Fretting fingering?

[Hambone 70]

OK, so it seems there's two schools of thought regarding fretting fingering. There's the one-finger-per-fret crowd (1-2-3-4), and the 3-finger people (1-2-4). (I reckon there's another group - the 1-thumb-per-fret punk crowd! Just kidding...)

The Ed Friedland book I'm working through promotes the 1-2-4 fingering, while the online StudyBass course pushes 1-2-3-4.

I see a huge benefit in 1-2-3-4 fingering. I can cover 2 octaves on a 5-string without changing hand positions. It makes sight reading easier for me, too. To me, using 3 fingers is like telling a keyboard player that he can't use his ring finger.

I can also see benefits in using both positions. For me, it's tough to use 1-2-3-4 near the nut, where the frets are further apart. So, perhaps a hybrid approach is best. Perhaps even occasionally wrapping the thumb around has its merits.

Comments, suggestions, experience, ideas regarding the two techniques?

 

[RustyAxe]

I simply use whatever fingering allows me to get from where I am to where I want to be. Never think about it much, if ever. I'd have to say that I predominantly use 1-2-4.

 

[fearceol]

For me, it's tough to use 1-2-3-4 near the nut, where the frets are further apart.

This is the hub of the issue. Most people are not against OFPF....above the fifth one. However, even seasoned players find the stretch is too much lower down. Granted, some don't have any trouble. If you are in the latter camp...great. If it's the former then it's best to stick to 1,2,4 on the lower frets.

 

[Ninevolt]

I find 1-2-4 easier (not painful) on my hand from the 1st to 5th fret.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I simply use whatever fingering allows me to get from where I am to where I want to be. Never think about it much, if ever. I'd have to say that I predominantly use 1-2-4.

Yes, what ever works even sliding if necessary. I probably think 1-2-3-4 as I am a slave to the major scale box pattern, however, playing a 1-2-3-4 depends where on the neck I am. I do tend to use the index for the root, instead of the middle.

Hambone, for what it is worth.... Learn one of them first; either one you like the best. After you have that in muscle memory I think you will just get there and not be aware of which finger did what.

 

[Hambone 70]

Thanks for the comments!

I'm liking the consistency of 1-2-3-4, which is one reason I'm moving over to a short-scale fiver.

 

[Chicory Blue]

At present, I'll rapidly change my approach depending on the style of playing to whatever feels natural at the time and suits the thing I need to play. A more technical part usually gets the 1-2-3-4, while a more expressive part tends to find me unconsciously omitting my pinky and sliding to the far notes with my ring finger. This is principally because I am an undisciplined heathen with bad technique, but still sounds pretty nice.

--^@

 

[40Hz]

All depends on the scale, neck profile, radius, height of the action, gauge of the strings and the size of your hands.

Best bet is to become familiar with both methods, and switch back and forth as needed or most comfortable for you. After awhile it becomes automatic and you do it without even thinking. Kinda like flipping the turn signal when you're driving. You don't think about it, or look for it. You just flip it on when you need it.

 

[fearceol]

 

[Hambone 70]

Great explanation!

So use 1-2-3-4 only when needed.

 

[Andre678]

Like a few others have said here using a hybrid method often works best. Just staying within whatever is comfortable. I must say though that one of my favourite thing about playing my short scale is being able to use OFPF fingering even in first position. On my usual 34" scale bass I will often use 1-2-4 fingering lower on the neck. I also switch up pinky and ring finger usage anywhere on the neck to keep things comfy and sometimes not tire out one single finger during a repetitive song

 

[Hambone 70]

I must say though that one of my favourite thing about playing my short scale is being able to use OFPF fingering even in first position.

I like this idea, especially for sight reading. It's good to be able to play the entire scale without moving hand positions.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I've always been a 1-2-3-4 guy.
It just feels natural to me.
I don't have to think about it.
Using the left hand pinky also helps in tapping.

 

[okcrum]

This looks like a bunch of silliness to me. My left wrist and elbow do not flop around like that when I switch fingerings. I play 1-2-3-4 on the whole neck, except for the times I don't. In contrast to this guy, I usually play a 5 fret span in position (with stretches).

This is a solution in search of a problem. Learn technique that you can play comfortably. 1-2-4 comes from DB (the Simandl method) and can help those with small hands on EB.

It helps to stretch the fascia in the palms, as well. Try to make your thumb and pinky point in opposite directions as an exercise, unless you already play keyboards.

 

[StatesideRambler]

The key concept is to be in a relaxed physical state while playing.

The 1-2-4 comes from playing the upright bass where the longer scale means greater distances between fingered notes than on a bass guitar. Omitting the ring (3) finger lets you play more relaxed and helps your intonation. When you're playing tight you won't consistently hit your pitch and your groove will be in trouble. 1-2-3-4 has been a convenience for bass guitar players due to the shorter physical distances between notes; once you're a little way up the neck, that is. The first several frets on a 34" to 36" scale are a stretch for those of us without fingers like tentacles. Again, though, you need to play relaxed. So should the longer distances between lower notes dictate how you finger the higher notes? Dave Marks in his video (linked above) says it should when you're playing a three fret span but he advocates using 1-2-3-4 when you play a four fret span.

So it's not "either/or" but what works well for playing relaxed.

 

[HandsFree]

I'm sure that everyone that used 1-2-4 switches to 1-2-3-4 somewhere on the neck. For me it's around 9th fret, because that's where my fingers fall naturally over 4 frets, unless a chromatic phrase really needs 1-2-3-4 (it happens).

It will be different for everyone, but... having your hand in a permanent stretch just to avoid moving is definitely a bad idea.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

If I play a series of 3 notes chromatically below the 9th fret, I use 1,2,4. For everything else, 1,2,3,4.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Practice what's most difficult.
Play with what's least difficult.

 

[okcrum]

I'm sure that everyone that used 1-2-4 switches to 1-2-3-4 somewhere on the neck. For me it's around 9th fret, because that's where my fingers fall naturally over 4 frets, unless a chromatic phrase really needs 1-2-3-4 (it happens).

It will be different for everyone, but... having your hand in a permanent stretch just to avoid moving is definitely a bad idea.

The idea is that the stretch is not held. It's only used to reach for a note. You see a number of players using this technique, especially up the neck where you can span more frets, because it's faster than two position changes (there & back). The thumb needs to be flexible to be good at this since it rotates a bit. You'll also see the wrist turn slightly.

The most extreme example I've seen is Jaco's left hand, but if you watch carefully, you'll see other players do it.

EDIT: The Jon Liebman ad currently running in my TB shows just such a stretch

 

[carldogs]

As was said to use both, if I'm practicing scales or finger exercises i always use 1 finger per fret but during a gig i will play basically 4 fingers over 3 frets and pivot a bit with my thumb, Much more relaxing, if I'm playing walking lines I'll probably use 1 finger per fret for those. From about the 5th fret I'm using 1 finger per fret, i don't have very big hands but i find practicing slowly and learning to keep your hands and fingers relaxed makes covering bigger areas easy, tension and hurting muscles is a real enemy, when your hands and fingers start to clench it really hinders movement. The pinky takes a long time to strengthen and not collapse on the fret board so give it time and the 3rd finger can even take longer. Good luck with the practice