hey guys! *waves*

I've decided to take up bass coz I wanted to do something new.
I was wondering, how many fingers do you recommend I should use? And which order? Which way to play most efficiently? And in odd timings too as well as regular ones. I was told to play 3213 2132 1321 etc, but what do you suggest?

And don't tell me to use a pick

Thank you!

I'd say three!

I use 2 - my index and my middle., and I simply adjust the craning of my thumb (anchored on the pickup) to reach the high strings.

It depends. Ideally, you'd use all four. Well, five, if you were going to slap and pop as well

Realistically, it's unlikely you'll ever use all of them, unless you're going to play something Billy Sheehan-esque.

You'll need to use 3 fingers to do the Steve Harris style gallop

Personally if I don't need to use 3 fingers I find it more comfortable to just use two. I find it most natural to start with my second finger first when picking, but I've never had bass lessons so I don't know how 'correct' that technique is.

Couple people use three fingers for faster 16th/32nd note progressions. Took a while getting used to this, but makes a world of difference in speed.

1 = index
2 = middle
3 = ring

Starting with you middle finger:

2 1 2 3 - rinse and repeat.

I still tend to default to 2 fingers when playing fast ascending or decending runs... but can do either. Honestly I think the 3 finger approach to 16th/32nd notes sounds cleaner and the attack tends to be more even. Eh... but wtf. Havent met a bass player yet who doesnt rely on a compressor for that anyways =\

Oh... almost forgot... the angle you hold your hand will have to change to use this approach. Prolly the biggest stumbling block for me.

It sounds like a classical fingerstyle guitar style thread. But again, if you can play classical guitar fingerstyle, you shouldn't have any problems with plucking on bass.

Hey Lizze! You're really pushing through with this huh? Good luck!!!!

Well nothing like Billy Sheehan or Victor Wooten Maybe some of the easier Mr. Big songs though.
I want to get some Rush songs down because a friend who's a drummer worships them. And I love Geddy Lee's playing too.

Thanks for the info. I'll try that.

yeah i've kinda thought about the classical guitar thing. meh

Thanks Pao

omg, 5 posts in a row LOL

Classical fingerstyle all the way