Fingering for 8-5-2-1 pattern?

[major10th]

In walking jazz lines you often hear a descending ornamental figure that consists of the octave (8), fifth, second, to the root ( i.e. 8-5-2-1). I was wondering what you'd suggest for fingering? I've been playing it as 8th with the pinky, 5th and 2nd barred with the fourth finger and index finger for the root.

BTW, I've heard this figure described as "bucket-o-beans" because that what it sounds like when you play it.

 

[Skitch it!]

The most comfortable fluid way for me would be considered 'incorrect' in some instances but flows better imo.

Pinky - Octave
Ring - 5th
Mid - 2nd
Index - Root

It lends itself for me, but that may change depending on positioning, what I'm paying etc.

 

[onda'bass]

take the key in to consideration, that is just a rake of open string in G

 

[BassinCT]

...I've been playing it as 8th with the pinky, 5th and 2nd barred with the fourth finger and index finger for the root.

In lower positions I will use the barred approach, especially if I am ghosting any of the notes.

The most comfortable fluid way for me would be considered 'incorrect' in some instances but flows better imo.

Pinky - Octave
Ring - 5th
Mid - 2nd
Index - Root

I think this way works for clarity and is an efficient use of the fingers.

Whenever I am doing doodle practice to develop ideas, I will repeat an idea with different fingering options- sometimes one option simply feels better, sounds right and is easier to execute at different speeds. The solution will come to you.

 

[dvh]

The 8, 5, and 2 are stacked together so why not just use the pinky for those and move down to the one with your index finger?

 

[sammyp]

The most comfortable fluid way for me would be considered 'incorrect' in some instances but flows better imo.

Pinky - Octave
Ring - 5th
Mid - 2nd
Index - Root

It lends itself for me, but that may change depending on positioning, what I'm paying etc.

+1 me too!

 

[warnergt]

Use whatever works for you. In my case, for blues, I will
probably have my middle finger on the root. So I would play:
Pinky - Octave
Pinky - 5th
Pinky - 2nd
Mid - Root

 

[lowendfriend]

Personally, I'd go

8th Pinky
5th Pinky
2nd Ring
Root Index

 

[major10th]

Personally, I'd go

8th Pinky
5th Pinky
2nd Ring
Root Index

On a 4-string bass, i can roll the pinky from G to D-string, but if starting with the octave on the D-string I can't cleanly roll but would have to lift the pinky to go from 8 to 5. I think the last digit of my pinky is too short to easily roll from D-string to A-string.

 

[F Clef Groovist]

I'd do what skitch it said. The only other one i'd think of using is to bar the 8 5 and 2 with the ring finger then play the tonic with the first finger. However, none of this really matters. It all depends on what comes before this. If you where just in some higher position, this may influence your decision if the 8521 is down in first, and the inverse holds true. If you're that worried about it, play as many ways as you can, become versitile with it, and choose your favorite.