Proper fingering technique?

[40Hz]

I should just get a good teacher instead watching all those YouTube clips. There is too much choice and opinions and that makes it too confusing for a beginner.

That pretty much goes without saying. But the cost can be prohibitive for many would be bass players. So watching a few curated videos to get an idea of what’s involved does no harm IMO. At the very least they can give you some idea of what questions you should be asking. And what to look for when shopping for an instructor.

Then there’s the cost. Anybody who is any good - and knows how to teach isn’t going to come cheaply. And being knowledgeable about a subject - and knowledgeable about how to teach it - are two completely different skills. I’ve run into very few instructors who are good at both over the years. And those that were charged commensurately for it.

So yeah, while taking lessons from a live human being is ideal, it’s not always possible for many people either due to the availability of local instructors or personal financial considerations. Not everyone has the cash to spend. One-on-one lessons run anywhere from $60-$100 an hour where I am. And that’s assuming the instructor is taking on new or absolute beginner students. Most of the really good ones I know have a waiting list. Some also require some prior playing experience before they'll take you on as a student. Which is why I don’t think it’s very helpful to automatically toss out the “just take lessons” answer until I you a little more about the person you’ve addressing and where they live.

 

[Trilobita]

"The technique that was practiced by all bass players (...) quickly appeared to me insufficient (...) to express my music."

I believe Stockhausen might have similarly thought, "The aircraft-less technique practiced by all musicians (...) quickly appeared to me insufficient (...) to express my music" when he wrote the Helicopter String Quartet:

While fully acknowledging there are exceptions, I will go out on a limb and suggest that a person who started a thread to ask "How should I pluck a string?" could likely postpone the Stockhausen helicopter technique until they have played like "all bass players" for a couple of weeks.

 

[juggahnaught]

Thank you for the reply. The only thing I could find for 4 finger plucking was for doing really high speed stuff, which is why I was confuzzled in the first place. You reminded me about picking, which is something I haven't even tried yet on the bass. I think I really need to just hire a professional to train me, maybe start out on some online courses covering the elementary stuff. BTW, the one finger plucking each string thing is actually pretty fun, and I was able to start selectively muting any string by just dropping the associated finger down on to its string. At the same time, I don't want to learn the improper technique, especially for a beginner.

It's true that that technique does have its merits. Again, it's not really "improper", it's just not necessarily "traditional". This isn't really a bad thing, as breaking tradition can sometimes lead to great results! But in this case, I would suggest learning the traditional ways. That doesn't mean that you can't learn the technique you're using now if you like to play that way. It can come in handy for playing double-stops, for chording, for octaves, and for general muting purposes. (It's also handy for training your ring and index finger on your plucking hand, which get used less with traditional methods.) Honestly, if you like it, train it, but don't neglect the traditional methods since they will be useful for playing existing music.

If you are interested in the technique your roommate is using, you might also consider looking at classical guitar technique, which uses four plucking hand fingers - the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger. (The pinky is used in certain cases, generally when there are more strings involved.) It's a similar method to what you're doing but may (may) allow for greater control since you can alternate between the thumb and the other fingers. This technique can also be used on bass. Traditional methods will probably work better for existing music, but if you are more interested in writing your own stuff and approaching bass as its own voice, then this technique is worth learning. It also works well because it is an extension of the "thumbstyle" method that I described earlier. (Edit: search for PIMA guitar technique. The fingers are labelled in Spanish, which is why it's PIMA - it's the first letter of the name of each finger.)

Hope this helps. I'm excited that you're learning and enjoying the instrument!

(Edit: Flamenco bass does kind of exist. Check out Les Claypool of the band Primus - he used flamenco-style techniques in some of his playing. His playing is VERY non-traditional, but he's a great example of how forgoing tradition can give interesting results. It's worth keeping an open mind about this stuff.)

 

[Papageno]

It's true that that technique does have its merits. Again, it's not really "improper", it's just not necessarily "traditional". This isn't really a bad thing, as breaking tradition can sometimes lead to great results! But in this case, I would suggest learning the traditional ways. That doesn't mean that you can't learn the technique you're using now if you like to play that way. It can come in handy for playing double-stops, for chording, for octaves, and for general muting purposes. (It's also handy for training your ring and index finger on your plucking hand, which get used less with traditional methods.) Honestly, if you like it, train it, but don't neglect the traditional methods since they will be useful for playing existing music.

If you are interested in the technique your roommate is using, you might also consider looking at classical guitar technique, which uses four plucking hand fingers - the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger. (The pinky is used in certain cases, generally when there are more strings involved.) It's a similar method to what you're doing but may (may) allow for greater control since you can alternate between the thumb and the other fingers. This technique can also be used on bass. Traditional methods will probably work better for existing music, but if you are more interested in writing your own stuff and approaching bass as its own voice, then this technique is worth learning. It also works well because it is an extension of the "thumbstyle" method that I described earlier. (Edit: search for PIMA guitar technique. The fingers are labelled in Spanish, which is why it's PIMA - it's the first letter of the name of each finger.)

