Strict "index finger-long finger" motion?

[Apple-Joe]

I am a guitarist, but I got a question for bassists, as I sometimes play my acoustic guitar using a bass guitarist's approach.

When playing across several strings, how would you organize the notes for your index and long finger?

You could...

1) Use a diciplined index-long motion no matter what
2) Focus on mainly switching between the two fingers, but where it is beneficial; use the SAME finger for two notes in a row (there are cases where it may be easiest, at least)

I think there are both con's and pro's concerning both ideas.

If you stick to the first option, you will eventually develop a great technique, and you can use it everywhere as you are 'configured' in playing "index-long". A negative side may be that you will have to sacrifice a few milliseconds due to the motion.

For the second option, a positive side is that you play what feels most comfortable. You use the finger that naturally lands on the string to play the note. A negative side will be that the motion will not be as diciplined as in the strict "index-long" method.

I will try to come up with an example or two. Let's see...

A---------3---------------
E--3--7------7---3--------

How would you play this?

I think I would go for an index-long-index-long-index motion myself. However, some might want to use the index BOTH on the 3rd fret A string AND 7th fret E string, as the index lands perfectly on the 7th fret coming from the A string. What do you think?

I don't know if this is the optimal example, but you should understand where I'm heading.

[WJF]

Old thread, but I'll give an opinion anyway. On the down beat, I always start with the long finger. It has more power and is more natural for me. So:

Long-Index-Long-Long-Index

Must not be many bassists round here!

[Maarten]

By using the same finger twice (so called raking) you will gain a milisecond as you said. The result is that note will be out of time by a milisecond!

Opinions may differ on this, but I always keep alternating, playing tight is everything on bass.

[Apple-Joe]

This is interesting. To men gave their opinions, and they chose each their alternative.


This proves what I suspected; it seems like there are several possibillities, and after all, it's up to the single individual to decide which path to choose.

When practicing scales the last few months, I have focused on strict alternate picking. Even if the method, in some cases, requires more motion - and may seem less logical - I have practiced strict alternate picking for a while. I think that will provide results after a while, as my fingers get used to one special pattern, which is "down-up-down-up etc" no matter what.

This aspect of hitting the notes is valid both for bassists and guitarists. Very interesting subject.