Are you sure your roommate isn't trying to teach you flamenco guitar?
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Proper fingering technique?
- Thread starter Kat
- Start date
Wow. That's an absolutely horrible technique. In my opinion.
Flamenco bass? lol. No, they are head strong (in the wrong ways) and probably came across the wrong information and went with it. I do admit tho, 1 finger per string plucking is kinda fun...
Yes, using the plucking finger to mute the string physically above it if necessary.
Incredibly odd way to play. Have never seem that in 30 years of playing bass and I get into pretty fringe stuff. Even if doing fast multi string parts, I can’t imagine what advantage that has over thumb and fingers which would be ergonomically superior.
oh, does your roommate have thumbs? I guess I was just assuming that.
oh, does your roommate have thumbs? I guess I was just assuming that.
Yes, they have thumbs
They just got the wrong idea in their head. Also, nice tat.
My two cents...
"Proper" techniques can be found, but, don't be afraid to let your naturally feeling for the instrument work itself out. Focus on what you want the music to sound like and let your body do the mechanics. When you were learning how to walk as an infant did you pour over YouTube videos? When you played video games as a kid did you read controller technique books before starting level one? When you learned how to ride a bike did you understand how the angles of your bone structure created the velocity necessary to propel the pedals into rotation?
yes, knowing enough about technique is good to get started and to assess big problems, BUT, let the music be your guide.
Form follows function.
"Proper" techniques can be found, but, don't be afraid to let your naturally feeling for the instrument work itself out. Focus on what you want the music to sound like and let your body do the mechanics. When you were learning how to walk as an infant did you pour over YouTube videos? When you played video games as a kid did you read controller technique books before starting level one? When you learned how to ride a bike did you understand how the angles of your bone structure created the velocity necessary to propel the pedals into rotation?
yes, knowing enough about technique is good to get started and to assess big problems, BUT, let the music be your guide.
Form follows function.
Yes, they have thumbs
Ya, not to deter anyone from thinking outside the box, electric bass is a young instrument in historical terms and every good technique has probably not been done yet. But for this one, there is already an approach that fulfills that strategy and allows a more natural hand position for plucking and muting…as long as you have a thumb.
Jeez, that's a circus trick not a playing technique!They actually play with one finger on each string to pluck it, but I see what you are saying about the fret hand as well. My room mate is also new to it and hasn't had any proper training (one of the reasons I joined here). So they are basically doing it all wrong then, which might explain the muting issues they seem to have when I watch them play, they let the strings buzz when they should end up muted with the next note...
Thank you all for the advice.
Hi kat! Welcome to TalkBass. Always nice to see a new member. 
Ok. There’s a lot to unpack in your post. But as others have have already said, your friends are giving you some bad advice.
Technique for bass guitar breaks down into two major categories: the techniques for selecting the note you’ll be playing (also called “left hand,” fretting or stopping technique) and the techniques for playing that note, for which there are a variety of approaches. But the three most common are: fingerstyle, pick (or plectrum) and slap.
I’m assuming you’re right handed for the purposes of discussion.
Your left hand (or whichever one is on the neck) will be determining which note gets played. There are two types of fingering technique that have established themselves as the most efficient ways to go about it.
The first and most popular is the 1FPF or “one finger per fret” approach which is pretty self explanatory.
The second is something known as the Simandl Method which is a “three finger” technique that uses the first and second fingers independently, and the third and pinky together as a pair. Simandl is more popular with upright bass players. But there are also plenty of bass guitarists who use Simandl, or switch back and forth between it and the 1FPF method depending on where they’re playing on the neck. Neither technique is “better.”
A full discussion of the Simandl Method is beyond the scope of what’s practical for a forum post. There are books that can walk you through however. So for now it’s sufficient that you’re aware it exists and is something you may want to
look further into at some point.
Here’s the basics of fretting in three easy lessons :
This video gets into the notion of neutral positioning and avoiding potentially damaging arm strain. It’s well worth watching. Especially the part about thumb positioning:
So much for the the fretting hand. Lets move on to the playing hand and fingerstyle playing.
Fingerstyle can be broken down unde two major headings. The first is the “anchored thumb” approach where the thumb is anchored on something and doesn’t play any notes. Which anchoring point to use is up to the player, but common anchoring spots are on: the pickup, the bottom of the neck, or the lowest string.
