Can't seem to master finger style

[Chrisenbacker69]

So, I've been playing bass for about 9 years and I'm entirely self taught. I am classically trained on another instrument (trombone) and can read fluently. I play with a pick about 95% percent of the time and have added the use of felt picks and muting (palm and foam) as a means of reducing the inherent sharpness of attack that comes with that with decent success. I have never been able to get the even attack and smoothness that good finger style players have in my own finger style playing in spite of many long hours of trying. As a result, I use finger style only on really simple songs. I am increasingly aware of how much this is limiting my development as a player and my sonic palate. I primarily play classic rock with some dabbling into old school R & B. I'm open to suggestions/exercises/ideas from you, my esteemed colleagues with the caveat that my schedule would make formal lessons a challenge.

 

[lz4005]

There's nothing to it but time. Start playing more of the songs you already know with your fingers. Do it until it sounds right.

 

[eJake]

There's nothing to it but time. Start playing more of the songs you already know with your fingers. Do it until it sounds right.

Agreed.

As an exercise, I would put the metronome on slow (40-60bpm) and play 8th notes on any fretted note. Work on dynamics and accents. Fall into the groove of the metronome and throw in a quarter note or set of triplets in. Always focus on consistency of volume and attack.

EDIT: If you turn your amp waaaaay up it will force you to play with a lighter touch. This can be good technique training.

 

[Drucifer]

I switched from guitar to bass my freshman year of college, and learning fingerstyle was a priority for me. I played scales, up and down the neck, paying particular attention to alternating fingers, especially when switching strings, and playing evenly and in time. I agree with @eJake and @lz4005, start slow and practice. A good instructor can produce results in a shorter period of time, but if you don't have the time in your schedule, it's not an option.

I recall another exercise that helped was playing the song Wipeout.

 

[glocke1]

So, I've been playing bass for about 9 years and I'm entirely self taught. I am classically trained on another instrument (trombone) and can read fluently. I play with a pick about 95% percent of the time and have added the use of felt picks and muting (palm and foam) as a means of reducing the inherent sharpness of attack that comes with that with decent success. I have never been able to get the even attack and smoothness that good finger style players have in my own finger style playing in spite of many long hours of trying. As a result, I use finger style only on really simple songs. I am increasingly aware of how much this is limiting my development as a player and my sonic palate. I primarily play classic rock with some dabbling into old school R & B. I'm open to suggestions/exercises/ideas from you, my esteemed colleagues with the caveat that my schedule would make formal lessons a challenge.

Sounds you like you just need to go back to "first day on the bass" and go over basic finger style exercises with a metronome.

honestly though if you don't get it don't sweat it.

I do finger style really well, what I don't do well is playing with a pick and a large part of that is I just don't have the same connection with the instrument with a pick that i have with my fingers. Wish I could get it as some of my favorite bassists use picks.

 

[bassinflorida]

And I wish I could play with a pick. Go figure.

 

[jellymax]

i recommend a few bass lessons, focusing on right hand. it will save time, and prevent
bad habits.
also youtube lol

 

[HelpImaRock]

There's no magic bullet. Just constant practice with the metronome. I can play about 75% of my band's material fingerstyle at home. But I can't do it in rehearsal. So I'm still stuck on the pick. I've been told I'm a really good pick bassist. But I feel like fingerstyle and focused practice will help me be a better musician.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

The way I did it about 45 years ago, was to get rid of the pics. Surprising what you can do if you have to.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, you might be better than you think playing finger style.
You're just not as good as you are with a pick...and you might not ever be.

 

[Element Zero]

The way I did it about 45 years ago, was to get rid of the pics. Surprising what you can do if you have to.

This. Just, don't use a pick. Yeah. It'll suck for a few weeks. But you'll be ok. I promise.

 

[JRA]

you expect too much, too soon. practice it over time without the 'urgency' (since you can already play with a pick!).

if you put in enough time (not all at once!) it will 'click' with you and bear fruit.* good luck with your fingers.


* the other option is to not leave your bedroom until you have "mastered" it.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I think the big stumbling block for many in learning new techniques and/or developing speed is that they work at things they CAN'T play, as opposed to things they CAN play. I'll make sense of that now ...

