Look its like this right....Jaco does teen town with two and adam nitti errr does what he does with two so two finger players....three does not = speed but a well executed two = well executed playing !!....wish I could play like Carole Kaye and just a pick you know!!
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
@squiffyk7 You should start using 3 fingers right away; if you wait until your two fingers are up to speed, your third will be way behind and it may be more difficult. I do appreciate that you are a metal player that uses their fingers. I'm sure many players like Alex Webster would be proud! Keep up the good work!!
@squiffyk7 I personally got to around 160 - 170 BPM with two fingers before I started three fingers. I still use mainly two fingers, but like metalbassist54 said, I would be a lot better with my ring finger if I would have started earlier. Good Luck!!
I never did bother with three fingers myself =/ I do almost a Geddy Lee style, where I only use one finger... If I use 2 at all its mostly to gallop, I never do you 3 or 4 tho.
@SgtZaqq YOu dident know that? For most of his songs, even the solo in yyz, he only uses 1 finger lol, its not all that difficult, just 1 and 3 on the pad of your finger, 2 and 4 on the nail.
hey I have a question... I m really used with the two fingers-style, I m playing a bit of a pick-style and slap too, can I try this technique or will I get confused with all these styles, because I m playing for 7 months now and I don't want to progress wrongly now in the beggining....
@Zip2461996 I say, have all you can learn in your bag of tricks! I'm constantly learning new things. You can never be stagnant when you keep yourself active! Cheers!!
omg learn me! :D insane man , looking so pro! :D just learned mario theme on bass ^^ insane but need a better teq to play it faster and make it look more pro ^^ s o i dont miss any notes aswell :P thnks
Having the bridge pickup set that close to the strings pulls the strings down to the fretboard quite a bit as you can clearly hear. A bit much of fret noise on that bass for my taste, but all a matter of taste, right?
I can't do this, for the life of me...Billy Sheehan, Alex Webster, both big inspirations of mine, do 16th notes using 3 fingers in a linear motion...But when I try it, no matter how much, I go into a triplet galloping mode.
I adopted the 3-2-1-2 3-2-1-2 version to offset this, and it works, but it confuses me why very few use it and many instead use this...Maybe my brain is just wired wrong? :-/
A lot of guys play faster with two fingers than with three, so it doesn't seem worth the while to learn something tricky like playing I-M-R-M for quadruplets when you could just get faster with two fingers. Yes, I KNOW, you COULD do it, but in this case it seems like "adding" a technique is actually subtracting. But definitely, whatever you decide, learn to play with I and R, then learn to play with R and M, so that you are comfortable playing with any permutation.
I appreciate the "FREE" lessons that you take time out to put here. I have never taken my bass playing serious, too preoccupied I guess. But now at 49 I am highly motivated to learn. I just need to practise. So thanks for vids, for me they are motivational. I am kinda a Stanley Clarke Marcus Miller, Byron Miller Mark Adams Rickey Carter type wanna be LOL, I hope you are still doing vids. Again thanks.
@lukebennettlufc I know. I've already apologized for this oversight. This is still a good lesson for other techniques you may not have thought of. Thanks for the comment.
Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse and Blotted Science can do consistent 4/4 time 16th notes using three fingers. It's nothing but simple coordination but hard to achieve.
my ring finger is so weak. i tried this years ago and while i can do "the trooper" style galloping just fine, it has taken me at least 2 years to be able to sort of so a straight 4 with 3 fingers. tough stuff.
TO ALL LAZY GUYS LIKE ME: I personaly play only fingerstyle and I mostly use 2 finger my ring finger I use it when I need a gallop and when a guitar player picks really fast I justt cut the number of notes in half but if you need that speed and if you don't wanna practice this thing use a pick
@nemakur LOL... I'm sometimes like you. On a six-string bass, haha. XD But I personally think it's better if you know both using the plectrum and this 3-finger technique, as it would allow you to play more styles and experiment more. Well, that's just me though. :)
I really disagree on your approach on 3 finger technique. I would recommend everyone to play like this: 1 (= index ofcourse) --> 2 --> 3 --> 2 --> 1 --> 2 --> 3 --> 2 --> 1
Believe, you won"t have the 'galloping" feel. Actually, before even practicing 3 finger technique, just try playing with your middle- and ring finger. Just to loosen it up! Believe me, it works, just practice, practice, practice and see how you're getting better!
