jackers Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 So, I've been playing fingerstyle for a few months now, and I've noticed that when I play, my ring and pinky fingers stick out to the side and tend to move around alot. I've not noticed many other players with this 'problem', so I was wondering if there was a standard way to control the extra two fingers, or if people just put them where-ever feels most normal and leave it at that. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Mine tend to tuck under towards my palm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Many players actually use three or even all four fingers to play, but no me! I simply use my two extra digits to help muting when required. I try to keep them relaxed, sort of tucked up but relaxed (if that makes sense). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Yes, relaxed and occasionally untucked if needed for muting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHINpOJUxuI this is a quick vid of what my hand looks like when i play on the bottom string. On the other strings my other 2 fingers sit on the strings below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I use my right thumb to anchor, usually on the pickup, and the index and middle fingers to pluck the strings. The other two fingers I just let hang loose or tuck them into my palm. I'm afraid I'm not very disciplined with right hand technique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 As others have said, I keep my ring and pinkie fingers tucked in towards the palm, where they are out of the way. I'd recommend that you practice alternating your index and middle fingers. Practice VERY SLOWLY at first, paying close attention to keeping the ring and pinkie relaxed and tucked in towards the palm. Spend five to ten minutes doing this exercise as part of your practice routine. At first, your ring and pinkie fingers probably wont do what you want, but with a little time, patience and perseverance they will learn what is expected of them. While we are on the subject of R/H technique, I hope you dont mind my giving you some extra advice. I notice that you rest your thumb on the pick up. Granted, a lot of bassists do so, but it can lead to wrist or hand problems at a later time, because the wrist is at an awkward angle. You may like to check out the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 cheers for the advice guys I have tried the floating thumb, and I just can't get on with it, it's not comfortable. I have a compromise of using the movable anchor technique, where I move my thumb onto the string below the one i'm playing. (I.e. rest the thumb on the E when i play the A etc.) I dunno why, but it has always felt so much more natural to let my fingers hang like in the video, tucking them into my palm always feels forced and odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1324328000' post='1473142'] Mine tend to tuck under towards my palm. [/quote] +1 here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 In terms of muscle tension mine stay relaxed. What that looks like for me is that they tuck under slightly. For some people relaxed will mean they hang quite far out, others it will mean they tuck right under - relaxed is definitely the best way, whatever that may end up looking like. Re: floating thumb - it may not feel instinctively natural, but - to be blunt - it is by far the most efficient technique for traversing the bass with your right hand (reasons discussed in numerous other threads) and it is far healthier on your hands and wrist than any other technique. Just because it doesn't quite feel natural doesn't mean you should just throw it away as 'not for you'. I appreciate that the bass is a relatively new instrument in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn't automatically equate to 'well whatever works for you' attitude to people's technique... that's just plain wrong, at least from the point of view of what is healthy, let alone what is efficient. Sorry to be so blunt, I'm just weary of these responses coming up and the same complaints coming up time and time again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 My spare fingers aren't always spare so they float relaxed but close by in case they're needed... My thumb - (I agree with mcgraham above), although I don't always remember, if I'm playing a more complex or swift string changing pattern then I automatically use the floating thumb thing, otherwise I may anchor my thumb, or anchor my fingers if I'm using my thumb or anchor my wrist if I'm using a pick... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 (edited) [quote name='jackers' timestamp='1324334407' post='1473249'] cheers for the advice guys I have tried the floating thumb, and I just can't get on with it, it's not comfortable. I have a compromise of using the movable anchor technique, where I move my thumb onto the string below the one i'm playing. (I.e. rest the thumb on the E when i play the A etc.) I dunno why, but it has always felt so much more natural to let my fingers hang like in the video, tucking them into my palm always feels forced and odd. [/quote] The technique used is entirely up to each individual. One technique may not suit all. The golden "rule" however, is to keep both wrists as straight as possible. Do what is comfortable, natural and [b]safe. [/b] Also, dont forget that it was [b]you [/b]that asked for advice in the first place. Out of curiosity, how long did you spend trying the floating thumb ? Two weeks ? It can take that amount of time and maybe more to get comfortable with it. Edited December 20, 2011 by Coilte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 They will just naturally stay out of the way ...no concerted thinking needed. My thumb is achored though..either on the bottom string or the pickup..but after 35 yrs..I don't really have to think about it. Accept that you can get some funny angles anchored but if you want to avoid injury or problems later on, a lighter touch is a far better way to go...as it stops the hand getting beaten up so much. IMO. And the angle really depends how high you have the bass anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emily Jaguar Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Considering doing the floating thumb technique now. It looks pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wal4string Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1324334055' post='1473245'] As others have said, I keep my ring and pinkie fingers tucked in towards the palm, where they are out of the way. I'd recommend that you practice alternating your index and middle fingers. Practice VERY SLOWLY at first, paying close attention to keeping the ring and pinkie relaxed and tucked in towards the palm. Spend five to ten minutes doing this exercise as part of your practice routine. At first, your ring and pinkie fingers probably wont do what you want, but with a little time, patience and perseverance they will learn what is expected of them. While we are on the subject of R/H technique, I hope you dont mind my giving you some extra advice. I notice that you rest your thumb on the pick up. Granted, a lot of bassists do so, but it can lead to wrist or hand problems at a later time, because the wrist is at an awkward angle. You may like to check out the link below. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU[/media] [/quote] Off topic slightly. If you watch the video to the very end, you will see a menu of other video clips. Bottom right is one called Anthony Jackson bass solo, my hero, only young in this and playing a 4 string, xmas has just come early for me. Edited December 22, 2011 by wal4string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Just learn to slap, that'll sort any problems you have with anchoring your thumb or finding something for useless fingers to do. Alternatively (and perhaps a little more seriously), I've taken to using my three main fingers all the time leaving my pinky finger sticking out a little. When I practice at home, I'll play the same riff with each finger individually and then I'll play more complex riffs using different variations of those three fingers. Keeps them all strong and helps with triplets, trills and muting. Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Doesn't really matter what you do with them, as long as they're not in the way, which is unlikely to be a problem Over the years my 'spare finger(s)' move around less and less as I get more and more used to fingerstyle. Unless it causes issues don't even think about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Personally my pinky sticks out and I play with three fingers so they are curled towards ready to play whenever. Wish my little finger wouldn't just sit there stuck out like that though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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