Beginner Bass Guide (Lesson 1 - 2 fingers plucking)

[benjso28]

HI guys,

For beginners who wanna learn how to start playing the bass with the common 2 fingers plucking technique can check out:

http://learnbass.blogspot.com

Thank you.

Cheers,

Ben

 

[cool-beans]

Hey nice blog. A little suggestion tho.

I also use the finger 1-2 technique, but instead of what you suggest, I do it a lil' differently.

Let's say I play all open strings from E to G and then backwards. Something like E E A A D D G G D D A A E E, in that order.

When I go up from E to G, I play it the usual way, 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2 and so on (1 being index and 2 being middle). But when I come down from G to E, I play it in another order. I just use the resting finger to pull. Eg:

E E A A D D G G D D A A E E
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1

Reason being this: When I pluck the highest note, the 2nd G, using my middle finger, I notice that my middle finger is already resting on the D string right after plucking, so I'll be able to play faster and smoother if I just continue using the so-called resting finger.

It takes a little time to get used to, but it really helped me to get a grip on the faster songs

 

[Guest]

i still use my trusty pick this pick metal pick.

 

[CrispyEgg]

aiye everyone has their own methods.
especially for basic, it's really varied.

imagine what happens when this is taken to the advanced level, how many diff techniques ARE THERE! LOL.

 

[benjso28]

yeah i agree that different people have different methods but it is good to share how you do it.

Michael Manring plays with the 2 finger technique on teen town. Impressive. Fretless. haha.

Nvr really try using a pick. I use my thumb ot do the down up stroke. Thk i cant control the pick well.

Cheers,

Ben

http://learnbass.blogspot.com

 

[Guest]

lol. other way around for me. i can't control my fingers well when plucking. sometimes i use the wrong finger, or when i try to go faster i tend to like "lock" and feel like my fingers can't move. whereas, when i use my pick i use my whole hand to control the pick.

 

[3notesAbar]

To add on to Crispyeggie's post, I hope this helps:

1) Make sure whatever technique you employ, feels natural to you.

2) Also, don't forget to make sure you sound good. Meaning, you can achieve the same bassline you sought out to play, regardless of your approach-differences (in detail)

3) Last but not least. for the 'nimbler' peoples on bass - If you can sound sufficiently proficient, and convincingly comfortable on various ways of playing the same bassline. Why not? I'm pretty sure it'll be easier to adapt to new things in the future as you go along learning.

PS:- If youre not nimble enough for point 3, I suggest you be a bit more positive and just let go, you can do it hehe.

 

[benjso28]

To add on to Crispyeggie's post, I hope this helps:

1) Make sure whatever technique you employ, feels natural to you.

2) Also, don't forget to make sure you sound good. Meaning, you can achieve the same bassline you sought out to play, regardless of your approach-differences (in detail)

3) Last but not least. for the 'nimbler' peoples on bass - If you can sound sufficiently proficient, and convincingly comfortable on various ways of playing the same bassline. Why not? I'm pretty sure it'll be easier to adapt to new things in the future as you go along learning.

PS:- If youre not nimble enough for point 3, I suggest you be a bit more positive and just let go, you can do it hehe.

It's encouraging to hear good advise from people (3notesabar).

Sounding good is important. Guess not just the technique of hwo to play but also knowledge of using gadgets,different equipments, adjusting the tones, eq and etc will further enhance the sound.

Knowing when to apply the type of technique is also an art. Whe to use thumb, when to pluck, when to slap and etc.

Perhaps we can have more discussion and people can share?

Cheers,

Ben
http://learnbass.blogspot.com

 

[litford]

well, i think this is an important discipline if you're begining to learn how to play bass and need some help getting those fingers going -) so mad props for sharing (and caring.. it's true we do..)

so yeah, if you got good fundamentals, you'll find learning the advanced stuff more relavant to the good habbits you learnt before! -)

 

[benjso28]

Hi,

Some basic 2 fingers stuff that we can use.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=041E9D38723E0076

Cheers,

Ben