@flearis I did mention in my video to practice these techniques in every direction you can think of. My 3-2-1-2-3 is the same as yours, I will get to that combination every other pass. Just as you will get to the way I did it every other pass. Thanks for your comment.
@flearis my teacher also recommends this style. The main difference is that you will not play triplets but quadruplets going 1232 - 1232. Being able to play in four is important.
I'm having difficulties to unison the left hand with the right hand when playing different tones with each hit on the strings. 3-fingers makes it even harder but makes me able to go faster though, and makes my striking with the right hand a mess, even more when moving to another string. Great series though, sometimes I need this type of motivation to keep me wanting to learn new things to improve my playing!
Yes I see the Billy Sheean and Steve Harris, but truely this man is a good player, the clip didn't really help me very much, but he's a good player u can tell. E for effort.
People who say this is only good for galloping need to hear more bassists other than metal ones.
Listen to Percy Jones. His 3 finger technique is amazing and he uses it for far more than "galloping". His use of dead notes is awesome. Hear his playing on Brian Eno's "Kurt's Rejoinder" and "Sky Saw"
@bballtez Typically, it's proper to anchor the thumb of your plucking hand on the corner of the pickup closest to the neck for consistency and stability when plucking the strings. However, in the case that you aren't playing on your low E string for a particular passage/riff, you can slide your thumb down the edge of the pickup and bring it to rest on the E string instead. It's much easier to reach the higher-pitched strings from the E string than the top of the pickup. Hope this helped.
@bballtez Yeah, that should help quite a bit. Also, although I've heard it isn't exactly "proper" technique, you can anchor your thumb on the A string if you aren't using the E or A strings. I find that to be pretty handy when I'm using just the D and G strings, for example.
yeah, I'm not the first one to say that, but steve harris uses 2 fingers. His fingers go soo fast that the 3rd finger starts moving a bit, thats why something it looks like he plays with 3 fingers
@solinyto I was just about to say the same thing! Still, this 3 finger technique for triplets and galloping is very useful ... as I have been using it for years.
@solinyto I think that 2 finger tripplets does not make you a better bassist. all I play is metal for the most part and I really want to get into the habbit of 3 fingers period less tiring imo
3-2-1-2-3 is no better than just using two fingers. You use your middle finger twice as much as the others, so it becomes a bottle-neck, whereas 3-2-1 or 1-2-3 spreads the plucking evenly.
@videomongoose When I started playing with three fingers, I just started 1-2-3 as an extension of the regular two finger technique. It didn't occur to me until later what the person in the video said about 3-2-1 being more natural. However, I managed to get 1-2-3 to work just as well for me now, so doing it either way is fine.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
it ind it best to just use the two its alot better you can get faster gallops and it makes your hand stronger two i never tend to get tired doin the 3 finger technique so yeah a better bassist would just use two in my oppinion
Better than what? A better bassist? I believe that the better anything (if there is such a thing) would use all the techniques they can at their disposal. To stop learning and acquiring information is death. My opinion.
nah i agree with the learn everything i love learning new techniques but there are techniques what do and dont work for the player right? im just sayingi dont tend to get along with it (three finger) as much as two finger it is a handy technique for certian styles though i guees
@CoolBear777 agree..in my opinion musical instruments is like a mountain...u see it and you think "oh my god how can i climb this shit!" and then u start climbinγ and trying to make it..and when u reach the top u see that this "mountain" was only a hill before a huge mountain range! u will always learn new stuff and u have to be openminded! :)
@CoolBear777 Amen. Your technique also gives you a sound that is YOU, and it is definitely distinguishable from me and other people. I really like the sound you've got with what you're doing. It's not for me personally, but it's definitely FOR YOU!
