Right Hand Technique - Alternate Finger Plucking and Whatnot

[yellowsnow4free]

Hey everyone!

As a new bass player (started earlier this month) I'm trying to get started with proper technique. Having a little familiarity with guitar, my left hand is OK, but I'm struggling with my right hand.

1. When playing the same note back to back on the same string, should I still try and alternate with my index and middle fingers? So if I play 2 2 3, I'll use my index for both 2's then switch to my middle for 3.
2. Starting out, playing the same note repeatedly seems to be faster and more consistent sounding if I use the same finger. I feel like alternating is better, but maybe that comes with time and practice?
3. I've been playing scales, and have been doing a pattern like so (I = index finger, M = middle):

Looking at the last 6 notes, I've noticed I tend to use the same finger when going from a higher string to a lower one. In this case, I'll use my middle finger for both the 7th fret on the D string and the 10th fret on the A string. Same goes for the 7th fret on the A string and the 10th fret on the E string, but with my index finger. Not sure if this is good technique or not.

Thanks!

- Anthony

 

[Killing Floor]

I have 5 fingers on my picking hand. I'll use 1,2,3 or 4 for a higher tempo. Don't leave out that pinky. Or your thumb.

keep at it. You got this.
have fun

 

[opivy3056]

I recently started to get really hung up on my right hand technique. I've found that when I'm overthinking it often times just slows me down. I think it's like music theory where it's important to know when to practice strict alternating and also when to throw it out the window for the sake of ergonomics/efficiency.

But I will say I pretty much exclusively alternate for ascending lines but have started using raking for descending lines.

 

[SteveCS]

...
When playing the same note back to back on the same string, should I still try and alternate with my index and middle fingers? So if I play 2 2 3, I'll use my index for both 2's then switch to my middle for 3.
...

Sorry - I don't know what you mean by '2 2 3', so can't help without further explanation.

...
Starting out, playing the same note repeatedly seems to be faster and more consistent sounding if I use the same finger. I feel like alternating is better, but maybe that comes with time and practice?
...

In the beginning there will be big tonal difference between your index and middle fingers. They are different in length and will attack the strings at different angles, speeds and pressures; the tips will have different shapes and the tip skin hardness will differ, creating further differences in sound. So a single finger will sound more consistent than alternating. Your task in learning to play is to even out these differences. Adjust the angles and speeds until they sound the same. It will take time because you need to allow the toughening of the skin of both tips to even up and stabilise. And make sure to keep your right-hand nails as short as possible. But you will get there with time and practice.

...
I've been playing scales, and have been doing a pattern like so (I = index finger, M = middle):
...
Looking at the last 6 notes, I've noticed I tend to use the same finger when going from a higher string to a lower one. In this case, I'll use my middle finger for both the 7th fret on the D string and the 10th fret on the A string. Same goes for the 7th fret on the A string and the 10th fret on the E string, but with my index finger. Not sure if this is good technique or not.
...

Dropping down a string and playing with the same finger as the previous note is called a 'rake' and the technique is referred to as 'raking'. It is frowned upon by some but not all. IME it is what tends to happen if you 'leave your hands to their own devices'. It can be useful under some circumstances, but you need to get control over it. Again as you learn you might want to focus on strict alternating and consciously avoiding the rake. Do that for a while before allowing the rake back into play and you should find you can do either as best fits the music.

 

[SteveCS]

...
When playing the same note back to back on the same string, should I still try and alternate with my index and middle fingers? So if I play 2 2 3, I'll use my index for both 2's then switch to my middle for 3.
...

From previous post, do these numbers refer to left hand TAB fret numbers? If so, then yes you should try to alternate. If it was '3-3-2' would you go m-m-i or would you still go i-i-m? Long-term you should be working on full independence between the left and right hand - any note stopped (fretted) with any left-hand finger and played with any right-hand finger. There should be no correlation because correlation leads to patterns which lead to limitation. Likewith with rhythm and time - try to develop the conscious ability to accent with i or m. It's not as easy as it sounds!

Paging @JimmyM

 

[johnh89]

Don't overthink it . Play whatever comes naturally . There are no rights and wrongs .

 

[Jogobass]

Going from higher to lower strings I tend to use raking with the same finger. I find it saves some effort and its how most players do it.

 

[kmon]

I've been focused on this too...raking, it seems to me, wins for efficiency of motion (my finger's there already when descending), and some folks do teach this as the Right Way...but then some folks do seem to stress that you should strictly alternate.

I see the benefit of both. I rake when I don't think about it(when descending), it's a habit I need to break if I'm going to move toward more strictly alternating. I do alternate when ascending, but again that seems to be the most efficient technique in that direction.

I'd guess the answer to which technique to use is most likely that "it depends". I like the idea of one consistent technique but it seems like, from a practical perspective, they each have their place.

 

[Fernando Costa]

I think that you - because you are starting - should follow the standard techniques, as they are taught by teachers and schools, and then develop your own.

But... I use the 1st finger until I need to use the 2nd, when speed demands it. Jamerson played like that because - and you noticed it too - the tone of just one finger is much more consistent.

I also use the 1st and 3rd as they are similar in size although they approach the string at greater distances than if it were the 1st and 2nd. I droop my hand when I alternate 1st and 2nd finger, and I always try to touch with the fingers as close together as possible.

