Fingering 1 -2 - 4 or Finger Per Fret?

[Paul4703]

Hi,

Looking at two bass instruction books: Dummies Guide to bass recommends 1 finger per fret when playing. The Hal Leonard bass book prefers first, second and fourth fingers only (leaving out the ring finger). For a beginner, which should it be?

Cheers,

Paul.

[Febs]

My strong preference is to use 1-2-4 on the lower frets. The stretch required for using 1 finger per fret on the lower frets can lead to awkward wrist positions.

[PJSShearer]

I started with the Ivor Mairantz book and it recommends one finger per fret. As you get further up the neck you'll find using 1-2-4 gets cramped and so you may as well learn a single method. Once you've mastered that (and got the strength in your fingers) you can maybe look at stretching a whole tone (2 frets) between 1-2 and 3-4!!.

[Anonymatt]

Do 1-2-4 players have small hands or something? What happens when you play three chromatic notes in a row?

[EADG mx]

The consensus seems to be both. I would recommend 124 up until the 7th fret and either 124 or 1234 past it (or whereever it starts to feel comfortable). 123 is possible in some situations as well. I don't think I know any players that use any one system exclusively.

[Rudreax]

If you can put each of your fingers on each of the first four frets naturally, without any kind of stretching, you don't really need it. Otherwise, use it.

[ajken]

I just took up bass a few months ago. My instructor has me doing one finger per fret, but I started only playing on the 5th frets and above for the first week or two. After my fingers stretched a little I started playing on the 3rd and 4th frets for another couple of weeks. Then finally I was playing one finger per fret on the whole thing. I liked this way of learning even though it was difficult on my fingers. I feel like they are stretching out nicely now, which is definitely helping my technique.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Here's a good video on the subject.

[ducknturtle]

I taught myself to play bass more than 25 years ago and made it a point to always use the "one finger per fret" system. If you have at least average sized hands and you can do it, I would encourage you to work at the technique. More reach means less hand movement and steadier as well as faster play, and that one extra fret really makes a lot of difference. By the way, I've known of people with large hands who were able to develop a five fret reach. Theoretically, with a five fret system you could place your hand anywhere on the neck and reach every note without moving at all.

[J. Crawford]

I used to do the 1 finger per fret thing. Changed it up to 1-2-4, and only the 3 when Im moving chromatically, or above the 12th fret.

One of the best technique changes I have ever made.

YMMV.

[RONQUITO]

1 finger per fret over here...

[chuck1073]

I've been playing for about 30 years. Started on Bass Guitar of course. Within the past 10 years I got into DB and studied Simandl books. His classical DB method calls for 1-2-4, then 1-2-3 above the octave (12th fret). There is another school of thought for DB (Frank) that uses all 4.

I really tried sticking to the 1-2-4 but have always found myself using the third finger down low. I'm doubling these days. DB and 6 string BG.

I guess reallly in the end it all boils down to "what works for you".

If you're playing well and in tune and not having any pain. It's good.

[Orangeclawhamme]

I switch between the two methods. In the same song!

[tranceFusion]

The proper answer is - Use as little effort as necessary to get the job done properly. I have big hands and can play 1 finger per fret at the nut for hours if I needed, but I don't because it puts a bad angle on your wrist, especially when playing things like octaves where you are crossing frets and strings.

Sometimes I need to span 5 frets so I do. Sometimes I need to do a chromatic run, so 1-2-3-4 makes sense. But if I don't need to do it, then I don't. Sometimes I need to put multiple fingers on the same fret to hit same fret-different string situations cleanly, so I do that too.

The worst thing that can happen to you is to develop some kind of repetitive strain injury. I don't hear people who use a computer all day recommending to reach for the Q key with their index finger, and yet they still end up with carpal tunnel issues. Use the bare minimum you need and you will feel much better in the long run. Keep an open mind about how you are fretting and it will open up your playing alot. Setting unnecessary boundaries or rules keeps you in the box.

[project_c]

I fully agree with tranceFusion.
I have small hands but despite that I learnt the one finger per fret approach to begin with, and I think it's a great way to begin the learning process, but once you are comfortable with that basic fundamental approach and start playing a bit faster, comfort, relaxation and protection of your wrist and tendons becomes the most important thing, so it's worth exploring what puts the least amount of strain and tension on your hands and wrists. You should never really have to place your hands or wrists in awkward positions for any length of time, if you do, sooner or later things will start to hurt. I used to ignore pain, thinking it was a good thing and my hands will just adjust in time - but eventually the pain got so bad I had to stop playing for a little while. I have since figured out how to relax my hands while playing, and it's by far the most important thing I've learnt since picking up the bass.

[electracoyote]

I begin teaching my students 1 finger per fret. My goal is to get them using all 4 fingers as often as possible. For example, (for my beginners) a C Major scale in first position would be finger 3 on the root, open D, finger 2 on the E, 3 on the F, open G, finger 1 on the A, finger 3 on the B, and finger 4 on the octave C. Also, if my student has small hands, I encourage a subtle position shift to make it easier to use finger 3. When my students hit the intermediate stage, they sometimes naturally start to alter their fingering to more of a 1-2-4. As I notice what they're doing, I make them aware and tell them it's okay, but as they transition, they need to use consistency. Let's face it: Fingering is subjective, and after you've played a while you naturally develop idiosyncracies. As long as you're being logical, not doing something painful, and being consistent, I think most of us turn into pretty good musicians despite the differences in fingering approach.

[Michael Case]

If one finger per fret is comfortable then do it. The 1-2-4 fingering is a double bass technique, it seems it would be awkward IMHO on the electric bass. You need to do what works for your body.

[vbasscustom]

i have very large hands, and can reach almost, not quite 6 frets. i hve no trouble with wrist bending or anything. i also have big feet, i can do 1 toe per fret as well, if youd like

[irishryno]

First off, you should be doing stretches to prepare for playing. YouTube has some great videos for this. Second, warming up is key. Practice scales. When you are first starting out 1-2-4 is the preferred method, but as you continue stretch, warming up, and practicing, you will notice that you hands will be more nimble and dexterous. eventually you will notice that you will be able to accommodate 1-2-3-4 spacing. When I am playing a song I go for 1-2-4 as it is more comfortable, but I am able to reach 1-2-3-4 when needed. All that is due to the previous mentioned program. Just make sure you have proper positioning. I would also recommend a lesson with a BASS player, not a guitar player looking for extra cash. Have them correct any errors in your positioning. Setting the right ground work now can save you pain down the road. The trick is to get better and enjoy playing more as time goes by, not limiting it by poor technique.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by Michael Case

The 1-2-4 fingering is a double bass technique, it seems it would be awkward IMHO on the electric bass.

Have you tried it?