3 finger technique is superior, offers lots of speed &control you just need to practice alot (i never saw a bassist that plays this way and sounds bad) if you can nail this technique you can play anything. :)
@ovalman24 Dude, really fast and more importantly, accurate bass players i have seen use the three finger technique (Richard Bona, Steve Bailey...etc). Who says getting tired on your hand is necessarily a good thing? And its curious how you define "Better Bassist"
now this is the only time i object to "more." in the number-of-strings arguments i say that 4,5 or 6 are all ok. but james jamerson ruled his shit using ONE FINGER! his right hand, he only used one finger- THE CLAW! and nearly every other bassist of any significance is able to play all of his lines with 2 fingers. i love your videos, just i feel like this is only good for like you said, "galloping"
Just another technique for the arsenal. I'm an eternal student and won't eschew any notion of something else I can use for any situation. Jamerson is one example of many who made the most of what he had. Love his playing!
@michaelmorr100 Jamerson is great, but there are more kinds of musical styles than Motown. Try playing something like Fight Fire with Fire using only one finger.
Hahaha I love how in these videos where we only see the fretboard or pickups and your hand, you really do a lot of talking with your hand... makes me think you should almost get a sock-puppet made up to look like you =P
nice work,, looks to me tho that the action on that j-bass is a bit off, The G string looks like its about to fall off the side, and the E has like 1/2 an inch space :/ Is that a custom bass ?
thank you for the videos, they are really useful! but, ive got a problem... when i practice this my pinky is straight, separated from the strings and the other fingers... something like this (imagine thats a hand): \mm (the pinky is the \) and i dont know how to solve it, because if i dont do it like this my third finger can hardly move! but i havent seen anyone doing it like this, so it should be wrong... any advice? :D again, thanks for your help!
I used to play guitar over 3 years, but Im starting to play bass. What happens is that when Im playing bass my right hand hurts a lot (I am right-handed) and that happen because of the tension.
Cool man. I really like how you are applying it. Let me know what you think of my own 3 finger technique. It is geared and adapted more towards the flamenco tremelo style. I use my thumb index and middle fingers. I will be posting a tutorial soon. I have two videos right now. 1st one is more of quick demo based off of my song. ImproZed Peace is full of dynamics. Enjoy!
Well,youtube has ended up being the home of fascism.I said what i've seen harris do and i got -5.Also i get a pig saying i am a retard because i was mistaken.
It also shows that I painted my pickup covers! LOL There are some serious wear spots there. I've recently changed my covers to black. Now they're shiny again!
Thanks for a TOTAL rip-off ! You stole this entire lesson from Billy Sheehan. It is off of his: "On Bass", or "Bass Secrets" VHS tapes. Give it up already.
I normally don't reply to things like this, but...consider everything we play, everything we say has come before us. EVERYTHING! There is NOTHING new under the sun. We are a regurgitation of information. You'll here these things from me and everybody else on here. If you feel I've "ripped" you off, I apologize. I'm just sharing the knowledge I've acquired. I agree with Sheehan, Wooten, Harris, Lee, Pastorius, and everyone else who's made me who I am. I wish you well in what you do. Take care.
Do you even play dude? Do you know what it takes to create something and constantly improve on it every single day? To take what you have learned from your peers, your idols, even your students and shape it into your own? The amount of discipline involved is staggering to most people. Think before you make your comments.
Mine go in one direction, but the rhythm doesn't feel consistent. If I use 1 2 1 3, even if they don't line up to 4 notes, it feels a lot more controlled with the rhythm. I don't know why, but it feels very natural.
I stand corrected! Out of his own mouth! That's the great thing about the internet. No one would have known that. I know tons of bass players who swear he uses three. I was one of them. Oh well...another technique for those who didn't have it. Take care.
actually I thought he used 3 but i have a student who is crazy bout Harris and he showed me an interview. I think a lot of people think he uses 3 because of his weird hand positioning.
