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one finger per fret--epiphany

A.Diva

A.Diva

Dec 31, 2008
122
4
Houston, TX
#1
Hopefully.

Okay, I think I understand now, but please correct me if I'm wrong. (and don't laugh :mad:)

"One finger per fret" doesn't mean that I literally need to be able to touch 4 separate frets all at once, correct? That's crazy talk. :confused:

So to me that means, for example, if I'm working on an exercise and I'm told to begin on fret 3 on the E string, I will always use my index finger there. Then my middle finger on the next fret, then my ring finger, and then my pinky.

Am I in the ballpark? :hmm:
 
#3
I don't know of anyone that can use it in the first 5 positions without shifting. That would require some massive hands or a very short scale bass.

Then again I don't advocate using it that low on the neck anyway, but maybe that's for another thread?
 
#5
I'm not sure if I agree with the "you have to touch all frets at once". How many basslines do you play that requires all four fingers to fret four consecutive frets simultaneously? I've certainly never come across any in 12 or so years of playing.

I can understand this working for guitar, I've often found it useful for both playing and teaching guitar, especially as it's a requirement for certain chords, but not bass.

The "one finger per fret" means "when playing in position, each finger plays that fret only". So, if playing C major scale starting on 'A' string 3rd fret, and playing one octave ascending, you're playing frets 2, 3, 4 & 5 and subsequently use your index, middle, ring & pinky fingers respectively in regards to those frets.
 
#6
C Major scale starting on the A string should go like this 2nd finger 3rd fret A string, Pinky 5th fret A string, Index finger 2nd fret D string, 2nd finger 3rd fret D string, Pinky 5th fret D string, Index finger 2nd fret G string, 3rd finger 4th fret G string, Pinky 5th fret G string. That is the C Major scale using one finger per fret method.
 
#8
EADG mx said:
I don't know of anyone that can use it in the first 5 positions without shifting. That would require some massive hands or a very short scale bass.

Then again I don't advocate using it that low on the neck anyway, but maybe that's for another thread?
Click to expand...

I use OFPF for the whole fingerboard on a 5 string with a 35" scale neck. First position is a little bit of a stretch but I am used to it now.

You know what they say about big hands...

... big gloves. :D

PS: I think I do have decent reach - I used to play keys and had a decent span back then. Maybe that's got something to do with it.
 
#10
daffy said:
I use OFPF for the whole fingerboard on a 5 string with a 35" scale neck. First position is a little bit of a stretch but I am used to it now.

You know what they say about big hands...

... big gloves. :D

PS: I think I do have decent reach - I used to play keys and had a decent span back then. Maybe that's got something to do with it.
Click to expand...

Enquiring minds want to know . . . what is OFPF?
 
#13
of course its not a requirement or rule, i did not mean to say that. nobody has to play one finger per fret, you can use only one fretting finger if you wish.

however the OP was asking if when people said ''one finger per fret", did they mean exactly that? and the answer is yes, with no debate.

i now give you all permission to endlessly discusss whether or not to use one finger per fret.
 
#14
I have small hands and it took me a little while to get used to the OFPF rule. Over time I don't think your hand necessarily stretches, it just gets more trained on where to be and your hand gets used to it.

I have seen some scale books (I.e. Fmaj scale) that insist on playing the 1-3-5 on the E string, so F-G-A, using fingers 1-2-4. I can't stretch that far, so I cheat and play that scale on the B string of my 5 string.

In the end, I don't think it really matters. Whatever you do to be the most effective and sound the best is what should matter. If it feels awkard, it usually is. I've seen people with shorter fingers than mine do more, so anything is possible.

Tim
 
#15
My bass instructer taught me a good way to stretch your hands, you start on a fret where you can reach the four frets below it( i do it on the third fret.) Then play index middle ring and pinkie without moving your hand, play that on all 4 strings then go up to the second fret and do it. then 1st if you can the go back down to 2 then three, i do this everytime i pick the bass up and it seems to really be helping.

---- ---- ---- 1234
---- ---- 1234 ----
---- 1234 ---- ----
1234 ---- ---- ----

kinda like that if it makes any sense
 
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#16
just keep at it mate, it will come good for you, just be a bit patient, and try not to get too frustrated.....I have severe nerve damage in my left hand from an accident when much younger, for example if I scratch my index finger, I feel it in my ring finger, and so on.... the nerves are all over the place, and I have very little feeling in my hand as well, however with perseverance its coming good for me. I use rubber bands for exercise (stretching my fingers apart)....like I said, just keep at it.
 
#17
A.Diva said:
"One finger per fret" doesn't mean that I literally need to be able to touch 4 separate frets all at once, correct?
Click to expand...
If I understand your question, you are correct. You don't need to be able to fret all 4 notes at once. What would you play with that anyway?

There are two general approaches to left-hand technique on electric bass. There's "one finger per fret", which means on the E string you'd play F with your index finger, F# with your middle finger, G with your ring finger, and G# with your pinky, without shifting your hand.

The other way is "Simandl" fingering, the way upright bassists usually play. They'd play F and F# as above, then use the ring and pinky together to play G. To play G#, they'd shift their hand up the neck.

With that said, lots of players using OFPF will shift slightly in the lower positions so they don't need to stretch as much. Nothing wrong with that. Just think of each position as having four notes available on each string, instead of three.

Hope that helps. Good luck and don't hurt yourself!
 
#18
I recently switched over to upright (after years of electric playing) and those guys have a nice little trick of fingering every position with 1-3-4. That is, the fretting hand's ring finger is never used by itself -- it always moves together with the pinky.

For example; the first position on the E string (called "half" position by Franz Simandl) takes in the notes F, F#, and G with just three digits. Then, moving up to "first" position, you have F#, G, G#, and so on. When you get high enough, you stop using the last two fingers (ring and pinky) altogether. It's all about ergonomics. Don't kill yourself.

I prefer that fingering for the electric, as well, now. While I sometimes still use 1-2-3-4, I think 1-3-4 is just easier on the hand.

P.S.: The gentleman immediately above me already explained this. Sorry.
 
#20
A.Diva said:
Bummer. I was hoping you wouldn't say that. :(

It doesn't feel like I will EVER stretch that much. I have tiny girl hands and little stubby fingers.
Click to expand...

You will not be able to do it then, but that does not mean that all is lost.:) You will need to shift your hand position more than someone with large guy hands to play certain material. Depending on what you want to play, you might want to look into a 5 string, and learn to play things in the 5th position rather than in the first position.


Mark
 

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