Left hand: pads or fingertips for fretting?

[Slaphappy]

My teacher said to fret using your fingertips, and that SEEMS to be what I usually see guys do.

But I visited this site yesterday called studybass.com and the guy there recommends fretting with the pads of your fingers. Does anyone here play like that? Doesn't it slow you down in some way?

[Jazzdogg]

I seem to switch between three different left-hand techniques on electric bass: a flat-pad string muting method similar to Rocco Prestia's, one-finger-per-fret using finger tips, and Simandl-style, but with pads instead of tips.

For my money, left-hand technique is constantly evolving, as are our instruments and music. I use what works for me to deliver the notes and sound I'm trying to convey with the least possibility of repetitive stress injuries and so forth.

I tend to be very leery of people who pepper their speech with absolute terms like "always," and "never," and can't help but wonder what someone gains from such a rigid and pedantic belief system: do what works for you, and when someone suggests an alternative, don't hesitate to ask "why?"

[Slaphappy]

Now that's interesting....I did not realize Rocco fretted with his pads. It's certainly surprising to me because he's so fast and has such a light, deft touch (or at least that's what I hear).

I gotta try the 'pad' way and see how that goes...

[derrico1]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

do what works for you, and when someone suggests an alternative, don't hesitate to ask "why?"

+1: it doesn't have to be an either/or question. I'll sometimes use my pads, although FWIW my calluses are *mostly* fingertip.

[Jazzdogg]

If you go to YouTube and search for "Rocco Prestia" you'll find several images that show his left-hand technique. Rocco moves his entire left hand up and down the fret board more than any other bassist I can think of, but he moves the fingers on his left hand very little, largely because of the muting technique he uses to create so-called ghost notes.

[Slaphappy]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

If you go to YouTube and search for "Rocco Prestia" you'll find several images that show his left-hand technique. Rocco moves his entire left hand up and down the fret board more than any other bassist I can think of, but he moves the fingers on his left hand very little, largely because of the muting technique he uses to create so-called ghost notes.

Ah...that makes sense now that I think about it.

My bass teacher tried to teach me a TOP song and it did require some shifting. I really enjoyed the whole muting/ghosting in his phrasing, even though I could never play it as fast as he could it sounded really cool.

And thanks for your input, derrico. I'm always open to fresh ideas!

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

If you go to YouTube and search for "Rocco Prestia" you'll find several images that show his left-hand technique. Rocco moves his entire left hand up and down the fret board more than any other bassist I can think of, but he moves the fingers on his left hand very little, largely because of the muting technique he uses to create so-called ghost notes.

But Rocco has a unique approach where him mainly just uses two fingers sometimes three and that is part of why he shifts around. So when analyzing another players technique you have factor in all aspects of their playing to help find what is going to work for you.

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by Slaphappy

My teacher said to fret using your fingertips, and that SEEMS to be what I usually see guys do.

But I visited this site yesterday called studybass.com and the guy there recommends fretting with the pads of your fingers. Does anyone here play like that? Doesn't it slow you down in some way?

Bass players in general don't play on fingertips like guitarists, they tend to play just below the fingertip. It also depends on the width of you neck and if your bass has more than four strings. As the neck gets wider it isn't possible to play on fingertips unless you have really long fingers.

Like everything you need to experiment and find what works for you. IMO over time you should work on multiple approaches so you're ready for any situation. Like Rocco was mentioned in general I don't use a technique like his, but if playing a TOP tune or something with lots of octaves then I will move to a technique more like Rocco. Be open minded and flexible that is the key.

[Slaphappy]

Good stuff, Doc. Thanks so much for your input so far!

Trying to stay perfectly on my fingertips on my fiver is what helped do my wrist in for awhile a few years back. I only play fours now and am striving for a more relaxed feel with my left hand/wrist, but still want the dexterixy to get 'er done. Your advice is helpful to that, and I'm not going to let myself get hung up on 'correct' all the time.

[Blonde Bassist]

try an different approach as well, not just thinking about how you are fretting the note, but how the notes sounds, if your playing it wiht oyu fingertips, and it buzzes all over the place, and sounds horrible, then try for the pad, if it buzzes then, try something else, it's all about experimenting, what works best for one person might not work best for you. I've been basically studying Rocco's technique for the last few months and I don't quite get the sound or feel I want from replicating exactly what he does.

Remember that its not just feeling the instrument, but it's the sound that comes out thats the important thing, if your trying one way and the sound is crap then try it differently and see what happens.

