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Trying to move to two fingers

bassgirls

bassgirls

May 24, 2014
209
216
46
California
#1
Hey guys. I currently play fingerstyle using only 1 finger (index). I can use 2, but when I use the 2nd (middle finger), the tone is so much different (it has much more attack and sounds brighter). I like the more mellow tone of the index finger and want the 2nd to sound that way, but I can't seem to get it to.

1. Is it okay to just use one finger? Is there any limitation other than speed?
2. Is this normal and just needs practice to develop, or do some peoples' anatomy just result in this type of problem?
3. Is there any exercise you can recommend to try to even out the tones? Even when I go very slow it seems to happen.

Thanks!
 
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#4
Hey Freddy, my issue isn't one of synchronization. They are syncs and I can play something like 8ths notes evenly in terms of time. But it's the tone that's different. The index sounds dull, which I like, and the middle finger sound bright. So it really stands out when playing solo, and I don't like that. I might try trimming the nails down more because I notice on the index it's hitting mostly the pad of the finger, and on the middle it might be clipping just a bit of nail (even though I cut them as short as I can).
 
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#5
bassgirls said:
Hey Freddy, my issue isn't one of synchronization. They are syncs and I can play something like 8ths notes evenly in terms of time. But it's the tone that's different. The index sounds dull, which I like, and the middle finger sound bright. So it really stands out when playing solo, and I don't like that. I might try trimming the nails down more because I notice on the index it's hitting mostly the pad of the finger, and on the middle it might be clipping just a bit of nail (even though I cut them as short as I can).
Click to expand...
Oh...ok....I misunderstood.....Still don't see a problem with using only the one finger though....

Others will, no doubt, argue that I'm wrong however....;):D
 
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#7
bassgirls said:
Hey Freddy, my issue isn't one of synchronization. They are syncs and I can play something like 8ths notes evenly in terms of time. But it's the tone that's different. The index sounds dull, which I like, and the middle finger sound bright. So it really stands out when playing solo, and I don't like that. I might try trimming the nails down more because I notice on the index it's hitting mostly the pad of the finger, and on the middle it might be clipping just a bit of nail (even though I cut them as short as I can).
Click to expand...
Well using two fingers can greatly improve speed, timing, accuracy, etc.
 
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#9
Put on a metronome and alternate. Start REALLY slow. Like eye-stabbing-with-a-fork slow. Don't worry about doing anything with your left hand. Just open strings.

And I think the only reason you're getting different tones with either finger is;
1) you're spreading your fingers too far apart

2) you're striking too hard trying to compensate for lack of use in your Middle finger

Be mindful of that when you sit down to practice
 
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#11
organworthyplayer337 said:
And I think the only reason you're getting different tones with either finger is;
1) you're spreading your fingers too far apart

2) you're striking too hard trying to compensate for lack of use in your Middle finger
Click to expand...

Cool thank you. That's what I was looking for -- something specific to try to correct this. I'm not even sure why I want to use two fingers because I don't play super fast. I think it makes me look more "legit" :D It's a stupid reason. It's also nice to set goals and challenges so playing doesn't become stale. Those are the only reasons really.

One other problem I notice is that I anchor my thumb on the pickup or sometimes the end of the neck, and when I try to reach for the high G string I can barely make it. But it causes me to hit it too hard because I'm reaching so far. I like the anchor on bass, though. I play finger style guitar and don't like to anchor with that, but on bass it feels right.
 
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#12
organworthyplayer337 said:
And just to be clear your using Index and Middle right?
Click to expand...

Yeah that's all. I'll look more closely during practice tonight to see if the nail is too long. I'm looking at my fingers and the index seems to have more flesh where I strike the string, whereas the middle there is a slight curve to it (this finger was cut off as a kid and sewed back on so it's slightly crooked) and b/c of that the nail seems to poke out more in the corner. I wonder if that little piece of nail is catching and I'm not realizing it.

Do you guys file your nails?

I can play with a pick just fine, I can play with one finger, and I can play fingerstyle guitar using 4 fingers. So I feel like it's something with bass alone. :/ I just can't figure it out.
 
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#14
I've not gotten serious about it but there is a way to pluck upward with the finger print side of the index finger and then pluck downward with the end of the index finger right off of the tip.

So, there is a kind of an upward and downward motion going on the index finger.

I read where J. Jamerson did this form of plucking for 1/16th notes and fast 1/8 notes.

Using the index finger this way is even faster than using the index and middle finger alternately.
 
#16
bassdude51 said:
I've not gotten serious about it but there is a way to pluck upward with the finger print side of the index finger and then pluck downward with the end of the index finger right off of the tip.

So, there is a kind of an upward and downward motion going on the index finger.

I read where J. Jamerson did this form of plucking for 1/16th notes and fast 1/8 notes.

Using the index finger this way is even faster than using the index and middle finger alternately.
Click to expand...
Take a look at flamenco guitarists for this technique, or for bass, Geddy Lee does it on occasion, albeit with a much heavier tone.
 
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#17
I would say practice with two fingers, but don't worry about how you play live. If it sounds good live, it is good ;)

I think over time you will get better with two fingers. Like others have said, practice slowly and really concentrate on getting the tone the same. The fact you have the timing down is a real bonus. You don't have to concentrate on two things, just the tone.

FYI, if you had said timing was a problem with two fingers, I would have said get that right first.

And full disclosure, my technique sucks. I wrap my thumb around the neck, a real no no on TB. But it is more relaxing for me.
 

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