Fingerstyle Question : How many fingers do you use?

[someotherguy]

2 or 1. I often find myself using 1 and then remind myself to alternate. Still, like others said, sometimes the index has more dexterity and is best alone for slower lines. In rare slaping, I use thumb and index. In my early playing, I used a pick and would sometimes pop a note on the G string with my pinky.

 

I think I going to have to try using three for triplets.

[bassdudeguy]

 

2, trying to learn 3. Any tips?

 

 

just sit down for maybe 15 minutes a day and work on getting a solid rhythm, then move on to string jumping, and after that things should fall in place, thats how i whent about it

[bassdudeguy]

o, i use 3 almost always

[JacieFB]

seven

 

Thank you. I was gonna say something like this. 6, usually, though: 4 for fretting, 2 to hold the pick.

[rikshaw]

i've never had a need for a pick. i haven't found a song that i need one for and it looks so retarded to see some dumbass up there pounding away on a P or J with a pick.

 

i do use a pick when i play guitar about half the time.

 

i don't use a pick on drums or keys either.

[bassdudeguy]

 

i don't use a pick on drums or keys either.

 

 

you should try, makes the tone so much punchier

[rikshaw]

you should try, makes the tone so much punchier

 

[Gruntollio Bass]

Mostly 2, but 3 when doing some faster stuff or gallops. Thumb come into play when slapping and all four fingernails come in when I'm strumming a chord.

[82Daion]

I use three(index-middle-ring), mute with the thumb, and also use three as a strumming unit for chords.

[Robin]

Four fretters and usually just my index & middle.

Sometimes the thumb.

[ThrashmetalErik]

two usually three if im fingerpicking it like a guitar

[WynnD]

mostly 2. occasionally three

[mmb]

three, sometimes two

 

four on gallops and song ends

 

I tap my fingers on a table ring finger to index finger, and that's how I play bass usually, ring to index.

 

I'm trying to model my fingerstyle like what Dusty Hill uses. I don't know if that's good or bad.

[rummy]

2.

[bnyswonger]

Three.

[Roguetitan]

3 fingers

[Dark Slide]

3, and 3 + a thumb when slapping. 8 When tapping.

[slapthefunkyfour]

A few years ago I started trying to use the third finger, and it took months to get down. Just the other day I noticed I was using my pinky. I didn't try to learn that way, I just suddenly realized that it was being used.

[Onkel Bob]

I use all of them but some of them mostly for muting the strings I'm not playing. In fact I don't think I ever use my pinky for anything but muting.

[BlueEcho811]

3 is better if you can pull it off IMO. Being able to use index, middle, and ring really helps for fast metal stuff (8ths and 16ths at 200+ BPM) and also for just flat out "tremolo picking" (which I do to keep up with my drummers kick when he does double bass rolls). Triplets are easier and I also find it makes more complex rhythms easier as well but there's nothing wrong with two fingers just ask Steve Harris for one...

 

Yea see I picked up three finger style really quickly, and it has become second nature for me. I just didn't see many people doing it so I was wondering if there was an obvious downside to it.

 

Oh well, I guess its a good thing that I play with 3 then.