I also always study the use of 4 fingers, from the 1st towards the 4th and vice-versa. Always take into account that the size of the fingers is different, and that the region where it touches the strings has a very different tone.

It's how I study and play, there are much more qualified members here, music teachers, who can opine with much more wisdom.

Good luck.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Jamerson used his index finger only. Sounds ok to me.

 

[Lo-E]

Dropping down a string and playing with the same finger as the previous note is called a 'rake' and the technique is referred to as 'raking'. It is frowned upon by some but not all. IME it is what tends to happen if you 'leave your hands to their own devices'. It can be useful under some circumstances, but you need to get control over it. Again as you learn you might want to focus on strict alternating and consciously avoiding the rake. Do that for a while before allowing the rake back into play and you should find you can do either as best fits the music.

I think that this is very sound advice.
I've used raking since I started playing - it's efficient and intuitive - but I never really worked hard at learning strict alternating strokes and I think, ultimately, that has cost me some speed and agility. I think I would have been wiser to learn strict alternating strokes at first and then add raking (and other techniques) later.

Electric bass is still a young enough instrument that "proper" technique is still debated and evolving but I think it's good to choose a system and stick to it in order to establish yourself.

 

[SteveCS]

...
There are no rights and wrongs .

... until you run into something you can't do because of a fundamental gap or flaw in your technique that forces you back to first principles.

 

[SteveCS]

...
But... I use the 1st finger until I need to use the 2nd, when speed demands it. Jamerson played like that because - and you noticed it too - the tone of just one finger is much more consistent.
...

What happens is the more you play 50/50 the more alike they become. If you play 80% single finger and 20% alternating, that second finger is getting 10% of the work. It will never sound like the main finger and will never be as fit. It will always be the weakest link yet it is the one that gets brought into play for the most demanding passages. Who brings on the 'Z-team' for the powerplay?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

In the beginning there will be big tonal difference between your index and middle fingers. They are different in length and will attack the strings at different angles, speeds and pressures; the tips will have different shapes and the tip skin hardness will differ, creating further differences in sound. So a single finger will sound more consistent than alternating. Your task in learning to play is to even out these differences. Adjust the angles and speeds until they sound the same. It will take time because you need to allow the toughening of the skin of both tips to even up and stabilise. And make sure to keep your right-hand nails as short as possible. But you will get there with time and practice.



Dropping down a string and playing with the same finger as the previous note is called a 'rake' and the technique is referred to as 'raking'. It is frowned upon by some but not all. IME it is what tends to happen if you 'leave your hands to their own devices'. It can be useful under some circumstances, but you need to get control over it. Again as you learn you might want to focus on strict alternating and consciously avoiding the rake. Do that for a while before allowing the rake back into play and you should find you can do either as best fits the music.

^^^^This, all day long.

 

[alex1fly]

1. Starting out, playing the same note repeatedly seems to be faster and more consistent sounding if I use the same finger. I feel like alternating is better, but maybe that comes with time and practice?

Checks out. This is okay to do. Practice using only your index finger, also practice using only your middle finger, also practice alternating. Consistent practice will get you there. Also okay to revert to whatever sounds best sometimes.

 

[yellowsnow4free]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

From previous post, do these numbers refer to left hand TAB fret numbers? If so, then yes you should try to alternate. If it was '3-3-2' would you go m-m-i or would you still go i-i-m? Long-term you should be working on full independence between the left and right hand - any note stopped (fretted) with any left-hand finger and played with any right-hand finger. There should be no correlation because correlation leads to patterns which lead to limitation. Like with with rhythm and time - try to develop the conscious ability to accent with i or m. It's not as easy as it sounds!

Yes, those numbers refer to tab fret numbers. So for 2-2-3 or 3-3-2 should I be doing i-i-m / m-m-i or rather i-m-i / m-i-m ? I feel like I should be doing the latter, right?

Also, I did some more research last night and found this video helpful:



Looks like I'm gonna slow down and instill proper technique

 

[bigdaddybass12]

1 Try to keep your playing hand wrist straight.
2 Learn to play clean/consistent with 1,2&3 fingers. I have played so much at a gig my 1st & 2nd finger had a blister, finished up using my 3rd & 4th finger
3. Even above playing fingers, learn muting skills. After 30 yrs of playing, I still struggle. A little with muting

 

[ThomasTronics]

So much advanced advice here... Too bad.

Plain and simple. Yes just alternate between index and middle all the time. Practice using the pad of your findger and getting even attack between the two.

For straight Quarter notes and half notes use just your index to get accuracy and even tone and notes.

All the advice on using all your fingers and thumb... get the basics down first like i'm sure they did. Index and middle, even tempo and attack - expand from there.

 

[djmay]

So much advanced advice here... Too bad.

Plain and simple. Yes just alternate between index and middle all the time. Practice using the pad of your findger and getting even attack between the two.

For straight Quarter notes and half notes use just your index to get accuracy and even tone and notes.

All the advice on using all your fingers and thumb... get the basics down first like i'm sure they did. Index and middle, even tempo and attack - expand from there.

Keep it simple, like this. The only thing I would add; practice both beginning with the index on "one" and also with the middle on "one." You might think that it does not matter, but your nervous system does.

 

[PRJ]

Don't overthink it . Play whatever comes naturally . There are no rights and wrongs .

This is great advice if you want to develop bad habits and limit your potential.