Three finger technique...

lionanimagus · #1 07-12-2009, 11:57 AM

I'm relativly new to playing bass. (bout 3/4s of a year) But I have played piano for seven years and trombone for 3. Anywho... I was wondering if strumming with three fingers (pointer, middle, ring) is common among bassists? I know John Entwistle used three for playing triplets and stuff. He is like my inspiration, so that's how I learned to use three is by watching him. but I'm just wondering if a lot of people use three finger to strum?

DoomandHeavy · #2 07-12-2009, 12:03 PM

It's actually a very common technique, and if you want to use it learn it as early as possible. If your going to be playing faster genres of music, like Punk and some sub genres of Metal your goning to need the three finger technique. Also, when using three fingers your hand will have more stamina becasue each finger is doing less work.

penguinbass · #3 07-12-2009, 02:09 PM

I've played with three fingers since I've started playing. When I've tried playing with two fingers, it's a bit faster, but I still play with three because that's what natural to me.

Kevinmach · #4 07-12-2009, 05:51 PM

^^Ditto. I just wanted to pick it up and start playing, so I was lacking in technique and professional instruction.

I was surprised when I started going through books and videos that a lot of bassists only play with two fingers and sometimes one. Throwing in that ring finger makes it show much easier, IMO. I also came from a piano background, which obviously puts you at an advantage in terms of adding fingers-but now when you go back to piano, you are gonna notice a huge gain in your playing from the strength you gained by playing the bass.

lionanimagus · #5 07-13-2009, 08:59 PM

Well, also I (used to) play guitar hero a lot. and I think that helps a lot with finger dexterity and speed, also I think it helps in being able to learn different rhythms.

bassplayer7768521 · #6 07-16-2009, 01:27 PM

I've played trombone for 6 years myself :] rock on man.

The three finger technique is used more than a lot of people think it is. Dream Theater's John Myung is the one that comes to mind for me.

If you're playing triplets, the pattern would of course be Index->Middle->Ring. (This is the most common pattern anyway)

If you're playing running quarter, eighth, or sixteenth notes, the pattern most people use with three fingers is Index->Middle->Ring->Middle.

Just practice with a metronome as much as possible and don't give up. Playing "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden really built up my dexterity with 3 fingers, triplets especially.

Hope I helped! -Mike

Rudyboy98 · #7 07-16-2009, 10:27 PM

Hi!

I play using the 3 finger technique as well. It's quite hard to get used to in the beginning, but it does wonders for you once you learn how to CONTROL your fingers. Using alternate fingerings gets a bit harder when playing with this technique. I'm no master of this technique by any means, but I will keep at it!

R...

Rudreax · #8 07-16-2009, 10:47 PM

As far as I know, there is no debilitating reason for not using three fingers, so if you want to do it go for it.

BeerBeer · #9 07-17-2009, 09:39 AM

there are many different patterns of doing this

I = Index finger, M = Middle finger, R = Ring finger

IMRI MRIM RIMR

RMIR MIRM IRMI (John Entwistle, Alex Webster)

RMIM RMIM RMIM (Steve Digiorgio)

IMRM IMRM IMRM

you can learn one or two or three or all of them ^^ (my second bass teacher once said: you can only learn things another way and never the wrong way. We were also talking about 3 finger playing then)

as u can see in the first two patterns the fingers cycle every 12 notes, but hit the strings always in the same order

in the last two patterns the middle finger is kinda overused,
you start always with the same finger, but there's only the one hit with the ring finger which differs it from two finger playing

I'm pretty sure there are people out there who use other patterns, like starting with the middle or something, use whatever comes in your mind ^^

nice link: http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/...c.php?t=18975&

watch on youtube, I think every way of doing this is explained somewhere, but as always one yt, there are good lessons, mediocre lessons and ridiculous lessons ^^

Geezer used 3 finger technique too

PBass101 · #10 07-17-2009, 11:36 AM

I've always felt that leading your plucking pattern with the index finger is counter-intuitive...Anyway, it's always felt alot more natural to lead with whichever finger you're using that is farthest from the thumb.

schnigges · #11 07-17-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lionanimagus

Well, also I (used to) play guitar hero a lot. and I think that helps a lot with finger dexterity and speed, also I think it helps in being able to learn different rhythms.

Sorry but I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING!!!

wildhorse · #12 07-17-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnigges

Sorry but I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING!!!

Good I thought it was just me.

Lewis.558 · #13 07-20-2009, 09:53 AM

The other three finger technique is the called "Matt Garrison technique" right?

Haruni · #14 07-20-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis.558

The other three finger technique is the called "Matt Garrison technique" right?

Sort of....

The Matt Garrison technique is with your thumb index and middle finger. There is a huge thread in the sticky section.

nysbob · #15 07-20-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

I've always felt that leading your plucking pattern with the index finger is counter-intuitive...Anyway, it's always felt alot more natural to lead with whichever finger you're using that is farthest from the thumb.

My opinion as well, but some folks do well the other way. As long as you're playing in time, it really doesn't much matter.

jgroh · #16 07-20-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnigges

Sorry but I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING!!!

Me too. Sorry, not trying to pick on you but you wouldnt believe the amount of people that think they are musicians and can play because they are on RockBand or Guitard Hero all the time. If you think it helped, cool. I can say it does absolutely nothing for me and I dont feel its in any way the same, but YMMV. Ive been playing 22 1/4 years longer than you have though.

totallyfrozen · #17 07-24-2009, 03:39 PM

Does anyone have a reason NOT to learn a 3 finger playing technique?

I play with only 2 (index/middle) but I'm thinking about learning a 3 fingered approach. The issue is, if it's so much better, why isn't it normally taught in the first place?

Is there a reason why 2 fingers is preferred?
(Don't say "it's easier")

ubado · #18 07-24-2009, 04:21 PM

I've been using a three fingered technique for quite some time. For me, it was fingerstyling on a six string bass that got me using three fingers on a consistant basis. Using three fingers wasn't something that I set out to do ... it just came naturally (I'm guessing it's from my experience on guitar ... since both had 6 strings ... so for me it was just a motor reflex). Now I use three fingers on any numbered stringed basses. I mostly use this technique when going from string to string ... limiting my hand movement.

Eventhough I use three fingers quite often ... I'll still use the two fingered technique as my main style.

Billy Sheehan is well known for his 3 & 4 fingered technique.
Here's a link to one of his old lessions (which is super long-winded ... he talks about multiple fingered techniques at 6:07)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okBPsjjvAz0

nysbob · #19 07-25-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

Does anyone have a reason NOT to learn a 3 finger playing technique?

I play with only 2 (index/middle) but I'm thinking about learning a 3 fingered approach. The issue is, if it's so much better, why isn't it normally taught in the first place?

I'm not sure. I have a few students, and after they see & hear it, they generally say "I wanna do that.

I've been doing it since '75. I also use it on upright.

wildhorse · #20 07-25-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

Does anyone have a reason NOT to learn a 3 finger playing technique?

I play with only 2 (index/middle) but I'm thinking about learning a 3 fingered approach. The issue is, if it's so much better, why isn't it normally taught in the first place?

Is there a reason why 2 fingers is preferred?
(Don't say "it's easier")

It's weird that it's just not comfortable to me. I use the hook quite a lot and vary that with two fingers. Once in awhile the ring finger sneaks in. I use them all when playing guitar but on bass it's just not the same. Well at least if I'm thinking about it. Use what's comfortable for you.