I'm missing fingers...am I screwed?

[Jon_West]

Well thanks guys, it's very much appreciated, now a short follow up question... what should I am I NOT going to be able to do?

Don't think of it like that. Practice goes a long, long way.

 

[NoobOnRoad]

Grab a bass, I know a player that we call ''Tite main'' (Lil' hand) that play with only one finger because he can't use the others.

Here is him with his band.

 

[knumbskull]

should I am I NOT going to be able to do?

well, to state the obvious, fast 2-finger runs. BUT this is not something that is essential to good bass playing. over-fast picking often veers into 'showing off' territory, which can be a recipe for bored audiences...

out of interest, what kind of music do you play? ...keeping it simple is always a good thing IMO. i think most classic basslines can be played with one finger.

 

[Laklandlover]

... so you still have your index finger?

Then you should take a real good look at one of the best all-time bassists, James Jamerson.

He plays all those *sick* basslines with only his index finger.

+1 all you really need is a thumb and index finger. just listen to the "hook"!

 

[LilRay]

Well thanks guys, it's very much appreciated, now a short follow up question... what should I am I NOT going to be able to do?

You're not going to be able to do whatever your mind tells you that you can't.

Your mind is your only limitation

I have Cerebral Palsy and can't use anything but my index finger and thumb (due to the palsys affect on my right hand). I also cannot turn my right hand "palms up" for the same reason.

Though I'm no Jaco, or Wooten, I enjoy playing and I think I'm decent at it.

Improvise, Overcome and Adapt



God Bless, Ray

 

[Beginner Bass]

Look at the stickies. Who says you even need a right hand?

 

[warnergt]

Here's a local band where the bass player is missing an index finger:
Link Removed

He uses his thumb and middle finger.

 

[Archaeobass]

There has been a renaissance in "thumb leading" as well, by players like Damian Erskine. Look at some of his vids on right hand technique on Youtube. You can do a lot with just your thumb and and index finger, and you might end up with some sounds and grooves that are all your own.

 

[hdracer]

I too have problems with the fingers on my right hand and can not play finger style. I use a pick for the most part and thumb when I have to. Go for it & don't listen to the people that put down pick players.

 

[thombo]

bill clements kills it w/out a right hand.

 

[pica]

I haven't read all the posts so I don't know if this was mentioned. Maybe look for an instructor in your area who can help you learn to play the bass with your thumb and/or index finger.

 

[tekhedd]

You could also do guitar-finger-picking style thumb-index finger alternation when you want speed. This works great, and also allows for the possibility of palm mute (as if you were picking) which you can't do with classic finger-picking styles. (so, basically, you can do the equivalent of two-finger runs but it will come out slightly different)

You have a ton of options--go for it.

I honestly can't think of anything you can't do. Maybe that style where you alternate slapping with the thumb and pinky finger to get a high-speed slap technique. Not a technique I'd say you're really going to need every weekend...

 

[perkidan]

I believe Jack Bruce plucks mostly with one finger as well.

 

[Woofer]

Not a bassist, but you'd do well to look up Django Reinhardt. Hell of a jazz guitarist and he only had his index and middle finger on his left hand.

Never let anyone, even yourself, say you can't do it. Go get a bass and play the hell out of it.

 

[JimmyM]

if you want to do it badly enough, you will find a way. i used to know a dude who had one finger on each hand (thalidomide baby) and played bass pretty well.

 

[skwee]

Not a bassist, but you'd do well to look up Django Reinhardt. Hell of a jazz guitarist and he only had his index and middle finger on his left hand.

Never let anyone, even yourself, say you can't do it. Go get a bass and play the hell out of it.

Beat me to it.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

All the great bass players were great thinkers, the thought of great things to play. So yes you can play bass as all you are doing is putting into notes what you are thinking.
Technique will develop to allow you to do that, whether it is just thumb, thumb and finger, finger, pick, finger pick, thumb pick or any combination,,,,you will find a way.
Obviously there is physical damage to your hand, but that aside there is no reason not to, and no reason why not.

 

[Mr. Mig]

James Jamerson used one finger which was called "The Hook". Also, look into using a pick.

 

[electracoyote]

Jamerson, Geddy, Iommi, Django

The list of digitally-impaired and one-finger wonders and their contributions to music would fill a whole volume.

Just like everything else in your life, you need to keep the PMA and go for it. Where there's a will, there's a way.

 

[chokeslam512]

I saw a picture on here a few months back of a TB'er without any arms. I think you'll do fine.