My teacher wanted me to use the pinkey and ring finger to play the 7 and the eight scale degree. I'm finding this uncomfortable and I prefer to shift to using my pointer finger and middle finger to play the bass lines. He says it's better to get more "strength" by using them independently, but I tend to get more fret buzz and mess up notes more often by doing this. Should I keep practicing using one finger per fret?
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Using One Finger Per Fret And Being Uncomfortable
- Thread starter Donald Thompson
- Start date
Keep practicing. You’ll appreciate it as you progress. Sometimes you have to move your hand because everyone has different shaped hands. But learn to use both your pinkies and you’ll be better for it.
You have to do what's uncomfortable before it becomes comfortable. Practice doing 3-4 hammer-ons, pull offs, and trills to get used to the 3-4 connection.
Where on the fingerboard is this? Lower down, I use an upright technique and typically don't use my pinky. Above the fifth fret, however, I do.
Around five frets 1-5 on a short scale. On lower frets I tend to not get close enough to the frets when using my pinkey and ring fingers for chromatic notes if I'm reading sheet music. On higher frets it gets less uncomfortable. But he wants me to start playing two note bass lines with the pinkey and ring, and it feels so weird.
Like most things, it IS uncomfortable until you get used to it. You'll be surprised the things that are easier with four fingers instead of two or three.
Are you sitting while doing this?
Do you have your bass on your right leg?
Is your bass nearly horizontal?
If so,this will put your fretting hand wrist at a severe angle and limit your ability to spread your fingers.
Put your bass between your legs and angle the bass up.
I sit on the edge of the seat so the bass hangs below the seat.
Raise your fretting hand elbow.
This will straighten your fretting hand wrist and enable you to spread your fingers to accomplish one finger per fret.
Do you have your bass on your right leg?
Is your bass nearly horizontal?
If so,this will put your fretting hand wrist at a severe angle and limit your ability to spread your fingers.
Put your bass between your legs and angle the bass up.
I sit on the edge of the seat so the bass hangs below the seat.
Raise your fretting hand elbow.
This will straighten your fretting hand wrist and enable you to spread your fingers to accomplish one finger per fret.
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I teach bass and I'll tell you what I tell all my students:
"Learn it 'my' way and when you get proficient at it, you can play anyway you like."
I can relate because I have fairly short fingers and I was a guitar convert. Playing using all my digits came later (and at much discomfort during learning).
I'm glad I did it and, I use a mélange of technique, now. I'm glad I made myself uncomfortable for a little while.
"Learn it 'my' way and when you get proficient at it, you can play anyway you like."
I can relate because I have fairly short fingers and I was a guitar convert. Playing using all my digits came later (and at much discomfort during learning).
I'm glad I did it and, I use a mélange of technique, now. I'm glad I made myself uncomfortable for a little while.
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How does your teacher not know this?: (Pianists and Piano Teachers know this and caution students to approach the strength/independence of the 3rd and 4th fingers with care.)
From the Internet (below): (also Google and read the history of 19th century Pianist Robert Schumann and his catastrophic result of trying to "...strengthen the 3rd and 4th fingers...")
Many people will tell you (correctly) that the third and fourth fingers share a tendon. It is the extensor tendon, the one that lifts the finger that they (partially) share. If you keep all your fingers down, and try to extend the fourth alone, it will likely not rise as high as the others can.
Thanks and Be Well.
Donald(!) Kasper
From the Internet (below): (also Google and read the history of 19th century Pianist Robert Schumann and his catastrophic result of trying to "...strengthen the 3rd and 4th fingers...")
Many people will tell you (correctly) that the third and fourth fingers share a tendon. It is the extensor tendon, the one that lifts the finger that they (partially) share. If you keep all your fingers down, and try to extend the fourth alone, it will likely not rise as high as the others can.
Thanks and Be Well.
Donald(!) Kasper
Thank you. On a short scale it may just be something to continue to practice, but if it hurts, stop doing it until your teacher can work with you on your ergonomics - from your shoulder to your wrist - so that your form isn't actually hurting you.
This seems like a pretty good video.
It's maybe more than what you're looking for, but I think the advise is pretty good.
It's maybe more than what you're looking for, but I think the advise is pretty good.
I agree with your teacher, unless you have a disability that prevents following his instruction. Otherwise, continue to practice using proper technique.
Koog
Koog
Yep.... keep practicing one per fret. Now later while playing you'll use whatever suits the piece you're playing. But you need to have the strength and dexterity to play any note - anywhere. That's just the point of practice. Practice doing things that are hard and do it until it sounds good.
No one practices OFPF technique while keeping all the other fingers down in place.
While one finger frets the others are hovering over their fret.
For some reason, I find it easier to keep my fingers down while playing double bass than on electric bass.
Understood. I was simply pointing out that the reason it feels weak and uncomfortable is due to faulty design and implementation (due to either Mr. Darwin or Mr./Mrs. Intelligent Design.)
I would suggest NOT trying to power through this uncomfortable feeling (early on), esp. in the lower positions/(frets).
Also - many beginning students DO keep all fingers & thumb "clamped" onto the neck & fretboard which can complicate and delay the learning process of striving for relaxed & loose but controlled "strength", (I hate that word in this context...)
IMFO, of course, as always. Not looking for a BassBrawl.
Thanks for your comments, ge...
