Left hand - 1,2,4 / 1 finger per fret / whatever works?

[Maxra]

I'm a bass guitar beginner with 32" and 34" scale basses. I'm teaching myself (at least in the early stages), and I've just noticed (duh) that probably the best known 'classic' bass method I have starts with 1,2,4 fingering over 3 lower frets - so e.g. on the 4th strings open E / F 1st fret /G 3rd fret is fingered 0,1,4. It later introduces 1 finger per fret fingering as an 'alternative' system, which on those notes would be 0,1,3.

I get the impression that some more recent bass methods teach 1 finger per fret all over, with cello style hand pivoting from the left thumb when required to avoid over stretching in lower positions. Is that the case, and would I be better to use 1 finger per fret from the start? Thanks, Max

 

[Lobster11]

I think Scott Devine has it right when he says to use one-finger-per fret (OFPF) when you need it, but not when you don't.

Many of us use 1-2-4 fingering whenever possible on the first five or so frets, and OFPF only on higher frets.

 

[Andre678]

I think Scott Devine has it right when he says to use one-finger-per fret (OFPF) when you need it, but not when you don't.

Many of us use 1-2-4 fingering whenever possible on the first five or so frets, and OFPF only on higher frets.

I would agree with this advice. Even on my short scale I often use 1-2-4 fingering below the 5th position because it is comfy.

I would suggest though that even if you use something other than OFPF below the 5th position (or wherever you make the transition) you still practice your scales with OFPF everywhere on the neck. Having that muscle memory will come in handy for sure. Might not use it often but having the ability to OFPF in 1st position can be very very useful. If I have a song that requires OFPF in 1st position for more that a small riff or two I call that a short scale song. I cant play an entire song OFPF in that position without bugging my hands but a passage or two is just fine.

I hated my old teacher when he insisted on this but I thank him now all those years later. I switch to whatever fingering method fits the song but that muscle memory serves me very well when needed.

 

[micguy]

I have huge hands (the kind where finding gloves that even kind fit is a challenge), and even I don't use one finger per fret down low. Some of it is that I do a lot of octaves and fifths, so I'm shifting al the time to get those under my fingers, but it is also quite a stretch, even for those with hands like mine - I don't think there are many folks out there where it's ergonomic (or even close).

I play mostly without looking at the fretboard (I will, at times practice a whole set of music with my eyes closed), and if I try to do OFPF down low, the stretches can throw me off - I start getting sloppy with how my fingers are place w.r.t. the frets.

 

[Lobster11]

I don't think the biggest problem with using OPFP on the lowest frets is the spacing (and thus stretching) between them; I think it's the fact that, unless you have a ginormous wingspan, it's very difficult to do without severely bending your wrist.

 

[Maxra]

Thanks everybody, that all makes sense. Max

 

[chris_b]

Always use the most comfortable method. Never use any technique that someone else told you was the "right" way.

I use 1,2,4 everywhere, except when I need fast fingering up the dusty end. . . . which isn't often.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I think Scott Devine has it right when he says to use one-finger-per fret (OFPF) when you need it, but not when you don't.

Many of us use 1-2-4 fingering whenever possible on the first five or so frets, and OFPF only on higher frets.

Don’t do this at home class!

For most of my 50+ years of playing bass, for the most part I used 1-2-3 in a 5 fret box. About 5 years ago (age 66) recordings started to show I was late playing certain figures (the joy of getting old), I switched 1-2-4 for those passages. I still play 1-2-3 up the finger board for the most part . Unless there is a specific need, I don’t use OFPF unless it’s necessary. For me I don’t think it matters which I use , the important thing is to play as efficiently as possible.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I like the Bobby Vega approach: play what works best for you. Regardless of where I am on the fingerboard I seek the "path of least resistance". No need to wear myself out making playing harder. All techniques have value and the bigger the toolkit and the ability to utilize them, the better. Watch a clip of Duck Dunn. See how a legendary bass icon did it. Watch a Jaco clip. Same thing. Completely different technique. Better to have it and not need it than vice versa! Welcome to TalkBass!

BBB

 

[stringthrough]

1-2-3-4 when ideal and possible. 1-2-4 when acceptable and more comfortable. Whatever works for you as long as you can execute all that's needed from you.

