What technique did Cliff Burton use on the song, "Fight Fire with Fire?"

[Joe Garage]

To those how can I play this song, can you record it and upload a mp3. I really want to hear it without the guitars and drums.

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by Andy3825

I'm pretty sure he only uses 2 fingers for all of his songs.

Yes! Cliff never used more than two fingers people!

Graeme

[Selta]

I'm sorry, I don't actually know the answers to your question, but I do want to address the two/three/a hundred fingers thing.
Even though some players may use more than two fingers, it is in no way neccessary to. Due to an accident I had, I physically cannot play with more than two fingers on my right hand... and I can keep up with the best of 'em; Harris, Entwistle, Burton et al.
And for those who say "it's easier" to play it with more, again I say you are wrong. It's all a matter of work and practice. Work being of the physics kind, practice being of the practice kind.
If you would take 7 years of playing with only two fingers on your right hand, you can do it, trust me . Just as with any other technique, it takes practice practice practice.

-Ray

[The_Ryst]

But 3 sometimes is more comfortable for certain players. It's all a matter of opinion.

[flea-bass]

Do what ever you have to do to make the song work. I also would like to hear some of you guys play songs like fight fire with fire and angel of death with just 2 fingers

[bassuser35]

Originally Posted by flea-bass

Do what ever you have to do to make the song work. I also would like to hear some of you guys play songs like fight fire with fire and angel of death with just 2 fingers

it's actually easy to play those songs with 2. it's songs like crown of horns and devoured by vermin that you need three.

[LukeMan970]

To all those who think that cliff used three or four fingers, i'm not sure if he used three but i'm damn sure that he didn't use 4. Watch him play, his pinky is completly straight out the whole time so he couldn't be using all 4.

[Tash]

Originally Posted by flea-bass

Do what ever you have to do to make the song work. I also would like to hear some of you guys play songs like fight fire with fire and angel of death with just 2 fingers

Tom Arya used to play with his fingers back when AoD was originally recorded. He only used 2, but he also plays 8ths under the guitar line, not the 16ths the guitarists are using.

Cliff did the same thing on most of his basslines as well.

[nick g.]

I can guarantee he never uses more than 2. Most definitely not 4 - most of the time it's way out in space or just moving with his hand when he does 1-finger passages, a good example being For Whom the Bell Tolls on Cliff 'em All. I know I've never seen his ring finger away from his hand.

Anyway, I can hear the bass perfectly on Fight Fire With Fire.

[BrandonBass]

Im not sure if cliff burton used 2 or 3, but he most definitely dont use 4. Because his pinky is not functional due to an accident or somethin, just check out any of his pics and you notice his pinkie is always straight.

And yes, you can play the stuff cluff plays with just 2 fingers, even those improvised solos that he plays live. Just look at John Alderete's racer x stuff. He can play as fast as paul gilbert with just 2fingers

[Clay_Bass]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

I'm sorry, I don't actually know the answers to your question, but I do want to address the two/three/a hundred fingers thing.
Even though some players may use more than two fingers, it is in no way neccessary to. Due to an accident I had, I physically cannot play with more than two fingers on my right hand... and I can keep up with the best of 'em; Harris, Entwistle, Burton et al.
And for those who say "it's easier" to play it with more, again I say you are wrong. It's all a matter of work and practice. Work being of the physics kind, practice being of the practice kind.
If you would take 7 years of playing with only two fingers on your right hand, you can do it, trust me . Just as with any other technique, it takes practice practice practice.

-Ray

How about if you took 7 years of playing with 4 right hand fingers Its not really easier just more effiecent when done right.

[Suckbird]

I can play that song using 2fingers.

In fact i'm pretty sure i can play any metallica song using 2fingers.

But i use, 3.

And yeah, why does it matter if he played as fast as the guitar? U cant hear him anyway, he could record it doing 4th notes and nobody would even know...

[Poop-Loops]

I saw Cliff 'em All (horrible, by the way. Mostly just zoomed on Hetfield and Hammet. Not exactly a great tribute, you know?), and it didn't seem like he ever used more than two fingers.

4 is ridiculous. He never used his thumb, and the pinky is just too short and weak to be used efficiently. You'd also notice it big time, whereas his pinky was always sticking out.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by Suckbird

I can play that song using 2fingers.

In fact i'm pretty sure i can play any metallica song using 2fingers.

But i use, 3.

And yeah, why does it matter if he played as fast as the guitar? U cant hear him anyway, he could record it doing 4th notes and nobody would even know...

Lol gd point

[machine gewehr]

Originally Posted by bassuser35

what looks like him using 4 is really his ring and pinky finger muting the strings as well as them moving while he uses his index and middle.

for fight fire with fire, you should match the guitars. you can play it with two but the riff pattern makes it super easy to use three.

Cliff used only 2 fingers as I know.When I play,my pinky and ring seems like that too but I use 2 fingers and even "I" can play the song with 2 fingers.Maybe its just you're a pick player not finger? Or just practice practice and practice...

And Cliff is the man!