Members KevinTJH Posted April 2, 2011 Members Share Posted April 2, 2011 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tolka Posted April 2, 2011 Members Share Posted April 2, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jonjohn Posted April 2, 2011 Members Share Posted April 2, 2011 I just had a play around and I am not sure I have a dominant finger either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted April 2, 2011 Members Share Posted April 2, 2011 The proper answer is "Whichever makes here smile the most". But, I picked index, in case this was referring to bass playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted April 2, 2011 Moderators Share Posted April 2, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dark Slide Posted April 2, 2011 Members Share Posted April 2, 2011 Middle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted April 2, 2011 Members Share Posted April 2, 2011 Flipper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KevinTJH Posted April 3, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 3, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted April 3, 2011 Members Share Posted April 3, 2011 When descending strings I pretty much always rake them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AlvarHanso Posted April 4, 2011 Members Share Posted April 4, 2011 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jazz Ad Posted April 4, 2011 Members Share Posted April 4, 2011 The 5th one of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members davidM Posted April 4, 2011 Members Share Posted April 4, 2011 Index: I played guitar for many years before moving to bass, mostly punkish stuff so my default was power chords. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jonjohn Posted April 4, 2011 Members Share Posted April 4, 2011 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members davidM Posted April 4, 2011 Members Share Posted April 4, 2011 I think we are talking about the plucking finger Is it too late to change my vote then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members starmansam Posted April 5, 2011 Members Share Posted April 5, 2011 index is my go-to, but oddly enough, for faster passages I switch to pummeling the string with my middle finger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BATCAT Posted April 5, 2011 Moderators Share Posted April 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KevinTJH Posted April 5, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 5, 2011 When I do play fingerstyle middle comes first. I had to think about that, actually. +1 vote to middle finger then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darkstorm Posted April 12, 2011 Members Share Posted April 12, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J the D Posted April 12, 2011 Members Share Posted April 12, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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