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Right hand technique..three vs. two fingers

#21
Two vs. three.
You are over thinking it. I use combinations if anywhere between one and five, depending on the song, as demanded by the song.
The purpose of playing bass is to make music. Do what feels right and concentrate more on locking in with the drummer.
There is never anything wrong with challenging yourself for a new technique or new project, but there are players who are awesome with each and neither is better than the other.
 
#22
nysbob said:
Generalizations are just that. :hmm:

I've been playing with 3 fingers for 35 years or so, and can do things that two finger players can't...with the same fluidity.

It's not as "natural" a technique when you're playing primarily 2 & 4 based music, but if you conquer it and make it your own it can be extremely liberating....and considerably less tiring.
Click to expand...


Are there any videos of you or any experienced three finger players, so that I could see technique? I'm interested about seeing things like string skipping, staccato sixteenths, and patterns of 3 and 4 involving the rake.
 
#23
A random idea: Basslines don't generally have evenly spaced notes, even if there is an overall 8th or 16th feel - so 2 fingers doesn't necessarily lend itself to all straight 4/4 lines, just as 3 fingers doesn't necessarily lend itself to all triplet lines...
 
#24
I use 3 fingers. When I practice I tend to warm up my right hand for a few minutes with some "galloping" hit 4's on each string, up and down then I incorporate my left hand according to the speed of my right hand...
I start the "gallop" with my ring finger.

Here's a video:

Exercise I on Vimeo

Use a metronome at different tempos. This will definitely strengthen both your right and left hand. After 10 minutes of this, my hand is jello. :D
 
#25
Three fingers will allow you execute certain things much easier than with two. I just recently began to revamp my right hand technique to incorporate the ring finger. I've been playing for close to 7 years and can execute some pretty difficult things and play very quickly with two but I think switch is well worth it.

A good example is the song River People by Weather Report:

6/ Weather Report - River People - YouTube

I can play this with two fingers but now, since I've incorporated the ring finger it's infinitely easier to play and I could probably play it for a much longer time without any fatigue.

They key is being very deliberate in thinking about what your doing by adding the third finger.

I chose to use Gary Willis's technique because it suits my style of play. You might also look at Matt Garrison, he uses 4!

Here's a clip of Willis where you can see his three finger technique in action:

Invalid Link Removed
 
#26
As a "dyed in the wool" 2 finger player, Ive recently found that 3 finger playing really does make things easier.

Fast triplets forced me to consider 3 finger, and I'm glad I did now. Just set aside some time for a few weeks to build up your speed and technique (on each string!) and you'll be able to fly past what you could do with 2. Not to say you cant do it with 2 but its a cinch with 3. I'm now incorporating 3 finger into most songs I do.
 
#27
I've tried 3-finger playing. Just not working for me. However, I can reach a speed with 2 fingers where basically there's no time left for more notes. The bass is blatting at that point.

One trick I did was to analyze how one-finger players do 8-16th note runs. I then practiced doing that with each of my two fingers individually. The articulation I started getting from my RH was phenomenal.
 
#28
maxgrant said:
I've tried 3-finger playing. Just not working for me. However, I can reach a speed with 2 fingers where basically there's no time left for more notes. The bass is blatting at that point.

One trick I did was to analyze how one-finger players do 8-16th note runs. I then practiced doing that with each of my two fingers individually. The articulation I started getting from my RH was phenomenal.
Click to expand...

I've found something similar with working the four finger technique, when I switch to a more, "traditional", approach my fingers are much more adept. Especially the one sitting next to my pinkie.
 
#31
mbelue said:
Two vs. three.
You are over thinking it. I use combinations if anywhere between one and five, depending on the song, as demanded by the song.
The purpose of playing bass is to make music. Do what feels right and concentrate more on locking in with the drummer.
There is never anything wrong with challenging yourself for a new technique or new project, but there are players who are awesome with each and neither is better than the other.
Click to expand...

;)
unless you are playing a table saw, get your fingers in there and dink the strings
 
#32
mcglyph said:
...I'm currently working on the four finger technique, and notice my notes for the most part aren't that thick, "bassy" sounding. In the four technique is this a problem?
Click to expand...

Check for where you're plucking the strings, I can imagine with a four finger technique your ring finger and pinkie would be plucking closer to the bridge.
 
#33
I'm taking Bass Performance 101 online with Berklee, and my instructor has hipped me to the sound of playing with the side of the finger. Gives a way warmer, fuller tone,and make makes moving from string to string much smoother and faster. Highly recommended.
 
#34
I have used the one, two, three or the four finger technique for more than twenty years now and thumb, with or without muting, for that old school thing.
I'm practicing in that way that I playing back and forth with my fingers.
I think it's useful.
 

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