Plucking with Fingers... No WAY...

[SVT_COBRA_03]

Tried using the search. Can never find what I am looking for as I get lost in the search section.

I know this question has probably been asked 10 million times, but I would sure like to figure this out. When my son received his first guitar for his 9th B-day (American Fender Strat), I bought a cheaper guitar in the hopes he could teach me as he started lessons.

I quickly learned, 6 strings were just too much for this older fart and quickly lost interest. I got real good at chords, but that was it. My guitar was hung on the wall for a couple years. So, once my son got better, I thought we needed a bass in the house. I felt like I was an instant natural. At least, to me, 4 bigger strings felt so much better.

When I did play the guitar, I always used a pick. Now with my bass, its the same way. I feel I do awesome with my pick. But I set it down and I cant maintain two consecutive notes unless I pluck with one finger. I tried for a few days just using my fingers thinking I might start to feel a TINY bit more comfortable. But no. It seems the more I try, the worse I get. Doesn't take me long before I start getting frustrated and quickly grab the pick.

I'm sure this will relate to some of you out there in internet land.

Any helpful advise/tips for me to train my brain/fingers to somewhat get this down? Just feels so alien.

Thanks in advance for ANY info. Greatly appreciated.

 

[JimmyM]

Don't try to play riffs or anything yet. Just concentrate totally on using both fingers on the right hand. Stick with one string and play steady and alternate your fingers every time. Do it extremely slowly or totally out of rhythm if you need to. Spend a good few minutes on just one string. Then as you gradually improve with the right hand, start trying to play simple riffs and build from there. Like anything, it takes practice and patience.

 

[jallenbass]

^That there's some solid advice^

 

[Tupac]

Watch a player you like and emulate his technique. Look at yourself in the mirror and try to emulate it. Also, don't play free strokes, as most beginners do until told otherwise. Play rest strokes, where you follow through to the lower string when you pluck. It's best understood by watching (which 99.9% of professional players do)

 

[3star2nr]

It took me months to get consistent with fingerstyle. Now I never use a pick even playing guitar.

U don't have to learn fingerstyle ain't nothing wrong with using a pick

 

[joebar]

funny because i picked up a pick tonight and i couldn`t even hit the right string with it lol.
i like to touch the bass.

 

[ras1983]

As with anything, if you really want to improve at something, it's discipline and perseverance that are essential. So you're either going to have to stick with it even when you suck and are at your most frustrated or you will never improve. And, I'd actually give different advice and recommend that you start playing some tunes as well as working on plucking exercises. It's much more fun when you create a melody or bass line that you were aiming for. IMO.

EDIT: I'll add that if you want to stick with playing with a pick then that's fine too.

 

[Koji_Sunioj]

Well everything mentioned here is too, but make sure you are using the right technique/posture down which may be hindering you. And definitely when I first played with my fingers, I felt autistic. It takes time to get used to, didn't come naturally at all at first. Also, if you want to still attempt a song, don't feel bad playing half time. As long as you are doing something with the fingers in good intonation, you're on the right track.

 

[SVT_COBRA_03]

Thanks everybody. Working 10 hours a day on 3rd shift doesnt help that much either. I only get a hour or so of practice time daiy until the weekend. I was going to sit in a few lessons from my kids teacher for a few weeks. Maybe if he sees me play, the teacher will notice the do's and don't that I am or am not doing correctly.

See if that helps a little. Don't think it will hurt any...

Thanks again fellers...

 

[Dr Improbable]

Any style you do (pick or fingers) do it because that's the sound you like. I do both. I used to be 100% pickstyle, but every morning before work, while watching the news and drinking my coffee, I practice fingerstyle. Now it's becoming my favored approach.

 

[E.J. T.N.T.]

Don't try to play riffs or anything yet. Just concentrate totally on using both fingers on the right hand. Stick with one string and play steady and alternate your fingers every time. Do it extremely slowly or totally out of rhythm if you need to. Spend a good few minutes on just one string. Then as you gradually improve with the right hand, start trying to play simple riffs and build from there. Like anything, it takes practice and patience.

When I was starting out it, I practiced my finger plucking for approximately 3 years to get it where I wanted it to (that wasn't slow progress) and until I started playing anything remotely musical. I still consider it a rather silly practicing regime, but hey, I can play Iron Maiden stuff with two fingers, just like Uncle Steve.

