Rocking I-V left-hand (help!)

[josiah goldfish]

I've been playing a lot of Gypsy Jazz recently and increasingly more of the older styles of jazz (where jazz bass was just emerging). A lot of what I come across is fifths. For example, if I played a C on the A string I'd then play the G on the E string.

I'm not sure on how I should play it though. Simandl and other methods don't mention how you should play the same position on different strings (at least I don't remember seeing it). Do you rock the first finger over the two strings? Do you squeeze the first and second fingers together and put one on each strings? Barr the strings like on bass?

This is an increasingly large part of the music I play and love, but I'm not sure which direction I should be going regarding left-hand technique. A lot of older players flatten there fingers (Pops Foster? Slam Stewart?) and I see very little of the 'traditional' technique of first, second and fourth fingers shaped like you're holding a coke can.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Good luck on your bass playing journies and God bless,
Joe

[josiah goldfish]

Anyone? I didn't think it was that hard a question

[powerbass]

You can barre with your first, second or fourth fingers depending on where you are moving to w/note choice. Barring takes some serious finger strength so work up to it for longer periods. My teacher gave me an major scale exercise playing fourths. In the key of C start w/second finger on C, it would go like this: C/F, D/G, E/A, F/B, G/C, A/D, B/E, C then descend C/F, B/E, A/D etc. Go slow it is a good exercise!

[josiah goldfish]

Originally Posted by powerbass

You can barre with your first, second or fourth fingers depending on where you are moving to w/note choice. Barring takes some serious finger strength so work up to it for longer periods. My teacher gave me an major scale exercise playing fourths. In the key of C start w/second finger on C, it would go like this: C/F, D/G, E/A, F/B, G/C, A/D, B/E, C then descend C/F, B/E, A/D etc. Go slow it is a good exercise!

Thank you! Looks like I'm going about it the right way then.

[nickbass]

Four main techniques - just stretch across in position using hand and fingers - move wrist and elbow to achieve the same result - use barre to squeeze other string - adjust whole arm position so that you can play both notes in tune simultaneously with separate fingers. The latter technique is essential for bowing fourths. I find the barre useful for emergencies but difficult to execute with clarity for both notes. Tend to use a combination of first two methods, mostly!

[josiah goldfish]

Originally Posted by nickbass

Four main techniques - just stretch across in position using hand and fingers - move wrist and elbow to achieve the same result - use barre to squeeze other string - adjust whole arm position so that you can play both notes in tune simultaneously with separate fingers. The latter technique is essential for bowing fourths. I find the barre useful for emergencies but difficult to execute with clarity for both notes. Tend to use a combination of first two methods, mostly!

So the first two consist of stretching the first finger (for example) over from one note to the next?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Good answers so far. as for the point that has not been addressed, "A lot of older players flatten their fingers (Pops Foster? Slam Stewart?) and I see very little of the 'traditional' technique of first, second and fourth fingers shaped like you're holding a coke can....", I would just like to add that I've long believed that the flattening of the fingers - while often indicating nothing more than a bad habit or lack of training - is also a tonal/timbral choice if you want the note to buzz/growl more than it would with curved fingers.

[josiah goldfish]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Good answers so far. as for the point that has not been addressed, "A lot of older players flatten their fingers (Pops Foster? Slam Stewart?) and I see very little of the 'traditional' technique of first, second and fourth fingers shaped like you're holding a coke can....", I would just like to add that I've long believed that the flattening of the fingers - while often indicating nothing more than a bad habit or lack of training - is also a tonal/timbral choice if you want the note to buzz/growl more than it would with curved fingers.

Ahh, I see. Might that hand position also do with how they used to play with the right-hand? I notice they seem to mute the strings with the 2nd/3rd/4th fingers after plucking (in some cases almost yanking the string off the fingerboard)?

Thanks everyone,
Joe

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by josiah goldfish

Ahh, I see. Might that hand position also do with how they used to play with the right-hand? I notice they seem to mute the strings with the 2nd/3rd/4th fingers after plucking (in some cases almost yanking the string off the fingerboard)?

I really couldn't say without seeing a specific instance.

[josiah goldfish]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

I really couldn't say without seeing a specific instance.

Ok, thanks for your advice. I can't find any old videos that show it properly anyway