 

[groooooove]

"whatever works"

but a few points..

standard cello technique is a relaxed hand with free use of all fingers. because of the ~27" string length and 5ths tuning, they often need to stretch (extension) to reach a major 3rd.

i think this idea - a relaxed position that extends, or stretches, as needed is a worthy pursuit.

for many situations 1 2 4, with the option of one finger per fret, is fine.

jaco more or less always played one finger per fret.

countless other greats more or less always used 1 2 4 or similar.

 

[Flatwound]

I think Scott Devine has it right when he says to use one-finger-per fret (OFPF) when you need it, but not when you don't.

Many of us use 1-2-4 fingering whenever possible on the first five or so frets, and OFPF only on higher frets.

I’m in the most bass-centric band I’ve ever been in (lots of Motown and “danceable” tunes) and some of these bass lines have been a challenge. A couple have 4-fret chromatic runs up or down. For me, those are 1-2-3-4 or 4-3-2-1, although I’ve seen people doing 1-2-2-4, sliding the second finger. For me, 1-2-3-4 on those runs is cleaner, but if you really wanted to, you could do them with one finger.

I do what’s easy for me, but I like being comfortable using all fingers when necessary.

 

[Wasnex]

I would say my hands are medium and I play 34" scale 6-string with a huge neck (Yamaha TRB6P). I started on upright using 1,2,4 (Simandl method). I continued with the same fingering system when I picked up bass guitar.

A few years into turning pro, it was becoming more and more clear that I would benefit from using one-finger-per-fret (OFPF). All of my formal training is on upright and I have never taken a lesson on bass guitar. I pretty much developed my own OFPF system. I would say I used OFPF more than 95% of the time on bass guitar.

I do concede that some repetitive minor patterns are overly taxing in lower positions, especially when the B string is involved. So I my revert back to Simandl finger when required, or use 4-fingers with micro-shifts...so it's no longer true OFPF.

I would prefer to stick with OFPF entirely, but unfortunately I sometimes find it necessary to switch. I feel that switching fingering systems imposes some degree of degradation on my playing proficiency, because different fretboard logic is required. OFPF is pretty automatic for me. If I stray from OFPF I may have to stop more to figure out how to play through a line. This is not acceptable when I am improvising, but it is generally not a problem because I don't tend to play a lot down low on B-string when improvising.

Whether OFPF is right for you is something you should answer for yourself. If you can use it safely and play fast, technically challenging music, it can be extremely beneficial. If you just play meat and potatoes bass, it's probably not worth the effort.

 

[sethlow3]

Definitely master both.
They both have a place all over the neck.
It all depends on what patterns you’re playing.
There are plenty of cases where 1-2-4 is perfect for a pattern on the lower frets and vice versa…etc…

Master both and you’ll have all of the flexibility in the fretting hand you could ever need to play any pattern.

James Jamerson’s Frankenstein exercise is a great way to master this. There are clips of it on YouTube. Best of luck.

 

[mrcbass]

Whatever works is the correct answer. I'd advise working one finger per fret as much as you can, but not to the point that it hurts or gets in the way of your playing. Shift a little if you have to in first position, but if you can get it done using a 1,2 4 - or even playing every note with your index finger - is fine if it allows you to get the job done.

 

[Killing Floor]

Everyone has different hands so it’s ok to adjust for your own reach and flexibility. I can palm a basketball and don’t mind using all fingers but I also change positions and honestly could work on my economy.

That said, I like to fret 1,3,4 so I can post up my middle finger because I’m so clever.

 

[Eminor3rd]

To me, it’s always “whatever works” when actually playing music, but you should for sure practice being OFPF. Because if you can do OFPF, you maximize your choices for optimizing your fingerings in real world situations.

 

[FunkyFlashFive]

I started on upright with 1-2-4 until hitting thumb position and moving to thumb-1-2-3, but for electric I've always found OFPF best and most comfortable for my big hands, and even on upright I'll cheat to it if it makes a passage smoother/easier. But, I have no problem at all if others want to do it differently.

 

[jtrom]

When I practice I use OFPF. I *never* play OFPF live.

*unless there's a lick that requires it... once every 3-5 years.

 

[Phormlyss]

I use OFPF on fretted because the frets give some leeway and I can remain relaxed even when doing a bit of a reach down low. On fretless my hands simply aren't large enough for me to intonate properly on the lower notes while maintaining OFPF so I tend to use 124 or 123 (whichever works) and transition to using 1 finger per note when it's feasible to do without sacrificing intonation.