Fretting Technique

[Magthegrate]

For the most part, I find myself fretting the strings almost as one would a guitar, using the pad of each finger, on each string as I need it. However, I think that this technique is really starting to get in my way and slowing me down, and looks like my hand is some sort of weird alien spider.

I've tried to fret strings with my whole finger, like a barre chord, and this works well as a muting technique for me, but while I'm able to fret the A string while my finger pad is still on the E string, I seem to be unable to do so on the D and G strings. I'll either get a ghost note or ugly rattling.

I know the problem is that I'm not getting enough force on those strings. Is this just a strength thing? Or is it a technique thing? I think that I have pretty decent grip strength. Are there exercises anyone knows to strengthen that part of my fingers?

 

[Mushroo]

If you'd like to post a video or photo of your technique, I'm sure you'll get lots of helpful tips.

My general recommendations are to take some lessons with a good teacher and/or go on YouTube and study the technique of pro players. Most bass lines are played one note at a time, using the tip or pad of the finger. It's true that lightly touching the unplayed strings is a good technique that mutes them from ringing out, but you don't need to press the strings all the way down to the fret. You just need to gently rest your finger on the unplayed string(s). Also it is fine to reposition your unused fingers so your hand is in a comfortable and strong position to support the fretting finger. You do not need to fret notes that you aren't playing, and you definitely don't need to splay your hand out like a "weird alien spider."

For example here is John McVie of Fleetwood Mac. Notice how his 3rd and 4th fingers are gently barred across the strings to mute them from ringing out, his wrist is straight, and he is not making crazy spider legs with his fingers

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One specific suggestion I can make from experience: You use the words "grip strength" and "force" but that is the wrong approach in my opinion. Amplified electric bass is one of the physically easiest to play of any instrument. The amount of force it takes to fret a bass guitar string is tiny, about the same it takes to type on a computer keyboard. Make sure your bass has the right set of strings for you and is set up with comfortable action. Turn up your amp and practice playing with a lighter touch. I think you will be happy with the results.

 

[Magthegrate]

Thanks for the feedback. That picture is about what I'm trying to aim for in how my hand looks. I had a teacher for a while who espoused the "one finger per fret" technique, and I think when I'm trying to do that is when I get the weird alien spider hands.

I do know that I keep my thumb more parallel to the neck instead of opposite my middle finger, but after many years of typing on a computer in my previous day job, that is the most comfortable position for my old arthritic hands.

My setup is as low as I can get it without fret buzz, on multiple basses. "Grip Strength" and "force" are probably to strong of terms. I'm not breaking a sweat or getting hand cramps or anything, I think I'm just not getting enough downward push if I'm trying to barre with my finger.

Potentially the answer is that I need to just shift more instead of trying to keep one finger per fret.

Again, Thanks for the feedback!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

As we are all different let one finger per fret be a starting point, but, if you need to slide, do so.

If you are using the meaty part of your finger, the pad, instead of the tip, this does tend to move everything where it should be, i.e. your wrist is in a natural angle and you do not get those spider leg finger positions.

Still use the one finger per fret thing, but, with the pad of the finger, i.e. don't try to barre the note you need and see if this will do the trick.

 

[fearceol]

I had a teacher for a while who espoused the "one finger per fret" technique, and I think when I'm trying to do that is when I get the weird alien spider hands.

The OFPF technique is a great one..BUT...it can be too much of a reach for some people on the lower (1-5) frets. The answer is to use the ring and pinky together here. Use the thumb as a pivot to move the entire hand to where the fingers are required.

Here is a clip worth checking out :

 

[Spin Doctor]

For the most part, I find myself fretting the strings almost as one would a guitar, using the pad of each finger, on each string as I need it. However, I think that this technique is really starting to get in my way and slowing me down, and looks like my hand is some sort of weird alien spider.

I've tried to fret strings with my whole finger, like a barre chord, and this works well as a muting technique for me, but while I'm able to fret the A string while my finger pad is still on the E string, I seem to be unable to do so on the D and G strings. I'll either get a ghost note or ugly rattling.

I know the problem is that I'm not getting enough force on those strings. Is this just a strength thing? Or is it a technique thing? I think that I have pretty decent grip strength. Are there exercises anyone knows to strengthen that part of my fingers?

This short video may give you a few things to be aware of. You also mentioned that your action is as low as you can get it. In my experience, very low actions make it harder to play, not easier. Muting becomes a problem (as you noticed) because you don't get good contact with your muting fingers. Also for me, low actions make my fretting less precise and it dampens the singing tone of the instrument because the strings don't have space to ring out.

There are valid applications for low action, like slapping and playing with that "clank and gank" style of funk, but in the main, low action isn't the huge advantage people like to think it is. The pressure you need to fret even a somewhat high action is minimal, if you are precise in how you place your fingers.

Not sure why you'd need to barre the strings with one finger, but everyone is different.