If you practice playing 8th notes at 60 bpm, you should be able to do that with no problem. Practicing THAT, relentlessly, is how you'll build muscle memory and technique. It won't happen though if you try doing the same at a speed you're not capable of doing. I was taught to find a BPM I can play perfectly at, then drop it a couple of BPMs and play it over and over, flawlessly. After doing that for a while, take a break, and raise the BPM. Keep doing that over and over, and then one day ya just wake up able to do the impossible. Muscle memory kicks in and its almost magical.

I did that learning slap bass. Slap was impossible for me, I'd have to do things at ridiculously slow, non musical speeds - but I was relentless. Keeping in time with a metronome was crucial too. You can check my FAIK video in my sig to see how that worked out. I'll add that that's probably the only slap bass I ever did. I never use slap in any bands I play in.

One other thing that really helped me. A good friend told me he practiced bass considering it a meditation. He said he would sit and play an open E for 10 minutes straight, just feeling and meditating on it - connecting as best he possibly could. That turned what once looked like "practice" into a really enjoyable thing for me. I also like trying to express myself in as many ways as possible playing that single note. Change my attack, the way my finger hits the string, how long I let it ring out... you can do a billion things with a single note.

All the above - and time. Though doing the above shortens the amount of time it takes to get better more than any other practice technique I know. And a metronome for me is crucial to it all. Despite what JB thinks .

metronome - Google Search

 

[smokinjoe]

I am constantly tapping my fingers on whatever surface is available, as if I was playing. When I started out it helped with muscle memory development. These days it keeps me limber.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

i recommend a few bass lessons, focusing on right hand. it will save time, and prevent
bad habits.
also youtube lol

What he said. Get lessons in the very basic mechanics of how to physically play the bass fingerstyle, and just put in the time playing. And playing. And playing.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

So, I've been playing bass for about 9 years and I'm entirely self taught. I am classically trained on another instrument (trombone) and can read fluently. I play with a pick about 95% percent of the time and have added the use of felt picks and muting (palm and foam) as a means of reducing the inherent sharpness of attack that comes with that with decent success. I have never been able to get the even attack and smoothness that good finger style players have in my own finger style playing in spite of many long hours of trying. As a result, I use finger style only on really simple songs. I am increasingly aware of how much this is limiting my development as a player and my sonic palate. I primarily play classic rock with some dabbling into old school R & B. I'm open to suggestions/exercises/ideas from you, my esteemed colleagues with the caveat that my schedule would make formal lessons a challenge.

Keep trying. You'll get it. I too am self taught. 18 years on bass. I started with slap. Then joined a couple punk and metal bands, so I used a pick. Never could get the fingers going right. Started getting at it a couple years ago, and now I'm pretty efficient with my fingers. Keep playing. You'll get it.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

I (still) can't play with a pick.

But I started practicing, doing what @Joe Nerve mentioned, and started with one string and a metronome at low BPM.

My picking is getting better, but it's been a few months*. However, I can feel the technique coming and being almost second nature. I don't have to focus so much on how I'm holding the pick or how I'm attacking the strings.

All of this is to say that these guys are right about learning to play with a pick, which means they're also (probably) right about playing fingerstyle.

*I'm taking lessons, so I'm also learning technique and getting insight on how to pick better. If possible, take a lesson or two to help get you going.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

And remember there are a lot of differing finger-style techniques. I generally use a floating thumb style. But I also pick with thumb, 1st finger, and 2nd finger most often. Sometimes throw in the 3rd finger. Mainly depends on song.

Once you get a little more comfortable, and devise a style that is working, don't forget to experiment. You may surprise yourself.

 

[nilorius]

Actually - there are 3 finger styles, the most popular, when you fold your palm down, the other one is we you don't fold it, the third style is when you combine does two and use them both as comfortable you feel at that time. Your finger style also differs on how high or low you keep your bass when playing.

 

[Chrisenbacker69]

So Anyway, you might be better than you think playing finger style.
You're just not as good as you are with a pick...and you might not ever be.

That's true! Like most things, I seem to have learned this skill bass akwards...