3-Finger Method - Right-Hand Bass Technique Tutorial - (Mark Michell)

[beijing08mainstreet]

Thank you

[mikesirman]

harris never used/uses 3 fingers, he has even stated that in tons of interviews and if you watch any live recordings its just the 2....hes just a bass monster and sounds like he uses 3 for those gallops

[kc8ntp]

I am fortunate to have been a classical guitarist and a drummer before I was bassist, so this technique came pretty natural. The other trick to using this technique is to think like a drummer. I agree, it is one that ALL bassist should learn. I am able to do 256th note triplets with fairly good accuracy and tone using this. Now, if I could do it like John Myung, then my bass playing would be complete; I don't see it happening in my lifetime, however!

[terreseco]

Very good! Thank you

[whiteboy7890]

the only way to get the tight consistent 3 finger pattern is alternating your picking fingers not just playing ring middle index, co-ordinate all your fingers cause once it gets to more technical stuff using lots of string skipping your going to have to re-learn your technique

[Fabiomarrabio]

ahem...yes,you know what you're talking about,except for...ahem....STEVE HARRIS PLAYS WITH TWO FINGERS!!!! nice video,however :)

[Fabiomarrabio]

nice skateboard!

[nkn222xXx]

Yesterday I've seen Alex Webster vid and I decided that I must learn to play with 3 fingers :d but didn't know how to get into it right. Your video helped me a lot :) btw. It's not as hard thing after playing 3 years with two fingers as I was thinking. Sorry for shitty english :D thank you, and cheers from Poland!

[nnnnnnnnnh]

steve harris never used 3 fingers

[nikeleggio]

How many strings are on that tree you have there?

[MistaMarko]

@nikeleggio like 30

[squiffyk7]

i've been playing bass for about a month now after playing guitar for 3 years with lessons. I'm into metal and got inspired to play bass after watching as blood run's black bassist's videos... when should i start using the 3 finger technique? after practicing i can play 16ths at 100bpm with 2 fingers, is that ready to use 3 finger technique or should i get better at 2 fingers

[MistaMarko]

@squiffyk7 It just depends on what you feel most comfortable with. If you feel you "NEED" to use 3-fingers, use them. I did for the speeds I was playing with the music I was learning at the time. But make sure you're competent with two first.

[ulmech]

In relation to Sheehan's analogy about nervousness, I naturally go IRM, and this feels quite natural when I practice a three fingered method, but after seeing this, I feel I should make the switch, Thoughts?

[MistaMarko]

@ulmech I mean, you should, because anatomy states that that is more anatomically correct, but it's always about what feels best to you, the player.

[xXxEHABISAACxXx]

I'll be buying a Bass soon .. Hm, your bass is a monster lol .. My teacher has one like it!! Helpful video! Thanks!

[MistaMarko]

@xXxEHABISAACxXx No problem! Good luck.

[shredosaurusjs]

Hey man. I'm also a classical guitarist and I used to have the same problem with my left hand direction not wanting to cooperate with my right hand direction and vice versa. I fixed this by playing 3 note per string scales with every possible right hand pattern... Took about a month (As a classical guitarist I use 4 note tremelo patterns with my thumb as well), but with just three fingers you'll get it in no time.

[MistaMarko]

@shredosaurusjs Cool, it hasn't really hindered my playing though.

[voidismatter]

Hey dude, I have a question. I've been trying to play with 3 fingers for a few months now. But now matter how I do it, I always play triplets. the ring kind of pulls my middle finger so the timing between them is always a bit too fat, creating a triplet feel. Any way to fix this?

[MistaMarko]

@voidismatter Hey man. So you're saying the timing between the ring and middle is faster than the timing between middle and index? Kind of like a gallop? Because if you're playing "triplets"...well, it all depends how you phrase it and look at it, haha, but it sounds more like they're sort of "galloping". To be honest I had this problem too and you really need to try playing things with ONLY the 2nd and 3rd fingers and leave the index out. It will allow strength to be built quickly in the ring!

[voidismatter]

@MistaMarko Yes, that's whatr I meant. Galloping. xD

Thanks a lot I'll try that.

[MistaMarko]

@voidismatter Yeah. To be honest, and this is the answer I didn't want to respond with initially because it's the typical cliche answer, but PRACTICE! That's apparent, but to be more specific, the only thing I can thing of would to be a few exercises leaving out the index and forcing the middle and ring to gain their own strength and independence. Practice the rhythmic exercise I presented in this video as well around 3:37 and start slowly and focus on making them all even at the same volume.

[yomammaonastick]

@voidismatter i had the same issue. when i do the gallop thing i play my fingers in the order of 1-2-3 (1 being index). my solution was to play 3-2-1-2-3-2-1 (every other finger is middle). Just some advice.

[JasonLeonPike]

hey man, nice work here! Well played and clear. Nice post.