[Slaphappy]

Thank you, Blonde Bassist Both of my basses are now strung with flats, which in of itself helps with a few things and gives me a tone I prefer, and the tension allows for lower action which eases the technique thing a bit and makes fingertip/pad experimentation easier, too.

[magnusdeus123]

SlapHappy : Do you mean that your wrist got screwed up because you were using a finger tip technique or something ??

[Slaphappy]

Originally Posted by magnusdeus123

SlapHappy : Do you mean that your wrist got screwed up because you were using a finger tip technique or something ??

My fretting wrist got screwed up because:

1) My teacher (a great jazz cat) had me practicing proper positioning, finger-per-fret playing and doing arpeggios and scales that had a little reaching involved.

2) My wrist isn't terribly flexible to begin with.

3) The biggest offender, though, was my beloved Fender Roscoe Beck five string. I was playing it all the time after I got it. My teacher loved it too and so we proceeded using that bass for my lessons/practices. I LOVED that bass, but the board is wide and flat, and I think the reach for the B string was just too much. After several months using it, I had to quit for a long time to heal the tendonitus that resulted. I have no such problems with four-bangers.

So, the happy ending is that my wrist is okay. I stick with four-stringers and focus on good left hand position and wrist angles to stay comfortable. AND my number one bass is my Fender Roscoe Beck FOUR string

It was NOT my teacher's fault...I was learning good stuff. I just played myself right out of music for awhile and it SUCKED. Just goes to show that fivers aren't for everyone.

[mutedeity]

I agree that in this regard what works best is probably the thing to go with. Personally I use more than one approach regarding which part of my fingers I use to fret. It all comes down to what I am playing and where and which technique I am using. For example I might use my fingertips more if I tap, but I will use more area for playing chords when I am covering more than one string or where I am baring something.

As far as left hand finger position I tend to concentrate more on hand and wrist position and ensuring that an efficient use of all fingers is employed as well as building strength and dexterity.

Also this thread is probably more about technique than about general instruction, for future reference.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by Slaphappy

My fretting wrist got screwed up because:

1) My teacher (a great jazz cat) had me practicing proper positioning, finger-per-fret playing and doing arpeggios and scales that had a little reaching involved.

2) My wrist isn't terribly flexible to begin with.

3) The biggest offender, though, was my beloved Fender Roscoe Beck five string. I was playing it all the time after I got it. My teacher loved it too and so we proceeded using that bass for my lessons/practices. I LOVED that bass, but the board is wide and flat, and I think the reach for the B string was just too much. After several months using it, I had to quit for a long time to heal the tendonitus that resulted. I have no such problems with four-bangers.

So, the happy ending is that my wrist is okay. I stick with four-stringers and focus on good left hand position and wrist angles to stay comfortable. AND my number one bass is my Fender Roscoe Beck FOUR string

It was NOT my teacher's fault...I was learning good stuff. I just played myself right out of music for awhile and it SUCKED. Just goes to show that fivers aren't for everyone.

I would have to ask though if you informed your teacher that you were getting pain at any time and if he ever tried to correct the position you were putting your wrist in? Almost always it is that you have your wrist in a bad position that you will get injury than it is the type of technique you use with your hand, since your wrist should be moved around your hand by moving shoulder and elbow position rather than trying to keep it in one position while your hand moves.

[Slaphappy]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

I would have to ask though if you informed your teacher that you were getting pain at any time and if he ever tried to correct the position you were putting your wrist in? Almost always it is that you have your wrist in a bad position that you will get injury than it is the type of technique you use with your hand, since your wrist should be moved around your hand by moving shoulder and elbow position rather than trying to keep it in one position while your hand moves.

This happened way back in 2000, so it's hard to recall the exact details. I remember not thinking TOO much about it; that a little discomfort is just part of the process, like when you're working out. I did mention it, I think, and he did take it easy on me for the trickier stuff after that, but I kept practicing it...so....dumbkoff.

[magnusdeus123]

I kinda get what your saying....

My technique involves keeping alert to keep both the wrists are near to a straight position as possible . There's about a 40 degree bent usually while playing complex 4 finger stretch patterns over the first four frets , but otherwise , my thumb kind rests at the top side of the back of the neck , gives me a comfortable access vantage , without too much wrist bend and strain . I'm totally comfortably onwards from the 3rd fret , so I'm guessing my technique is proper besides the fact that I'm using my finger pads , but I kinda bring that into muting the lower strings . I dont get how you would do that if you were using your finger tips for fretting .

[Slaphappy]

Playing up on my tips with perfect finger angles on that aircraft carrier deck of a fretboard on my five....had a lot to do with it. LOL

You're right, using pads for the B string mighta helped, there.