Playing with only middle and ring finger

[jj.833]

I remember the 'try to pluck with ring and pinky finger' trick to show the advanced student how much he is dependend on plain finger technique, even when he already knows well what he wants to play and how to do it. It's good stuff!

I sometimes experiment with 3 finger free stroke technique, with similarly poor results as the guy on @jmattbassplaya video in post #9. It's a good technique, but hard on training, and mostly being used before the mind is able to follow the fingers. But what the heck; we play to have fun, right?

PS. good source of information here: Advanced Techniques

 

[Dlew919]

Garry Willis’s method always worked for me. Uses three fingers and thumb.

 

[el murdoque]

I found it not that easy to find a hand position that works.
My index is a tiny bit shorter than the ring, and the middle is the longest.
The position I learned a while back allows for three finger playing with the hand tilted a bit forward to make up for the length difference between index and ring finger.

When playing with middle and ring finger, I start plucking with all three and then take out the index at some point, or alternate between index and middle, all three or middle and ring.
It takes a while.

 

[lark_z]

I've often thought about trying to learn index & ring, just because they're almost the same length. Then I wouldn't feel the need to angle either the bass or the wrist so much to keep the middle finger from grabbing too much string.

 

[Old Blastard]

I play regularly with index, middle and ring. It makes ridiculously fast passages easier. I also pick and use just two fingers or the thumb depending on the dynamic I want to create. Took a long time to develop pick and 3-fingers, though.

I don't have pedals, but maybe someday.

 

[fhm555]

I always wished I could use my thumb and four fingers as a finger picker would play an acoustic guitar. Never worked out.

Funny you would mention this. I do a variation there I use my thumb and first two fingers. I use it mostly to play chords for traditional blues drones in the key of E. I’ve worked out a few minor variations for more complicated chord progressions but so far they remain in noodle land.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Not sure if you have heard of Bryan Beller (Dethklock, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Aristocrats) but ive noticed he seems to play with his index and ring and kinda just lets his middle finger hangout lol.

Bryan gallops using all three and starts on his middle finger, but yeah he's a good suggestion for people looking for new and different right hand techniques. He's got some interesting stuff you can find on youtube. I've definitely adopted some of his techniques for fast passages

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I was just messing about with playing using only the middle and ring finger on my right hand. Not a permanent thing, just a way to add an extra dimension to my skill set. Maybe put a splint on my index finger and just practice that way. Kinda reminds me of learning to use my left hand pinky. Just a thought. Whaddaya think?

The Bar Band Bassman

As long as you can get the notes out for what you are playing, it’s ok by me if you learn to pluck with your left big toe and nose, and I’d pay to see it.

 

[fhm555]

When I worked in machine shops by day and played music by (mostly weekend) nights I learned to play with various combinations of my first three fingers when one of the first two would be injured, usually stitched up when they would get cut while deburring parts fresh off a milling machine. The first time it happened I wound up getting blood all over my white bass using the injured finger for a night of music, and an audience member asking if it was real or was I trying to do death country.
After that, whenever I managed to slice a finger I’d use my third finger with whatever digit was not injured. The first time I tried doing it I was floored by how quickly I was able to adapt. These days I will catch myself switching fingers when I’m playing something really busy but also really long. I’ll rest a tired finger by using my third finger. Oddly enough, i cannot get all three fingers to work at once. About the only odd thing that does happen is I’ll start a song with the first two fingers and wind up playing with one of those and my third finger and not realizing I’ve changed fingers until I’m done with the song.

 

[Fynn]

I've been using my ring finger for triplets anyways, so I did play around with the idea of incorporating my ring finger into my normal finger playing. Seen Dusty do that a lot in videos, so I thought to myself "why not?".

 

[skyline_01]

Due to losing about a third of my right index finger in 1994, I've been plucking with my middle and ring ever since. It took a good while to learn a new technique and get some speed, but not as long as i thought it would. I'm just thankful I didn't lose a finger on my fretting hand.

There is still some fatigue involved when playing longer and complicated passages, so I do my best to "rest" when playing simpler things like repeated notes (use of thumb, single finger, or alternating thumb/middle for eights/sixteenths).

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

As long as you can get the notes out for what you are playing, it’s ok by me if you learn to pluck with your left big toe and nose, and I’d pay to see it.

I'll leave that to Jimi Hendrix and Steve Martin!

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

A top Nashville session bassist, Gary Lunn, is missing half of his right index finger, so he only plays with his middle and ring fingers. He is an absolute monster and can play faster and better than 99.9 percent of all players.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I reiterate: I love this forum! Thanks for all the input!

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[TyBo]

Jamerson only needed one .

 

[Manticore]

I use all the digits on my plucking hand, and always have. I started on piano.

 

[sawzalot]

Steve Morse always talks about imposing artificial limits to help break out of a rut. An example he gives is using only some of the strings, only some of your fingers, etc. So why not? You might find some new aspect to your playing.

 

[Killing Floor]

Sometimes my middle finger is busy doing other things.

 

[logdrum]

I play 3 just because I play hybrid guitar and you are expected to use Thumb + 3. But on upright I actually use one or 2 as one. I consider thumb + 3 as 4 fingers. On bass guitar I mostly play 2 but on solos where I need rapid fire accent I play 3 (index-middle-ring). For slow - medium playing I use the thumb, I think I can do 200-220 bpm quarter notes with the thumb but not for long.

 

[micguy]

Index and ring for me. Took a while to relearn
View attachment 5259300

That diminishes an avenue of expression for you somewhat - or maybe that's how you got to be that way?