[roas2]

for me it feels totally unnatural starting with the ring finger and when im tapping my fingers absent-mindedly i dont think i ever ever start on my ring finger :S index feels so much more automatic for me

[MistaMarko]

@roas2 Well, whatever works best for you man! It's different for everyone.

[deathinbrasil]

@roas2 for me its te opposite



[DarkRaviForDeath]

Cliff Burton used 2 fingers, i would know, im reading his autobiography

[OneEyedGatekeeper]

I swear that Steve Harris uses 3 as well...

[bevski209]

your point at 8:20 ; does this go the other way if you're left handed? I play a normal right handed bass but I write with my left hand and so on... would this affect the way i should do this? thanks, fantastic lesson btw

[MistaMarko]

@bevski209 Hmm. Not sure man lol. Just go ring to index regardless of which way, as your hand positions are all still the same since it's relative. Glad the lesson could help man!

[bevski209]

that bass is beautiful... what is it?

[Klasharx3x]

@bevski209 Conklin Groove Tools 7 :D

[SchecterGuitar689]

Dude!!! Great video! But do you're research, Steve Harris only uses 2 fingers. Thats what makes him unique (That he can play so F****** fast only by using 2 fingers) :P

[MistaMarko]

@SchecterGuitar689 I was under the impression he used three honestly, oh well. Maybe I'm thinking of someone else.

[MrBrawl]

@MistaMarko That's what makes him even MORE of an amazing beast. Run to the Hills with two fingers only? His fingers probably wrestled with Chuck Norris in his younger years.

[halarryus]

I've always naturally rolled my fingers from index to pinky. It doesn't seem natural to go the other way for me. Is that bad?

[MistaMarko]

@halarryus Not at all man. Technique is totally subjective and you should do whatever feels best for you. Remember, this is just *my* approach to the technique here.

[AttitudeCastle]

What amp are you usuing here out of curiosity? Your Ampeg or?

[MistaMarko]

@AttitudeCastle I forget...I believe it was a Behringer 8" practice amp I have!

[AttitudeCastle]

@MistaMarko Ah cool! Sounds really smooth and punchy actually, not your normal snarling GK! How goes the endorsements chats with them?

[MistaMarko]

@AttitudeCastle Nothing nailed down just yet.

[AttitudeCastle]

@MistaMarko You deserve one either way! :)

[HBdude13]

I've tried going from ring to index, but I just cannot do it! It feels so much more natural going from index to ring, and even when sitting around waiting I find myself going from index to ring :/ odd. But that's the way I do it anyway, and it works for me :D

[MistaMarko]

@HBdude13 Sure thing, it's whatever works best for you. Keep in mind that this is just MY personal approach and subjective twist on the technique, and I hope that people can take the basics I've presented and form their own style from it. Always do what feels the most natural.

[MistaMarko]

@biiiiirdman Thanks!

[stonedparyah]

Wow man I remember watching your Metallica - Orion video 3 years ago. It's amazing how far you've come in such a short time. You could easily give me and my 6 strings a run for our money =P Your band are awesome btw =)

[MistaMarko]

@stonedparyah thanks dude, that indeed is an old video. i was only playing bass for 6-8 months at that point! appreciate it!

[tubbums32]

awesome tutorial, mate

:D

[Solaphar]

Cool stuff. Also, I agree with you that mastering two fingers should come before adding in the third finger.

[MistaMarko]

@Solaphar agreed. it's really easy to get ahead of yourself with the whole technique game, believe me!

[AttitudeCastle]

Steve Harris only uses two finger =S Its like his thing, but Billy Sheehan really mastered this in the 80s :)

And just my 2 cents, i found 3 fingers very easy to do BUT my right hand wasn't great (i broke my wrist and stopped playing after like just starting) so i basically have only ever played with 3 fingers, but great video and keep up the awesome stuff! You getting a Custom Conklin any time soon? :D

[MistaMarko]

@AttitudeCastle custom conklins are at cheapest over $6000...so probably not, haha. believe me, i have my custom one mapped out that i'd love to order if i had the money and time to invest in it. appreciate you watching man!

[AttitudeCastle]

@MistaMarko Haha Fair enough man!

Love your artist profile on the Conklin page though xD That counts for something!

Thought you'd get a discount? When will the Tetrafusion T-shirts be avalible on-line? (If i may ask!) I'm hoping to get a 7 string at some point soon, shame Conklins aren't sold in Europe =S

[lowend]

Great lesson here Mark! Could you possibly do one one tapping? I've been doing it for a while, but it would be nice to get some new ideas-maybe something more advanced than an introduction ?

Thanks as always!

[MistaMarko]

@lowend maybe one day...i don't feel i'm good enough at tapping to do one on it though, haha!

[lowend]

@MistaMarko

Haha fair enough man! I would have never guessed!

[BLACKMAGICMETALMAN12]

Billy Sheenan man. He does amazing 3 finger triplets. Also, great video.

[Ginnagan]

Great video Mark!