Don't get disappointed you will get there sooner or later don't give up, it just takes time. Talk with that teacher so he can help you put together an effective practice routine for you, your needs, your available time and your targets. I think this is very important and DON'T give up on your pick playing. Always practice what you are good at and also what you are NOT good at.

I wanted to incorporate my ring finger in my picking, and I kick myself for not trying it earlier, because I just don't have enough time and patience to do this anymore. At least I have developed my pick playing a lot. Ironically, if anyone would tell me how I would be mostly be playing now (pick style on a passive 4-string Jazz) 5 years ago, I would probably laugh and keep on slap raping my 5-string ibby...

 

[SVT_COBRA_03]

When I was starting out it, I practiced my finger plucking for approximately 3 years to get it where I wanted it to (that wasn't slow progress) and until I started playing anything remotely musical. I still consider it a rather silly practicing regime, but hey, I can play Iron Maiden stuff with two fingers, just like Uncle Steve....

Don't get disappointed....

Ahh, Maiden. IMO, the bassist in Iron Maiden is a Bass GOD. When you watch video of him, he's got all 4 fingers just BANGING. To me, its absolutely jaw dropping. GO HAWKS...

As for the teacher deal. The place where my kids take lessons, (son, 13, guitar - daughter, 10, drums) puts on a "Jamboree" twice a year. Its purely for the kids/students. They set up ALL the amps, lights, PA's, everything. It makes the kids feel like stars. Keeps them motivated and eager to keep playing. It works awesome. GO HAWKS....

The next jamboree is the 23rd of this month. Now, I am a TOTAL noob. To be honest, I really dont know how to play the bass. I taught myself how to read tabs and quickly learned a handful of songs. But, thats about as far as I am right now. I have no interest in joining a band, getting famous, filthy rich, beautiful women, exotic cars... Ahh, wait, I take that back. Yeah, that would be super cool. But, really just wanted to learn to keep my kids interested and to be able to jam to my favorite music. GO HAWKS....

There is one more lesson before the jamboree. My daughter was asked if she wanted to play in this summers jam. She said sure, and was asked to pick a song to do. I told her to pick something out that was somewhat easy. We have this computer software called Guitar Pro 6. Its really cool, and a good tool for learning songs. I tell her to try picking something she knows really well so its easier to learn since she knows the song by heart. What does she pick? Back-N-Black by AC/DC. One of my favorites. My son is playing the guitar and daughter is has been BEGGING me to do the first one with her. How do I say no? So... I too will be playing my first "gig". I don't know who is more nervous...lol And to make it even sweeter, my son asked if I could put together an Angus Young "Schoolboy" outfit. He is a natural performer. GO HAWKS....

Anyway, once this jam is done and gone, I asked my boy if he wouldnt mind if I take his place for a month or two in the lessons. Or at least a couple here and there. I think it will help greatly. GO HAWKS...

If you all dont mind, I could get a video of us playing our chosen song and upload it to YouTube and post it here. To most of you it will probably sound like a couple cats fighting, but at least you could give us some words of encouragement? My baby has only been in lessons for two months, but we practice daily and she pretty much knows and can hit every beat. IMO, AC/DC is good for beginners. Phil Rudd isn't the greatest drummer out there and Mark Evens/Cliff Williams bass lines can be played with your eyes closed. GO HAWKS...

Anyway, just a thought. Sorry to go on a internet ramble and write a novel. I tend to do that from time to time. And if you all couldn't tell, I'm in Chicago and my HAWKS just took game 1 last night in triple OT. So, GOOOOO HAWKS!!!!!! Ok, I'm done...lol

 

[Jbassrockboy]

Why not just stick with a pick and enjoy that.

Build on what you are good at.

Enjoy it man and if fingers are too much hassle for you, hold your head high and be proud with a pick ..

Don't get me wrong. Fingers have a big place in the bass world but don't get hung up on that....

Picks used well are 'cool' and contrary to some opinions can be used in a variety of music styles.

 

[SVT_COBRA_03]

Thanks JBassRockBoy.

