Another beginner pinky finger thread

[newbss]

Hi, I got a bass for christmas and have been researching correct technique and tried various courses for beginners

The problem I encountered every time though is that my left hand just isn't doing what the courses want me to do. Very often, I'm asked to put my Index finger on fret 2, my ring finger on fret 4 and my pinky finger on fret 5. This is not really possible for me, for reasons that I can only guess. I have an awfully short pinky finger and my hands are small too. Though in general I find my hand quite flexible and being able to stretch well

The most I can do is put my index on fret 2 and my pinky on fret 4, though this also hurts.

What are the general recommendations for this kind of problem? Just keep trying? Are there any exercises? I feel like it's impossible even when I make my pinky finger stronger - because it physically cannot reach the location it's supposed to

 

[Piper Bob]

Never do things that hurt.

You can play 4 with your pinky. You can also mover everything 12 frets up the neck. Gaining strength and flexibility in your fingers takes time.

 

[Jay Corwin]

It's hard to say not knowing what type of lessons you are working from. If your hands are indeed to small to cover the 1 finger per fret method in that area of the neck, then you may need to practice shifting to get your pinky into position.

With any practice routine you are trying, remember to go very slowly and only increase once you've nailed something comfortably and repeatedly.

 

[Geogio]

Hi, I got a bass for christmas and have been researching correct technique and tried various courses for beginners

The problem I encountered every time though is that my left hand just isn't doing what the courses want me to do. Very often, I'm asked to put my Index finger on fret 2, my ring finger on fret 4 and my pinky finger on fret 5. This is not really possible for me, for reasons that I can only guess. I have an awfully short pinky finger and my hands are small too. Though in general I find my hand quite flexible and being able to stretch well

The most I can do is put my index on fret 2 and my pinky on fret 4, though this also hurts.

What are the general recommendations for this kind of problem? Just keep trying? Are there any exercises? I feel like it's impossible even when I make my pinky finger stronger - because it physically cannot reach the location it's supposed to

Employing the pinky takes a bit of diligence, but it's worth it. 1234, 4321 next string repeat after the last string move up a fret 4321, 1234 back to low move up a fret...

Remember to alternate plucking and if plecing up down up down... coordinate by starting a little less than largo.

Using all 4 fretting fingers optimizes the instrument in your hands. Using 2 and 3 plucking and incorporating the thumb optimizes your other hand.

One exercise book that I found to be very helpful was Carl Culpepper's 101 Terrifying Techniques for Guitar. There's lots of exercises - intervalactic scale so all kinds of things it's kind of easy to get into and it's mindlessly in Tab with notation. It really does improve technique. If you can find a copy - I highly recommend it.

 

[SteveCS]

Very often, I'm asked to put my Index finger on fret 2, my ring finger on fret 4 and my pinky finger on fret 5.

What you are being asked to do is what is commonly referred to as One Finger Per Fret (OFPF). It is not really necessary. As you have found, placing index and pinky two frets apart is a lot more comfortable and reasonable. This is commonly referred to as a '3-finger' method, and there are a couple of major variants of it. There are two main methods in the classical double-bass world:- 1,2 and 4 over 3 stops ('frets) is normally identified as 'Simandl' technique; using 1, 3 and 4 is normally identified as the Bille or Italian method. Both of these translate well from the classical double-bass to the electric bass. I would recommend looking at these methods. I've attached a copy of Simandl book 1 to get you going, although do bear in mind that much of the method is focussed on intonation and bowing so can be glossed over to some degree when applied to the electric bass guitar.

A great many players use technique based on Simandl in the lower positions, then transition to a 4-finger technique in higher positions, typically above frets 6-9...

 

[red_rhino]

The most I can do is put my index on fret 2 and my pinky on fret 4, though this also hurts.

How and where does it hurt? Sharp/stabbing pain, or dull? Does it hurt right away, or after some number of repetitions? Forearm? Wrist? Palm? Pinky itself?

How long have you been playing? Are you brand new (like, since Christmas)?

Never do things that hurt.

Absolutely! Never force yourself to play with or thru pain. If you're brand new to this, remember to take frequent breaks of 5 or 10 minutes as you practice in order to let your muscles recover, or whenever you feel fatigue.

Eventually, your muscles will adjust to the workload and you will develop the endurance to play without fatigue. Remember, you're doing something you've never done before, and it takes time and patience to adjust, but it will happen.

