Missing Index Finger

Check this TB thread about Chuck Rainey's "1 finger back & forth plucking technique."
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/any...-finger-back-forth-plucking-technique.103906/

Have you tried "Thumb - Middle" fingering (not as Slapping but as Guitar Fingerstyle)?

 

You could even bring in the pinky for some three finger technique. It will be difficult at first, but you will have one hell of a strong pinky.

 

I'll take a few pictures of my right hand while using the "2-finger"/"Thumb-Middle" fingering (No Slap/fingerstyle guitar).

NO TRIPLETS, NO RING FINGER!

I use it on the same string, even on the same note for the 16th or 32nd notes, etc...
It's very comfortable. And it produces a powerful tone, not like Chuck's technique.
It's like playing with a pick - Down/Up or Up/Down/Thumb down and Middle up.

Also, I use it when crossing the strings.
Let's say, I can play faster the following 16th note riff by using the "Thumb-Middle" fingering than any other fingering combination.

 

Gary Willis technique, use all your remaining digits.

Even though the pinky is shorter, it shouldn't matter if you adopt Willis' hand position and technique.





http://www.talkbass.com/threads/gary-willis-right-hand-technique.114386/



http://garywillis.com/pages/lessons/rh1.html

OPEN

Used for octaves & 7ths,
1 chord groove playing

CLOSED

Used more for linear playing,
adjacent notes & soloing



Were I you, I'd also practice: thumb middle ring middle thumb middle ring middle etc.

My fiddler friend showed me his thumb index (thumb middle for you of course) pizz technique, all thumb downstrokes and finger upstrokes alternating between thumb and finger, and he's freakin' fast! I believe this is the technique WhoUsedToPlay is describing.


Hit the woodshed, you'll get there, mate!

 

Yes, you are correct with a few notes:
The one and only Gary Willis perfected that technique, as an amateur, I've just dabbled a little.

Also, I dabbled a little bit with a mixture of Chuck Rainey's "1-finger up and down technique and Gary Willis' technique.
What I mean is:
My thumb is plucking/going down and up - like a pick - let's say, D on the A string simultaneously with my Index finger plucking/going down and up - like a pick - D (or C) on the G string.
My left hand is doing the muting, but sorry I've digressed.

 

If you find it, be sure to let us know. Maybe you can file a report at your local police station.






I'm sorry, dude. The possibilities are virtually endless when you really start thinkin' about it. How'd you lose it, if you don't mind someone asking, that is? Is it work-related, or maybe an ex-girlfriend? Them there snappers can get pretty vicious.

 

Do you have full functionality and range of motion in your remaining fingers?
If so, and I'm not trying to be flippant here, all you lack is practice.
Two finger technique works with any two fingers with enough practice.

 

Use your thumb like a pick! I do that a lot cause I dislocated some fingers and had to do it for about a year.
Also check out Mick's picks. They're much thicker than even the extra heavy guitar picks and I find them to have a very natural sound

 

I'm pretty sure Jerry Garcia (R.I.P) was missing part of his index finger. Godspeed

 

I'm missing the tip of my right middle finger, I pick index/ring. maybe you could go middle/ring?

 

I prefer to play finger style, but sometimes come across something that sounds better with a pick. I push the tip of my thumb into the pad of my index finger (as if I'm holding an imaginary pick) and use the tip of my index finger as a kind of pseudo-pick. You can do the same thing with the middle finger.

 

I do not see it as a problem. Use what you got.
Take Bill Clements for example.... no right arm. He does pretty good I'd say.



You just need to put the hours in and develop your technique. Just like everyone else... no matter how many fingers.
Then you will be able to do anything you want, with no limits.

 

If your remaining fingers are fully functional there's no reason you can't get up to speed. Just have to put the time in to work the muscles.

 

I agree with the others who said 2 finger technique shouldn't be limiting you to that extent, certainly 120bpm on a single string should be attainable
I dont know if using the different fingers makes much difference but i'd say probably not

Make sure to keep your hand as relaxed as possible, use small movements. Maybe start out near the bridge so there is less string movement to worry about

IMO it would require less practice learning to use 2 finger technique well enough than learning some other technique from scratch

 

Using the pinky is hard, but it's doable if you keep at it, and you should be able to pull faster than this piece by a fair margin.