Hope this helps. I'm excited that you're learning and enjoying the instrument!

(Edit: Flamenco bass does kind of exist. Check out Les Claypool of the band Primus - he used flamenco-style techniques in some of his playing. His playing is VERY non-traditional, but he's a great example of how forgoing tradition can give interesting results. It's worth keeping an open mind about this stuff.)

PIMA technique of classical guitar is used to play chords, but in no way is each finger assigned to a string, as the OP suggests. To play a line in which successive notes are played on the same string, alternating fingers (i m or m a) are normally used.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

4 FINGER PICKING TECHNIQUE/EXERCISE ~ Daric Bennett’s Bass Lessons

 

[Whousedtoplay]

no way is each finger assigned to a string, as the OP suggests.

I think the OP just quoted someone who had "heard" something about 4-finger picking technique.

 

[Les Fret]

I think the OP just quoted someone who had "heard" something about 4-finger picking technique.

Posting videos about 4 finger technique doesn’t help the OP. That’s an advanced technique and not something a beginner should learn. This is only confusing matters. Best way to start is basic two finger rest stroke technique. The rest is just distracting for a beginner.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

That’s an advanced technique and not something a beginner should learn.

"And yet it moves", (attributed) to Galileo.
LOL.

The question was not about "how should I start...?".
The question was worded as, "Does the 4-finger picking technique exist?"
The answer: Yes the 3 or 4, or 5 finger technique exist.

Would I recommend it to any beginner player?
Most probably not, but...

I've heard a lot of beautiful bass-lines played by famous bass players who were using some (strange) "amateur", unorthodox plucking technique.

The Slap technique invention was a "pure" attack on any STANDARD teaching of the "crystallized and solidified" bass picking technique.
But it has happened.

It's a never-ending conversation about new technique methods.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I've found on the Internet an interesting article, "Right Hand Bass technique."

Right Hand Bass Technique (Beginner Lesson)

Some excerpts from the article.

Pro bass players use the techniques that work for them; they don’t use them because they’re “right.” Pro bassists use technique functionally to get musical results, rather than trying to satisfy an arbitrary conception of how they “should” play.

 

[Trilobita]

The question was not about "how should I start...?".
The question was worded as, "Does the 4-finger picking technique exist?"
The answer: Yes the 3 or 4, or 5 finger technique exist.

The original post was titled (quote) "Proper finger technique?". Hopefully we are not reading too much into if we understand it as a question related to the way in which the concept of "proper" applies to "finger technique". Not unusual or fringe technique, but rather proper. If we had to make a wild guess, the title might even be understood as a question about standard bass technique.

The post then goes on to ask whether it is proper (i.e., "standard") to use a rather specific four-finger technique described as (quote) "4 fingers (one for each string)". Not just wackily unusual or bizarrely fringe non-standard four-finger techniques practiced by highly technical and advanced players, but a uniquely perplexing technique of possible alien origins in which each of the four fingers would be assigned to a fixed string.

I guess the answer is no. Except for the posts informing the OP that this approach to playing does not exist as an established (i.e., "proper" or "standard") practice (as it clearly doesn't), there is a grand total of zero posts in the thread acknowledging the existence of a four-finger technique as described in the original post. And even if someone could produce a disconcerting example, that would certainly not make is standard.

 

[Papageno]

The "technique" described by the OP consists in using the index for pluckung the E string, medium finger for the A string, ring finger for the D string, and pinky for the G string (I assume the thumb is kept to play the B string on a 5er). With such "technique" a line to be played the G string would be played with the pinky exclusively! Is there anyone who would advise a beginner that this a good way to play the bass? Fortunately not.

Some posters have pointed out that advanced players (Garrison, etc.) use a 4 finger technique derived from traditional classical guitar technique, but:
1. it is an advanced technique, not a beginner's rechnique
2. it usually involves the thumb and not the pinky
3. each finger is never ascribed to a string and used exclusively for that string (as described by the OP)
4. none of those players started using such technique.

So most posters rightly suggested to learn one of the "standard" ways of playing the bass (2 fingers alternating, pick, etc...), before venturing into more advanced stuff.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Not just wackily unusual or bizarrely fringe non-standard four-finger techniques practiced by highly technical and advanced players

LOL!
Just a side note.

EVERYONE could practice that four-finger technique. It's not banned or forbidden.

but a uniquely perplexing technique of possible alien origins in which each of the four fingers would be assigned to a fixed string.

I think we've already got the answer about that "strange" statement.
It's a WRONG claim!

this approach to playing does not exist as an established (i.e., "proper" or "standard") practice (as it clearly doesn't), there is a grand total of zero posts

Don't get me wrong, but...
After decades of playing the bass, I would like to invent a new method, a new technique, etc...
So far, nothing new.
Even that five-finger picking technique exists.
Slap - all varieties of it - existed before me.

