Is it wrong to fret a electric bass with third and little finger together?

[Fassa Albrecht]

QUick question. My little finger on my fretting hand is not that strong and so to rectify it, I've found myself playing with the third and little finger together to act as a strengthener, much like a DBer would.

Would there be any major problem in playing like this? It doesn't seem to cause any issue, but I might be missing something.

[Tsfender]

Until you build up more strength, it's fine. The only problem is, you're going to want your pinky to have it's independence so you can use it in licks or whatever. So I would just focus on building strength in you pinky for right now

[rosskratter]

I play BG with DB fingerings and it seems to work just fine...

[BassMan4Him]

Do what you got to do! If it works it works, and adapt if it doesn't. No one will be coming up to you and rating your technique. They (Non-bass players) only hear what comes from the speakers..

[Blueszilla]

If you watch many pros, you'll see this a lot, Will Lee comes to mind. IMO, whatever makes it easier to play, it's probably ok. I don't use any one technique exclusively on everything, sort of depends on what it is you're playing. As far as this particular thing goes, I say use it if it works for you.

[Russell L]

What I do is both. It makes sense to me to put 3 and four together as I did on upright bass, and to use that fingering as much as I want, when the licks allow it. Then, if I need to I will use all four fingers, one fret each, because it makes sense for a different lick. There have even been times when I won't change, but will go on with 3 and 4 together, even though it might make more sense to change. Yet, it somehow gives the lick a diffewrent feel, and can be very organic, so to speak.

Hey, whatever ya wanna do...

[bassteban]

(tries fingering w/pinkie)
It makes me nauseous!

[BigOldHarry]

Agreed with all, *however*, were you my student, I'd encourage you to try working on your finger strength.

[billyfalconer]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

QUick question. My little finger on my fretting hand is not that strong and so to rectify it, I've found myself playing with the third and little finger together to act as a strengthener, much like a DBer would.

Would there be any major problem in playing like this? It doesn't seem to cause any issue, but I might be missing something.

I use DB fingerings up to the D on the G string, then go to guitar fingerings.

I think a good way to build up pinky strength is to practice trilling with it.

[Corrigat]

I just started lessons about 7 months ago, and this is how I've been playing the whole time. When my instructor asked me how I'd like to play, he suggested that since I'm a software engineer, I might want to take into consideration that the ring and pinky fingers are both on the Hamate carpal bone. I type all day long which is bad enough, so I chose to learn with the fingers together. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Oh, I think this is my first post I'm loving the site (Though I probably just broke some rule about posting in an introduction thread)

[makkE]

I don't use pinky and ring together, but I fret with my pinky instead of my ring finger on the first 5 (sometimes 7) frets. Simply because it's more relaxed.

If the line calls for it, I can and practice to use 4 fingers per fret as well, but as long as I don't have to, using the pinky just makes things more relaxed. No need to stretch when you don't have to.

[mambo4]

Why use just the ring finger for support?I use my whole hand to fret as a general rule.
If I am fretting a note with my pinky, especially in the lower range, usually all my fingers are also on the neck,
right next to the pinky, lending strength.
If I fret with my ring finger, then index and middle are most often right behind.
If I fret with Middle finger, Index is often right behind.

Basically I look at my fingertips as just the last "fine adjustment" part of a bio-mehcanical fretting system that includes everything up to my shoulder.

[kawika5150]

To work on my pinky finger strength, I'd play some easy basslines with just that finger (particularly on the thicker gauge strings). I've found that with continued use, it not only became stronger but my overall stamina improved.

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

QUick question. My little finger on my fretting hand is not that strong and so to rectify it, I've found myself playing with the third and little finger together to act as a strengthener, much like a DBer would.

Would there be any major problem in playing like this? It doesn't seem to cause any issue, but I might be missing something.

In Blackjack, it's called double-down.

Enjoy it if it works for you!

[WalterBush]

I do it because I spent a lot of time playing upright bass, and played through the Simandl book on my electric while learning to read.

It doesn't cause problems for me, but I also worked on individual finger strength. I do it because it's habit, my pinky works just fine on its own when needed.

[bThumper38]

If you don't plan on playin' along with jeff beck, or some tech stuff like that, it wouldn't matter.

[joshmat]

Originally Posted by makkE

I don't use pinky and ring together, but I fret with my pinky instead of my ring finger on the first 5 (sometimes 7) frets. Simply because it's more relaxed.

If the line calls for it, I can and practice to use 4 fingers per fret as well, but as long as I don't have to, using the pinky just makes things more relaxed. No need to stretch when you don't have to.

This is pretty much how I do it as well. I would also encourage you to try to strengthen *all* those digits! But always remember to keep it comfortable and if it hurts, STOP! Everyone's hands/fingers are different sizes, etc., so if you have something that works for you and affords you the agility and speed that you seek, do it!

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by joshmat

This is pretty much how I do it as well. I would also encourage you to try to strengthen *all* those digits! But always remember to keep it comfortable and if it hurts, STOP! Everyone's hands/fingers are different sizes, etc., so if you have something that works for you and affords you the agility and speed that you seek, do it!

My major problem in being suggested to strengthen all my fingers is that I have a congenital ligament issue, where my ligaments in my hands are far too stretchy. Result is a weak set of hands- I used to have major issues controlling my fingers when I started playing, and often overshot the G string too (right off the fingerboard!). I'm essentially having to find workarounds to ensure I can play properly.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by Corrigat

I just started lessons about 7 months ago, and this is how I've been playing the whole time. When my instructor asked me how I'd like to play, he suggested that since I'm a software engineer, I might want to take into consideration that the ring and pinky fingers are both on the Hamate carpal bone. I type all day long which is bad enough, so I chose to learn with the fingers together. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Oh, I think this is my first post I'm loving the site (Though I probably just broke some rule about posting in an introduction thread)

I believe this is VERY sound advice.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

My major problem in being suggested to strengthen all my fingers is that I have a congenital ligament issue, where my ligaments in my hands are far too stretchy. Result is a weak set of hands- I used to have major issues controlling my fingers when I started playing, and often overshot the G string too (right off the fingerboard!). I'm essentially having to find workarounds to ensure I can play properly.

No worries. Just use the fingers in your fretting hand that work best for you, and are comfortable to use. If using DB left hand technique is working for you... use it.