Look its like this right....Jaco does teen town with two and adam nitti errr does what he does with two so two finger players....three does not = speed but a well executed two = well executed playing !!....wish I could play like Carole Kaye and just a pick you know!!
Fl3tch3rb0y 3 days ago
@nasischijf4149 and three ..
theguys90 4 days ago
Jonah Hill plays bass? nice vid btw!
mattlovesdrums25 1 week ago
what gauge strings do you play?
salemboicot 1 week ago
my fingers don't naturally move from the third finger first. any tips? i can't get the gallop down
sebsoriano19 2 weeks ago
@nithinthomas91 no
sabbathmc97 2 weeks ago
Do i HAVE to learn three finger picking?
nithinthomas91 3 weeks ago
My fingers naturally go index to ring. :|
22FretsIsNotEnough 4 weeks ago
the trooooooooooopppppppppppppeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
blackNwhite2008 2 months ago
Yea, even faster, it can see anything.
muchkomuch 3 months ago
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
squiffyk7 4 months ago
@squiffyk7 You should start using 3 fingers right away; if you wait until your two fingers are up to speed, your third will be way behind and it may be more difficult. I do appreciate that you are a metal player that uses their fingers. I'm sure many players like Alex Webster would be proud! Keep up the good work!!
metalbassist54 2 months ago
@squiffyk7 I personally got to around 160 - 170 BPM with two fingers before I started three fingers. I still use mainly two fingers, but like metalbassist54 said, I would be a lot better with my ring finger if I would have started earlier. Good Luck!!
MrSeemby 2 months ago
The Troooooooooooooooooooooooooper.......killed 26 people =D
megastarwarsfan11 4 months ago
Steve Harris plays with 2 fingers....
nasischijf4149 4 months ago 18
@nasischijf4149 and pretty slow compared to guys who use three fingers :b... sounds way better than most who do however o.O
Defenderofeyre 2 days ago
Longest 60 seconds of my life.
00NeVaN00 4 months ago 13
@00NeVaN00 Sorry.
CoolBear777 2 months ago 3
Great! This is really helpful!
kubony 4 months ago
this guy is great!
hazbardul2 5 months ago
I never did bother with three fingers myself =/ I do almost a Geddy Lee style, where I only use one finger... If I use 2 at all its mostly to gallop, I never do you 3 or 4 tho.
tippy400 6 months ago
@tippy400 Geddy used 1 finger? What?!
SgtZaqq 5 months ago
@SgtZaqq YOu dident know that? For most of his songs, even the solo in yyz, he only uses 1 finger lol, its not all that difficult, just 1 and 3 on the pad of your finger, 2 and 4 on the nail.
tippy400 5 months ago
@SgtZaqq So does Jack Bruce from Cream
CoolBear777 4 months ago
@tippy400 Geddy's mainly a two-finger player. He really got into his "one-finger flamenco" a few years back.
CoolBear777 4 months ago
@CoolBear777 Its pretty cool tho eh :P U honestly just find it easier "alternate" strumming with just my index finger :)
tippy400 4 months ago
hey I have a question... I m really used with the two fingers-style, I m playing a bit of a pick-style and slap too, can I try this technique or will I get confused with all these styles, because I m playing for 7 months now and I don't want to progress wrongly now in the beggining....
Zip2461996 6 months ago
@Zip2461996 I say, have all you can learn in your bag of tricks! I'm constantly learning new things. You can never be stagnant when you keep yourself active! Cheers!!
CoolBear777 6 months ago
@CoolBear777 thanks a ton!
Zip2461996 6 months ago
how about four fingers?
cupis612 6 months ago
@cupis612 If you can do it! I have smallish hands. My pinky is just no good for picking. I say if you can, do it!!
