Fingering Hand Technique

[OptimalOptimus]

I work on that from time to time.

it isn’t bad to force a specific technique until it becomes second nature.
I can tell my playing is clearer and I can play faster with 2 or 3 finger alternating. So I work on that.

then you work on having all your finger equal in volume when you pluck and produce the same kind of tone.

the teacher only tries to make you better

 

[SteveCS]

We're miscommunicating.
...
You just have to realize where a technique works, and use it there, but not where it gets in the way.

My point is that you develop technique to assist in the art, not as an end in itself.

Yes, understood, and I think we are saying the same thing: Music is the goal, not shoe-horning the music into a given technique for no purpose other than to claim the dogmatic application of the technique.

 

[micguy]

Yes, understood, and I think we are saying the same thing: Music is the goal, not shoe-horning the music into a given technique for no purpose other than to claim the dogmatic application of the technique.

We agree. I'm not sure that is allowed on the internet. We should stop now before they catch us.

 

[SteveCS]

We agree. I'm not sure that is allowed on the internet. We should stop now before they catch us.

 

[mrperkolator]

Why don't you take lessons with an acomplished bassist? Did your guitar player teacher hear about raking? Does he dislike James Jamerson's playing?

IMHO, a good musician can learn from anyone, so taking lessons from a guitarists may teach him things a bassist couldn't. Different perspective and all. If I had more money than time, I'd learn flamenco on classical guitar just to learn that hand technique and bring it to my bass playing.

I've been surrounded by musicians my entire life. When selecting a teacher, be aware of their strength's and weaknesses. Learn everything you can from them, and then get another teacher. My brother had a guitar teacher that was extremely skilled technically, but couldn't improvise to save his life. My brother also had a teacher that was the opposite. Now he's better than both of them.

@The Legend just be aware of his strengths. Learn them, and then find another teacher. No sense in getting upset or bringing out the pitchforks. Learn everything you can and gracefully move on.

 

[Lobster11]

We agree. I'm not sure that is allowed on the internet. We should stop now before they catch us.

Too late -- reported for violation of TB policy.

 

[DanGroove]

Not the first post on this topic, but here goes.

My bass instructor (an accomplished guitarist) insists that I must alternate fingers and never use the index finger consecutively. I can use my index, middle and ring finger but never use them twice in a row.

I will have to undo 10 years of training which I am not keen on doing, especially at my age. Will it be worth retraining myself? What say you?

This is absurd. Do what feels right. You need to be ABLE to alternate fingers for faster passages, but there is absolutely nothing wrong using the index finger repeatedly. It may even give you a more consistent attack for some passages. Try telling your guitar instructor that's teaching you bass (what's up with that?) that the guitar should always be played with alternating pick strokes and never two downstrokes in a row.

Edit: Wanted to add, if he is telling you to do this as an EXERCISE and follow that rule for the purpose of the exercise then yes it's totally valid. But if he is suggesting that it is the only way you should ever play bass, it is just as ridiculous as saying you should always play the 1 finger per fret method and never deviate.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Not the first post on this topic, but here goes.

My bass instructor (an accomplished guitarist) insists that I must alternate fingers and never use the index finger consecutively. I can use my index, middle and ring finger but never use them twice in a row.

I will have to undo 10 years of training which I am not keen on doing, especially at my age. Will it be worth retraining myself? What say you?

I use my index finger for consecutive notes on occasion. Hope the technique police don't find out about this!

 

[Ric5]

Not the first post on this topic, but here goes.

My bass instructor (an accomplished guitarist) insists that I must alternate fingers and never use the index finger consecutively. I can use my index, middle and ring finger but never use them twice in a row.

I will have to undo 10 years of training which I am not keen on doing, especially at my age. Will it be worth retraining myself? What say you?

Learn to use one finger, then 2, then 3, learn to thumb pluck, learn to slap, learn to use a pick, learn tapping, learn to use the Entwistle typewriter method, learn to use the tony Levin Funk Fingers, learn Geddy's flamenco technique, palm muting, foam muting, and then go out and seek a few more method of playing bass ... then use the technique that suits you and suits the song.

 

[fhm555]

My only personal experience with retraining my right hand came when I lost use of my right middle finger while it healed after having a cyst removed from the middle knuckle. I was playing a lot so I went right to work using my index and ring fingers. It was surprisingly easy and took less than a week to adapt.
As for plucking with the same finger twice? I’m eat up with that little bit of self taught technique.

