Which is your dominant finger?

[KevinTJH]

I know this is a ridiculous topic to bring up, but I'm just curious to know how many are like me. In playing any bass line/riff, do you start with your index finger or middle finger? If you're playing a semibreve, would it be your index finger or middle finger?

[Tolka]

I dont think I have a dominant finger. Sometimes I start a riff with the index, others I use the middle. It depends on what string I use to start, but it does not really matter which you use, once you alternate.

[jonjohn]

I just had a play around and I am not sure I have a dominant finger either.

[bassman1956]

The proper answer is "Whichever makes here smile the most".

But, I picked index, in case this was referring to bass playing.

[ThudMaker]

For quite a few people I know the middle finger is dominant. Now back to the topic at hand............

 

 

When it comes to playing finger-style, I use all 4 fingers, yet I find myself usually starting with the index and alternating with the middle.

[Dark Slide]

Middle

[sunburstbasser]

Flipper.

[KevinTJH]

Some people say it really doesn't matter which finger you start with once you start alternating. As for me it really does because I'm used to having the index finger on the second beat. If I consciously make myself start with the index finger, I may sometimes miss a beat when switching to a different root note.

 

Just started on Hal Leonard Bass Method, and was wondering if anyone here uses the "rake technique"? It's where you use the same finger to play both strings when moving from a higher string to a lower string. That again changes the use of our dominant finger.

[sunburstbasser]

When descending strings I pretty much always rake them.

[AlvarHanso]

I picked index, though, my first thought was the middle finger, but now I wish I had my bass in my hands to know for sure. I think I alternate quite a bit, and when I have a sore finger, it's usually the index, and I can play just fine with middle and ring when that happens. I want to get to the point where I use the ring and pinky a lot more, just haven't found myself playing songs really requiring it...

[Jazz Ad]

The 5th one of course.

[davidM]

Index: I played guitar for many years before moving to bass, mostly punkish stuff so my default was power chords.

[jonjohn]

 

Index: I played guitar for many years before moving to bass, mostly punkish stuff so my default was power chords.

 

I think we are talking about the plucking finger

[davidM]

I think we are talking about the plucking finger

 

Is it too late to change my vote then?

[starmansam]

index is my go-to, but oddly enough, for faster passages I switch to pummeling the string with my middle finger.

[BATCAT]

For me, most of the time, two fingers and my thumb start together, holding a pick.

 

When I do play fingerstyle middle comes first. I had to think about that, actually.

[KevinTJH]

When I do play fingerstyle middle comes first. I had to think about that, actually.

+1 vote to middle finger then

[Darkstorm]

When I started, and was useing finger style. The guy who gave me some pointers had me alternate which I started with till I could use either from whatever. And alternate those two with thumb. Idea being to become more flaminco guitarist like in finger use ability rather then the standard more limited initial learning approach. I hardly ever use fingers anymore, just pick. But on those rare occassions I still can start with either of those or thumb. or the first two kinda braced against each other to act like single unit. I'm glad I didnt learn useing just one or the other.

[J the D]

Unable to vote, it depends on the lick. Typically I will start with the middle but will use the index to start a riff if the right hand fingering works better. Whatever works best.