CoolBear777 6 months ago
omg learn me! :D insane man , looking so pro! :D just learned mario theme on bass ^^ insane but need a better teq to play it faster and make it look more pro ^^ s o i dont miss any notes aswell :P thnks
MartinOgNiklas 6 months ago
@MartinOgNiklas Let's go!! :-D
CoolBear777 6 months ago
Having the bridge pickup set that close to the strings pulls the strings down to the fretboard quite a bit as you can clearly hear. A bit much of fret noise on that bass for my taste, but all a matter of taste, right?
Account3of7 7 months ago
@Account3of7 Of course. :)
CoolBear777 6 months ago
i lost a finger in this exercise -___- can i hav another?
TheGuitardude94 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I can't do this, for the life of me...Billy Sheehan, Alex Webster, both big inspirations of mine, do 16th notes using 3 fingers in a linear motion...But when I try it, no matter how much, I go into a triplet galloping mode.
I adopted the 3-2-1-2 3-2-1-2 version to offset this, and it works, but it confuses me why very few use it and many instead use this...Maybe my brain is just wired wrong? :-/
KongoXIIV 7 months ago
Comment removed
KongoXIIV 7 months ago
My channel has an exercise that may help people too...
P.s Thanks for all your great lessons cool bear!!!
TheMarkMarxon 8 months ago
A lot of guys play faster with two fingers than with three, so it doesn't seem worth the while to learn something tricky like playing I-M-R-M for quadruplets when you could just get faster with two fingers. Yes, I KNOW, you COULD do it, but in this case it seems like "adding" a technique is actually subtracting. But definitely, whatever you decide, learn to play with I and R, then learn to play with R and M, so that you are comfortable playing with any permutation.
sandalphon333 8 months ago
I appreciate the "FREE" lessons that you take time out to put here. I have never taken my bass playing serious, too preoccupied I guess. But now at 49 I am highly motivated to learn. I just need to practise. So thanks for vids, for me they are motivational. I am kinda a Stanley Clarke Marcus Miller, Byron Miller Mark Adams Rickey Carter type wanna be LOL, I hope you are still doing vids. Again thanks.
MrGaddieBDG 8 months ago
@MrGaddieBDG I've got a few up my sleeve. Keep watching. Thank you!
CoolBear777 6 months ago
THIS WASNT 60SECONDS YA CUNT
j4kk4j 9 months ago
@j4kk4j What was that for?
CoolBear777 6 months ago
@CoolBear777 tongue and cheek, dont take it personally, My bad sense of humour
j4kk4j 6 months ago
@j4kk4j Sorry. Wasn't aware. No worries. Cheers!!
CoolBear777 6 months ago
@CoolBear777 Mistake easily made :p
j4kk4j 6 months ago
@CoolBear777
But he's right.
It wasn't 60 seconds, piece of fucking cunt.
V4FF4NCUL0 4 months ago
@V4FF4NCUL0 WHAT??
CoolBear777 4 months ago
Steve Harris only uses two finger. Twatbag.
lukebennettlufc 10 months ago
@lukebennettlufc I know. I've already apologized for this oversight. This is still a good lesson for other techniques you may not have thought of. Thanks for the comment.
CoolBear777 10 months ago 5
@lukebennettlufc Steve Harris was actually one of the first bass players to use 3 fingers.
Eukatheude 10 months ago
@lukebennettlufc Do you have to be such a douche?
bullsnake70 9 months ago
@lukebennettlufc but hes fast enough...
IronMaidenLive08 8 months ago
@lukebennettlufc
whats up witht the insult?
great vids by the way
guillotinedeath 7 months ago
@guillotinedeath Thank you!
CoolBear777 6 months ago
Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse and Blotted Science can do consistent 4/4 time 16th notes using three fingers. It's nothing but simple coordination but hard to achieve.
Laughingantelope37 10 months ago
my friend at the three finger thing he does middle, third, middle, first ._.
