Double Bass Left hand finger position

[Mr.Phil]

Hi everyone, I could use a little help. I have played double for about 8 years and have become more serious in my music study as of late. I was taught exclusively by my orchestra directors (piano players) throughout middle and highschool, that when your left hand is on the fingerboard, the 2nd and 3rd fingers should sit next to (touching) eachother and often times work together. The first and third were then extended a half step above and below. So on the "G" string you would have 1st finger A 2nd/3rd finger Bb 4th finger B. So scales would work like this, lets say C on the "A" string would be held down by the 2nd and 3rd then open "D" string then 1st finger E 2nd and 3rd hold down F etc. I just started taking lessons and apparently, they were incorrect or out of date in this understanding. The 2nd and the 3rd should not do this. I am having an extrememly difficult time breaking this habbit and making them work indepently. Any practice ideas? Thanks!
-Phil

 

[damonsmith]

Out of date is subjective. I have had some teachers say to do that and some not. The great new music soloist Joëlle Léandre rubberbanded my middle and ring fingers together at a lesson!
When I get conflicting information from legit sources I learn both and decide for my self.

 

[jallenbass]

IMO the 2nd and 3rd finger should be close together but the 2nd finger plays the Bb.

 

[damonsmith]

IMO the 2nd and 3rd finger should be close together but the 2nd finger plays the Bb.

Like I said there are a few legit opinons on this, learn them all and decide for yourself.

 

[Cfederle]

Personally I don't worry that much about the placement of third finger when I am playing in the lower positions. To me placing the 2nd and 3rd right next to each other creates a unnatural handshape and would me down.

As for a good technical drill I would try something like Max's Magic slowly (all in one position play 1-2-4-2-1-4-2-4)

 

[Mr.Phil]

Thanks everyone, I actually think I have it down - and it does make more sense in terms of speed. Well back to practicing, I have to burn this into my brain while I still get it. Thanks!

 

[jtlownds]

Using the 1-3-4 fingering is NOT wrong, just different from what most players today are using. Since that fingering is all ready ingrained in your playing, you might consider getting an instructor who teaches from the Billie method. There are a lot of us around that use that fingering.