The second approach is the “floating thumb” approach or technique where the thumb isn’t anchored but “floats” along with the rest of the playing hand and assists in muting.
Anchored thumb is probably the easiest for a beginner to start with. But I’d strongly advise trying to get familiar with floating thumb technique as early as possible. It offers a number of advantages over using an anchored thumb which includes putting less strain on your playing hand - important if you want to avoid the risk of RMI or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Floating thumb also allows for better muting options. Something that’s always important when playing bass. Using floating thumb is highly advisable (IMO) when playing a 4-string bass, and absolutely essential to use if you’re playing a 5 or a 6-string bass.
When it comes to actually playing notes fingerstyle the most basic technique is what’s usually called “alternating” or “two finger plucking.” This is the classic first and second “walking fingers” thing you’ll see almost every bass player using. And that’s the one you want to start with - first and second finger alternating back and forth.
There’s two schools of thought on how to alternate those two fingers The first school preaches strict alternation. It’s always 1 then 2 (or 2 then 1) regardless of what and where you’re playing. The second school also says to alternate, but employs a “raking” technique at times and doesn’t insist on absolutely strict alternation between the plucking fingers. There’s good arguments for both approaches, and a beginner is usually better off (again IMO) at least attempting to get comfortable with using strict alternation first before getting into raking to develop a little focus and hand discipline early on. But that’s just me.
Here’s a good intro to basic right hand technique:
Luck with your bass explorations. And welcome to the family.
Ok. There’s a lot to unpack in your post. But as others have have already said, your friends are giving you some bad advice.
Technique for bass guitar breaks down into two major categories: the techniques for selecting the note you’ll be playing (also called “left hand,” fretting or stopping technique) and the techniques for playing that note, for which there are a variety of approaches. But the three most common are: fingerstyle, pick (or plectrum) and slap.
I’m assuming you’re right handed for the purposes of discussion.
Your left hand (or whichever one is on the neck) will be determining which note gets played. There are two types of fingering technique that have established themselves as the most efficient ways to go about it.
The first and most popular is the 1FPF or “one finger per fret” approach which is pretty self explanatory.
The second is something known as the Simandl Method which is a “three finger” technique that uses the first and second fingers independently, and the third and pinky together as a pair. Simandl is more popular with upright bass players. But there are also plenty of bass guitarists who use Simandl, or switch back and forth between it and the 1FPF method depending on where they’re playing on the neck. Neither technique is “better.”
A full discussion of the Simandl Method is beyond the scope of what’s practical for a forum post. There are books that can walk you through however. So for now it’s sufficient that you’re aware it exists and is something you may want to
look further into at some point.
Here’s the basics of fretting in three easy lessons :
This video gets into the notion of neutral positioning and avoiding potentially damaging arm strain. It’s well worth watching. Especially the part about thumb positioning:
So much for the the fretting hand. Lets move on to the playing hand and fingerstyle playing.
Fingerstyle can be broken down unde two major headings. The first is the “anchored thumb” approach where the thumb is anchored on something and doesn’t play any notes. Which anchoring point to use is up to the player, but common anchoring spots are on: the pickup, the bottom of the neck, or the lowest string.
The second approach is the “floating thumb” approach or technique where the thumb isn’t anchored but “floats” along with the rest of the playing hand and assists in muting.
Anchored thumb is probably the easiest for a beginner to start with. But I’d strongly advise trying to get familiar with floating thumb technique as early as possible. It offers a number of advantages over using an anchored thumb which includes putting less strain on your playing hand - important if you want to avoid the risk of RMI or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Floating thumb also allows for better muting options. Something that’s always important when playing bass. Using floating thumb is highly advisable (IMO) when playing a 4-string bass, and absolutely essential to use if you’re playing a 5 or a 6-string bass.
When it comes to actually playing notes fingerstyle the most basic technique is what’s usually called “alternating” or “two finger plucking.” This is the classic first and second “walking fingers” thing you’ll see almost every bass player using. And that’s the one you want to start with - first and second finger alternating back and forth.