StealthTacticsClan 1 year ago
why only 3? why not 5?
soriku132 1 year ago
my ring finger is so weak. i tried this years ago and while i can do "the trooper" style galloping just fine, it has taken me at least 2 years to be able to sort of so a straight 4 with 3 fingers. tough stuff.
cliffburton333 1 year ago
TO ALL LAZY GUYS LIKE ME: I personaly play only fingerstyle and I mostly use 2 finger my ring finger I use it when I need a gallop and when a guitar player picks really fast I justt cut the number of notes in half but if you need that speed and if you don't wanna practice this thing use a pick
nemakur 1 year ago
@nemakur LOL... I'm sometimes like you. On a six-string bass, haha. XD But I personally think it's better if you know both using the plectrum and this 3-finger technique, as it would allow you to play more styles and experiment more. Well, that's just me though. :)
weiss99 10 months ago
Oh my god, I never would have guessed moving 3 fingers like this would be so satisfying and fun in my life! Haha thanks a lot!
NightXemnas 1 year ago
I really disagree on your approach on 3 finger technique. I would recommend everyone to play like this: 1 (= index ofcourse) --> 2 --> 3 --> 2 --> 1 --> 2 --> 3 --> 2 --> 1
Believe, you won"t have the 'galloping" feel. Actually, before even practicing 3 finger technique, just try playing with your middle- and ring finger. Just to loosen it up! Believe me, it works, just practice, practice, practice and see how you're getting better!
flearis 1 year ago
@flearis I did mention in my video to practice these techniques in every direction you can think of. My 3-2-1-2-3 is the same as yours, I will get to that combination every other pass. Just as you will get to the way I did it every other pass. Thanks for your comment.
CoolBear777 1 year ago
@flearis 1-2-3-2-1-2-3 is pointless because your 2nd finger plays twice as much as the 1st and 3rd, so you might as well just stick to 2 fingers.
WarPhalange 1 year ago
@flearis my teacher also recommends this style. The main difference is that you will not play triplets but quadruplets going 1232 - 1232. Being able to play in four is important.
cosmic53 1 year ago
lol..i never got comfortable with 3 fingers...idk why :/..
Sakado95 1 year ago
Liked the video.
semperfloresusmc 1 year ago
hey thanx man that helped me a lot! i built so much speed so quick!... again thank you...
Antisatan7771 1 year ago
@solinyti actually steve harris plays with 3 fingers when galloping
rileyts33 1 year ago
are those chrome pickups?
MrWilliamSandoval 1 year ago
I'm having difficulties to unison the left hand with the right hand when playing different tones with each hit on the strings. 3-fingers makes it even harder but makes me able to go faster though, and makes my striking with the right hand a mess, even more when moving to another string. Great series though, sometimes I need this type of motivation to keep me wanting to learn new things to improve my playing!
Destruction3402 1 year ago
Holy shit you rule!
ThatKrookedVulture 1 year ago
is it just me or is the bridge on the bass not centre?
the strings dont go over the pickups and fretboard properly...
XichigoX414 1 year ago
nice one. I'm using this technique for 10 month now. gives a lot of speed...
But whats your opion of the 4 finger technique including the thumb?
With this technique you can avoid the problem of 4 out of 3...
and after practicing you get MUCH more speed^^
HaLiSp 1 year ago
Helpful video, to say the least. Thanks for showing us how a little more up close, man.
bongusoryu 1 year ago
Yes I see the Billy Sheean and Steve Harris, but truely this man is a good player, the clip didn't really help me very much, but he's a good player u can tell. E for effort.
11bdcbass 1 year ago
Thanks for the lesson,I'll start praticing until \I get it right:D
GuitarFreak565 1 year ago
too much talking
guitarfd0280 1 year ago
Dude, you took this right off of a Billy Sheehan vid. Alot of it is word for word.
proferic 1 year ago
Well, I kinda disagree with this lesson.... I play 3,2,1 rotation, sounds better... and so it is 3,2,1,2,3,2,1,2 etc..
