3 or 4 fingers

[pica]

I apologize if this question has been asked. My first instructor had me using all 4 fingers on my fretting hand, one finger per fret which seemed like the normal way to play. Then when I changed instructors he told me that was the wrong technique and that you don't use your third finger. That happens to be the method taught in the Hal Leonard bass books. I was just wondering which way do you play, 3 or 4 fingers.

 

[puddin tame]

either you've misunderstood your teacher or you should run away very very fast before he feeds you any other crap.

I believe you're thinking of the difference between "one finger per fret" and the "1-2-4" style of fretting, but this only applies at the very start of the neck where the frets are large.

The answer is that it depends on how large your hands are and what feels comfortable. I have big hands so have no problem using all 4 fingers, but I will alternate between one finger per fret and skipping the third finger depending on what I am playing. It's still a bit easier if I don't have to use any of the notes on the 4th fret to miss the 3rd finger for me, but I can do either way.

Some people will even tell you to use both your 3rd and 4th finger to push down on the 3rd fret, which I disagree with as imo it will really mess with your muscle memory when you start playing the higher frets. When you do get to the higher frets (basically anything past the 5th fret unless your hands are really tiny) it should be 1 finger per fret, so 1-2-3-4

I think you should clarify what your teacher actually meant, if he is seriously telling you to never use a finger then he is seriously feeding you crap

 

[pica]

I think you should clarify what your teacher actually meant, if he is seriously telling you to never use a finger then he is seriously feeding you crap

Yes, he is seriously telling me not to use my third finger on my fretting hand.

 

[puddin tame]

Then i dont know how you found this guy but id abandon ship immediately and find a teacher who knows what he is doing. Id be very surprised if anyone else here disagreed. Does this guy have professional credentials? What the hell would be the point of never using a finger? That is just mind boggling

edit: very interested to know this guys qualifications. Its very hard to tell the hacks from the pros when youre starting out. Ive been playing 12 years, 4 with lessons from a guy with a masters in music education. Not as long as a lot of guys around here but enough to smell a whack teacher a mile away

 

[Systolic]

Yes, he is seriously telling me not to use my third finger on my fretting hand.

I'm thinking that that's crazy sauce 4 fingers for sure, especially if you don't have crazy long fingers.

 

[t77mackie]

Yes, you should never fret with your thumb.

 

[JimiLL]

Wow.... I should start giving lessons... even I know better than that!

 

[bassophil]

Is there a chance that the specific Hal Leonard book is about Doublebass and not Bassguitar? Even if it is, it would be only half of the truth (if at all).

 

[eukatheude]

Yes, he is seriously telling me not to use my third finger on my fretting hand.

Then change teacher.
The 124 method works great when on the first frets, but not using your ring finger AT ALL is mad. Even the one finger per fret method isn't perfect though, check out this article, it explains it much better than i can do.

 

[Tupac]

Then change teacher.
The 124 method works great when on the first frets, but not using your ring finger AT ALL is mad. Even the one finger per fret method isn't perfect though, check out this article, it explains it much better than i can do.

What he didn't mention is why the pinky sticks it (which I'd like to know), thumb over the neck grip, and how 4 finger per fret is dangerous to the wrist because it puts it on heavy pressure while bending. I wish a doctor would just write a paper on playing bass or something, for such a large hobby there's so little investigation on it.

 

[INTP]

I also wonder about any instructor that advises against 1-2-3-4 under all circumstances, on electric bass. I do think it's worth talking about how big your hand is and how it feels in the lower frets, and adjusting as needed if you have small hands or if it hurts to play 1-2-3-4. Adjusting can mean "1-2-4 below the 5th fret (or 7th, or whatever feels right)", or it can also mean shifting your hand slightly in the lower frets so that you're not holding your fingers statically over the frets. [Todd Johnson's video "Technique Builders" covers both of these during the X drill and shifting drill, respectively. And at $15 for the download is an incredible bargain.]

 

[pica]

So there really is no right or wrong technique. It's just what feels comfortable to you?

 

[INTP]

So there really is no right or wrong technique. It's just what feels comfortable to you?

I consider either of these to be wrong:

"There is one and only one way to do it"
"Just do whatever feels comfortable".

Either of them can limit your progress, and either of them can cause injury.

 

[Ron G]

Check this out, I hope it helps:

 

[Febs]

Some people will even tell you to use both your 3rd and 4th finger to push down on the 3rd fret, which I disagree with as imo it will really mess with your muscle memory when you start playing the higher frets.

If you're using 124, your third and fourth finger operate together. How would you propose to use the fourth finger *without* using the third?

 

[INTP]

Another video, from a fellow TB member:

 

[Mushroo]

Both techniques are "correct" and widely used by an assortment of pro players.
My advice for this teacher (as with any teacher) is to learn what you can from him, and incorporate it into your own style along with other techniques and influences. It may be that he is stubborn about left-hand fingering technique, but an excellent theory teacher (for example) with a lot to teach you.

I personally use and teach the 1-2-4 technique, but I would never tell someone it is the *only* acceptable technique. Definitely give it a try, though, especially if you "click" with this teacher in other ways!

 

[sharp8874]

Weird I have been playing bass for 5 years and I play with a 123 technique. But I also play DB with the standard 124 technique. Go figure. I would say though that the 1234 makes more sense for BG if you have big hands imo

 

[Jeff Bonny]

This topic has been widely discussed in painful detail. There are enough examples of great players who use 1-2-4 fingering that there is no doubt whatsoever it's a completely valid approach. I use both 1-2-4 and 1-2-3-4 interchangeably without thinking about it and would advocate eventually learning both. You have to start somewhere though and everyone is going to be different. For a new player in a lot of ways it makes sense to go with 1-2-4 to start. I'd be more inclined to trust my teacher than the interweb peanut gallery.

 

[deeptubes]

I do use all of my fingers, but I probably use my 1-3-4 the most frequently. I just use what comes naturally.