Right Hand Relative Dexterity - Ring Finger

[tamazula]

I have a question for you guys - is your ring finger 'up to par' with your forefinger and middle finger?

I never pluck with my pinky so never mind that. What I'm curious about is relative dexterity for the first three fingers.

If there's a song that you can just barely play using only your forefinger, can your ring finger also play it equally well and with the same finesse?

Does the ring finger really only come into play when you're playing fast?

Do you force yourself to use it regularly even when you don't have to to keep it exercised?

If your ring finger (and to a lesser extent, your middle finger) are not as graceful or precise as your forefinger, do you consider that a problem? How do you recommend dealing with it?

 

[Fergie Fulton]

All finger, including thumbs can play with equal effect if they are trained to do so. Just because bass playing does not require it does not mean you cannot develop it.

It is about the time and effort V the benifit of use, if the music you play, or your physical needs do not require it then why bother to develop it?

 

[jallenbass]

My ring finger is not up to par with my index and middle and for me there's no reason for it to be. I have yet to come up with a musical idea where the ring finger would be beneficial.

 

[nysbob]

it's extremely beneficial to me in avoiding hand fatigue when playing, say....8th notes at 150+ bpm from the top to bottom of a tune....or something like What is Hip. You can develop the same strength in your ring finger that your index & pointer have, but it takes some time to develop it.

If you don't need the added endurance or speed, leave it alone.

 

[BrewsterRooster]

Ring finger's only semi-independent, but still trainable and useful. I've used mine since I started playing in '81 and can't imagine NOT playing with it. I use it most to get through quick, slinky lines in comfort. Or funky stuff with large intervals played fast.

 

[Fenwick]

I doubt my ring finger will ever be as independent or useful as my middle, andthe goes for middle when compared to index (though the degree of difference between those two is more subtle).

That being said I still do get a lot of use out of my ring, particularly for triplets and faster 16th passages, definitely helps with fatigue, sometimes I'll even use it for 8ths, just to practice keeping that 4/4 feel steady.

A good way to see the difference and improve the ring finger is to play tunes you'd normally play with index and middle, with middle and ring or index and ring instead.

My ring still doesn't have the tone-controlled attack I'd like, but is definitely able to match the others for 'straight' playing without much dynamics.

 

[tamazula]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm with Fenwick- I use mine for fast playing but it still feels like I'm playing with someone else's hand when I compare it to the forefinger. I'm sure I could probably just practice it to death but I don't see that level of dexterity (on par with the other two fingers) being an absolute requirement. I frequently wonder about famous bass virtuosos and how they feel.

There are a few songs that really illustrate the benefit for me, for example Achilles Last Stand.