One finger

[green3101]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted ask about playing fingerstyle, using predominantly the index finger on the plucking hand. I know we are taught to use alternate plucking when we first start out, and why I do find myself doing that. On fast 16th note phrases (I play a lot of hard rock and high bpm), I tend to use one finger a lot. Just wondered who else takes this approach?

I use a pick sometimes but I much prefer using my fingers, it’s way more natural. I’d say I use fingers 90% of the time.

I know of a few bassists in the rock game who use this technique (or a version of it). Geddy Lee, Timmy C, Matt Rubano, JPJ to name a few. I would love to hear some more suggestions and examples though!

 

[michael_t]

James Jamerson is well known for playing only with his index finger he called "The Hook".

 

[J Wilson]

Session great Chuck Rainey would do straight 8's or 16ths with his index finger going back and forth over the same string to get a double-stroke.

 

[Tim Schnautz]

Session great Chuck Rainey would do straight 8's or 16ths with his index finger going back and forth over the same string to get a double-stroke.

Same with Jerry Scheff who played for Elvis and the Doors
But Jerry didn’t backstroke
He always pulled one way

 

[Les Fret]

It works for slow and medium stuff but how are you going to play faster stuff like Teentown or What is Hip? for example with one finger?

The Geddy Lee back and forth technique works good for repeated note stuff on one or two strings but not so much for fast scale runs and fast string jumps and skips etc.

 

[Wasnex]

If I understand Geddy's single finger technique, it makes a lot of clank. This sounds great when genre appropriate. My technique is generally very clean and smooth...so solely using the index finger is not something I would typically do.

When want to be more percussive, I use double thumb, which can have a very similar sound. Double thumb also opens up popping the strings with index, middle, and ring fingers.

 

[dreamadream99]

Alternating two finger technique was developed to play fast notes evenly. You don’t have to always use two fingers, and you don’t have to alternate.

 

[Les Fret]

What I don’t understand is, why limit yourself to one finger playing? Why not just learn to play with two fingers? It’s not that hard and it makes your life much easier. What’s the point?

 

[logdrum]

Nothing wrong with it. I play hybrid bass+guitar and I do all the basslines with my thumb. I can do medium to medium fast walking bass lines with just the thumb mostly down-stroking and it is no faster than an index finger. I can play alternate of sometimes 3 fingers as well on a regular bass.

 

[jj.833]

I once read an interview with Tim Commerford of RATM, who said he preffered playing with one finger of right hand and one finger of left hand for greatest possible consistency of tone.

 

[factory presets]

What I don’t understand is, why limit yourself to one finger playing? Why not just learn to play with two fingers? It’s not that hard and it makes your life much easier. What’s the point?

I seem to recall Chuck Rainey saying in the 70s that he played with one finger because it gave a more consistent tone. If you practise both techniques consistently, and move between them consciously when playing, I can't see how it would be a disadvantage. Surely no more than raking between strings on descending runs.

 

[Les Fret]

I seem to recall Chuck Rainey saying in the 70s that he played with one finger because it gave a more consistent tone. If you practise both techniques consistently, and move between them consciously when playing, I can't see how it would be a disadvantage. Surely no more than raking between strings on descending runs.

there you say it. If you practice BOTH techniques. If it’s the only technique you can play it’s very limiting. There is only one Jamerson and even he could not play fast fusion lines with one finger I guess. Not that he needed to, but still.

 

[Five or Six]

It is limiting only using only one finger. (But, if it works for you, WTH.) Especially if you ever want to go to a 5 or 6 string down the road? Not sure that would work, don't think so? Try playing "On The Dark Side" by John Cafferty with one finger, or "I Gotta Line by Spirit". (Not saying you ever would) but you would get my point. I play with 3 fingers, or some of the stuff we play wouldn't work. With 2 fingers you can cover most anything. To each their own.

 

[DrBnz]

You can get a lot done with just one finger. I do like using my index finger like a pick. But its hard to keep the tone even flicking it back and forth. . Truth be known though..... a pick is a lot better sounding, faster and it doesn't wear my finger out. But you do have to work at it some. When I practice I'll be sure to do it both ways. Sometimes I'll devote a day to just using one or the other. Sure, initially the finger will rule. But once you get the hang of it. The pick is faster. Now its not faster than multiple fingers. Thats another discussion. Ideally you'll train yourself so that you're indifferent as to whether you use a pick or not.

 

[SteveCS]

...
Surely no more than raking between strings on descending runs.

Here's a question:
Is using the same finger to play on descending strings always considered a rake? Is it one contiunous movement in one direction or does it consist of discrete strokes, i.e. the fingertip position 'resets' before the second stroke? My view, based on what I do (according to context) is that both are valid, but they not the same and serve different purposes. What does the TB 'hive mind' think?

 

[factory presets]

there you say it. If you practice BOTH techniques. If it’s the only technique you can play it’s very limiting. There is only one Jamerson and even he could not play fast fusion lines with one finger I guess. Not that he needed to, but still.

Well there's a video I can't find now. Billy Sheehan explains his three finger technique. Then says what you can play with 3 fingers, you should be able to play with 2. And does. Then, or one. Does that too. And you know it's real lines. Not just fast for fast sake all on one note. If you want to get there, put the time in and you probably will

 

[factory presets]

Here's a question:
Is using the same finger to play on descending strings always considered a rake? Is it one contiunous movement in one direction or does it consist of discrete strokes, i.e. the fingertip position 'resets' before the second stroke? My view, based on what I do (according to context) is that both are valid, but they not the same and serve different purposes. What does the TB 'hive mind' think?

Surely you'd have to wait for the beat to roll around b4 you played the next note. I just say rake because I've heard other people call it that.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Does it count if the one finger is the thumb? You can play pretty much anything with double thumbing.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I use 3 fingers to pluck most of the time. In the order of ring, middle, index. 2 fingers the rest of the time.

I used index only the first few years I played. I’ve been trying to get better with a pick, but I’ve got a ways to go…

 

[Hounddog409]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted ask about playing fingerstyle, using predominantly the index finger on the plucking hand. I know we are taught to use alternate plucking when we first start out, and why I do find myself doing that. On fast 16th note phrases (I play a lot of hard rock and high bpm), I tend to use one finger a lot. Just wondered who else takes this approach?

I use a pick sometimes but I much prefer using my fingers, it’s way more natural. I’d say I use fingers 90% of the time.

I know of a few bassists in the rock game who use this technique (or a version of it). Geddy Lee, Timmy C, Matt Rubano, JPJ to name a few. I would love to hear some more suggestions and examples though!

I really dont pay attention enough to know how often i use one or 2......so not really sure.