I have developed an usual style of string plucking where I keep one finger dedicated to each string. I have only been playing for about a year, so I'm still learning. I use my thumb on the E, index on A, middle on D, and ring on G and they stay there and only play their respective strings. I like how easy it is to mute strings with this method, but is this a bad technique to develop. I can play pretty fast this way, so speed doesn't seem to be an issue. Will I run into problems as I progress as a bass player. Also, does anyone else use this technique? I can't find any info on it anywhere?
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4 finger right hand plucking
- Thread starter linuxmann
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No problems as far as I can see. If it works for you, and you feel comfortable (it doesn't strain or stress your hand), it's cool.
I play usual two finger style most time, but sometimes palm-mute and add thumb as third finger. It is very natural position.
I play usual two finger style most time, but sometimes palm-mute and add thumb as third finger. It is very natural position.
No problems at all, its a great style to develop as you will be able to remove the use of fingers with no issues, where as if you have a two finger style you would have to develop any extra finger use before you could add it....you are ahead of the game so to speak with choices rather than restrictions.....
Check out the Matt Garrison sticky at the top of this forum page.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Essentially classical guitar fingering. You might want to check out how that's done to make the most of it for bass.
I use this technique sometimes, and find it's great for more delicate chordal-type playing, but it can seriously hamper getting any authoritative rhythmic pulse, especially as it becomes difficult to keep the volume and tone of notes on different strings the same.
I use this technique sometimes, and find it's great for more delicate chordal-type playing, but it can seriously hamper getting any authoritative rhythmic pulse, especially as it becomes difficult to keep the volume and tone of notes on different strings the same.
I tried using a similar technique, but as I continued learning, I also developed the two-finger deal, and that worked much better for most of the music I was performing. Since then, I've used both (I don't devote each finger to a specific string, but I do use thumb and first three fingers for chordal and arpeggiated passages, among other things)...I agree that if you like using your right hand this way you might look into some Classical Guitar studies, just to get a good musical perspective on it, and to find some useful tricks you can implement in your playing. I don't think that this is the only technique you'll want to use exclusively, as there are lots of musical passages with say, 16th notes on one string, but I'd suggest thinking of it as one way of playing in your arsenal of approaches. Good luck with it!
+1
I'm in the "don't limit yourself to one technique" camp.
I'm just a beginner, so I'm trying a variety of techniques, but from an intellectual standpoint I see it being very beneficial to be able to play whatever the song calls for, be it one or two fingers, three fingers, four, thumb, pick... drumstick, ebow...
I'm in the "don't limit yourself to one technique" camp.
I'm just a beginner, so I'm trying a variety of techniques, but from an intellectual standpoint I see it being very beneficial to be able to play whatever the song calls for, be it one or two fingers, three fingers, four, thumb, pick... drumstick, ebow...
Flamenco guitarists use thumb and all 4 fingers. Much of the the time the 4 fingers in a downward strike are used for rasguados. Lutenists use thumb and index finger plus the two others in chords. Classical guitarists play a different way from flamenco guitarists when tackling a tremolo section. One or two 60s bass guitarists played the 2 finger style but added the 3rd finger for certain rhythmic passages. Then came slap and funk and so on. Choose what you feel most comfortable with and develop from there. Sight-readers on straight music sessions will play simply and effectively. Then you also have the option of a plectrum style.
Sounds like you're using a similar technique to a classical guitarist on your bass. Sounds cool! I don't see how it could hurt anything.
