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By Graeme Carswell
Hi and welcome to this tutorial about 3 finger style playing technique for bass guitar.
What I'd like to talk to you about is finger-style playing, especially developing a 3-finger playing approach which, when practiced enough, can enable you to play from simple to elaborate bass lines.
What is 3 Finger Style Playing Technique?
I'm a finger-style player rather than a plectrum-style player, it's a choice I made when I first started playing bass to develop those calluses! It felt more natural to me playing with my fingers, I felt more connected to the bass and found I could play faster and with greater accuracy with my fingers than I ever could with a pick - which I do use occasionally when the song dictates it.
Players like Billy Sheehan and John Myung whom I respect greatly as bassists use finger-style playing with the 3 fingers 'raking' across the strings to create their, often rather complex basslines.
Exercise 1
So, using those three fingers, practice at placing your fingers on the string to pluck the notes in a rhythmic pattern. Using a metronome at slow pace to start will help you. Get a comfortable position on top of the strings with your hand, don't strain at all as, when you play with these fingers for a gig, you'll either end up with a very sore hand or an arm like Rocky Balboa! You'll see I 'rake' my fingers from ring-middle-index in that motion. It feels natural to me, almost as a step-down-the-hand motion, but whatever feels natural to you.
Exercise 2
Try to create the same tone by using each finger on the string. At first you might find your ring finger plays slightly lighter on the string because the strength isn't there yet - keep at it! It will build over time and practice. Build the speed which you strike the string, concentrate on one string to build the strength in your right hand first, then try to cross the strings, don't worry about hitting notes, try 'palming' the strings as I do in the videos to only concentrate on the right hand. Very importantly, LOOK at your right hand. Look at what its doing, watch your fingers, after all your brain is telling your fingers what to do, give it some help in watching what it's doing as well!
So that's it. 3 finger-style playing when you've practiced enough allows you to play fast bass lines with ease and makes you feel in touch with the bass, creating better feel and - in my opinion - tone. Pick/plectrum playing will give greater attack on the strings but finger-style playing is groovier :-)
I hope you got something out of these videos. I'll be doing more very soon.
Take care!
Graeme
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About Graeme Carswell
Graeme has been playing bass for 19yrs now, having first found his love for the instrument after hearing The Spirit Of Radio by Rush. Graeme considers Geddy Lee as his teacher in the early days as he tried to learn all Rush's back catalogue, and since then has caught onto other inspiring artists like Marcus Miller, Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooton, Chris Squire, Adam Nitti, Jaco and many more to influence his playing. "The internet has been a godsend...it makes it so easy to find, hear and watch inspiring musicians from across the globe".
Graeme has played in venues up and down the UK from small pubs with thriving music scenes in Pollockshaws, to The Armadillo in Glasgow. Graeme is currently involved with recording artist John Gilmour Smith, who was signed last year to Aquarian Nation Records. Graeme recorded bass on this John's first album on the label, due for release in 2010. Other than this he has been involved with many corporate acts as 'dep of choice', with his own prog rock covers band and newly formed functions bands Graeme is busier than ever it seems and is happy to be part of the Songstuff collaborative and looks forward to reviewing gear and taking care of bass-related articles.
Graeme Carswell - Full Site Crew Profile