There’s two schools of thought on how to alternate those two fingers The first school preaches strict alternation. It’s always 1 then 2 (or 2 then 1) regardless of what and where you’re playing. The second school also says to alternate, but employs a “raking” technique at times and doesn’t insist on absolutely strict alternation between the plucking fingers. There’s good arguments for both approaches, and a beginner is usually better off (again IMO) at least attempting to get comfortable with using strict alternation first before getting into raking to develop a little focus and hand discipline early on. But that’s just me.
Here’s a good intro to basic right hand technique:
Luck with your bass explorations. And welcome to the family.
If you are playing a 6 string, being able finger pick multiple strings at a time (think of a classical guitar) is a huge benefit. There are some artists out there that are doing incredible beautiful work in this regard.
On a 4 or 5 string with standard tuning, using one finger for each string IMO is of dubious value for most music and may be a hindrance. For instance try playing a note at 90 beats a minute only using your ring (3rd) finger. Then, by using your index and middle finger alternating fingers.
Anyway, welcome to the board, and congrats on choosing to play bass. On a sidebar, as soon as you are up for it, find other musicians to play with. The bass is meant to be played with others, and by itself can be a boring lonely experience. JMO
Good idea to question your roommate's (seriously bad) advice, for sure!
I'm singing with the choir, pretty much--but might have a little bit to add, here and there. All this is IME/IMHO/YMMV, of course.
Plucking hand: alternate index and middle fingers, add the ring finger later if you want. In playing fingerstyle (slap's a different game, of course) I'd recommend the floating thumb technique for muting. (You'll find some vids describing it.) Prolly will feel a bit awkward at first, but if you go slow it'll come to feel natural. IMHO, it offers some substantial advantages.
Fretting hand: depends on the line you want to play, the scale length of your bass, the natural stretch of your hand. Above the 7th fret or so, def use one-finger-per-fret. Below that, see how one-finger-per-fret feels to you. Do NOT try to "play through the pain" or use one of those stupid-a$$ finger stretcher gadgets. Search for _Simandl fingering_ and _thumb pivot_ to learn about that approach. For sure, though, use all four fingers on the fingerboard.
Me, I use the Simandl/thumb pivot when the line can be played that way. When the line is better covered with 1FpF (like, chromatic passing notes or wide interval jumps), try to keep the fretting hand relaxed, and use only enough pressure on the strings to keep them from buzzing on the attack of the notes.
Hope that helps!
I'm singing with the choir, pretty much--but might have a little bit to add, here and there. All this is IME/IMHO/YMMV, of course.
Plucking hand: alternate index and middle fingers, add the ring finger later if you want. In playing fingerstyle (slap's a different game, of course) I'd recommend the floating thumb technique for muting. (You'll find some vids describing it.) Prolly will feel a bit awkward at first, but if you go slow it'll come to feel natural. IMHO, it offers some substantial advantages.
Fretting hand: depends on the line you want to play, the scale length of your bass, the natural stretch of your hand. Above the 7th fret or so, def use one-finger-per-fret. Below that, see how one-finger-per-fret feels to you. Do NOT try to "play through the pain" or use one of those stupid-a$$ finger stretcher gadgets. Search for _Simandl fingering_ and _thumb pivot_ to learn about that approach. For sure, though, use all four fingers on the fingerboard.
Me, I use the Simandl/thumb pivot when the line can be played that way. When the line is better covered with 1FpF (like, chromatic passing notes or wide interval jumps), try to keep the fretting hand relaxed, and use only enough pressure on the strings to keep them from buzzing on the attack of the notes.
Hope that helps!
I sometimes use different fingers for different strings - playing octaves a couple of strings apart, I'll use my index finger on the lower string, and my middle on the higher one, but....most of the time I'm doing alternate finger picking, with the occasional thumb plucking the lowest string (it's already resting there, ready to go, so if I want a nice soft attack.....)
Google "Deantown", then try to imagine how it would be played with your roommate's technique.
The only time ever do anything like what your friend is advising is when I play chords. That way you can simultaneously pluck two, three or four strings, but for general playing, nope. It just sounds cumbersome and slow. I can’t imagine trying to play a major scale that way.
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Totally agree.
(In my "situation", Using anywhere from one digit to FIVE digits on the plucking hand, you play notes on the strings, generally alternating your fingers.)
From Dominique Di Piazza's web-site.
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