The Great One Finger Per Fret Debate! - What's The Best Method?
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2024
- In this lesson we're looking at basic technique and the various methods for approaching the fretting hand assignment of fingers to frets.
Many beginner to intermediate bass players find the one finger per fret method hard to use in lower areas on the bass and instead use a three fret fingering system. So what's right, what's wrong and how should we REALLY approach fretting hand technique!!?
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I started on the Mel Bay method, so I've been a finger-per-fret player for 40 years. Fortunately, my hands are large enough that I can very comfortably stop microshifting by about 3rd position. I do wonder though, if my 'economy of motion' would improve, if I did more with a 3 finger assignment. I've always envied my first bass teacher's left-hand economy. Watching him, you would swear he had a rubber hand stuck on the back of his left hand. He could be playing the most active bass line (Teen Town, for instance) and you could scarcely detect that his fingertips were making any fretting motion at all. It was as if it was enough to simply position his fingers over the frets.
One thing to note about the double bass 3 fingers assignment, is that the scale is 25% longer (43" vs 34") so a finger per semitone would be freakish.
i have small hands and play a 5 string 35” scale bass. its physically impossible for me to do the one finger per fret thing. the best method is the one that works for you.
Like I said, hand size shouldn’t play a role in using one finger per fret. The line should dictate the correct execution, not your hands or technique. You should not be stretching with one finger per fret. You need to move the hand.
I have medium/larg-ish hands and play a 37” multiscale and I have to microshift constantly lol
As an oldie (63yrs) with arthritic hands, one finger per fret is nigh on impossible. 🙁
I also have small hands, and I play super fast metal on a six-string. Hand size shouldn't matter.
I play electric bass and I use Simandl most of the time. I mix it with the one finger per fret fretting technique when necessary, depending of the fingering.
When I started I was using Simandl, eventually switched to Four per now I use a combination and switch seamlessly.
Mel Bay told me to do it.
Remember - relax ! Stretch for the notes as you need them assigning one finger per fret over a four fret span. After you've been playing for a while, you will know when you much stretch when you can relax .
Thank you Mark for doing this video. The approach you recommend is clean, intuitive, and less prone to mistakes.
A very good lesson video, helped a lot. Thanks Mark.😊
Thank you Mark for such a clear and concise coverage of this controversial subject. And a BIG thank you for using the Fender Precision!!!🤩
As always, Mark, you are enlightening, thank you!
Best discussion of the subject EVER!
When you play upright and electric, you typically play Simandl to keep it consistent.
one thing i've been focusing on while practicing recently is playing chromatically which has done wonders for playing one finger per fret especially in the lower areas
Thanks for Sharing Mark 🎸🎶🎵
Thanks, Mark
this is a nice video I got it down easy
Wonderful lesson comparing the two methods. I find I do this naturally now. Always good to have some reinforcement
I have small hands and found this video so helpful, Thank you Mark.
Yes sir! Thank you!!!
Thank you!
Good stuff!
Ive got rsi in my left hand... And tiny hands and a giant bass. So i usually microshift to use both 3 and 4 beside each other as just 4 fatigues me. Can i play just 4? Yes. But... I have to weigh if I'm going to get through a 7 minute root 5 8 disco extendamix lol
All we need do is look at the multitude of masters (whom we all wish we could play like) who only ever use(d) Simandl, to see that it's a more than adequate fingering approach for any bass. Even Jaco mixed one-per-fret and Simandl, and that was AFTER mastering one-per-fret. Food for thought.
Pick a method and stick with it until it's second nature. Then adjust if necessary. I play jazz on a full scale fretless semi-acoustic, so Simandl is just fine for me. But I can incorporate one-per-fret when I find it useful (I never find it to be an absolute necessity).
Thanks Mark.
Thank You for this lesson on basic skills. My question is: "What about the position of the thumb?"
Best bass teacher!
35 years of playing! Wow! That's awesome, Mark.
