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Posted by: dairwolf Aug 13 2012, 10:08 PM

Hey there! I´d like to know whether anyone knows fast bass players that only use two fingers for plucking the strings.

I have a really hard time getting used to playing with a plektrum so I consider switching to electric bass mainly (I already played the bass for a couple of years but not with the same effort as the guitar).

I think that playing with three fingers makes it very difficult because you often have to divide two or four by three. I´d like to have a more intuitive approach to the bass, which I have when I play with only the index and the middle finger (because there are basically only two ways you can hit the string, either with the index finger or with the middle finger).

The question now is whether i can get fast enough with only two fingers. I´d like to play Jazz scales in the style of John Mclaughlin or Al Di Meola on the bass. Can anyone maybe recommnend me a bass player that can play things like that on the bass?

See you later!

Tobi

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Aug 13 2012, 11:01 PM

Hi Tobi - cool to hear you are getting interested in bass!

I would say go for two fingers technique. Playing with 3 fingers can get really impressive but I don't think 2 fingers is necessarily a limiting factor in speed. Utilizing proper technique with lots of practice can get you far!

BTW - Steve Harris plays with two finger (many think its 3 because of the speed) :

Francis Rocco Prestia can get really impressive and fast with the tight fingerstyle funk lines:

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 13 2012, 11:10 PM

Great vids Is there a One Finger Technique? I always thought bass players used two?

QUOTE (Bogdan Radovic @ Aug 13 2012, 06:01 PM)

Hi Tobi - cool to hear you are getting interested in bass!

I would say go for two fingers technique. Playing with 3 fingers can get really impressive but I don't think 2 fingers is necessarily a limiting factor in speed. Utilizing proper technique with lots of practice can get you far!

BTW - Steve Harris plays with two finger (many think its 3 because of the speed) :

Francis Rocco Prestia can get really impressive and fast with the tight fingerstyle funk lines:

Posted by: The Uncreator Aug 13 2012, 11:31 PM

I know some bass players that use four fingers, they are more classically inclined though, so the playing is smoother and more round, whereas I think two fingers will give you great attack and presence.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 14 2012, 09:44 AM

QUOTE (Bogdan Radovic @ Aug 13 2012, 11:01 PM)

BTW - Steve Harris plays with two finger (many think its 3 because of the speed) :

I admit that I was one who always thought Steve used 3 ! Well, know I know the truth !

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 14 2012, 01:03 PM

QUOTE (dairwolf @ Aug 13 2012, 10:08 PM)

.... I´d like to play Jazz scales in the style of John Mclaughlin or Al Di Meola on the bass. Can anyone maybe recommnend me a bass player that can play things like that on the bass?

See you later!

Tobi

Have a listen to Pastorius, Steve Swallow, Paul Carmichael, Jeff Berlin, Stanley Clarke...

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