Plucking finger independence?

[klyph]

I'm curious if anyone else has had to go through a similar process because they weren't disciplined when they were learning plucking hand technique?

Count this as another testimonial for getting at least a few lessons early on to get your technique straight!

I wouldn’t beat yourself up too much over this. It’s something that many beginners bass methods overlook and is not talked about enough IMO. I am mostly self taught on bg but have had a lesson or two. When I was a teenager I practiced every phrase starting with either finger, using alternative plucking and raking. I was inspired to do this NOT by any bass book but by a drum exercise book (Joe Morello?) and the Noad classical guitar method, where he mentions it briefly. I’m not the fastest gun in the west, but I’m reasonably fluid with both improvised lines and complex stuff where I sometimes have to figure out which finger I want to “lead”with. My middle finger is maybe 1/2” longer than my index so I often lead with it, but some lines are easier leading with my index, or just playing with one finger. Just be patient with yourself and put in the time, playing all the logical permutations for the right hand you can think of. After awhile toggling will become second nature when you have to “knit” songs together from lines and phrases. I wish I could offer more specific advice, but really, you can do this with almost any material where there is string crossing, even simple lines you already know. Good luck!

 

[Topkat13]

Have you tried soaking your fingers in cider?

 

[GPett]

I've been playing since 1989 and only in the last few years have I realized that my lack of plucking finger independence has been slowing me down. What I mean by that is that if I try to play strictly alternating fingers and raking consistently, I often have trouble playing a phrase equally well starting with one plucking finger vs the other.

It came from practicing RIO and other tough basslines plucking the first note with the index finger every time. If I try to play RIO starting on the middle finger, I get tripped up.

So I've spent the last few years (yes, years) trying to get back on track. And it's a lot of hard work.

I don't think I've seen this discussed much, but if you are just starting out on bass and there are any songs or exercises that you practice frequently, please take my advice and play everything one time through starting with the index finger, and then again plucking the first note with the middle finger.

I'm curious if anyone else has had to go through a similar process because they weren't disciplined when they were learning plucking hand techi think

I've been playing since 1989 and only in the last few years have I realized that my lack of plucking finger independence has been slowing me down. What I mean by that is that if I try to play strictly alternating fingers and raking consistently, I often have trouble playing a phrase equally well starting with one plucking finger vs the other.

It came from practicing RIO and other tough basslines plucking the first note with the index finger every time. If I try to play RIO starting on the middle finger, I get tripped up.

So I've spent the last few years (yes, years) trying to get back on track. And it's a lot of hard work.

I don't think I've seen this discussed much, but if you are just starting out on bass and there are any songs or exercises that you practice frequently, please take my advice and play everything one time through starting with the index finger, and then again plucking the first note with the middle finger.

I'm curious if anyone else has had to go through a similar process because they weren't disciplined when they were learning plucking hand technique?

i agree that the best way is the way that feels comfortable for you. having said that, i've been trying to get better with alternating my fingers and highly recommend the song "c'mon girl" by red hot chili peppers as an excercise. what worked for me is playing it really slow and really focusing on starting each note with my index finger, and from there just try to match the speed. i really have made some progress doing this

 

[PaulYeah]

Have you tried soaking your fingers in cider?

Sometimes I even enjoy some Hard Dickens Cider!

 

[PaulYeah]

I suppose I should give an example of the kind of thing that trips me up: let's say I'm in the middle of an improvised phrase and I pluck a note on the D string with my I finger and next I want to play a note on the E string, which I should pluck with my M finger. I haven't practiced this 1/100th as many times as plucking the D string with my M followed by plucking the E string with my I finger, so I stumble over it.

This is one example of the kinds of things that I struggle with due to the lack of independence.

I don't want to plan every note I play ahead of time. I like to be able to improvise a bit so things don't get too boring and so I don't have to memorize a bunch of arranged parts ahead of time. But to be able to do this, you need to have the technique to play just about any note at at time.

 

[ryco]

Started on DB in elementary school and pretty much everything was just index finger. As things progressed I learned two finger index+middle alternating, but index was still primary. Quit DB in jr high [biggest regret of my life!] and took up strictly electric bass. When I switched to EB started using index + ring because they were of the same length - played that way for years until going back to college [at 21 yrs] to study music. Tried to pick up DB again [pretty unsuccessfully] and this led back to alternating index+middle again. Now I use all three but predominatntly index+middle, although about 10 years ago noticed I was starting off with my middle finger - without even thinking about it. I can pretty much start with either. And even weirder a lot of times when I'm pedaling one note [8th, 16ths] I'll just use my ring finger.

To the guy above who posted about their disco octave technique: I alternate on that pattern as well. Picking up my EB notice I naturally start with my middle finger [index+middle]. And as a couple of peeps above have mentioned I don't even think about fingering - sometimes will specifically try different fingerings to see if one way is a little smoother - like the melody line on Freedom Jazz Dance - but I trust my guys.
Have fun! 𝄢

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I alternste with my Thumb and index finger. Just do what you want.

 

[enricogaletta]

That’s an excellent post, and it’s a really important reminder.
Right-hand finger independence — especially between the index and middle finger — is the real engine of bass playing. If your alternation is 100% consistent, meaning every note is played in strict alternation regardless of string changes, then you can play almost any bass line at any speed with clarity and confidence.
The problem is, many players underestimate how crucial this is.
Personally, this kind of exercise has been part of my warm-up routine for years, and it’s helped me tremendously. I’m attaching a short video where I demonstrate a very effective drill I always recommend.
Thanks again for bringing this up — definitely worth discussing more often!