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3-fingered aspiring bass player needs advice

D

decoy

Jan 26, 2008
3
0
Brooklyn
#1
I have just picked up the bass a few weeks ago. I'm determined to figure this out, but I do have a bit of a problem - I am right-handed, and cannot use the index finger on my left hand. It is still there, but due to an accident many years ago, it is bent in a permanent C-shape, with minimal muscle control. It is as though my left hand were much smaller than my right, when in fact I have moderately large hands.

Seems like I have 2 options - to switch hands (use a left handed bass), or find some way to compensate on the neck with the 3 useful left-hand fingers I've got.

Any suggestions would be appreciated - anyone who has ever had to switch hand dominance, suggestions as to medium or small scale instruments, left-hand instruments, or ideas about how to cover the neck with 3 fingers...

Thanks,

Jason
 
#3
Actually as long as you have enough control over the one finger to keep it out of the way of the others and out of the way of the strings, I don't see that it should be a problem. Your other fingers are perfectly able to do the fretting, especially with practice. The one thing I'd suggest you try out bass-wise would be a bass with a very thin neck, particularly thin at the nut. Look into Ibanez and Rickenbacker.
 
#4
If i were you i wuldnt change hands... mostly because in the fretting hand the index finger is really important.

I believe there is a basist whos second name is dipiaza or something like that, he endorses fodera basses, he uses all his right hand fingers to pluck the strings, maybe you can copy his technique and modify it to your needs, its gonna take some time to get it right.
 
#5
Maybe an Ashbory bass is an option to consider, although it's a very peculiar instrument. Try them.
About handedness, I would recommend to stick to the way you feel more natural and comfy to play the bass. Practice will give you the ability you'll need, I'm pretty sure.
Good luck.
 
#6
I think going lefty might be a good idea. Better to have more fingers in use on the hand that's doing the fretting than the fingering. Jamerson only used one finger on his right hand to play. A lot of times I find myself doing the one-finger playing.

While you're working out the problems of switching over to a different way of playing and getting frustrated, check this guy out for a little motivation:

Link Removed

Good luck and if there's anything I can do to help, PM me.
 
#7
I saw a guy on TV awhile back. He had no hands at all and he played bass with his feet. He was good too! It WAS a little trippy to watch, but wow, you gotta love his passion and determination.

I think that's the bottom line: Whatever you decide to do, your determination and perseverance is gonna get you where you want to go no matter what.

With that said, I do know of some bass players who choose to fret using only 3 fingers anyway. If your able to keep your finger out of the way, I think you'll be able to work around it with little trouble.

IMHO! :)
 
#8
Just an idea here, but maybe you could try a short scale six string bass as the string and fret spacing might help you a lot. Check out this club and link:

The Short-Scale Six-String Club—for the original six-string basses!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=391343


In the whole thread there are lots of links to available manufacturers and models. Good luck...and don't forget that Django Reinhardt totally burned up the guitar frets with only two usable fingers on his left hand:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Reinhardt
 
#9
Do what feels most comfortable, and don't let anyone tell you you can't. I think it's a great idea to pick up the bass, and who knows, you might develop a new technique and have something to teach the rest of us. Have fun, no matter what else.
 
#10
Lots of bass players have made good music using only three fingers (usually the pinky gets left out). Django Reinhardt made history with full use of only two left hand fingers and he's remembered because his playing was great, not for how many digits he had. Do you do anything lefthanded now, like write, eat, throw etc? I am not an expert but my impression is that, if not, three fingered may be easier than "wrong" handed. Way more basses to play too. Good luck either way and stick with it.
 
#13
cybersnyder said:
I think going lefty might be a good idea. Better to have more fingers in use on the hand that's doing the fretting than the fingering. Jamerson only used one finger on his right hand to play. A lot of times I find myself doing the one-finger playing.

While you're working out the problems of switching over to a different way of playing and getting frustrated, check this guy out for a little motivation:

Link Removed

Good luck and if there's anything I can do to help, PM me.
Click to expand...


Agreed. Jamerson played masterfully plucking with 1 finger, but 4 are gonna really help the fretting. There's also a well-known one-handed player (name escapes me) who plays it all with his fretting hand by percussively tapping-maybe someone here'll chime in with the video link. He was featured in Bass Player within the past year. He was a player, then lost his plucking hand and relearned. He has developed a cool, unique style and he can shred!
 
#15
I disagree with going lefty, that will be extra weirdness to have to get over. I advise a smaller neck for physical ease, a short scale 30" neck that is also narrow. I have a Hofner Beatle bass copy and the neck is perfect for this, and it's not a toy.
Start out as easy as possible this way and I'm sure you'll be able to transition to a full scale in time.
I played without using my pinky for many years, (just lazy).
 
#16
If you are strongly right-handed, going lefty might be harder than playing with 3 fingers on the fretboard. I think you have to get a couple of basses and just try them out and stick with what feels most comfortable to you. In any case, you should be able to do fine. I've seen a really good player who had no right forearm or right hand playing right handed. If you want to do it, you can do it. A shorter scale bass might be to some advantage. Some prefer those. There are many threads on basses with shorter scales. Rickenbackers are slightly shorter than 34". Some go down to 32".
 
#17
Thanks you all for your quick replies and encouragement. The 6-string thread looks promising. Seems as though using that instrument would force me to understand more about note relationships, as 4-string tabulature would need to be translated, right? Not a bad thing in the long run. If I go that way, I will end up with an extremely powerful left pinky finger. Maybe I will borrow a left-hand instrument for a few days just to sus it out, and be shopping for a rig with more than 4 strings at the same time...

Thanks again, and please keep suggestions coming.

Jason
 
#18
lomo said:
Agreed. Jamerson played masterfully plucking with 1 finger, but 4 are gonna really help the fretting. There's also a well-known one-handed player (name escapes me) who plays it all with his fretting hand by percussively tapping-maybe someone here'll chime in with the video link. He was featured in Bass Player within the past year. He was a player, then lost his plucking hand and relearned. He has developed a cool, unique style and he can shred!
Click to expand...

His name is Bill Clements. He is rad and should give some inspiration to the OP (and the rest of us for that matter).

 
#19
Jim Breece said:
Lots of bass players have made good music using only three fingers (usually the pinky gets left out). Django Reinhardt made history with full use of only two left hand fingers and he's remembered because his playing was great, not for how many digits he had. Do you do anything lefthanded now, like write, eat, throw etc? I am not an expert but my impression is that, if not, three fingered may be easier than "wrong" handed. Way more basses to play too. Good luck either way and stick with it.
Click to expand...

+1. Lots of bassists don't use their pinky when they fret. So it can definitely be done with just 3 fingers. I agree about getting a rather slim neck. Another thing you might consider is using flatwound strings. Using only 3 fingers, you'll find yourself "sliding" up and down the fingerboard a lot, and flats will have less string hiss. Plus, they sound great IMHO.
 
#20
decoy said:
The 6-string thread looks promising. Seems as though using that instrument would force me to understand more about note relationships, as 4-string tabulature would need to be translated, right?
Jason
Click to expand...

Not at all -- the low four strings are also EADG. You just have an extra B&E on the top. In essence, it's an octave guitar that can be used either as a bass or a baritone guitar. Only problem is you either need to play, with a pick, thumb pick, or index finger. Traditional right hand technique is kind of difficult with these strange beasts, but I love 'em anyway.
 

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