Let’s Talk Technique of the Right Hand…
In this episode (number 4) of Talking Technique it is all about the right hand technique. Fast fingers… maybe you have been doing just fine with your right hand technique, but when those speed bumps arise it is definitely time to take a closer look. And, as always, does it sound even? I got a tip for you there!
Today we’re talking technique with the right hand and getting those fast fingers. I’ll be going over the two finger alternating plucking style, which will get you through most playing situations.
Oftentimes, players get wrapped up in coupling their right hand and left hand processes when playing patterns. I recommend making alternating your fingers an automated process so you don’t have to think about which finger to use. That decouples your left hand from your right hand to free up your creative flow and timing.
We’ve got several patterns and approaches to clean up your right hand technique.
Here is the post on notreble.com
Comment here, comment there… let me know how it is working for you!
I use Marleaux Basses and Dean Markley Strings. TC ElectronicsPedals, cabs and amps! Fretwrap byGruvgear.
(Ariane Cap is an official endorser for all these fine companies.)
Thanks to Wolftrackaudio.com for audio post production.
8 Replies to “Fast Fingers (TT #4)”
Ari,
I am a huge fan of your material, the book, trufire lessons and blog.
I am not a fan of the new headset and mic. I like the smaller unobtrusive one better, it’s less distracting.
Fond regards.
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff, glad to hear!
As for the microphone that is good feedback. The sound is great, but I am having a few issues with it (it gives me a headache). The one from before picks up too much room sound, so we are experimenting. Cheers!
Hélio, Ariane
Your teaching is excelent. I am Stallone waiting for music Theory and in mean tome i bought the pentatonic download version that i am exploring in a crescent apetite!
Congratulations
Best regards
António Lobo
Thanks Ariane!
This is good stuff and I just found out that my changing is not consistent 🙂
Now I got some new things to work on!
I love your precise teaching – and the speed of your fingers is amazing, too 😀
Great lesson! I should do this when practicing. I am a newbie playing bass. Thanks!
Great advice but I have a different problem that few online tutors acknowledge and advise on. The actual finger contact area and motion mechanics of fast plucking. I started off with a pick and only added finger plucking after a number of years. When going for speed I found the string tension and mass too rigid for fast plucking. I was trying to pull the string vertically towards the next one up in the ceiling direction, with the string running directly across the middle of opposite side of the finger nail. All the emphasis on bass tutorials was on the alternating finger control but I found I could do that without problems just tapping dead notes without a plucking action. But I reached a limit where I couldn’t get the finger back to the pluck start position quick enough due to the force and motion needed to pluck. So what I wanted to know is, should I just use the finger tips, how close to the bridge should I try to pluck, and what quadrant of the string should I aim to roll the finger over? Any advice most welcome.
These are such great questions, Graeme. And would require a bit of a longer answer. First of all point the two plucking fingers a bit towards the bridge, it will even out the different lengths of the fingers.
Then, pluck towards the bass body, your center. Not up. You do not need much force and motion at all to pluck if you have a good angle. do NOT make a “come here” movement with your fingers, pluck up and down (easy to show, hard to explain, essentially use the part closest to the hand for the main motion, not the two distal joints).
How close to the bridge depends on the sound you want.
Hope this helps for starters. I will make more videos on this because it is super important.
Great questions and awareness. Lots about this in the Technique chapter of my theory book. Make sure to pluck with an almost straight finger, no kinking the fingers and no curling either (come here movement, very hard on the hand!); point finger tips slightly to the bridge. A bit more than just the tips, use a bit of flesh. Playing fast is only possible when minimizing tension, so focus on that. Not much force needed. Rather, limberness and flow. How close to bridge depends on sound. CLose to bridge = funk/Jaco. Close to neck: Jazz, warm. And anything in between