Been there,I could keep playing like I was used to and play almost anything.Went with the classical teacher pointers,learned the "proper" technique and it helped me a lot.
After setting the technique you can fine tuned it to suit your needs.
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Alternating fingers: Does it need to be perfect?
- Thread starter Hardbassjunkie
- Start date
After setting the technique you can fine tuned it to suit your needs.
I voted no .. when I started playing I thought this was an absolute requirement .. if one is able to achieve such a condition, that's good for him/her.
However, I later discovered that the index finger alone can do much more than I was thinking of at the time ...
However, I later discovered that the index finger alone can do much more than I was thinking of at the time ...
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
For two decades I played alternating finger, starting with the index finger pretty religiously. Two years ago, I broke my right index finger, and for several months could not use it at all. I had to get by with any technique and finger that would get me home. Now I still can't get back into the perfect index/middle alternation. I still manage to get lines played.
Do whatever works, unless your goal is to be a world class player - playing hours per day, every day.
Do whatever works, unless your goal is to be a world class player - playing hours per day, every day.
I liken this discussion to the ever-popular in guitar and mandolin circles:
Q: " Do I have to use my pinky?
A: "No."
Q: "SHOULD I use my pinky?"
A: "Yes."
Q: " Do I have to use my pinky?
A: "No."
Q: "SHOULD I use my pinky?"
A: "Yes."
Does it HAVE to be perfect? No.
Should you develop the skill to be able to do it perfectly? Yes.
Control of your fretting and plucking hand is important to bass.
Should you develop the skill to be able to do it perfectly? Yes.
Control of your fretting and plucking hand is important to bass.
Depends on your goals. If you eventually want to play really fast lines cleanly, then yeah, your two finger approach needs to be pretty proficient. If you don't care about speed, get it done however you see fit.
I'm self taught (augmented by stuff I learn here and through SBL). I started on the run - picked up my first bass for a specific project and did a lot of shortcuts to be ready as quickly as possible. I found the fastest path for me to be "ready" was to use a one finger plucking attack. Thumb or pick weren't cutting it and I kept tripping over myself when ever I added the middle finger.
I have since been trying to integrate my middle finger into my playing, and have found it very tough. I can get around pretty good and have finally gotten the middle finger to be useful on some things (like running eight or sixteenth note lines) and it sometime jumps in on it's own for certain lines. I still have trouble intentionally moving from string to string with two fingers and often get crossed up when my fretting hand is moving in a manner similar to but differently than my plucking hand (hard to explain, but sometimes when I use my fretting index when my middle finger plucks - and vice verse - my hands get confused).
I have spent some time specifically focusing on this technique leak, but I also have realized that my fretting hand can't move much quicker than my one finger can keep up with anyway, so I don't worry about it too much.
I'm self taught (augmented by stuff I learn here and through SBL). I started on the run - picked up my first bass for a specific project and did a lot of shortcuts to be ready as quickly as possible. I found the fastest path for me to be "ready" was to use a one finger plucking attack. Thumb or pick weren't cutting it and I kept tripping over myself when ever I added the middle finger.
I have since been trying to integrate my middle finger into my playing, and have found it very tough. I can get around pretty good and have finally gotten the middle finger to be useful on some things (like running eight or sixteenth note lines) and it sometime jumps in on it's own for certain lines. I still have trouble intentionally moving from string to string with two fingers and often get crossed up when my fretting hand is moving in a manner similar to but differently than my plucking hand (hard to explain, but sometimes when I use my fretting index when my middle finger plucks - and vice verse - my hands get confused).
I have spent some time specifically focusing on this technique leak, but I also have realized that my fretting hand can't move much quicker than my one finger can keep up with anyway, so I don't worry about it too much.
Based on the feedback I got so far which us much appreciated. I think a good medium would be stick with the rock teacher, practice more efficient techniques with my plucking hand but don't obsess over it. I watch Scott's bass video for finger plucking and his way seems more natural to my fingers then "the classical teacher" way
For a few decades, I played with one finger. Then after a decade off for wrist issues (not from playing), I restarted,and my index finger isn't as fast as it used to be, I was forced to (if I wanted to be able to play at a reasonable speed) learn to play with two fingers.
I would modify the above statement to say: Work on playing with two fingers, until you can do it evenly. Once you can do it without thinking about it, then you can relax and let nature take its course. If I hadn't intentionally worked on making two fingers work well, I'd still be struggling with one (slow) finger.