I actually started fairly late. I'm 50 next year
There’s much common sense and valuable information in this video.
Excellent, thank you Mark. What, though, if a line is very fast, taking the F natural minor scale as the example? Would you still micro shift!? 🙏🏻
Yes. Watch my hand throughout this piece, there is lots of microshifting. I don't consciously do it. It just happens because I'm always striving for comfort and fluidity: ua-cam.com/video/hl2fA-sJXk8/v-deo.html
I noticed the buzzing also, I seem to get this a lot. Is it normal, it’s been driving me mad but seeing it happen here makes me wonder.
Had a teacher that went on and on about this to the point where I stopped showing up for lessons. Academics should not teach music. At least not to kids.
Ahhh, microshifts! Cool 😎
I just heard that too.
This discussion leaves out an important part of the equation: the bass scale. On a short- or medium-scale bass, it can become far easier to play everything one-finger-per-fret comfortably and economically, including most octaves. Problems with hand size and/or stretching ability are lessened or eliminated. I'd certainly advise anyone having issues with reaching frets fluidly and comfortably to try a short-scale bass. (I have big hands and also play a standard-scale bass but usually prefer the feel, comfort, and generally beefier tone of a shorty.)
Still listening but I just heard he mentioned about the size of the bass and the size of the hand at about 2ish minutes.
Unless I missed it, he doesn't discuss short-scale basses and how they open up the fingering options and can help those with smaller hands. Of course, you can find smaller players and even kids playing 34"s just fine, but playing a 30" or a 28.6" can make some things a lot more comfortable and easy for many players. If someone's struggling with the size (or weight) of a 34", there's a good ready-made alternative that may not require rethinking/relearning fingering technique.@@therealbaglady
@@SO-ym3zs Just to let you know, hand size and stretch should not be a concern (as I pointed out). If the hands are having to stretch to play consecutive notes, that is a technique and playing problem. You shouldn't be stretching at all. The hand should move. The only time I ever stretch is when I'm playing wide interval chords or large interval tapping lines. Both of these things are totally uncommon in regular bass playing. The rest of the time I aim to play with total relaxation and very rarely stretch more than a fret of distance between consecutive fingers or 2 frets with the full hand. PS. I've already covered short scale basses in other videos. They are great. I have two and use them a lot. But they shouldn't be bought ONLY because of stretching. Like I said, you shouldn't ever need to stretch with 99.9999999% of bass lines, fills or solos.
Point taken. I can only think of once or twice when I've had to stretch playing bass--I just move my hand laterally as needed. A far cry from guitar, especially jazz guitar, where some chord voicings require really awkward stretches. But I do think it's usually worth mentioning short-scale basses when questions of fingering economy/fluidity/speed come up. The closer fret and string spacing can make things easier. Certainly worth a try for anyone struggling with a 34" because of the size and/or weight. @@talkingbasslessons
When I open my hand the gap between my first finger and my little finger is about 4in. When I bend my fingers to play the strings the gap comes down to about an inch and a half. I also struggle to get to the e string with my little finger.
That is all down to needing a solid technique foundation. The angle of your hand, thumb position, bass position and many more things are important in correcting this. Have you had one to one tuition with a good bass instructor? Have you watched my technique course? Had any other technique education? If not then I guarantee you have some technical deficiencies that need correcting.
Then don't bend your fingers. 😊. Drop your wrist and straighten your fingers. Hint: your thumb should normally reach to the middle of the neck, and not to the upper edge.
See for example 11:18 for a perfect resting position
I always play octaves with finger 1 and 3. Bad habit but it's a 20 year old habit so it's not going anywhere. I've tried.
You’re buzzing a little 😉😂 Maybe it’s my speaker
💙👊😎
Thank god my hands big as hell
Promo-SM
As a begginer and hands like Donald Trumps love child, I've struggled with "the span" this will definitely help my confidence.
Thanks Mark 😎
Microshifts are your friend.👌I use them all the time.
You’re buzzing a little 😉😂