No. All the fingers behind the fretting finger should be on the string. There is no advantage to lifting them, it just increases fatigue in your left hand. This is established, uncontested technique.
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Using One Finger Per Fret And Being Uncomfortable
- Thread starter Donald Thompson
- Start date
To the OP:
Someday you're going to want to play double stops - 2 notes at a time, like a fifth or an octave. You'll need your little fingers to be strong enough to fret notes if you ever want to do that. Learn to use them.
Yo don't have to do OFPF everywhere on the fretboard - I have ginormous hands, and even I never use it down low. But up higher, it's very useful to be able to do that.
Someday you're going to want to play double stops - 2 notes at a time, like a fifth or an octave. You'll need your little fingers to be strong enough to fret notes if you ever want to do that. Learn to use them.
Yo don't have to do OFPF everywhere on the fretboard - I have ginormous hands, and even I never use it down low. But up higher, it's very useful to be able to do that.
I'm contesting that idea. Using my pinky as the fretting finger, my first finger pretty much has to be off the fretboard, or my hand has a lot more tension in it trying to keep it down. Also, How do you ever play double stops with that technique?
This video has some good insights, including an exercise to build up the pinky. Microshifting can be your best friend.
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Not if any one of those fingers is going to jump to a higher string.
Is everything a scale?
Or chromatic?
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This posture has nothing to do with 3-4 independence. It just as difficult or easy as with the bass on the right leg position.
Mak
Here’s a different question: what is it that is so concerning about using 3 with a shift versus 4 with no shift? If it’s the fret sound, switch to some TI Jazz Flats and that’s a non issue. If you can play in time and accomplish the piece in front of you, don’t worry so much about it. If your teacher is pushing that, it’s working for them but may not work for you. Tell them. 4 fingers are used because it feels more natural on smaller, 4 string EB’s. Fine, but I’m not playing that way. The music will dictate, like on DB with fingerings. I’m sure you’ve read all the arguments for one or another. Faster solos or passage will make you want to go to 4 finger technique but I still think it’s personal preference. OK, carry on, dump on me if you wish….
Makes sense for a sixer. That’s what I play for electric too. But honestly I play with DB technique down below or anywhere that’s a stretch and then might move to 4 fingers above the 10th fret. It’s just easier. Also, 6 strings allow less movement to accomplish the same melody. And it’s cool….
Here’s a different question: what is it that is so concerning about using 3 with a shift versus 4 with no shift? If it’s the fret sound, switch to some TI Jazz Flats and that’s a non issue. If you can play in time and accomplish the piece in front of you, don’t worry so much about it. If your teacher is pushing that, it’s working for them but may not work for you. Tell them. 4 fingers are used because it feels more natural on smaller, 4 string EB’s. Fine, but I’m not playing that way. The music will dictate, like on DB with fingerings. I’m sure you’ve read all the arguments for one or another. Faster solos or passage will make you want to go to 4 finger technique but I still think it’s personal preference. OK, carry on, dump on me if you wish….
How big are your hands? I, too, have tried one finger one fret and gave up. My hands are too small. Maybe yours are.
I'm going to break ranks here. I work with a teacher who's a Berklee grad and a pretty advanced player. I have small hands, and we've discussed this at length. HIS bottom line is that every body is ergonomically different, and the more important thing than playing in rote positional ways is to make sure you aren't harming yourself.
If you experience pain, that is your body telling you "what you're doing is no good for you." If you ignore it you will end up, as I have, with ganglion cysts, trigger finger, and other problems that aren't easily fixed.
That said, he works with me to help me learn to play WELL in every position, and if I use a fingering pattern that's different from what he prescribed, I'll have to explain why that works better for me. As long as I have a reason for it, it's not a problem for him.
Now, maybe if I were a true beginner he'd be trying to get me to conform more to convention, but he also knows I'm not going to do a seismic shift in how I play after doing this for 40 years. Bottom line for him is that I should keep doing what works for me.
That said, I use my pinky all the time, and it's plenty strong. I use it often for octaves and fifths. Use it in place of the ring finger to build strength and dexterity if that is your goal.
If you experience pain, that is your body telling you "what you're doing is no good for you." If you ignore it you will end up, as I have, with ganglion cysts, trigger finger, and other problems that aren't easily fixed.
That said, he works with me to help me learn to play WELL in every position, and if I use a fingering pattern that's different from what he prescribed, I'll have to explain why that works better for me. As long as I have a reason for it, it's not a problem for him.
Now, maybe if I were a true beginner he'd be trying to get me to conform more to convention, but he also knows I'm not going to do a seismic shift in how I play after doing this for 40 years. Bottom line for him is that I should keep doing what works for me.
That said, I use my pinky all the time, and it's plenty strong. I use it often for octaves and fifths. Use it in place of the ring finger to build strength and dexterity if that is your goal.
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My only point is that there may be ergonomic impediments at play that might be addressed prior to worrying about finger independence. Your shoulder-elbow-wrist-fingers are all part of a system and it is possible to hurt yourself and set your playing back.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I play a lot of walking bass lines (Country, Boogie, etc.) and I learned to use my pinkie when I was 24. I'm nearly 73 now and still have the flexibility and strength to do so. Just take it easy at first. If it starts to hurt, back off a bit and then go back to it. One BIG must....keep that thumb on the back of the neck while your hand is stretched that wide! Stay with it and it will soon be second nature!!
Wait until you're in your sixties before you declare that you're fine.
I have a ganglion cyst on my left wrist. I've had two trigger finger injections in my left hand. I have a cyst INSIDE my bone on my wrist of the right hand that will be hell to pay to remove, if even can be removed (called a "lunate cyst") which, when it flares up, causes incredible amounts of discomfort. I have to wear a wrist brace on that hand frequently to keep it from getting inflamed.
None of this started to surface until I was well into my fifties. We are not "fine" if we're doing damage to our hands. It just doesn't always show up until we've done it for years.
I might need to have a long talk with my teacher. I had some fingering that went well for , but my teacher wants to use ofpf for everything.
I think it's important to try. But if it legit isn't going to work for you, it is also important to listen to what your body is saying. You can build strength in your pinky without stretching it, it just takes a little effort and time. But generally the only person who can really say whether your efforts are decreasing your discomfort or not is you.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Carry a squash ball and squeeze (gently) with your 3rd and 4th fingers on the fretting hand, a little and often.
Try one of these things too
Don't overdo it, just a little, and it will help gain strength.
**Stay away from those awful torture devices with loops and wires and stuff off aliexpress. Those will mess up your hands
Seriously, does this look like a good idea to anyone?
Try one of these things too
Don't overdo it, just a little, and it will help gain strength.
**Stay away from those awful torture devices with loops and wires and stuff off aliexpress. Those will mess up your hands
Seriously, does this look like a good idea to anyone?
Get a hand/finger exercise ball to strengthen your fingers.
**learn to fret with every finger. I injured my 1st & 2nd fingers, had a gig, used my 3rd & 4th fingers. . Also, learn to use all 4 fingers on your playing hand. Played music at a gig so long one night that my 1st & 2nd fingers had bad blisters, no problem, finished with 3rd & 4th fingers.
**learn to fret with every finger. I injured my 1st & 2nd fingers, had a gig, used my 3rd & 4th fingers. . Also, learn to use all 4 fingers on your playing hand. Played music at a gig so long one night that my 1st & 2nd fingers had bad blisters, no problem, finished with 3rd & 4th fingers.
