Should you always alternate between fingers when playing fingerstyle?

[DeliriumTremens]

I find I tend to use my middle finger for the higher strings and my index on the lower ones when playing lines that are across multiple strings and only tend to alternate when playing 8th notes for example on one string. Is this bad form or a case of whatever works best for the individual?

 

[Rogmatic]

I generally always alternate, especially when playing lines across multiple strings. The only real exception is when playing long sustained notes or widely seperated single notes, where it doesn't really matter. I'm not sure that it makes a difference whether or not you alternate, as long as you're able to play the part comfortably.

 

[Cristo]

I think the answer is, some guys will tell you it is terribly wrong, and others will tell you it works fine.

 

[musicloverpdc]

do what's ever comfortable for you, i'll alternate if i'm paddling or doing a gallop, sometimes using three fingers, other times when i'm doing a punch/mute thing in 8th notes i'll use just one finger, i have more control for some reason that way. i basically just do whatever feels naturally and allows you to play the line as solidly as possible. remember one of the greatest motown / R&B bassist that ever lived, played everything with just one finger.. James Jamerson..........." The Hook "

 

[Thunder_Fingers]

You SHOULD do what fits you best, I for once have learned (from listening to Geddy) that for parts thats supposed to have drive, one finger works great. Sometimes i might even use a pick.

 

[Russell L]

I have found that I never know if I'm alternating or not, unless I make an effort to notice. Well, I mean, I am mostly alternating, but not always in the most logical way. That is, not strictly. For me, it's best to just play. Somehow, my fingers get the job done without analyzing what I'm doing. Of course, that's not to say that I don't have to work something out sometimes, but for the most part my fingers just go along involuntarily. Maybe I'm weird. (Well, no maybe about it, LOL).

 

[jmattbassplaya]

If you're new to bass then always practice alternating until you can get it down no problem. Once you've got it down, however, then do whatever the heck you want! As an instructor of mine once said, you need to learn the rules before you can break them.

 

[K2000]

"Always" alternating sounds like a bad idea.

For example, if I am rocking back & forth between a root note & it's octave, I will play the root string exclusively with the index, and the octave exclusively with the middle finger. That's a good example where alternating would be LESS efficient, and easier to flub.

 

[Rogmatic]

I have found that I never know if I'm alternating or not, unless I make an effort to notice. Well, I mean, I am mostly alternating, but not always in the most logical way. That is, not strictly. For me, it's best to just play. Somehow, my fingers get the job done without analyzing what I'm doing. Of course, that's not to say that I don't have to work something out sometimes, but for the most part my fingers just go along involuntarily. Maybe I'm weird. (Well, no maybe about it, LOL).

I'm the same. My fingers just do it by themselves. I've been trying to get my 3rd finger going though, and it's weird having to think about my fingers again.

 

[Rune Bivrin]

What I do is sometimes I'll practice using just one finger, for example the ring finger. I'll pretty quicly get to the point where for most of what I play that will be quite OK.

When any finger can do the job I'll just let my hand decide which finger does what. It's not a big deal; I rarely find that the plucking hand limits my playing.