You can always try using your index finger and ring finger. I play with three fingers on my right hand, and on slower passages I sometimes catch myself playing without my middle finger. Worth a try in my opinion.
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Deformed middle finger advice
- Thread starter Orion Kerensky
- Start date
James Jamerson used only the index finger of his right hand to strike the strings and created some of the most influential and brilliant bass lines in pop history. His peers called that index finger "the hook".
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I would not concern myself with trying to adapt my fingers to a textbook "traditional" technique in that situation. I think that I would be inclined to use my index and ring fingers together to even out my attack and utilize the snail shell to dig in or achieve a percussive sort of timbre that might be different from regular finger style? I don't know for sure, but I work with power tools, so any time I have ever had a near-miss, I have spent a little time pondering how a mishap might effect my playing. As long as your technique sounds good and doesn't create any repetitive stress injuries, the world is your oyster.
I spent ALL of last night practicing with just my index finger, and trying with my index/ring finger. I can do this for sure, and simply feel a ton better and more comfortable not worrying about that middle finger.
I have nothing to compare with in terms of a physical impairment, but I can concur with two suggestions that have been made:
1. When I used to tour regularly (9+ months of the year) I would often find my middle finger tiring out during a set, and learned to substitute the ring finger. I was inspired by reading an interview with John Entwistle who claimed that he worked on using all his right-hand fingers by playing entire performances with just a single finger, alternating: just index, then middle, ring, and even pinky!
2. I often use the thumb-index combination, with slight palm-muting depending on the song. This was just a natural adaptation on my part (i.e. without any pre-planning) to certain gigs where we played at a very quiet volume, but it can work in almost any scenario.
Good luck!
1. When I used to tour regularly (9+ months of the year) I would often find my middle finger tiring out during a set, and learned to substitute the ring finger. I was inspired by reading an interview with John Entwistle who claimed that he worked on using all his right-hand fingers by playing entire performances with just a single finger, alternating: just index, then middle, ring, and even pinky!
2. I often use the thumb-index combination, with slight palm-muting depending on the song. This was just a natural adaptation on my part (i.e. without any pre-planning) to certain gigs where we played at a very quiet volume, but it can work in almost any scenario.
Good luck!
One of my favorite bassists, Bryan Beller, uses index/ring fairly often... particularly on fast, driving passages. As far as I know he doesn't do it for any reason other than it feels like the most comfortable way for him to play some passages. So, I'll bet you won't give up much if any speed or dexterity by going index/ring rather than index/middle. He has a lot of videos on YouTube talking about various playing techniques, and there are some good performance vids that track his playing pretty closely, so you might want to check those out.
You should also keep in mind that anything you do will require a fair amount of practice to get the sound you want, which would be the case for anyone. Practice just playing simple licks and experimenting with plucking area, plucking pressure, turning the volume up and playing softer, turning it down and playing harder, etc.
I was going to suggest bandaids or [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (sometimes called KT tape), because you can stretch and twist it as needed (and you can get some cool patterns), but this is a great suggestion. (My girlfriend has this in both black and pink flying skulls, and a pink camo pattern that looks kinda like bacon.)
In recent months I've begun working more upstrokes into my playing with a lot of emphasis on the index finger. A bit awkward at first, because our hand and forearm extensor muscles are not naturally conditioned for this, but it's surprising how fast they adapt. So essentially you're getting a double-picking action out of one finger. Obviously, you're also getting some nail on the upstroke, but you can mitigate that with tape or bandages. (I like the extra attack myself.) It also promotes economy of movement in the plucking hand. Just ease into it at first so that you don't strain yourself until your hand has had an opportunity to condition itself to the new approach.
One of the best posts ive read on here in a while.There is no end of technique discussion here and elsewhere. It is important.
Having said that lots of pros do things "wrong" and still sound great. What is important, is what you can do that is comfortable for you and sounds good to you.
Don't get hung up in exacting someone else's solution.
Your technique might end up being the YouTube video that makes someone else seem extremely pathetic and small.
I like the rock tape idea, i might give that a whirl.
Ya I've been strumming along to a part of a song "Blow your trumpets Gabriel" that is fast, but very simple, over and over again with my index finger. You are right about the nail. Its been tricky trying to create a consistent pluck, and not clip with my nail
Ya I've been strumming along to a part of a song "Blow your trumpets Gabriel" that is fast, but very simple, over and over again with my index finger. You are right about the nail. Its been tricky trying to create a consistent pluck, and not clip with my nail
As others have said: James Jamerson only used one finger.
Use it to your advantage
heck I often only use one finger, and I have full use over all of them!
Use it to your advantage
heck I often only use one finger, and I have full use over all of them!
Another inspiring example. If he can do it, none of us can complain about our limitations.
(Funny anecdote. That guy, Martin Deschamps, was once asked by a kid : «How can you possibly play bass with only 4 fingers?» To which he answered: «The less fingers, the easier it gets!»)
(Funny anecdote. That guy, Martin Deschamps, was once asked by a kid : «How can you possibly play bass with only 4 fingers?» To which he answered: «The less fingers, the easier it gets!»)
Ric5
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Watch videos of Geddy ... He mainly uses the index finger for plucking ... I thought I heard that he injured the middle finger and there is tendon damage ... not sure if that is true ...
Also learn to use a pick ... a pick can easily be controlled with one finger and a thumb ...
Check out Robbie Merrill from Godsmack. He has a hand condition that has affected his playing, and he uses fingerpicks and has developed a technique around it. Awesome bassist, too!
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
If you want to pluck with two fingers, try index and ring finger. I had to do that for a few weeks once when I damaged my middle finger. Only problem is that your middle finger sticks out, to which some people might take offense.
Check out any online videos of Remco Hendrix. That Brother has some skills with index/thumb. Great tone, funk, and talent! Granted he does use his other fingers as well sometimes, but mainly index/thumb.
Read the first page, not so much the second but I'd encourage at least two fingers to spread the load. You wouldn't want to get tendonitis on your plucking finger and then have no way to play the bass.
Bolophonic made a similar point.
Bolophonic made a similar point.
I have no finger damage but some severe wrist issues that mean I changed from fingers to entirely pick playing.
I can now play everything I used to play with fingers on a pick. I don't use the other three fingers.
I hurt my index in a snow blower - I know, I'm an idiot. Now I have no feeling at top of that finger and a messed up nail. In my case it helps playing as I like the nail as part of soind. Find what works for you and your unique sound might end up being something others struggle to emulate.
Oh, if you want to train yourself not to use a finger, put a splint on it so you can't use it while playing. My new bass teacher did this recently.
