|
|
Post by Taildragger on Jan 8, 2022 20:28:59 GMT -5
...how many fingers on your right hand (assuming you're right-handed) do you use? I read somewhere that James Jamerson used only his index finger. I didn't start really working on learning to play bass (putting guitar on the back burner) until about 2013 but, from the start, I used the index and middle fingers of my right hand (as I did when finger-picking guitar). Decided today that I'd get my ring finger in on the action as well and boy, does it feel weak and un-coordinated. I know that, as with most things, it'll come along with practice but it sure feels goofy right now.
Just curious to know how many fingers of your "plucking" hand you life-long bass players prefer to use, which one/ones and why. |
|
matryx81
Wholenote
I think I know the reason but I can't spell it.
Posts: 773
|
Post by matryx81 on Jan 8, 2022 20:41:48 GMT -5
I read an interview years ago with Rudy Sarzo where he talked about using his ring finger. I decided to incorporate it, and depending on what strings I need to go between I may slightly prefer it to using the middle (if I am doing a 16th-note run on strings not next to each other using the ring finger is more comfortable than using the middle).
If you can make it happen, using the ring finger can be quite beneficial.
|
|
|
|
Post by morrow on Jan 9, 2022 7:58:10 GMT -5
I tend to have three different finger style options , resting the thumb , three fingers . Just using the thumb to pluck to get a real soft thump , and almost guitar fingerstyle using my thumb and fingers . With that approach I get a little more nail and almost sound like I’m using a pick .
I sometimes use a pick too .
|
|
|
|
Post by Rick Knight on Jan 9, 2022 8:26:32 GMT -5
Index and middle most of the time.
|
|
|
|
Post by hushnel on Jan 9, 2022 11:46:53 GMT -5
Primarily three, but I’ll use the pinky and the thumb too, not on every tune but they’ll all get used in a set. I selected 4 but I’ll use all 5 at one time or another. When I play the guitar I use all five, utilizing both hands the only one not actively fretting or plucking is the left hand thumb, with the rare occasion thumb fretting the E string, generally the left thumb is anchored back and center of the neck, so my short assed fingers can reach the width of the fingerboard.
|
|
|
|
Post by funkykikuchiyo on Jan 9, 2022 12:33:29 GMT -5
I used to do three or four, but I found that if I used three fingers everything had a triplet feel. I then switched to two, in a sort of Jaco-esque style. I guess the ring finger sneaks in sometimes, but I generally stick to two.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rick Knight on Jan 9, 2022 13:00:16 GMT -5
Does anyone else catch yourself playing guitar with 2 fingers?
|
|
|
|
Post by hushnel on Jan 9, 2022 15:15:49 GMT -5
Including the initial learning back in 1962, I’ve have to learn to play 4 times, accidents over the years caused me to learn to play with changing physical circumstances. These were mostly stupid accidents I can only blame myself for. A coupe badly broken arms, a broken neck, causing paralysis in most of my right arm, it took awhile, I shattered my left hand back in 2012 and I was told I’d be lucky to be able to pick up a pencil and sign my name.
The first one I busted up my right arm and the radial head was fused, i lost belting able to rotate my wrist the next Due to the right arm paralysis I was unable to lift my arm, kind of killed the strumming, though I’ve managed to use a four finger type of Flamenco Style. Most recently I chattered my left hand, the doctor was pretty torn up when he learned I was a musician, he repeatedly told me not to be too disappointed that my playing days were over. Within a month of my final appointment with this guy I sent him a YouTube video of me sitting in with my good friend Albert Castiglia at the High Dive in Gainesville Florida. I sent this doctor a link to the YouTube video.
|
|
|
|
Post by windmill on Jan 9, 2022 17:17:25 GMT -5
Thumb for lowest 3 strings, the index, middle and ring fingers have their own string except for fast passages.  |
|
MoJoe
Wholenote
Posts: 855
Formerly Known As: quiksilver
|
Post by MoJoe on Jan 10, 2022 13:20:41 GMT -5
Two fingers alternate picking all the way.
|
|
woody
Wholenote
Posts: 245
|
Post by woody on Jan 10, 2022 14:40:15 GMT -5
Two fingers. Play more with polymer pics lately. They are more thumpy than regular guitar picks and last longer than felt picks. Made by Mick’s Picks.
|
|
jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
Posts: 139
Age: GOF
|
Post by jeffscott on Jan 10, 2022 15:16:58 GMT -5
Does anyone else catch yourself playing guitar with 2 fingers? Sometimes, depending on what I am playing, but for me, it is deliberate, not just a habit from bass playing. As to the OP's question, usually two, sometimes three, and my thumb gets in the mix, too, occasionally. Perhaps, thats from my guitar playing... |
|
gbfun
Wholenote
I eat cookies to provide you with the best possible experience.
Posts: 463
|
Post by gbfun on Jan 11, 2022 6:07:15 GMT -5
I prefer the sound of fingerstyle and use three...mostly for more string damping control. I'm amazed there are so many useful styles here ! Lord knows how anyone plays with one finger though. I'd have to only have one finger left to try that style...  |
|
|
|
Post by funkykikuchiyo on Jan 11, 2022 9:42:07 GMT -5
Does anyone else catch yourself playing guitar with 2 fingers? That's silly. Guitar players don't use two fingers. They use a pick. They save their fingers for picking their nose. |
|
|
|
Post by LTB on Jan 11, 2022 17:04:28 GMT -5
I use the index and middle fingers. Yes, it is my understanding Jaco used the index only. His son said he cannot play as fast as his dad using two fingers.
|
|
twangmeister
Wholenote
Posts: 349
Formerly Known As: Twangmeister
Age: 72 and fading fast.....
|
Post by twangmeister on Jan 17, 2022 17:31:36 GMT -5
Two fingers most of the time.
Two and a thumb occasionally.
Rarely three when I want to look skilled.
|
|
|
|
Post by Taildragger on Jan 22, 2022 12:06:32 GMT -5
Thanks for all the responses, guys.
So far, the poll results are pretty much what I was expecting.
|
|
|
|
Post by LTB on Jan 26, 2022 7:53:19 GMT -5
Bass 2 fingers
Guitar thumb and 3 fingers
|
|
Tequila Rob
Wholenote
Posts: 683
Formerly Known As: Guitar Fool
|
Post by Tequila Rob on Jan 29, 2022 12:55:24 GMT -5
I played Bass for 25 years, and then fell in love with the Telecaster and I quit cold turkey..( even I thought it was weird)..
anyway I used everything put the pinky.....it was my ace in the hole.....never had to use it though...lol
|
|
|
|
Post by rickyguitar on Feb 14, 2022 23:47:59 GMT -5
Primarily 2nd with 1st as needed for bass. For guitar if I am using a flat pick I also use 2nd and 3rd. Sometimes for guitar no pick then I use thumb and 3 fingers. Thumb pick and finger picks for banjo. Anybody use a thumb pick for guitar? Ewww.
|
|
