Plucking Hand Technique

[Bahamin]

Hi,
I was watching Michael League at Reverb interview: , and I noticed that in 1:30, when he plays 16th notes, his right hand is doing something different than alternate plucking which is what I usually do.
I was wondering if this was an another plucking technique or is just the way Michael plays?
Also,I would really appreciate if anyone could provide any exercises to help me develop this technique(which I don't name the name of)

P.S
I know that a bass player of this caliber and many years of experience will probably develop their own way of playing.

 

[Nashrakh]

I see nothing highly unusual there. Some raking going on, is that what you refer to?, and some plucking twice with the same finger on the same string instead of alternating, which I would give students a slap on the wrist for, but it works for him.

 

[SteveCS]

I see nothing highly unusual there. Some raking going on, is that what you refer to?, and some plucking twice with the same finger on the same string instead of alternating, which I would give students a slap on the wrist for, but it works for him.

Same here. Nothing strange. Reasons for consecutive notes with one finger might be to cue up the other finger for the next note, or because the one that doesn't play is on muting duties elsewhere, but I see nothing to get too excited about. I also thought I saw a note or two played with Ring finger, but can't be sure. More likely to be additional muting...

 

[Bahamin]

I see nothing highly unusual there. Some raking going on, is that what you refer to?, and some plucking twice with the same finger on the same string instead of alternating, which I would give students a slap on the wrist for, but it works for him.

Thanks for your answer,
you mentioned plucking twice with the same finger on the same string, which is I see some players do when playing octaves, Ex. plucking with index twice on the root and with middle on the octave, or others use index and ring on root and middle...
My problem as beginner is that know when to alternate(which I thought I should always do),and when to do stuff like mentioned examples, cause most professionals I watch use some other technique to avoid playing an octave the opposite way(middle root...)

P.S. Micheal is not playing octave but is using the same technique.

 

[Bahamin]

Same here. Nothing strange. Reasons for consecutive notes with one finger might be to cue up the other finger for the next note, or because the one that doesn't play is on muting duties elsewhere, but I see nothing to get too excited about. I also thought I saw a note or two played with Ring finger, but can't be sure. More likely to be additional muting...

Thanks for your answer
You mention a good point," Reasons for consecutive notes with one finger might be to cue up the other finger for the next note" so this way he can play faster.
I wanted to know if this is something i should work on or continue my normal alternating technique until maybe in future i would develop technique in which I feel for more comfortable?

 

[SteveCS]

Thanks for your answer
You mention a good point," Reasons for consecutive notes with one finger might be to cue up the other finger for the next note" so this way he can play faster.
I wanted to know if this is something i should work on or continue my normal alternating technique until maybe in future i would develop technique in which I feel for more comfortable?

Some people, myself included, sometimes keep the alternating motion going when there are rests involved. Imagine 4 16ths in a group. The second is a rest, or the first is an 8th but has a staccato mark, like this (forgive the scrawl, I can't get to my notation software right now)...

The right hand might use the middle finger to 'play' the rest or mute the first note as the left finger lifts off, for a cleaner lift. The rhythmic 'motor' still has the smoothness and drive of straight 16ths with alternating fingers, but...

 

[Lobster11]

I wanted to know if this is something i should work on or continue my normal alternating technique until maybe in future i would develop technique in which I feel for more comfortable?

I think that as a beginner you'll be much better off sticking to strict alteration. Once you've mastered that, you can always decide when to make exceptions. Like a lot of other things, it's best to learn the "rules" first and then figure out when to break them.

 

[vindibona1]

Thanks for your answer,
you mentioned plucking twice with the same finger on the same string, which is I see some players do when playing octaves, Ex. plucking with index twice on the root and with middle on the octave, or others use index and ring on root and middle...
My problem as beginner is that know when to alternate(which I thought I should always do),and when to do stuff like mentioned examples, ...

Since you have categorized yourself as a beginner you need to find a consistent place to start. I'm pasting the video that got me straightened out when I just wasn't sure what to used consistently. I practice alternating in both directions but mainly use "raking" when descending as it is just more efficient. They key to using raking is to make the rake sound the same as if you were alternating. Practicing this way has also improved my right hand on guitar when I'm not using a pick.