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finger style question...
- Thread starter rpt50
- Start date
I've never thought much about it. Honestly, for me, the fingers I use depend on a number of things, not the least of which involves what has to be muted while a string is plucked. Just play with a mind to making it sound good and you will work it out instinctively.
I would actually suggest practicing a certain amount of time with one finger only. James Jamerson, Geddy Lee, and Tim Commerford all do it to varying degrees for the tone and feel. Upright players do it in jazz a lot of the time when they do walking bass lines.
Then, spend about the equal time on two fingers. Index-middle.
Then, try three.
Index-middle-ring-middle.
You should be able to do all three of these eventually after years of practice either way, but this will narrow the focus and get you used to the feel of each early and often. They all three have advantages.
Drummers kind of think this way as well with their two sticks and two feet. There is really no reason to only stick to one. Do all three and other techniques!
Then, spend about the equal time on two fingers. Index-middle.
Then, try three.
Index-middle-ring-middle.
You should be able to do all three of these eventually after years of practice either way, but this will narrow the focus and get you used to the feel of each early and often. They all three have advantages.
Drummers kind of think this way as well with their two sticks and two feet. There is really no reason to only stick to one. Do all three and other techniques!
Ha ha fortunately the drummer in the band where we are doing this tends to do the opposite--slow down during the song, which actually helps a lot. The slowing might be age-related, as I'm the "young pup" in the band at 60. But yes it is relentless! Because I'm a guitarist since childhood I don't have any problems playing it with a pick, but it is more difficult with fingers, and right now I can't really do it using strict alternation. I think it sounds better with fingers, even though I believe the original is with a pick.
At about 2:30, he shows you slower how to rake. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OM2RvVyWr-w
Raking does not alternate, and yet many players know that this is one of the most valuable techniques in the fingerstyle arsenal. Start slow and commit to it and you’ll do things faster than you expect.
Raking does not alternate, and yet many players know that this is one of the most valuable techniques in the fingerstyle arsenal. Start slow and commit to it and you’ll do things faster than you expect.
when i first started out, this image stayed with me for a longtime....
I'm all over the map because I use floating thumb and my index and middle fingers are different lengths.
Riis
Riis
I believe that 100% but also learning to do the gallop has really opened up a lot of doors with my right hand technique. Practicing those quick bursts of 3 either as a gallop or doing triplets in songs like "Murmaider" by Dethklok have made me a way better fingerstyle metal/rock bassist.
The advice to do "whatever works" is just the lazy way out. Work on your alternate fingering. You will be glad you did.
Opinion
There’s no single correct way to play a bass guitar.
That said, it will serve you well to learn to play with all fingers and your thumb. Just as you should learn to fret with all fingers and if needed, your thumb.
You’ll end up with some techniques that are stronger and that’s fine. But since you’re learning you ought to work on each finger for timing and technique.
There’s no single correct way to play a bass guitar.
That said, it will serve you well to learn to play with all fingers and your thumb. Just as you should learn to fret with all fingers and if needed, your thumb.
You’ll end up with some techniques that are stronger and that’s fine. But since you’re learning you ought to work on each finger for timing and technique.
Watch some videos of great drummers.
You’ll note that they use a variety of sticking patterns.
When it comes to bass, you should work on developing the ability to use a variety of patterns involving one or both fingers. Occasionally throwing in a third finger or thumb as well!
I used to alternate fingers until I got trigger finger on my middle finger and had to have surgery. Not wanting to cancel any gigs, I started to use my index finger and found it very easy to adapt. Now, I pretty much use one finger unless it’s something like a fast shuffle.
I'm sure this won't help much, but........both? I go with what works best and then practice something completely different to keep it fresh.
In my early years I spent weeks and months working on alternating fingering, and it has served Well for over 50 year of playing bass. My advice is to put in the time. Work slow and methodical. You will get there.
Didn’t McCartney play that with a pick?
As someone that is self-taught, I can’t urge you strongly enough to find a respected bassist in your area and get yourself lessons for some period. There are so many ways of doing things wrong because they feel easy to learn, but ultimately those techniques make everything harder, unless you keep your repertoire to simple pieces.
There are reasons why you would want to strictly alternate but there are reasons why you wouldn’t. A teacher can help you with the rationale for different techniques and will allow you to grow.
Unfortunately, we frequently don’t recognize the bad habits until they are ingrained and very difficult or impossible to change.
I was a kid in high school, so I couldn’t afford lessons. Now in my 60s and a casual player I don’t have the drive to sit and practice every day. You are at a perfect time to learn and practice good technique.
My 2 cents. Good luck.
As others have said, I'd suggest practicing on the alternating. I'd also add to start practicing the raking technique when descending strings. I Saw Her Standing There would actually be a good song to practice with that technique because each repetition through the main phrase will have your fingers starting off on the other finger so you'd be practicing starting on both your index and the middle finger.
For instance, the phrase would start like this: I M I I M M I M
The second repetition using the rake technique would then be: M I M M I I M I
For instance, the phrase would start like this: I M I I M M I M
The second repetition using the rake technique would then be: M I M M I I M I
