Liked John Entwistle doing it, but he was likely influenced by the supple 3 fingers he gained from playing the trumpet.......
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Three finger plucking?
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
I’ve been playing 3 finger IMRM IMRM etc for 30 years. Learned this from a Steve Bailey lesson book.
I’ve been playing 4 finger adding thumb for over 25 years. Especially useful in octaves, like the Disco band I’m gigging with currently.
I’ve been playing 4 finger adding thumb for over 25 years. Especially useful in octaves, like the Disco band I’m gigging with currently.
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3 fingers - Only for 16th note triplets and sort of a reverse rasgueado (Flamenco) in very short bursts. I posted in Sound Cloud yesterday on the pressurewound test and I have examples there. On Upright I can do 240 bpm quarters with 2 fingers usually acting as one. You need to show me an application in the bass for sustained use of more than 2 except when you are chording. Jaco, Mike Pope, John Patitucci, Bona and that French guy etc, blistering solos using 2 fingers
it took me a year of working at it but it made me much a steadier and better player. for every 12 beats i use a finger 4 times as opposed to 6 with two finger technique. much more relaxed and stronger. i have better control and stamina for a long night driving the dancing.
I often use my ring finger when switching strings, especially when skipping a string.
We're all built differently, but for me when I'm plucking two fingers on one string it feels natural to drop my ring finger down and snag another string.
We're all built differently, but for me when I'm plucking two fingers on one string it feels natural to drop my ring finger down and snag another string.
I've never seen him live but the videos seem to indicate he use 2 only, Debatable but he is a member here, you can ask him if you want to get a definitive answers. Are there citations from the man himself that he is a 3 finger guy "primarily"?
I started guitar with classical before starting bass, so I learned some things that help with bass
but I mostly used three fingers in classical for chords, and also used my thumb--so on bass if three digits are going it's most likely thumb, index finger, middle finger.
Although I have used the the third finger on bass--it doesn't happen often.
but I mostly used three fingers in classical for chords, and also used my thumb--so on bass if three digits are going it's most likely thumb, index finger, middle finger.
Although I have used the the third finger on bass--it doesn't happen often.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Sure, thumb too.
And I one had blisters on my fingers so bad I finished a gig on upright with my pinky
And I one had blisters on my fingers so bad I finished a gig on upright with my pinky
I use RMI (with optional additional index finger upstroke) more than IMR, but it's super useful to be able to use your index on the A, middle on D, and ring on G for playing fast chords. IMR up the strings and rake RMI down in pitch. Makes for fun fast runs too.
So basically transferring guitar fingerprinting technique to bass.
yep, I do that too. Mostly T, I, M, with a little R thrown in here and there. Mixed with standard I M alternating type plucking. Occasional pick, too, which feels easier on bass somehow than on guitar. It's all good, imo. 
So basically transferring guitar fingerprinting technique to bass.
Yes but not only guitar style open strokes. I also use the three and four finger technique for slapping including ring finger slaps/pops. Like in this track:
