Finger Picking w/ a Stingray 4

[Jawshco]

For the last year I've been working on my finger picking tecniques, and I've found that there are definitely options that feel more or less comfortable with my Stingray (Its a SR4 3freq singleH). For me, I feel somewhat uncomfortable with the 2 finger technique (index and middle) with the SR. It's like there's too much space, LOL! (Not that it's a bad thing). I use this technique, but I guess I just don't like it for all occasions the way some bassists do.

Anyway, I was watching Abraham Laboriel play his 3-4 finger technique (Thumb, Index, Thumb, Middle & sometimes Ring fingers), and I decided to give it a whirl. Not only did I find it more comfortable to use with my SR- I also noticed that I was able to get a lot more speed. I've always felt slow and clumsy with the two finger technique (how is anyone able to hit 16th notes @ 120 bpm with that technique?, that just amazes me...), but now I feel comfortable and capable. I think this technique is easier to do on a SR because of the open space above the pickup and width between strings. The only draw back is that from a distance everyone thinks I'm using a pick, LOL! And no bass player likes to be seen with a pick, right? - Just kidding, plectrums actually sound a lot different and certainly have thier occassions in my playing (when I want a really crisp, clear sound during the uber fast metal rhythms, for instance).

I'm wondering what techniques the rest of you find useful on the Stingray. I'm always open to trying new things.

Thanks!

 

[oli@bass]

Funny, I'm more or less incapable of doing anything else than two finger (index, middle) technique on the bass, regardless what model. I've tried to use three fingers (index, middle, ring) as I've seen done by Billy Sheehan and Steve Harris, but my fingers are very different in length and I just can't get it to be really fluent...

And picks? I wish I could do it on bass, I love the sound but... no problem on guitar, but on a bass it feels totally wrong...

 

[rhythmCity944]

I'm a 3 finger person...it just feels more natural to me when playing to have that hand open...i think it's a waste for me to have all those capable fingers and not use them (all the college linear algebra classes speaking)...my ring finger always starts...

though im naturally a pick player...if i could, i'd play with a pick all the time but some songs just wont sound the same no matter what you set your eq at with a pick over fingers...

 

[RitchieDarling]

I use the thumb, index, and middle fingers......

It's wierd.....

R

 

[Jawshco]

Okay, so you use Ring, Middle then Index. That's pretty interesting. I do that sometimes to give triplets that galloping thump. It's a cool sound. But I feel most comfortable doing Thumb, then Index, then Thumb then Middle. To me it feels a lot like doing up and down strokes with a pick.

But you're right you can't always use a pick. It doesn't sound right for everthing. It's good to really use different techniques to suit different styles. I actually use only my thumb and index for those bouncy country/polka lines- which can then be much the same as the way I slap and pop for funky stuff. I'm also trying out some thumb sweeps and four finger flicks, but I'm not proficient at either of those yet. Theres too much tonal variety out there for me to stick to just one way- I don't want to waste any fingers either.

 

[phatduckk]

hey i play with a pick!

 

[rhythmCity944]

i started playing bass when i started playing guitar so i naturally played both with a pick to keep the learning curve easy then after about a year of playing bass, i started to use my fingers...now i'm kind of half and half with a pick and finger styles

 

[Baird]

but my fingers are very different in length and I just can't get it to be really fluent...

I sometimes find that I use my index and ring fingers (and not my middle) as they are the same length. Never thought about it until now.

 

[Frankie5Angels]

Funny, I'm more or less incapable of doing anything else than two finger (index, middle) technique on the bass, regardless what model.

Amen to that brother. I'm the same way. Two fingers all the way. When it comes to a pick I'm a spastic on the bass. I occasionally use "The Hook" popularized by James Jamerson, but my teacher has a fit if I don't use two fingers. So I try to sneak it in when he's not looking.

 

[carpedebass]

I use index, middle, and ring...a la Billy Sheehan. I am trying to get used to using a pick, but honestly I play much faster with fingers than I could ever play with a pick...especially when it comes to skipping strings.

 

[hankSRay]

I'm a pick player mostly but I like to do switch between pick and fingerstyle during certain songs. I hold the pick with my index and thumb, and then when i want to switch to fingerstyle I rest the pick on the pickup and pluck with my middle and index finger. It's a little wierd and I can't play anything too complex or fast but it works for certain stuff.


Then I use the standard index middle fingerstyle for some songs. If I'm rockin out to iron maiden the three finger gallop (index, middle, and ring) is a must. Then if I'm playing some reggae I like to palm mute and pluck with my thumb.

My point being, if the bass is making noise that you like, keep doin it.

 

[Jawshco]

I sometimes find that I use my index and ring fingers (and not my middle) as they are the same length. Never thought about it until now.

Hey, that actually sounds cool. I'm going to have to try it. My fingers aren't even either...my middle finger is like 7/8 of an inch longer than my index and ring fingers, but the index and ring are pretty even. So that might work for me too. Thanks for sharing that!

