Using the third (plucking) finger to solo??

[blah148]

Many jazz double bassists use their third (picking) finger when they solo; people like NHOP and Eddie Gomez.

I've always been amazed at the incredible speed at which someone like NHOP could play (noticing that he plucked with three fingers) which started to make me wonder how advantageous it would be to consistantly use the third finger.

I'm interested in you're opinions on whether or not you think its truly worth it to practise soloing using this sort of technique.

[Nathan Parker]

I think if the sound you are hearing in your head requires such a technique, it is absolutely worth it for you to practice that way. I can't imagine how it would hinder you, other than it seems to me that my tone weakens the further I get away from my index finger. But, if that is not the case for you, than you should start doing some 3 finger pizz exercises. I'm sure someone out there has some good ones.

Originally Posted by blah148

Many jazz double bassists use their third (picking) finger when they solo; people like NHOP and Eddie Gomez.

I've always been amazed at the incredible speed at which someone like NHOP could play (noticing that he plucked with three fingers) which started to make me wonder how advantageous it would be to consistantly use the third finger.

I'm interested in you're opinions on whether or not you think its truly worth it to practise soloing using this sort of technique.

[osmarokuma]

I use my third finger sometimes when soloing mainly as an effect. It just gives it that feeling of a dead note and I really use it on "funkier" tunes. I really wouldnt use it to land on a note though because its just not the same tone as having all the meat of the index finger on it. Its fun to use it though also for those fast bop tunes, but make sure you dont overuse it because the tone of the index finger shouldnt be replaced. I personally dont like the right hand technique that Gomez uses.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Here's a link to an older thread about much the same thing. If you'd like me to merge these posts in with the other thread to revive it, let me know.