Wrist rotation and bad habits

[ehinkley]

Hey guys. Just thought I would bounce this off some better minds than my own. I've been playing for many years, though I admittedly do not practice as much as I should. After all this time, I know I've developed bad habits. One example is not using the ring finger on my left hand as much as I should. I know I use my pinky finger so many times when I shouldn't be, simply because it's more comfortable as far as my wrist rotation is concerned. Oftentimes, I feel my wrist is even incapable of rotating the amount I see other bass players rotating in order to play so fluently. Does anyone have advice in regards to something that would help me develop better wrist rotation and technique?

 

[Mushroo]

Sounds like good habits to me. Most long-career bassists I know avoid over-using the 3rd (ring) finger. The 4th (pinky) finger is stronger and more agile. Wrist should be relaxed and not drastically rotated.

 

[ehinkley]

Thank you for your reply. I never thought about it much, but I have a lot less skin between my thumb and index finger on my left hand because of an accident when I was 2 years old, so I don't know if perhaps this causes me some "reaching" issues with my left or not.

 

[RattleSnack]

Actually, double bass players use first, second and fourth finger of a fretting hand. Using all four fingers on a bass guitar is good idea if you need speed, but otherwise -play any way you like, as long as you are comfortable.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I tend to fret with all four, however, it does not follow a strict order. More like which ever one can get to where a finger is needed, especially the ring and little finger; where I am on the neck dictates if I'll use the ring or little finger. And I've been known to slide some if needed...

So I'll answer you this way; do what gets the job done.

 

[vin97]

Pinky over index finger all the way.
Much more relaxed/straight wrist in the lower registers.

 

[Jrussblues]

So...
The ring finger is more solid than the pinky for slides and tremolo type fills as well as slap muting on the fretting hand and on and on.
The wrist problems I usually see with most bassist is that they wear the instrument way too low instead of being comfortable a little higher.
You aren't playing double bass, so let's just clear that up.
You may get to the point where one day you are venturing into jazz...you will need all 4 fingers for that.
I could keep going but I'll wrap it up by sayin this I took guitar,not bass lessons, when I first started. In guitar people ditch the pinky because it is weak and often not required for basic chord and scale fretting. My teacher got on me real bad about not using all of my fingers because "it would make it easier". Looking back I would consider him kind for not saying "it just leaves you with no opportunity to use everything you have and sound better".