Now. Here is my personal opinion about that "strange" technique.
I don't have lots of time to exercise; therefore, some exercises that include (even simple ones) the five-finger technique helps me to shorten (in terms of time) my needs to stay in "shape/form."

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Is there anyone who would advise a beginner that this a good way to play the bass? Fortunately not.

It's a wrong claim!
We've already figured it out.

 

[Kat]

Update: Thank you to everyone for your replies; an interesting mix of views. I am now practicing both alternating finger (index, middle) and alternating finger floating thumb (to assist with muting, although I am finding this one harder). As this implies I am also trying out all of the recommended ways to mute stings via these two fingering techniques. Still super early on, but I am having a lot of fun with Coffin. Also, the "avant garde/controversial" 4 finger fingering method is a bit fun too, I still spend a few minutes toying around with it every few days as finger exercise and to see if I can do anything interesting with it but I do not dwell on it.

 

[LBS-bass]

For right hand? That's not at all correct. I think your friend has mistaken the common "one finger per fret" advice for "one finger per string" advice. Different hand, different concept, and also not gospel.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

the "avant garde/controversial" 4 finger fingering method is a bit fun too

Just to get you more "confused" about the "subject", please check another type of "controversial" technique - "Claw Technique."
From our previous discussions.
Claw Technique

P.S. Sooner or later, you will start asking questions about raking.
"Is raking bad?"

From here:

Is raking bad?

 

[Whousedtoplay]

For right hand? That's not at all correct. I think your friend has mistaken the common "one finger per fret" advice for "one finger per string" advice. Different hand, different concept, and also not gospel.

I think that "confusion" comes from applying/reusing the right hand finger-picking method for the guitar (acoustic) players.

From here:
Right hand guitar technique | LearnFingerpicking

"The “Big Rule” of fingerpicking is that each of the three fingers plays one string and the thumb plays any notes on the 3 bass (thickest) strings.

Specifically, the core aspect of perfect right-hand fingerpicking technique is this assignment of finger to string. The best way to think about this is that each finger will rest above its associated string when not playing it.

• the index finger rests above the 3rd string (G string)
• the middle finger rests above the 2nd string (B string)
• the ring finger rests above the 1st string (thin E string)"

 

[LBS-bass]

I think that "confusion" comes from applying/reusing the right hand finger-picking method for the guitar (acoustic) players.

Could be. I've known a few excellent finger-pickers and have often wondered why more bassists don't adopt that technique. I know it's very common for OFPF to be drilled into people so that's the first think I thought of but maybe that's it.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

why more bassists don't adopt that technique.

My first (short and very subjective) answer would be - Complacency.
My second answer would be:
"But why do I need to learn something new and strange?
For the bass-lines that I play ( country, pop) it's way more than enough to use that standard "two-finger technique", and I'd rather focus more on something else in Music."

My next answer is this:
Even today (not years ago), there are lots of fundamental tutorials, manuals on the two-finger right hand technique, while it's difficult to find any good educational resources on that "new and strange" right hand technique for bass players.

"Tell me who's your teacher, and I tell you about you as a bass player."
(It's not enough experienced teachers to solidly explain and promote that new technique.)
It's more about, "I've spent long hours with my bass guitar and tried/applied/"invented" this/that new technique myself."

Another vision about the use of 4 or five finger right hand technique.
(From my personal experience.)

Any new technique - 4 or 5-finger right handpicking - is to create (mostly for me) new kinds of bass-line "aural structures."
If I need to play that fundamental "root and fifth" (or any similar ones) pattern in the studio, I would not try to use any "strange" right hand technique.
During live performances, (with known lines) I could try to carefully "explore"/implement different right-hand technical methods.

I'd like to use that "strange" technique for, more or less, specific lines, specific embellishments, etc...
Let's say, when many, many years ago I've started using the Double Thumb technique, I'd never tried to make sure those upstrokes sound identical/mechanical (tone, timbre) as the downstrokes.
(Standard tones with standard technique, or Standard technique for standard tones.)

I've used that downstroke-upstroke difference in aural characteristics as some new expression/rendition of a musical phrase.

It's a long discussion, and I've talked too much already.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Hi all, I recently started to try my hands at the bass and my room mate who got me started has been using 4 fingers (one for each string) and that is what they tried to convey to me. This seems to conflict with the stuff I have read saying to use alternate finger fingering when plucking the stings. Is it easier to mute with one technique vs the other? Is the style I have been practicing on even a proper way to do it?

This is one way to play bass, just not a super common one. The most common ways to play are with a pick or using your pointer/middle fingers in an alternating fashion. Which method you pursue is really up to you, but you will find more educational materials for the common methods. I don't agree with others that the technique your roommate suggested is inherently wrong, just not what most people are taught to start with.