FleshStarvingBass 1 year ago
I can't do it from 3rd to 1st, mine apparently go from 1st to 3rd naturally. If I try it the other way around I'll lose rhythm.
xPanda617x 1 year ago
I've heard the dentist office thing before, my fingers go from 1st to 3rd. Weird...
ChucklesMginty 1 year ago
Why a video called "Bass In 60 Seconds" lasts 3:48 ? :D
Nice work indeed, it helped me a lot!
SoloNecr0zis 1 year ago
ya steve harris uses two... that guy is straight beast... good vid tho man
Keepitmetal128 1 year ago
People who say this is only good for galloping need to hear more bassists other than metal ones.
Listen to Percy Jones. His 3 finger technique is amazing and he uses it for far more than "galloping". His use of dead notes is awesome. Hear his playing on Brian Eno's "Kurt's Rejoinder" and "Sky Saw"
SuperCunt5000 1 year ago
Wow - deja vu Billy Sheehan instructional video from the 80s...
ZelunWanderer 1 year ago
why do you hold the top string with your thumb... is it like for hand stability?
bballtez 1 year ago
@bballtez Typically, it's proper to anchor the thumb of your plucking hand on the corner of the pickup closest to the neck for consistency and stability when plucking the strings. However, in the case that you aren't playing on your low E string for a particular passage/riff, you can slide your thumb down the edge of the pickup and bring it to rest on the E string instead. It's much easier to reach the higher-pitched strings from the E string than the top of the pickup. Hope this helped.
bassman7530 1 year ago
@bassman7530 Ah.. i was wondering why it was so hard to pluck the bottom strings
bballtez 1 year ago
@bballtez Yeah, that should help quite a bit. Also, although I've heard it isn't exactly "proper" technique, you can anchor your thumb on the A string if you aren't using the E or A strings. I find that to be pretty handy when I'm using just the D and G strings, for example.
bassman7530 1 year ago
i like the 321-123 technique...its mutc esyer for me and now i`ma much better and faster bass player
thnx a lot :D
emshiriii 1 year ago
yeah, I'm not the first one to say that, but steve harris uses 2 fingers. His fingers go soo fast that the 3rd finger starts moving a bit, thats why something it looks like he plays with 3 fingers
Shyunei 1 year ago
actually steve harris uses 2 fingers :D
solinyto 1 year ago 70
@solinyto I was made aware of that a while back. I never knew. He is a monster! What a great player!
CoolBear777 1 year ago 34
@CoolBear777 yeah, i have practiced a lot his style. i want to play like him but that´s hard U_U he is one of the bests
solinyto 1 year ago
@solinyto sometimes he uses 3
Bradford621 1 year ago
@solinyto hes the reason i dont even try to learn playing with 3 fingers, didnt jaco play using only two as well?
6ftUnder92592 1 year ago
@solinyto I was just about to say the same thing! Still, this 3 finger technique for triplets and galloping is very useful ... as I have been using it for years.
TruthFister8600 1 year ago
@solinyto
are you sure? i can remener watching his playing in slomotion ages ago on the live after death video and there it really looks like he uses 3 fingers
lukesfx 1 year ago
@solinyto I think that 2 finger tripplets does not make you a better bassist. all I play is metal for the most part and I really want to get into the habbit of 3 fingers period less tiring imo
proximize 1 year ago
3-2-1-2-3 is no better than just using two fingers. You use your middle finger twice as much as the others, so it becomes a bottle-neck, whereas 3-2-1 or 1-2-3 spreads the plucking evenly.
WarPhalange 1 year ago
@videomongoose When I started playing with three fingers, I just started 1-2-3 as an extension of the regular two finger technique. It didn't occur to me until later what the person in the video said about 3-2-1 being more natural. However, I managed to get 1-2-3 to work just as well for me now, so doing it either way is fine.
