2 or 3 picking fingers?

[Frizzle Fry]

It's funny that I literally just found this thread with google, it has been dead for 12 years and you just happened to revive it right when I find it...just had to point out that timing.

Also, Steve Harris is famous for playing with 3 fingers. I'm trying to figure out whether ring middle index ring middle index ring middle feels more natural or ring middle index middle ring middle index etc. Billy Sheehan is fast as hell with 321321321321 but Steve Bailey is just as fast with 321232123 so I guess both work for different people...though neither feel natural to me. I always had the same problem with guitar, I can never get my ring finger to feel comfortable, maybe I SHOULD be a banjo player

 

[Jazz Ad]

Steve Harris plays with 2 fingers, not 3. This is heavily documented.

 

[matthewatl]

I LOST BOTH MY RING FINGER AND MY PINKY IN AN ACCIDENT. This being on my right picking hand I am devestated. I had perfected a 321 technique that was really fast. I guess I am lucky to have my index finger and my middle finger for plucking but will I ever obtain the same speed? I here a consensus of yes from this forum that I will be just as fast but less effecient. I guess with practice maybe I can improve effeciency to some degree. Please tell me I can recuperate.

 

[ZenG]

I use all four fingers of my right hand.

For me it is much easier and faster than using the usual two (index and middle).

 

[Baird6869]

3-2-1 for me if I use all 3 but generally just use 1-2 and occasionally 1-3.

Changing direction is hard for me with 3 fingers and I have been playing for 30 years.

Interestingly, Billy Sheehan uses 3 fingers but 1-2-3. I just can't get used to that.

All practice and preference, I guess.

 

[zontar]

I mostly use 1 finger or two--part of it depends on the rhythm and the feel.
(Sometimes one finger works better--and I also pick on the downstroke sometimes with my first finger)
but mostly 2 fingers--I f I do add my third finger in it's because I'm playing power chords or arpeggios.

I also use my third & fourth fingers to mute strings.

 

[ryco]

When I started used 1 & 3 (i & r) because it seemed they were about the same length. Then years later switched mostly to 1 & 2 (i & m) which is still by far what I use most. Still use 1 & 3 without thinking about it. But 1 is always in play every other note whether using 2 or 3.
Can use any finger by itself for pumping repetitive notes - although it's usually 2, with 3 next and rarely 1 (srry Mr Jamerson - it just feels weird!).
Know guys who use T + fingers for plucking but never have tried. Mostly it was old style guys who used a lot of thumb "tugging" (as opposed slapping) like the way McCartney and Brian Wilson play.
I gallop like crazy using 121 121 121 121, or 131 131 131 131. Never have tried 321 321 321. Something to try!

 

[sxwr]

The only time i use three fingers is when im doing a galloping beat, it makes it easier for me. But like 99% of the time i only use 2. But one of the people in the band that i am in (is also a bassist) the times i have watched him play i've only seen him play with one finger.

 

[ZenG]

James Jamerson is said to have used just one finger...which he referred to as "The Hook". He was an ex standup player. His string height was also notoriously high.

I tried using one finger (index)......and it makes it into one busy finger.......way too busy for my tastes.....although it does work effectively....

I can't use fingers in any amount on really high strings like he did.......just seems too clunky and awkward....

But he's living proof that you can call your own shots and get away with it.....

 

[SamJ]

I was wondering if it was a good idea to learn how to use the 'ring finger' as well as the index and middle fingers when plucking. Is it worth it? What are its advanatages and dis-advanatages? And does anyone here use 3 fingers?

if I had the skill, I'd use all 4 like Entwistle ... I struggle just getting the two finger method right, so 3 is out of the question right now.

 

[ak56]

Two fingers? THREE Fingers?

Been playing for 40 years and I just use my thumb. Works for me.

One of these days I am going to try to do that two-finger thing.

 

[strictlybass_ic]

I used to think the more fingers you had utilized the better. Then I read a quote by some famous musician that was all about trying to use as few as possible for a given passage. Admittedly when doing recording using 2 or only 1 finger seemed to give a better sound and left my "unused" fingers free to mute any unused strings. So now I've come full circle to often trying to use as few fingers as possible for a given section/groove. I think either technique has merits, but I'm a big fan of "I'd rather have and not need than need and not have".

 

[sg101]

if you have no use for 3 finger picking, still learn the technique. it makes triplets and galloping wayyy easier, and it also makes for a good percussive sound too if you want to get funky, or coincide your percussive attacks to the drum beat much easier. The best part is it's easily switchable. If you want to to back and forth with 3 or 2 finger picking, you can easily do it, no delay. it's also good for those long drawn out bars of 16ths, because you'll fatigue much much slower compared to if you're using 2

 

[pravus]

I started with a pick and then decided I probably should learn to play with my fingers. I started with two but then thought it might be nice to have extra speed and coordination so I thought about three but it seemed too clunky at first. After watching some Billy Sheehan videos on YouTube I decided to really put some time into it and I think it paid off. Now I try to pluck, plink, hit, slap, tap and everything else with as many fingers as I think I can get away with. I mean why not?

 

[ZenG]

Personally I think using all four (which I often do) takes less frenetic energy than using one or two.....although it can take some mastering.....

I could never use just my thumb alone unless I had 12 cups of coffee before I start....