I watched the Guitar Center videos of Big Poppa, and now that's the way to play. He doesn't waste any fingers. I'm seeing Index, Middle, and Ring & Thumb thrown in for very good measure. Very cool. Makes me want to practice even more.

 

[the unrepentant]

I use the index middle one mainly, i use my ring sometimes but it's not very fast and i'm not that proficient with it but i can work it in there.

 

[Smakbass]

I have no problems playing 16th at 120bpm with two fingers its just slow practice...too many people try to run before they can walk.....

 

[EBMM7181]

It just depends on the song if I play with fingers / pick

Stingray + Tube Screamer + Pick = awesome tone

 

[rhythmCity944]

I'm a pick player mostly but I like to do switch between pick and fingerstyle during certain songs. I hold the pick with my index and thumb, and then when i want to switch to fingerstyle I rest the pick on the pickup and pluck with my middle and index finger. It's a little wierd and I can't play anything too complex or fast but it works for certain stuff.


Then I use the standard index middle fingerstyle for some songs. If I'm rockin out to iron maiden the three finger gallop (index, middle, and ring) is a must. Then if I'm playing some reggae I like to palm mute and pluck with my thumb.

My point being, if the bass is making noise that you like, keep doin it.

galloping is fun on bass

i usually stick my pick under my mute rest lever on my stingray and then it's always there until i need it

 

[MM_Charlie]

I use index, middle, and ring...a la Billy Sheehan. I am trying to get used to using a pick, but honestly I play much faster with fingers than I could ever play with a pick...especially when it comes to skipping strings.

I'm still working on the 3 finger technique... I've seen many bassists use the three finger technique in this order
index, middle, ring.. repeat..
Im trying to really nail down going back and forth with the 3 finger technique
for example
index,middle,ring,middle,index,middle,ring..

I play much faster with fingers also than with a pick, recently I've been experimenting around with picks, like the nice bright crisp sound you get, but as you said, when it comes to skipping strings...now thats just a whole other story

 

[MM_Charlie]

For the last year I've been working on my finger picking tecniques, and I've found that there are definitely options that feel more or less comfortable with my Stingray (Its a SR4 3freq singleH). For me, I feel somewhat uncomfortable with the 2 finger technique (index and middle) with the SR. It's like there's too much space, LOL! (Not that it's a bad thing). I use this technique, but I guess I just don't like it for all occasions the way some bassists do.

Anyway, I was watching Abraham Laboriel play his 3-4 finger technique (Thumb, Index, Thumb, Middle & sometimes Ring fingers), and I decided to give it a whirl. Not only did I find it more comfortable to use with my SR- I also noticed that I was able to get a lot more speed. I've always felt slow and clumsy with the two finger technique (how is anyone able to hit 16th notes @ 120 bpm with that technique?, that just amazes me...), but now I feel comfortable and capable. I think this technique is easier to do on a SR because of the open space above the pickup and width between strings. The only draw back is that from a distance everyone thinks I'm using a pick, LOL! And no bass player likes to be seen with a pick, right? - Just kidding, plectrums actually sound a lot different and certainly have thier occassions in my playing (when I want a really crisp, clear sound during the uber fast metal rhythms, for instance).

I'm wondering what techniques the rest of you find useful on the Stingray. I'm always open to trying new things.

Thanks!

Excuse my ignorance hehehe I had never heard of that technique before..Definetly gonna try it when i get home.. OH ! and one that I saw recently from a dude in a local metal band.. he uses 2 fingers BUT, lets see if u can picture this.. he does the first two finger picks (index,middle) and leaves them down, and when he is going to raise them again he'll pick the strings again.. and He can pick them with equal strength.. Now imagine that... say.. I DARE SAY almost 195bpm

 

[Jawshco]

Excuse my ignorance hehehe I had never heard of that technique before..Definetly gonna try it when i get home.. OH ! and one that I saw recently from a dude in a local metal band.. he uses 2 fingers BUT, lets see if u can picture this.. he does the first two finger picks (index,middle) and leaves them down, and when he is going to raise them again he'll pick the strings again.. and He can pick them with equal strength.. Now imagine that... say.. I DARE SAY almost 195bpm

Sounds like the Metal dude has some skill to be able to do that. Almost sounds like the double slap Victor Wooten does with this thumb (slapping with a down and up stroke). But VW is in a league of his own!

 

[RobertB]

Someone said something about not wasting any fingers. Check [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF4GYZECVKE"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia] out. Not all plucking hand fingers get involved, but those that do are fully utilized, lemme tell ya. For the best effect, watch the whole thing, it's just a few minutes. Like most things, it builds/develops from the fundamental to the mind blowingly advanced.

And then to see these techniques used in a performance rather than instruction, check THIS out. It's my favorite solo performance of all time, on any instrument. With the economy of motion he demonstrates in the lesson at the first link, he makes the 32nd run in this one look effortless.