Beginner: how would you finger this? (Tom Sawyer)

[JoshS]

Kind of searched a little.
I'm thinking plucking hand, but I guess I'd be curious for both.

I'm thinking 1,1,2,2,1,1,2,2,1,1,2,2 - but could be reverse too. My hand, however, keeps wanting to alternate.
Would anyone keep 1 and 2 on opposite strings?

 

[RyanOh]

Right hand, I always used my middle finger for the D string since it's longer than my index.
2,1,2,1...then 2,1 moving to E and A strings. Sometimes I'd do 1,1 on the last two notes but 2,1 alternating should be considered a better approach.

Left hand, 1,3,1,2,1,3 -- two fret distance I'd use 3rd finger.

If the speed of that section is a problem, I'd try using Spotify with an app called Amazing Slow Downer, you can play it as a slower rate and keep the pitch.

 

[Scottgun]

Several ways to finger this, and all them will have their annoyances, but I tend to use this guy's fingering:

 

[RyanOh]

Alternate and a rake in the video, the 1,1 finger version. As a beginner, I'd practice alternate fingers every time I could. Raking seems easier, but you'll build way more speed by doing alternate fingers across strings where raking doesn't work.

I do both. Some teachers say raking = bad.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

You asked how to finger that tabbed sheet music. What follows is not ideal for tab. But, I think you will see what I am getting at. As a beginner I lived by the major scale box fingering, but, at some point the fingers started deciding which would get what note. I let them. Now days I use my index most of the time and let the other three get what they like. Now days I see what is needed and the fingers just take over. But...…..

...… That did not happen over night, so the box first, then hope that the other fingers start getting which ones they like best. You will need to run the box about a zillion times, for this to happen.

Major scale box showing scale degree numbers
and the root/tonic note on the 4th string.
……… Index...Middle..Ring….Little
G~~|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---1---|-------|---2---|4th string
If using the box for chords the 1 is the root.
If using the box for scales the 1 is the tonic.
Place the 1 where needed on the fret board
and then play the spelling of what you want. For example:
1-3-5-7 for a major 7 chord and
1-2-3-4-5-6-7 for a major scale.
1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 for a natural minor scale.
​

This may not be the best for tabbed sheet music, but, works for standard notation, fake chord and improvising and gets your fingers moving on your fretboard.

Good luck. My answer to your OP, what you listed would work, if you are playing the correct notes.... before the song goes off and leaves you.... who could ask for more?

 

[Bob_Ross]

I'm thinking 1,1,2,2,1,1,2,2,1,1,2,2 - but could be reverse too.

Yeah, I just pulled down a bass and played that line and noticed that my right hand immediately and consistently falls into 2,2,1,1,2,2...

...until I start thinking about it, and then I can just as easily fall into 1,1,2,2,1,1...

 

[JoshS]

Alternate and a rake in the video, the 1,1 finger version. As a beginner, I'd practice alternate fingers every time I could.

This is what I have been doing, but one (online) instructor I emailed suggested a rake in a similar scenario.

Raking seems easier, but you'll build way more speed by doing alternate fingers across strings where raking doesn't work.

I do both. Some teachers say raking = bad.

I actually think it is more difficult without a lot of work. I've been playing with both, but was hoping to get to a place where I picked one and stuck with it. Mentioned instructor above really pushed for efficiency, thus the rake, particularly where i wanted to keep one finger on A and one on D.

So...I don't know. Kind of reading a bit of both here in this thread.

 

[RyanOh]

Since you're learning Rush, check out Xanadu and Hemispheres -- riffs that go up and down strings and require alternating fingers. That'd be my rationale for building up alternate plucking speed and coordination, but Tom Sawyer could go either way and I do both without even thinking about it.

 

[Spidey2112]

There's actually a quick slide from 7th fret, 4th string up to 9th, same... leads into second part of the phrase...

... I alternate 1 and 2, starting with 2, on the right hand...

... try starting the phrase on the left 2, then 4 (or 3), then 1, 2, 1 and 3 (or 4)...

... the real fun begins when you take it up to the 7th fret, 1 string... it's a great exercise for organizing all the chaos in your life.

Good luck!

 

[JoshS]

Since you're learning Rush, check out Xanadu and Hemispheres -- riffs that go up and down strings and require alternating fingers. That'd be my rationale for building up alternate plucking speed and coordination, but Tom Sawyer could go either way and I do both without even thinking about it.

I'm sort of a long way from that!
While Rush is one of my personal favorite bands, this is really the first song I've tried to learn so far. Mostly the songs are cross-genre trying to pick up concepts.

 

[40Hz]

Some teachers say raking = bad.

And they'd sometimes be wrong.

There's no universal "best" fingering for every occasion. A lot depends on the song and the physical conformation of the player.

 

[40Hz]

So...I don't know. Kind of reading a bit of both here in this thread.

Welcome to TalkBass!

Ask 10 members here the exact same question and you'll get at least 11 different answers.

 

[JoshS]

So, I can do this now. I've got the song +/- memorized.
I cannot play this riff at speed. Probably not even at half speed yet.

So...when does the speed come? :/

 

[RyanOh]

Every Tuesday. A little more speed, lots of practice. It just shows up.

Practice exercises that work your left and right hands to build strength and memory -- practicing scales is great way to build up speed over time.