What finger do you lead with?

harry182 · #1 12-22-2009, 09:00 AM

Don't know if this has been started before but was watching a vid on you tube about using four fingers, (thumb and the 1st three fingers closest) and noticed the guy teaching it, used his fingers in the opposite direction to the way i use mine....

i started playing bass using two fingers but after seeing a Billy Sheehan tutorial playing with 3 fingers, i thought it looked cool as funk and nether looked back since

Taking this (i used numbers instead of names hoping this'll be easyer) ....

and for you lefties .....

How do you play,... no funny rhythms, just 8 notes on the same string

When i used to play with 2 fingers :- 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 .....

Now i play with 3 fingers :- 4 3 2 4 3 2 4 3 .....

So yeah, what about you guys?

J. Crawford · #2 12-22-2009, 09:02 AM

Im a righty.

I play 2 3 2 3 2 3 and so on.

Sometimes Ill throw in a 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4

And of course, when slapping, something like 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2

Etc., etc.

Billnc · #3 12-22-2009, 09:06 AM

Or: p i m a and s for classical guitar.
pami can be done pretty quickly for tremelo. (1432)

Nashrakh · #4 12-22-2009, 09:07 AM

Depends on the song.

Slow stuff? 3 only.

3&2 alternating when speed demands it.

Darkmeteor · #5 12-22-2009, 09:21 AM

depends on the song

might be 2 3 2 3; 3 2 3 2; 4 3 2 4 3 2; 2 4 3 2 4 3; etc...

Minotauros · #6 12-22-2009, 09:25 AM

Since I'm just learning, I use 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2... and rest my thumb on the pickup. I'm sure I'll get more creative as I get better.

dougjwray · #7 12-22-2009, 09:30 AM

When trying to emulate an upright bass on walking parts, I often do this:
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 [etc.]

RTL · #8 12-22-2009, 09:36 AM

I always seem to lead with 3. I never really thought about this before, and had to check it by playing a measure or two of air bass...

NKBassman · #9 12-22-2009, 10:07 AM

Generally I've found myself using 3-2-3-2 for two finger technique, but that kinda depends on the particular song/riff. Sometimes during complicated riffing or string skipping I just let it come naturally and whatever happens, happens. If I was just playing one note on one string over and over again, I might lead with 2, but I don't have a bass with me right now, so I can't really tell.

For my three finger technique, it's ALWAYS 4-3-2. I've tried going 2-3-4 but it just doesn't work for me. 4-3-2 seems to be the natural motion of my hand.

scottbass · #10 12-22-2009, 10:20 AM

Hmmm...depends on the song, in which order I'm playing the strings, where the 16th's are, etc. If I'm playing two-finger, I start 2-3 if I'm moving (for example) from the E string to the A string. If I'm moving the other way (like from the A to the E) I play 3-2. If I'm staying on the same string I do it both ways: 3-2 on some songs and 2-3 on others. If it's a fast-moving part I add 4 (the ring finger) in there as necessary, but I never seem to start a fast passage with the 4.

I guess I subconsciously adjust the order in which I use my fingers to try to match the direction I am moving from string to string, or for different attacks and/or tones if I'm playing several consecutive notes on the same string.

**pacojas** · #11 12-22-2009, 10:43 AM

most of the time 2-3-2-3 or 3-2-3-2, etc. now im training myself on 4-3-2-3-4..., very tricky for now as my son just showed me last week.

grifff · #12 12-22-2009, 10:49 AM

I lead with either 4 or 3.

bassboysam · #13 12-22-2009, 10:51 AM

For me it depends, if the second note is higher up then I lead with 2 then 3, if the second note is lower down on the neck I lead with 3 then 2. If the second note is the same as the first then 2 and 2.

weird, I know.

Leftybass12 · #14 12-22-2009, 02:33 PM

I'm a lefty, obviously, haha...anyway, when I first started playing my bass teacher had me play only 2 fingers, which according to the picture are 2 and 3. However, once I progressed further he said that it was fine if I lead with 3 or if I lead with 2. Nowadays I don't pay all that much attention, but I do know I am using two fingers and I found out that my attack is better when I lead with 3. Also, when I started using three fingers, in the order or 4,3, and 2 to achieve some extra speed. I use to just play 16 notes at whatever tempo I put. Now I just usually stick with the two finger technique and when I do put in three fingers I found that I naturally play triplets.

Gawd · #15 12-23-2009, 01:36 AM

It depends on the feel I want. Usually 3-2-3-2-3-2. Sometimes 1-2-1-2-1-2 (usually palm muted). Or 4-3-2-4-3-2 for fast triplets. And sometimes 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 (not too good at that yet).

rust_preacher · #16 12-23-2009, 01:39 AM

I play 2-3-2-3... and Im just learning some parts with 1/16ths that require going to a crisp "one" or "three" beat after those so I go 2-3-2-4-3-2-3-2-4-3-2-3-...

For fast songs, for me, it is important to lead on "2" to be able to play all the notes and not lag behind. Slower, it is not so important, sometimes I "double-finger" the bassline, plucking with"2&3" at the same time.

LaklandBass · #17 12-23-2009, 02:03 AM

I lead with 4. unless im doing some slower whole notes or something ill usually play with 2 and 3 together at the same time which usually produces a nice warm tone.

RestInPieces · #18 12-23-2009, 02:08 AM

Always with 4. 4-3-2-4-3-2-4-3-2.

k5pS · #19 12-23-2009, 03:00 AM

If I want to accent a note, I either slam harder with 2 or both 3 and 2, then go on with alternate two-fingers.

With gallops, I do a fast 4-3-2.

I don't really use the thumb. I've seen other bassists use it for a low dub sound in slower songs, but I still prefer my control on my main playing fingers.

klokker · #20 12-23-2009, 03:19 AM

Sheehans' super fast 3 finger technique always starts with 4. I've messed around with it for years, but hardly ever use three fingers performing except when needing a triplet rhythm on a single note.

I use 3-2, or 2-3 depending on which fits the phrase the best.
Sometime when moving between strings its easiest and fits the phrase best to use the same finger twice.

Don't be too rigid about it.