I totally hear what you are saying. Im not wanting to take lessons just to learn how to use fingers. The guy who owns the music store where my kids take their lessons is a Bassist. I am quite jealous when I hear him play. He jams. All up and down the fretboard, all strings. Real fast. I cant do that. I want to, but have no clue where to begin. Besides years of practice. And the funny part? He cant use a pick. Said he just cant do it. Kind of makes me feel a little better..lol

What I kind of want is to somewhat learn the fundamentals of music. Like, I know the strings E-A-D-G. But, put your finger on the 2nd fret on the E string, and I cant tell you what note that is. I know no scales, or anything like that. And to me, those are the things that would be nice to know. Along with practicing technics, and whatever else a teacher would teach a beginner bass player.

Only reason I would really like to learn finger picking is the sound when playing softer, slower music. Like, Ride On by AC/DC. It sounds good with a pick but lacks that "softness" that, to me, would make it sound even better. I even bought these expensive felt picks from GC for 10 bucks for 8 picks. They were 3.8mm thick and like twice the overall size of a standard pick. It did give a softer, fingery sound, but the thickness was impossible for me to use. Kept getting hung up on the strings I wasn't trying to hit. If that makes any sense.

 

[dtsamples]

The advice I always give is the same with a pick or fingers. Imagine yourself holding a stick in your hand and dragging it along a fence. You're holding the stick loosely so it can click along the fence like the arrow on the wheel of fortune wheel. The stick comes to rest on the next fence slat before it continues past it and rests on the following one.

Now imagine the same with your pick or fingers. Light touch. Pluck through the string, not digging in too deeply, almost letting your finger tip slide past the string and fall to rest on the next one. For the lowest string, your finger should fall to rest on your thumb, which should be anchored (at least while you're learning) on the edge of the pickup. Move at the knuckle where your finger attaches to your hand, not your finger joint, keeping your finger slightly bent. If you dig in too hard, the string will create too much resistance, and you'll fight against that with muscle, throwing off your ability to play with control. Should be a very relaxed motion. Turn your amp up loud so you can play light but hear the volume you desire to hear. If the amp is too quiet, you'll play too hard.

 

[dtsamples]

Also, try not to play with the very tip of your finger, where it comes to a point at the nail. Try to use the pads of your finger tips. You'll encounter less resistance, have a fatter sound, and will be less likely to dig under the string than drag across the top of it.

 

[SVT_COBRA_03]

Also, try not to play with the very tip of your finger, where it comes to a point at the nail. Try to use the pads of your finger tips. You'll encounter less resistance, have a fatter sound, and will be less likely to dig under the string than drag across the top of it.

I do notice when I do use my fingers, I get a pop sound. Like slap and pop. Just not slapping and trying not to pop. If that makes any sense... And I get a tremendous fret buzz when I do...

I can pick pretty much as hard as I want. No buzz. Use my finger? PopZzzzzzzzzzzzz.... ***?...!!!

Will try what you said above. Just got off work at 6am and this damn TalkBass site is keeping me up WAY past my bedtime. I work 3rd sh!t. I'm dead. And notice, when dead tired, that not the best time to practice.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[dtsamples]

Sounds like You're digging a bit too far underneath the string (underneath meaning the side of the string facing the body of the bass, not the side of the string facing the floor) and lifting it away from the fretboard, causing it to slap back against the frets creating a pop sound. This might be very subtle to you (you might not literally be grabbing the underside of the string), but just a little underneath would cause this. Think more about setting the string in motion vibrating back and forth parallel to the body of the bass. You should be playing more on top/on the side of the string than on the side/underneath the string, pulling it gently towards the next thickest string before your finger slips past it.

 

[JimmyM]

Why not just stick with a pick and enjoy that.

Build on what you are good at.

Enjoy it man and if fingers are too much hassle for you, hold your head high and be proud with a pick ..

Don't get me wrong. Fingers have a big place in the bass world but don't get hung up on that....

Picks used well are 'cool' and contrary to some opinions can be used in a variety of music styles.

I agree about picks and use them myself, but let's face it...you will run into possible band situations where the lack of finger ability will prevent you from getting the gig. Sure, some bassists made good careers out of playing bass with only a pick, but we ain't them.

 

[arock0627]

Dude, any new thing is going to make your tap dancing meat spiders feel like they just had a stroke. I had a horrible habit of shifting too much so a couple months ago I forced myself to learn and relearn all the songs I know using 1234 fretting and, while I still fall back on old 12shift rarely, the results have been better than I expected. Remember that learning something new has a very steep difficulty curve, and it can take months to really start seeing spectacular results. Don't fret (pun intended) and just keep doin what you do. Ain't no shame in pick playing.