Question about finger usage.

[pica]

Hi Everyone,

I just started lessons with a new instructor. My old instructor had me using my 1-2-3 fingers on my left hand, and not using my pinky finger at all. My new instructor has me using my 1-2-4 fingers and not using my third finger. Well after practicing for a long time using the first method, you can imagine how hard it is to try to switch over to the newer method. I was just wondering which way is correct. Since the second method is what my instructor wants me to do, I guess that's what I'll have to do.

 

[Sonicfrog]

Is this your fret hand, or plucking hand?

 

[FunkMetalBass]

If it's your fretting hand, you need to use all four fingers.

 

[Dardas92]

I use 1-2 fingers... i started using 3 but i didnt feel comfortable... i find it easy to move over the strings. For example...

If playing on the E-string, i rest my thumb on the pickup, and play the other 3 strings with 2 fingers, if im playing on the A-string, i move my thumb over on the E-string to rest on...

I happen to have a 5-string bass, the same finger technique i follow.

 

[pica]

It's my fretting hand. My instructor is using the Hal Leonard bass method book, and it says right in the beginning the 1-2-4 finger method.

 

[Time Consumer]

Actually both are kinda correct(if ur talkin about ur fretting hand that is). My big brother taught me if your ring and pinky fingers are weak you can actially use them together sorta like a one on top of the other thing, I think it may be something he carried over from double bass. He has a masters in music performance so, I take his word for things like that.

 

[Dardas92]

I thought you were talking about the plucking fingers... For the Fretting hand, i use all my fingers, at first i wasnt comfortable and only used 1 and 2 but then i got used to using all fingers.

Try doing basic scales and and using all your fingers as a warm up. Keep doing that till you feel comfortable using all fingers.

 

[JimmyM]

1-2-4 is a common method for teaching upright bass. it's been ported over to the electric bass as well, and is often used. i prefer 1-2-3-4 myself, where each finger covers a fret. some teachers 1-2-4 because there's not as much stress on the hand, but with proper technique, even people with very small hands can do 1-2-3-4. but 1-2-3 is ridiculous. not getting your little finger involved in fretting is just asinine, and you did the right thing by getting a new teacher.

 

[joelc1319]

+1 to Jimmy's advice. At least with 1-2-4 you're supporting your pinky finger with the ring finger (a-la upright), but 1-2-3 is pretty limiting. However, perhaps your first teacher was a guitarist? Eric Clapton uses 1-2-3 in the left hand...

 

[m_bisson]

Pick up a cheap guitar and practice playing different chords. That'll get your pinky involved, plus it's a whole new instrument to brag about! Plus the frets are a bit closer together, so it'll be easier to get your pinky into shape.

 

[Spraeg]

I used just 1-2 for a long time, and slid around and changed positions alot, then went to 1-2-3, but when I switched to a longer scale I went to 1-2-4 or 1-3-4 in some cases

 

[Beginner Bass]

1-2-4 is commonly referred to as "Simandl" fingering. I think there was a thread about this a while back in the technique section, try looking for that. You can get finger-per-fret on the 1st fret if you work on it, but it takes work. But, as anybody will tell you here, "If it hurts, stop!"

 

[KingRazor]

I've never used anything but 1-2-3-4. I don't really understand why you wouldn't make use of all 4 fingers. Seems like you're just limiting yourself.

 

[Gawd]

I find a 1-2-4 is usually my default position, particularly lower on the neck where 1-2-3-4 usually isn't needed. It's a relaxed position down there. I switch to 1-2-3-4 higher up, where that becomes a relaxed position. And sometimes 1-2-3-4 lower down when I have to, I find I have to use that a lot in metal.

1-2-3 is not good at all. I have a friend who played like that for a while and I kept on him to fix it because it put his entire hand and wrist in a very unhealthy position.

 

[Li Shenron]

I come from guitar so I use all 4 fingers. After a few years it's quite automatic to use whatever of your 4 fingers is above the fret you want to play. Also because I am a guitarist, I tend to stretch the pinky or the index rather that slide (moving the whole hand) when I need to reach a fret that it's quite close but not under my hand exactly.

The best way to learn to use all 4 left-hand fingers is to practice the good old chromatic permutation exercises.

 

[Elrend]

1-2-4 is correct for double bass, but it is somewhat limiting when it comes to electric bass where a 1 finger per fret regime should be implemented.

 

[Muaguana]

My first teacher taught me out of the Hal Leonard book. The first thing he said about left hand fingering was: "Forget the damn book, just use all four."

 

[James Judson]

Train that pinky to behave. You'll be glad you did sooner or later. I know an incredibly gifted bass player that only uses one finger. Thats all he has on his left hand. I'm sure he wishes he had a pinky to train.

 

[Gopher Bob]

that is how cavemen played bass (1 2 4 and 1 2 3)

you can always play however you WANT but since you are learning you might as well learn it correct the first go around...

play 1 finger per fret...(1 2 3 4)


note 1) if you are learning upright that should have been discussed - have no experience with upright

note 2) if your instructor tells you that you are playing wrong or even mentions anything when you play 1 2 3 4 I would consider him inferior as a bassist and is probably some other kind of musician (maybe jazz flute? or guitard?)