers went pretty bad because i usually used 3fingers sometimes and 2fingers sometimes and never really became good using 3fingers... now i have dropped the 2finger technique(which now feels awkward to use) and i'm very happy... i dont see any disadvantage using 3fingers.

[Verbannter]

Originally Posted by Suckbird

I would recommend you always practice with 3fingers...

my first attempts using 3fingers went pretty bad because i usually used 3fingers sometimes and 2fingers sometimes and never really became good using 3fingers... now i have dropped the 2finger technique(which now feels awkward to use) and i'm very happy... i dont see any disadvantage using 3fingers.

How long did it take you to develop those skills? I JUST GOT MY 6 STRING BASS ! So I expect to do it alot more. I've been practing some standard scales with the GDAE format with the 3 finger technique (As I don't know any 'real' 6 string scales; Recommendations would be great. But the reason i'm practicing 3 fingers is to be more fluid with my new 6 string). I'm having trouble incorporating as powerful a tone as compared to 2 fingers. And besides some areas in which I wish to incorporate triplets, I really feel that a 2 finger technique is more efficient but in itself I would think that it would be counter productive to improving my 3 finger technique

Suggestions?

Edit: Eik! sorry missed your post Gomez. I totally agree with you

You're still my hero for responding to my tapping technique!

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Verbannter

Edit: Eik! sorry missed your post Gomez. I totally agree with you

You're still my hero for responding to my tapping technique!

[Blackbird]

Instead of trying to incorporate the third finger right away, try doing what classical guitarists do: Practice two finger technique in every possible finger combination: Index - middle, Index - ring and Middle - ring.

Practice all your exercises using those three combinations. That way, you'll have an easier time keeping a consisent attack when you use the three at once and be better coordinated too.