Newbie fingering question

[tinyd]

Hi all
I've been playing DB for a few weeks now, and I'm waiting for my first lesson. While I'm waiting, I have a basic fingering question that I'm hoping someone might be able to answer - I've searched and couldn't find the answer, but apologies if it's been addressed before.

My question is about the best fingering for a basic minor triad down at the bottom of the neck, say F - Ab - C. So on BG I'd finger it 1st, 4th, 3rd (or 2nd). But on DB the 1st to 4th finger to cover a minor third at the bottom of the next feels like a stretch. So would it be played 1st, then change position, 2nd, 1st? I'm sure there are multiple answers, but any general guidelines would be a big help until I get that lesson...

Dave

[Dr. Zoidberg]

I would play a simple F- triad like this:

F - 1st finger
(shift up a half step so your first finger would play F#)
Ab - 4th finger
C - 2nd finger

[reedo35]

You could shift or pivot, whatever is more comfortable for you,
but the fingering is still the same.

[damonsmith]

I would shift, pivoting is an advanced technique best used sparingly with strong, jazz pizzicato. Still, the triads should be practiced arco.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Bascially, think of the the same shapes being available to finger that chord on a DB that are available on a BG, only the scale is about 9 inches longer and there are no frets. What most people find and agree this means for practical fingering purposes in the lower positions is something like the following: instead of thinking of your left hand as having four fingers (1-2-3-4), each playing a half step in the chromatic scale, think of it as having only three (1-2-4, unless you're Italian). From this paradigm, when you need to play an interval of a minor third or greater along one string, you'll need to shift your hand to do it.

Good luck, have fun, and listen to your teacher.

[zeytoun]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

From this paradigm, when you need to play an interval of a minor third or greater along one string, you'll need to shift your hand to do it.

With the exception of when you have an open string for the root note of the interval, right?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Naturally.

[zeytoun]

So the OP should tune his strings up a 1/2 step, or have everyone else play a 1/2 step down. Then he can play without shifting.

[tinyd]

Originally Posted by zeytoun

So the OP should tune his strings up a 1/2 step, or have everyone else play a 1/2 step down. Then he can play without shifting.

I like the second suggestion. I could also insist that we never play any minor chords...

Thanks for the help everyone - like I said, I'm going to ask my teacher all this stuff, but thanks in the meantime.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by tinyd

I like the second suggestion. I could also insist that we never play any minor chords...

But you don't have to play strict arpeggios - just because it's a particular chord - obviously it could be a good exercise, but as we are talking about Jazz, then you can usually choose a way through the chords that flows and avoids nasty stretches ....

[tinyd]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

But you don't have to play strict arpeggios - just because it's a particular chord - obviously it could be a good exercise, but as we are talking about Jazz, then you can usually choose a way through the chords that flows and avoids nasty stretches ....

Absolutely - I was thinking more in 'excercise mode', but agreed - the best walking lines usually consist of smaller intervals with the odd big jump.