 

[Les Fret]

or check out the first minute of this. Forget only needing 4 strings - Jaco only needed one finger!

No way he could play Teentown or River People with one finger though......

 

[Rabidhamster]

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Not the first post on this topic, but here goes.

My bass instructor (an accomplished guitarist) insists that I must alternate fingers and never use the index finger consecutively. I can use my index, middle and ring finger but never use them twice in a row.

I will have to undo 10 years of training which I am not keen on doing, especially at my age. Will it be worth retraining myself? What say you?

I think it makes you faster & more efficient, I'l ask my GF! prevents you from fumbling over yourself on tricky lines wth lots of skipping.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Sometimes I press the tip of my thumb and index finger together and use the index finger nail like a pick.

This works and sounds great - but not for upstrokes!

 

[legalbass]

The sole purpose of practice is preparation for performance. If you don't plan to perform how you practice then what is the point of practice?

Sorry, but wrong. Performance is NOT by any stretch the "sole purpose" of practice. Musical improvement is, be it in anticipation for permance or otherwise.

The mindset that performance is the sole legitimate goal of practie is how we've ended up with dozens of social media "teachers" who offer tricks and hacks and other nonsense in lieu of actual musical education.

 

[mrcbass]

Plucking technique is one of the things that some people get all uptight about. Known techniques (2 finger, 3 finger, thumb, anchored thumb, floating thumb, etc) are all just guidelines to help us know what works well for others. There is nothing "never" or "always" about them. The reason it is recommended to always alternate is to get muscle memory working - sometimes, the fingers will get tied up over a certain line and if your plucking is not automatic, it can be troublesome. But for me, never say never.

It is very widely accepted that the 2 finger method is one of the most efficient methods. But even within that method there is the option to rake (use the same finger) when moving up a string. So even within the confines of the 2 finger "formal" technique there is room for using one finger consecutively.

Bottom line is: Whatever it takes for YOU to get the job done is right. It may be harder than it has to be, but if it works it works.

That said, I learned to play with a one finger approach and have worked hard over the last several years to integrate 2 finger plucking into my playing because it does allow for more speed. I rarely exclusively use 2 fingers - I just let them do what it takes to play the line.

Yes converting to a new plucking method is brutal if you've locked into something else. If you don't use two finger a lot, I'd advise to try to work with your instructor and try to integrate it more. But if you're happy with your playing the way you do it, I wouldn't conform to his "always" demands.

 

[SteveCS]

...
The mindset that performance is the sole legitimate goal of practie is how we've ended up with dozens of social media "teachers" who offer tricks and hacks and other nonsense in lieu of actual musical education.

Perhaps there was an overload of hyperbole in my post, but I honestly don't wee the correlation you are making here. Maybe I'm an old-school dinosuar - I certainly don't get excited by or place much store in any of the social media teachers to which you refer, probably for the same reasons as you. Shortcuts, tricks, novelties and the like don't really go the distance, IME. But practice to improve in order that better performances may be given seems like a reasonable trajectory to me.

 

[Grinderman]

Not the first post on this topic, but here goes.

My bass instructor (an accomplished guitarist) insists that I must alternate fingers and never use the index finger consecutively. I can use my index, middle and ring finger but never use them twice in a row.

I will have to undo 10 years of training which I am not keen on doing, especially at my age. Will it be worth retraining myself? What say you?

I don't know if this is a direct quote or accurate paraphrase but here's a problem I see.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Not the first post on this topic, but here goes.

My bass instructor (an accomplished guitarist) insists that I must alternate fingers and never use the index finger consecutively. I can use my index, middle and ring finger but never use them twice in a row.

I will have to undo 10 years of training which I am not keen on doing, especially at my age. Will it be worth retraining myself? What say you?

I alternate my index and middle fingers except when raking. It takes an inordinate amount of practice to make your notes sound equal (volume and tone) switching from finger to finger.

Being honest, unless you can’t “get the notes out”, you are probably already doing well as a player. If you want to improve, and there is nothing wrong with that, find a qualified bass instructor armed with clear stated goals and expectations.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

You're asking advice from a guitar player?

Rule #1, there are no rules.

Next thing is he's going to say you can't use your thumb or double thump!

Run away!