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How much do you use your pinky?

#64
I've got monster hands, so I can EASILY stretch 5, even 6 frets if need be.

However, my middle finger is my least used fingers, with my index and ring finger coming in for first, pinky for 2nd and middle for... well... if you dont like the guitarist... it becomes a great tool!
 
#65
Warwick19 said:
If you're going to neglect something it HAS to be the third finger. The pinky is very important. Note that no double bass players use their third finger. I realise that we're talking electric bass but as far as i'm concerned that is proper technique. Ring finger is for guitarists, we have further to stretch and it takes less effort to use your pinky than it does your ring. Not to mention the fact that your ring finger is attached to your middle finger in a very awkward fashion.
Click to expand...

No. The Italian fingering system uses the third finger over the second finger. Simandle uses the third finger in thumb position. Many modern systems use the third finger below the thumb position also. Any decent technique for electric bass will also use the third finger.

That's not to say that the original poster's system doesn't sound really bad, but you definitely want to use all four fingers.

Charic, you should get a good (i.e. pro jazz musician) instructor.
 
#67
My first lessons were from an URB player-- he wouldn't let me use my 3rd (ring) finger unless it was to help the pinky. I got used to the technique and now have a terrible time using my 3rd finger for anything other than simple runs or licks, on electric anyway. But I kick ass on URB. ;)
 
#69
justBrian said:
My first lessons were from an URB player-- he wouldn't let me use my 3rd (ring) finger unless it was to help the pinky. I got used to the technique and now have a terrible time using my 3rd finger for anything other than simple runs or licks, on electric anyway. But I kick ass on URB. ;)
Click to expand...

My instructor is teaching me some stuff out of Bass Method. They say to use the 1-2-4 method. =/

He said it's because back in the day electronics were crappy, so you had to pluck the strings harder to be heard, and that meant higher action. These days you don't have to, so 1-2-3-4 is better.

The_More_You_Know.jpg
 
#70
If you are learning a classical string bass method, everything is done in positions, a position is only 3 half steps so all the fingerings are 1, 2, and 4 (with the 3rd finger helping for strength). I learned on electric first then DB so in the symphonies i have played in, I freak out all the violinists, and cellists by using all 4 fingers and having a free floating thumb cuz i dont use positions :eek: . Kinda funny how these classical players with all these gnarly chops cant think outside of a 300 year old idea of how to apply fingerings.:rollno:
 
#73
I've got small hands, and origonally when i first started it was hard for me to make 4-6 fret jumps. i developed a problem where i was using my ring finger way too much and i tried to focus on using my pinky, since then i've begun to use my pinky A LOT! almost starting to think i use it too much lol!
 
#74
I use my pinky a lot. I finger 1 - 2 - 4 in the lower positions and shift to finger per fret above the fifth fret. This comes from switching back and forth from DB to bass guitar a couple of times.

It seems I tend to use finger per fret in the lower positions if I'm playing in minor keys.

I don't know if any of this is considered proper, but it's comfortable for me.
 

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