Playing octaves: what fingers?

[BassAndReeds]

Disclaimer: I kinda screwed this poll up. I got myself confused, wasn’t very clear, and it kinda defeats the purpose of its intention. I did get my answer I needed. But for anyone viewing this, understand there is a bit of confusion due to the OP (myself).

Original:
Hello. This came to my attention in another thread.

When playing octaves across strings (like G octaves, 3rd fret E string, 5th fret D string), what fingers do you use?

I use low string 1st finger, high string 2nd finger. Is that “normal”?

Edit:
I’m talking plucking hand. But glad we’re all thinking this through.

 

[Spidey2112]

Define... 'normal'... How long are your fingers?

 

[Mushroo]

Are you talking about left hand or right hand fingers?

I typically use the 1st and 4th fingers of my left hand to fret octave patterns. But I am flexible and will use other fingerings as necessary.

 

[stigbeve]

I voted 1st and 4th thinking you were referring to the fretting hand. For the plucking hand 1st and 2nd.

 

[Goatrope]

Down at the bottom, 1st and 4th. Way up top, 1st and 3rd for me. Anywhere in the middle, I tend to grab 1st and 4th out of habit.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Depends where on the neck I'm playing. Normally 1 and 4. Fretting or picking.

 

[LowDownHawkeye]

Fretting hand, usually 2-4 (index-pinkie). Plucking hand usually 1-2, but sometimes 1-3.

 

[Bassbeater]

I use first and second mostly on plucking hand. If I'm dipping the low string here and there I might use my thumb, especially if the higher part is busy.

For fretting hand it just depends;1 and 3 or 4 mostly or 1 and 3+4(coupled) sometimes. Fretted hand position depends a lot on the song and the phrase's hand movements surrounding the octaves.

 

[lz4005]

Down at the bottom, 1st and 4th. Way up top, 1st and 3rd for me. Anywhere in the middle, I tend to grab 1st and 4th out of habit.

I switch over around the 12th fret without thinking about it.
Had to pick up a bass and check to be sure.

 

[Bassbeater]

I use low string 1st finger, high string 2nd finger. Is that “normal”?

I think it's a good idea to practice alternating fingers so you don't get locked into playing phrases to accommodate one finger. I don't always practice that way, but I'm pretty sure it's a good idea.
In disco style octaves it's easy to get into a plucking finger rut without realizing it.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Fret: 1&4, 1&3, or 2&4.

Pluck: 1&3, or thumb & 3.

I pluck 3-fingers with floating thumb technique. I often add classical guitar technique - thumb/1/2/3 (Abe Laboriel technique).

 

[Bob_Ross]

I’m taking plucking hand.

I think I mostly use my thumb and my 2nd finger to pluck the octaves.

[edit: apparently OP was talking about consecutive octaves, not simultaneous octaves. I use 1st & 2nd fingers on my plucking hand to play consecutive octaves.]

 

[honeyiscool]

I try to pluck my octaves with my index all the time because that way I can throw in a disco sixteenth anywhere.

Thumb sounds waaaay too tubby.

I fret with 1+4 when shifting. The 1+3 to 2+4 is useful when you want more sustain.

 

[Marc valero]

Usually the first and fourth, but sometimes second and fourth.

 

[Badwater]

Anyway possible. But with the most comfort and efficiency.

 

[zontar]

Fretting--1st & 3rd or 4th
Picking--thumb & 1st or 2nd--but maybe 1st & 2nd or 3rd

--depending on how it fits into the song.

 

[Sneakyfish]

1st and 3rd usually, 1st and 4th sometimes, 2nd and 4th when necessary. Occasionally 1st and 2nd in the lower registers on longer scale basses, where I sometimes use a vaguely upright bass inspired style of fingering.

Stay low.
\m/

 

[sean_on_bass]

For plucking hand, 1st/2nd finger or thumb on lowest note and another finger for the high note. Depends on the sound i want, but 1st/2nd is generally my defauly.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Is it OK me to admit that I always thought this song was great, just because of the octaves in the chorus ?

 

[vindibona1]

I thought it was pretty clear that the OP was referring to the left hand. I think much depends on the size of your hands. In my case my palm is 3 7/8" wide and have a fairly easy spread 3.5" from fingertips 1 to 3 which makes fingering first to third fret relatively easy even on a 35" scale.