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Poor usage of fretting hand

Derp

Derp

May 29, 2013
157
144
#1
Being relatively new to bass(about 2 years now) I realize I have been doing it wrong. I mean not really but I have some huge obvious flaws I want to get rid of.
One of these things is my fretting. I learn songs almost exclusively by ear and most of what I play is classic rock/blues, hard rock, occasionally punk rock. Since I don't play much heavy metal, I don't really need to be lightning fast and employ any crazy fretboard techniques. So I naturally ended up using just my index and ring fingers most of the time. I sometimes use my middle finger but I almost never use my pinky(It's so weak because I barely use it).
I can generally get away with it, however, I'm the opposite of a pocket player and tend to stuff as many notes as I can when I get the opportunity, and when the time comes I suck at playing those fast licks with the two fingers.
Am I the only one who does this?

I really need to make use of all of my fingers. Is there any way to develop finger independence and dexterity?

Thanks in advance. :)
 
#3
I have been playing for 30 years and have always had bad left hand technique. I just started taking lessons to correct my technique and the finger per fret (4 finger) technique has been difficult for me to engrain in my head (and fingers), but my playing improved almost immediately.

The above video is very good.

Also, I highly recommend using a good metronome (or metronome phone app).
 
#4
If you want to increase your pinky strength try this. Re-learn many if not all of the songs you currently know now but WITHOUT using open strings (with the exception of open E assuming you play a 4 string).

So in second position, any time you need to play A, reach for it the fifth fret on your E string instead of playing the open A string. Ditto for playing D and G. Try songs 2 or 3 half steps up and only without open strings using your pinky.

It may be awkward at first but keep at it.
 
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#6
That video fearceol gave you is worth your time. Now let's do something with it.

Here is my ole friend the major scale box.
Bass Patterns based upon the Major Scale box.

G~~|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
Want the C major scale find a C note on the 3rd or 4th string. Put
the box's R over that C note and play the spelling for the major scale.
Flat notes (b) will be one fret back toward the nut and sharp (#) notes
will be up one fret toward the bridge.
​
Scale spellings:
  • Major Scale = R-2-3-4-5-6-7 Home base
  • Major Pentatonic = R-2-3-5-6 Leave out the 4 & 7
  • Natural Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 Major scale with the 3, 6 & 7 flatted.
  • Minor Pentatonic = R-b3-4-5-b7 Leave out the 2 & 6.
Using the circle of 5ths, take the box into all the keys shown on the circle. That will force you to take the pattern up the neck so you can get used to the fret space being smaller. When you can do that with all keys your finger patterns should be in muscle memory.

Have fun.
 
#8
Learn scale patterns with all 4 fingers. Usually songs, especially those in the type of music you play, will be within the scale of the key of the song. For example, a song in the key of A might have a D and an E, so you would play the A and D with the middle finger on the 5th fret, the E on the 7th with the pinkey. Then when you want to toss in a low Ab or a C# you would use the index finger 4th fret, or hammer the high Ab to the octave 4th to 5th with ring to pinkey. The effort to correct the problem now will be saved later. You will find it takes much less movement of the hand when you use all 4 fingers. You will increase your speed as well as your endurance. Furthermore, I personally find the wrist position of this style is less painful.
 
#10
fearceol said:
.....or this...(contained in the first minute or so)



The obvious advantage here is that it can be done anywhere, when the bass is not to hand.
Click to expand...


^ This...

or read and implement everything else TB member Fergie Fulton (him in the video) says regarding technique. Just decide to dedicate the next few months to changing your technique for the better. You'll be better off in the long run. Good luck.
 
#11
I just tried those exercises in the video above, and wow

they really help with pinky finger independence vs other fingers. I was quite surprised that I can already pull off the cup pinky to palm exercise and coin exercise with minimum struggle, but they really do help with loosening up the fingers.
 
#13
CGremlin said:
Even more helpful is having your attitude - no matter how long you've played, there's always something to be learned from others.
Click to expand...

The biggest thing I got from that video was to stop stretching, move the hand. I often find my pinky joint in pain after playing for a few hours. I'm going to work on keeping my fingers closer together.
 
#15
the only real way is to start using that pinky. I use my pinky more than my third finger and it is really strong,I can even bend the E with it. I have to use it because my handspan is small

Practice those scales, play songs with octaves,index on the root,pinky on the octave , DISCO is your friend here lol - Miss You by the Stones for example
 
#18
I have small hands and I use them all ;)

It's simply a matter of using it. The suggestion about scales is a good one. There are lots of exercises you can do just to get your little finger cooking. I'll do 4-fret patterns on each string where I use a certain fingering pattern...for example, where 1 is index and 4 is pinky, 1-2-4-3 pattern up the neck, then 1-3-2-4, then other permutations as I get better and more smooth. Try to keep the tempo steady, don't play at a tempo you can't do steady, and it helps. I'm sure you can find a lot of other exercises online as well with a search.
 
#19
rujulian said:
Try fretting with only your index finger and using the other three fingers as a mute. You can get some great Motown tones from this technique. I've never been a fan of the finger per fret rule.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, the Rocco Prestia method. I've been playing for 30 years and I know my fingering sucks. I watch some players and their fingering is beautiful and then I'll see videos of me playing and it just doesn't seem the same. I'm sure it has gotten in the way of my playing somehow. I've been making a conscious effort to improve the way I fret notes, so this is all very helpful. Of course, there are lots of great and influential players that don't have particularly great looking fretting technique either. Have a look at Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath. He looks like he frets with his fist. No denying he's a great rock player though.
 

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