If you are going to continue on with the 'classical teacher', you'll probably need to fix it or they may not get past that 'flaw' and keep insisting you fix.
I alternate when I ascend or repeat a string, and rake when I descend. I agree with others that the most important thing is a technique and a form that isn't going to create issues or roadblocks in the future, and whether or not you always alternate fingers is not as important as avoiding physical issue or painting yourself into a technical corner in other ways.
BTW, I very much have painted myself into a technical corner. My technique is good enough for the stuff I play, but I don't play bass often enough or play insanely difficult stuff often enough to woodshed my technique and get over this hump.
BTW, I very much have painted myself into a technical corner. My technique is good enough for the stuff I play, but I don't play bass often enough or play insanely difficult stuff often enough to woodshed my technique and get over this hump.
Good skill to work on? Yes very much so.
Are there bassists out there that only use one finger? Yes very much so.
Watch some videos of Geddy playing.
Are there bassists out there that only use one finger? Yes very much so.
Watch some videos of Geddy playing.
I’m all for doing what feels comfortable and good-sounding to you once you’ve nailed down the basics, but if your fundamental ability to physically play a bass guitar is compromised then you need to stick to strict, technical lessons that will teach you the basics correctly. IMO that is the most important thing to learn as a bassist, period. Don’t slack on this.
I started taking lessons because I wanted to get better. I choose my instructor because I love his bass work on his album. I had no second thoughts on his ability, technique or philosophy.
The first visit we were just talking and he was noodling around with licks from "Teen Town" and "What is hip". He teaches alternating fingers and feels the right hand work is the difference between good and real good.
Be it right or wrong im drinking his coolaide.
The first visit we were just talking and he was noodling around with licks from "Teen Town" and "What is hip". He teaches alternating fingers and feels the right hand work is the difference between good and real good.
Be it right or wrong im drinking his coolaide.
I say: yes it has to be perfect. If you are working on mastering technique with alternating fingers, learn to do it perfectly. In actual execution, you can make decisions on exactly how to mix up alternating or not alternating.....but you need to be able to do it when you have to, not fall into a sloppy mixed technique because you don’t have the ability to do otherwise.
Some Talkbass truths:
1. Jaco only needed four.
2. Jamerson only needed one.
3. If it sounds good, play it.
4. You learn the rules so you know when to break them.
If you can't find your answer in there, then you ain't ready for rock and roll.
1. Jaco only needed four.
2. Jamerson only needed one.
3. If it sounds good, play it.
4. You learn the rules so you know when to break them.
If you can't find your answer in there, then you ain't ready for rock and roll.
Excellent advice!
As a kid back in the late 60s, I started playing bass with a guitar pick. I was always intrigued with bassists who used their 2 fingers for plucking, which back then was radical and new. Little by little by giving it a try, I mastered 2 finger plucking.
Then about 20 years ago, I saw a video of Jerry Scheff playing bass live for Elvis and he was killing with fantastic bass lines and at rapid speed.............with one finger!!!!!!!!!! And, Bass Player Magazine had an article about Jerry and he talked about one finger plucking.
So, little by little, I started getting off of the 2 fingers and going to one. For me, fast and repetitious bass lines are easier to play with one finger and about 97% of my playing is done with one finger. But, there are times where I gotta get both fingers on tricky little plucks but then immediately go back to one finger. This comes automatic with certain songs and no thought is needed.
I once saw Nick Lowe playing bass and he used a guitar thumb pick for the E string and his fingers for the A, D and G strings. Strange!
My bass teacher back in the 80s could use 3 fingers (index, middle and ring) plucking for rapid 1/16 notes! WOW! I never could do that!
I think that we all develop our own way of plucking. Two fingers being the most common.
I like your advice, micguy.
I voted yes, and i see i'm one of the few... my teacher used to tell me that it was good to get as close as you can so if you want to play faster than you can with one finger, you don't lay unwanted accents. Directly after that he started explaing more about (wanted) accents. Anyway, i think it's good to practice and try to get there. Just like any technique.
There is more than one way to skin a cat. If you can slay your lines and groove your azz off, that is all that matters IMO. I spent several years having an affair with bluegrass banjo, so my plucking style is a bit unusual, but I think for the better.
Why wouldn't you want to be in total control of your plucking hand?
I'd say yes it's important but only so you can decide when to use alternate and when not to
I'd say yes it's important but only so you can decide when to use alternate and when not to
