Help on actaves

[jobs99]

Hi friends, i have a question about octaves fingering, i use index for root and ring finger for the octave but in frets as the first , second or third , i use the pinky finger for the octave, because the stetching, is this correct??, is there any exercise for practising octaves??,when i play a crhomatic ascendent or descendent octaves, can use slide for yhe movements??.Thanks in advance!!!

Regards!!!


Jorge
Argentina

[Rudreax]

Doesn't matter what fingers you use, so long as you're comfortable and you can freely move your hand if you need to.

[colcifer]

The proper way is to use middle/pinky if the note uses a major or dominant scale in that key and index/ring if the scale is minor.

[Slax]

Originally Posted by colcifer

The proper way is to use middle/pinky if the note uses a major or dominant scale in that key and index/ring if the scale is minor.

That's the way I played for the first 6 years or so of my playing. I then switched to a hybrid technique of one finger per fret and Simandl double bass technique. (I guess this went hand in hand with my purchase of a double bass.)

For anything below the first five frets on BG I use Simandl when possible and above that I use one finger per fret when needed.

Octaves though? Usually depends on where the next note is and how fast I need to get there. I find it most comfortable to play them Index Pinky though.

Whenever figuring out any fingering, I try to think what's most relaxed and easy on my hands first. I started having problems with my hands back when I was strictly using one finger per fret for the whole fretboard. After switching to my current technique, I haven't really had any issues at all... YMMV.

[MalcolmAmos]

Yes, pattern takes place over four frets and we have four fingers, i.e. we should learn to use all four fingers, however, as time goes by I know I start relaxing the rules, is that good or bad? Not going to get into that.

[mid_life_crisis]

I read a very illuminating article about electric bass, and for that matter electric guitar in general, that pointed out that compared to most other instruments, they are very new. An awful lot of what is considered "proper" technique is borrowed from other instruments. Some from standup bass, which is an entirely different position than playing an electric. There really is no "proper" way yet. There are some techniques that are clearly wrong, but there is no one right way. The main thing is that you are comfortable, your wrists are fairly straight to avoid all that carpal tunnel and repetitive stress stuff, and you can move freely. If you can play accurately at a speed that is suitable for your style, what difference does it make what finger you use? The audience is listening to the sounds you're making, not grading you for technique.
I talked with a guy who went to Berkley on a full music scholarship who does not play with "proper" technique. If it doesn't bother him, I'm not going to worry about it. I just want techniques that work and won't hurt me.

[bassandbeyond]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

There are some techniques that are clearly wrong, but there is no one right way. The main thing is that you are comfortable, your wrists are fairly straight to avoid all that carpal tunnel and repetitive stress stuff, and you can move freely. If you can play accurately at a speed that is suitable for your style, what difference does it make what finger you use? The audience is listening to the sounds you're making, not grading you for technique.

+1
Rule #1 is "don't hurt yourself". I'm generally a one-finger-per-fret guy, but for simple root-5-octave patterns in low positions, I switch to the index-pinky octave. As long as you're getting the job done, it's better not to strain yourself IMO.

[AcidFripp]

I usually do it index-pinky because it's more comfortable. Index-ring feels bad, man. My hands aren't even that small, but it still feels like I'm stretching it, in a bad way...

[J-B'ass]

Originally Posted by colcifer

The proper way is to use middle/pinky if the note uses a major or dominant scale in that key and index/ring if the scale is minor.

No no no, it's all about the context of the octaves. Where you moved to the octave FROM, and where you are going TO once you've played the octave will dictate the most efficient/comfortable way. On the lower frets this is usually index/pinky.

One Finger Per Fret is good in some situations but, especially on the lower strings, it is often unnecessary and will cause tension.

Originally Posted by Slax

I started having problems with my hands back when I was strictly using one finger per fret for the whole fretboard. After switching to my current technique, I haven't really had any issues at all

As I'm sure Slax can verify.
Harmony isn't really relevant.


And to the OP, I mostly use index/pinky for any octave.

[jobs99]

Thanks Everybody for the help!!! The advices are very useful!!!, I understood it very well.

Regards!!

Jorge