The Case for Finger per Semi-Tone (Fret)

I doubt if many people will disagree that the "one finger per fret" technique in and of itself is useful. Where they might differ is whether it is safe to use it on frets 1-5. Down there it can be too much of a reach for some and if forced, can lead to injury problems.

 

One finger per fret is a good thing. It's a great starting point, as you can play a lot of standard pop/rock/blues/funk-tunes right away. BUT: it's also important to work on position shifts etc. up and down the fingerboard. You have to be able to move fast to the right fret when neccessary.

 

I take Scott Devine's advice as the final word on the OFPF technique: Use it when you need it; don't when you don't.

 

cool beans!

 

Simandl = conservation of energy & efficiency. Here's an interesting introspective from John Goldsby:

Up Yours! Simandl Positions Up the Neck

Riis

 

It's pinky, middle, index. It's the ring finger you leave out on the lower frets with the three finger system.

 

IMO it would be just as easy and beneficial to use the thumb as a pivot to shift the fingers to where they are needed.

 

Here is Dave Marks clip about OFPF :

 

I started with Simandl method on string bass and transferred this to electric. At some point, I was playing technical music that was more reasonable with 4-finger technique. So I learned a new fingering system for electric.

My hands are nowhere near large enough to use this technique on string bass. Even on extra long scale fretted instruments the reach is a bit much in lower positions for me to use 4-finger technique. I have a nice vintage Daion that is a bit taxing to play in the key of F minor on the E string despite a nice setup. Also some patterns are very taxing on my standard long scale 6 when playing fast octaves and 5ths or C minor runs on the B string.

4-finger technique does not translate for me when I play fretless as I do not have the reach to properly intonate over a significant range of the instrument. This is not usually an issue with a long scale fretted instrument as I no longer play with my fingers snugly against the frets at all times. I do sometimes adjust my techique to using microshifts or Simandl fingering if a line cause undue stress to my had.

I have easily picked up and mastered intonation on a couple of electric uprights using Simandl fingering, but I have always struggled with intonation on a fretless electric. In order to master the fretless electric, I believe I would need to revert to Simandl technique in the low positions and give up the fretted instrument.

On a related note, whenever I attempted to play both a true string bass and an EUB my intonation goes out the window. Much of intonation requires proper calibration of muscle memory. I believe the brain learns to automatically space the fingers for the proper pitch based on neck position. I can deal with this when I am playing two instruments of drastically different scale length, but when the scale of both instruments is very similar, apparently it is beyond me to make the necessary adjustments.

 

You should ALWAYS use the pinky. 3-finger/Simandl keeps the stretch between ring/pinky down by using them together.

As a mostly fretless player, getting proper intonation between the first and 3rd fret positions on a 34" or 35" scale bass is much easier done with the first and 4th fingers. It's certainly more comfortable on a 3hr gig to be relaxing the fretting hand as much as possible in the lower positions. Otherwise, by the end of that gig, your intonation starts to go out the window if you force the stretch.

As with many things in life, there's no fixed rule that works 100% for every person in every situation.

 

I don't consciously think about fingering techniques these days. I'll freely alternate between Simandl and one finger per fret depending on the music, the bass, and how tired I am. Same goes for the other hand which will automatically shift back and forth between a rest and free stroke with some classical guitar fingerpicking and banjo style playing freely mixed in.

The only important takeaway is that you get as many different techniques under your belt as possible so you have a number of different resources at your disposal when you need them. Technique is really just anther tool. The more varied and maintained your toolbox the better you can perform your craft.

 

I used to be pretty much one finger per fret, but always felt doing so in the lower positions of the neck was a bit of a stretch. Later on i took up the upright bass and the proper technique there is to not really use the ring finger until you enter the upper regions of the neck. Now i have carried that method over to electric and feel it is much more appropriate. I still have the ability to do the single string minor third stretch, but only use it when needed. Really i am using some sort of hybrid system.

 

I've said it before.
And I'll say it again.
I've always done it.
I'm not stretching.
There is no pain.

I've got a six inch finger spread and I'm gonna use it!
One finger per fret in the first four frets.

 

This is the method advocated by such educators as Carol Kaye and Ed Friedland.

 

Looks like you’re straining to me.

 

"Such are promises
All lies and jest
Still, a man "sees" what he wants to "see"
And disregards the rest."

No strain!