As helpful as the people on this site are, there's only so much we can do (or guess at) at a distance. Fatigue is normal, pain is not. You may benefit from some actual in-person lessons so that any adjustments to your technique and practice habits can be done early on. You don't need to sign up for years of instruction, just take it week-by-week for as long as you feel you're getting something out of it. Many of us here are mostly self-taught, (including me), but in hindsight I believe I would have benefited and developed my skills faster with some instruction.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Videos are merely guide lines to get you started. Watch how this child crams 4 fingers into a 3 fret space, near the nut, of a full scale bass and works with those small hands. Play it the easy way and do a lot of shifting if need be. The rest will come later. Before someone chimes in, not all the basses in this video are small scale.

 

[mcnach]

Hi, I got a bass for christmas and have been researching correct technique and tried various courses for beginners

The problem I encountered every time though is that my left hand just isn't doing what the courses want me to do. Very often, I'm asked to put my Index finger on fret 2, my ring finger on fret 4 and my pinky finger on fret 5. This is not really possible for me, for reasons that I can only guess. I have an awfully short pinky finger and my hands are small too. Though in general I find my hand quite flexible and being able to stretch well

The most I can do is put my index on fret 2 and my pinky on fret 4, though this also hurts.

What are the general recommendations for this kind of problem? Just keep trying? Are there any exercises? I feel like it's impossible even when I make my pinky finger stronger - because it physically cannot reach the location it's supposed to

If it hurts, don't do it.

I don't have big hands, but over the years my finger span has increased, slowly but surely. I didn't even try, it just happened with practice. Find what works for you and... play lots! You'll have to shift hand position more if you can't reach, but there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[srosenthal13]

If you're working with a 34" scale bass, and you have small hands, consider trying a medium or even short scale instrument.

I've got small hands. On a standard 34" bass, I can just about stretch 4 fingers over 3 frets. On a medium scale (32") bass, it's more like 3.5 frets. I'm sticking with 32" because it's more comfortable, and even though I still can't fully stretch my way to OFPF down in the first position, the shifts are shorter than on a 34" and that's just more easy to deal with.

We're not all built with mitts that can palm basketballs, so don't wreck your hands by forcing yourself to stretch uncomfortably. There are good, shorter basses that might be much more comfortable to play, and therefore more likely to keep you interested.

 

[Geogio]

What you are being asked to do is what is commonly referred to as One Finger Per Fret (OFPF). It is not really necessary. As you have found, placing index and pinky two frets apart is a lot more comfortable and reasonable. This is commonly referred to as a '3-finger' method, and there are a couple of major variants of it. There are two main methods in the classical double-bass world:- 1,2 and 4 over 3 stops ('frets) is normally identified as 'Simandl' technique; using 1, 3 and 4 is normally identified as the Bille or Italian method. Both of these translate well from the classical double-bass to the electric bass. I would recommend looking at these methods. I've attached a copy of Simandl book 1 to get you going, although do bear in mind that much of the method is focussed on intonation and bowing so can be glossed over to some degree when applied to the electric bass guitar.

A great many players use technique based on Simandl in the lower positions, then transition to a 4-finger technique in higher positions, typically above frets 6-9...

It's basically the same on cello. I would think the reasoning behind that originally was to defeat the tension close to the nut. It is kind of vigorous up thataway. I still use that occasionally on electric Bass and cello routinely, but I confess I haven't played cello since thanksgiving and I really need to get back on it.

 

[NewJackBass]

If you're working with a 34" scale bass, and you have small hands, consider trying a medium or even short scale instrument.

I've got small hands. On a standard 34" bass, I can just about stretch 4 fingers over 3 frets. On a medium scale (32") bass, it's more like 3.5 frets. I'm sticking with 32" because it's more comfortable, and even though I still can't fully stretch my way to OFPF down in the first position, the shifts are shorter than on a 34" and that's just more easy to deal with.

We're not all built with mitts that can palm basketballs, so don't wreck your hands by forcing yourself to stretch uncomfortably. There are good, shorter basses that might be much more comfortable to play, and therefore more likely to keep you interested.

You know, I used to think that too. I have really short stubby fingers and thought only a short scale would do, but Im finding that playing my Precision, which I LOVE, isn't nearly as bad after playing it for a short while. I just unconsciously shift my hand back and forth a bit more. Micro-shifting?