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Using One Finger Per Fret And Being Uncomfortable

#41
They say the OFPF rules came from classical guitar. Beware of false equivalencies, especially between guitar and EBG.

The distance between EBG frets 5 and 8, center to center, is about 4-1/4". Obviously, the difference between EBG frets 1 and 4 is even greater.

I don't have a guitar handy, but I'll bet that same span on a guitar measures at least an inch less. Why does anyone think every human hand can easily apply the same OFPF rules to both instruments?

That's like saying, "Okay, you can play ping pong -- now use the same techniques to go play tennis."
 
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#42
devnulljp said:
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
af046ae4-3ac6-40c6-a1af-b61eff3973c5.e30fb6e9e5068dcfd5d372af8134b32e.jpeg


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?
Finger-Strength-Trainer-Strength-Finger-Hands-Grip-Fitness-Guitar-Piano-Musculation-Equipement-Finger-Extend-Wrist-Training.jpg
Click to expand...

Might buy one of these, thanks.
 
#49
OFPF is all about finger spread which takes time to develop. My left hand finger spread is greater than my right hand. Don’t rush it or you will get injured. Also, I’ve pretty much given up on OFPF below about fret 7, and instead use the upright bass approach of 124, with the third and fourth fingers acting as one finger. I still will use my ring finger independently occasionally if I’m doing chromatic runs or for major arpeggios, but generally I’m much more comfortable with 124.

I also don’t worry too much about hand strength. You will have a lot more power and speed if you pull the strings down with the strength of your shoulder and bicep, instead of squeezing with your hand. Your arm is much stronger than your fingers. You can practice this by playing with your thumb in the air instead of on the back of the neck.
 
#50
sharkansas said:
OFPF is all about finger spread which takes time to develop. My left hand finger spread is greater than my right hand. Don’t rush it or you will get injured. Also, I’ve pretty much given up on OFPF below about fret 7, and instead use the upright bass approach of 124, with the third and fourth fingers acting as one finger. I still will use my ring finger independently occasionally if I’m doing chromatic runs or for major arpeggios, but generally I’m much more comfortable with 124.
Click to expand...

Yep.
 
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#51
Don Kasper said:
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
Click to expand...
Yeah, my inclination would be to switch positions, and finger that as 1-2 instead of 3-4. But I'm a decidedly mediocre bassist.
 
#52
Your teacher is right. Listen to your teacher. Of course, it will be uncomfortable at first but the more you work at it the more it will feel natural to you. It's called developing muscle memory which is the process of repeating an intentional motion (ideally with a proper technique) at a comfortable pace (initially) in order to grow new neuron connections between your brain, spine and finger tips so that it ultimately becomes "second nature", "a habit", or "natural feel" without having to conscientiously even think about it. Also known as exercising.

This is all new to you but give it a chance and trust in your teacher. That's what you paid him or her for.
 
#53
Donald Thompson said:
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?
Click to expand...

I'm going to assume you have not been playing for a long time. Unless you've been playing the bass for 2 years or more, some discomfort should be expected as you stretch out your ligaments, tendons, and building muscle mass. However, if you are a seasoned player, and you are experiencing pain, that is another problem that needs to be addressed.

As for the instruction, two reason you need command using all of your fingers is speed and mobility up and down the finger board. Keep at it. It's worth it.
 
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#55
It depends on where you are on the board, and also also on what you’re playing. Down low, finger-per-fret can actually be physically poor technique, unless you have particularly large hands. Up high, it works better with the natural and healthy movement of the fingers.

I know finger-per-fret, but most of the time, it doesn’t serve me well. I am basically a two digit player. Ninety percent of the time, I use only the index finger and ring/pinky combined to fret. The other ten percent of the time, my middle finger gets used; it’s almost always when playing a natural third interval or doing a one step chromatic movement. I almost never use the pinky or ring finger alone (though I can do it). I also heavily use barring when playing, i.e. very often I’m not using my fingertip when using my index finger on the A, D, and G strings. Lots of people tell me it looks like I’m barely moving my left hand when I’m playing – because I bar a lot, and almost never stretch my fingers apart from each other. I have small hands, I play heavy flats with high action, and I never get fatigued or sore, or struggle to get where I need to go on time. Finger-per-fret is great for some things, but also very far from the be all and end all, or even beneficial, most of the time IME.

Your instructor sounds like he doesn’t know anything but a very narrow technique, and doesn’t understand the concept of tailoring technique to the job at hand, or that some techniques don’t work well for some bodies.

More important than micromanaging what fingers you use for what frets is teaching you to fret on/just behind the frets, rather than in between them. It takes less force, and creates clearer tone and better intonation. No fingering approach works well if you aren't doing that.

Positioning your hand/fingers to already be in position for upcoming notes is also incredibly important. That way you’re not rushing your fingers from one note to the next. You already have your fingers hovering there, and you just drop them.
 
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#56
Donald Thompson said:
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?
Click to expand...

If you’re paying the teacher, you need to have some trust he or she is telling you to do things that will improve your playing. If you are paying the teacher and you are not going to do the things the teacher is telling you to do, I have a tip to save you some money….
 
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#57
How long have you been playing and how old are you? If you’re a new player then you just need to develop those muscles. I was self taught before internet and what not so I never used my pinky and never even thought about it for years. It just never accrued to me. Well… after I got to a certain level to progress I had to start using my pinky and honestly I think it slowed me down for a while without me even noticing it.
Now if you have been playing a few years and they bother you still than maybe you need to have someone else look at your technique.
If you’re young your hands will get stronger.
If your old than maybe you should just enjoy playing and do it to the best of your ability. I know I’ve had to adjust the way I play over the years. I grew up playing fast and heavy rock. Turns out you don’t have to beat yourself up to make the bass just good and heavy. Go figure.
 
#58
Donald Thompson said:
Palm isn't touching, but I'll make an adjustment to the thumb.
Click to expand...

Also, your thumb shouldn't be so far back. It should generally be opposite the 2nd finger, or perhaps between the 1st and 2nd, depending on your hand anatomy. This will be helpful in multiple ways, one of which is that fretting with your pinky will be more comfortable.
 
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#60
Don Kasper said:
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
PLEEZE, NOOOOO!!!!
Think like a Ballerina, not a Weightlifter.
IMFO, of course, as always.
Click to expand...
Ballerinas work out. A lot.
I started the squash ball thing in my early 20s and bought one of those finger exercisers about 20 years ago. The key is to be consistent and gentle. Keep it in your pocket and do a little, often, and never to exhaustion or pain. It's just toning and training. Lets you focus on the weaker fingers.
My hands are quite strong now, and I've played multiple gigs back to back or long sessions on many occasions.
 

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