WarPhalange 1 year ago
Cool man, check out my own technique. I think you'll appreciate it. :)
neomodernbill 1 year ago
Fantastic, thx a lot! =)
Lifeofbass 1 year ago
okay you go ring finger middle to first is it alright to go fisrt middle 3rd becuase thats natrual for me
CallOfTheHammer 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
it ind it best to just use the two its alot better you can get faster gallops and it makes your hand stronger two i never tend to get tired doin the 3 finger technique so yeah a better bassist would just use two in my oppinion
ovalman24 2 years ago
Better than what? A better bassist? I believe that the better anything (if there is such a thing) would use all the techniques they can at their disposal. To stop learning and acquiring information is death. My opinion.
CoolBear777 2 years ago 54
nah i agree with the learn everything i love learning new techniques but there are techniques what do and dont work for the player right? im just sayingi dont tend to get along with it (three finger) as much as two finger it is a handy technique for certian styles though i guees
ovalman24 2 years ago
@CoolBear777 I agree, Not only a badass bassist but very intelligent.
FlosHoer 2 years ago
@CoolBear777 agree..in my opinion musical instruments is like a mountain...u see it and you think "oh my god how can i climb this shit!" and then u start climbinγ and trying to make it..and when u reach the top u see that this "mountain" was only a hill before a huge mountain range! u will always learn new stuff and u have to be openminded! :)
xMegadethFan 1 year ago
@CoolBear777 Amen. Your technique also gives you a sound that is YOU, and it is definitely distinguishable from me and other people. I really like the sound you've got with what you're doing. It's not for me personally, but it's definitely FOR YOU!
jcookonbass 11 months ago
3 finger technique is superior, offers lots of speed &control you just need to practice alot (i never saw a bassist that plays this way and sounds bad) if you can nail this technique you can play anything. :)
andrei87x 1 year ago
@ovalman24 Dude, really fast and more importantly, accurate bass players i have seen use the three finger technique (Richard Bona, Steve Bailey...etc). Who says getting tired on your hand is necessarily a good thing? And its curious how you define "Better Bassist"
seyibass 1 year ago
@seyibass i dnna i do use that technique now though :)
ovalman24 1 year ago
It can.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
now this is the only time i object to "more." in the number-of-strings arguments i say that 4,5 or 6 are all ok. but james jamerson ruled his shit using ONE FINGER! his right hand, he only used one finger- THE CLAW! and nearly every other bassist of any significance is able to play all of his lines with 2 fingers. i love your videos, just i feel like this is only good for like you said, "galloping"
michaelmorr100 2 years ago
Just another technique for the arsenal. I'm an eternal student and won't eschew any notion of something else I can use for any situation. Jamerson is one example of many who made the most of what he had. Love his playing!
CoolBear777 2 years ago
@michaelmorr100 Jamerson is great, but there are more kinds of musical styles than Motown. Try playing something like Fight Fire with Fire using only one finger.
WarPhalange 1 year ago
I go the oposite direction to you! :)
tvrstl 2 years ago
I do them in every direction I can think of. There are some that are easier for me than others.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
i dont get y ppl cant use 2 fingers, its a lot easier to fous on 2 finger than 3
IMaiden89 2 years ago
Just another technique for your arsenal. I use many different ones. It all depends on what I'm playing.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
i'ts easier not to play at all :))
it's not about what's easier, it's about what's more effective and faster (sometimes 2 fingers are not enough)
andrei87x 1 year ago
i like to go 1-3-2-1-3-2-1, is that ok?
cyanideandhappiness7 2 years ago
Whatever works!
CoolBear777 2 years ago
Hahaha I love how in these videos where we only see the fretboard or pickups and your hand, you really do a lot of talking with your hand... makes me think you should almost get a sock-puppet made up to look like you =P
777static777 2 years ago
Another interesting solution is to gallop with 3 fingers and go on even notes with two fingers
cooper1101 2 years ago
@cooper1101 thats what i do. seems easy enough to me.
remx15 2 years ago
hes so good man!!
rockandroll4life1 2 years ago
hey man, do you use thre fingers to play all music, or for only speedy music?
good video, i play with three fingers for all the things but i want to have more technique thanks man :D
bassmanforGOD777 2 years ago
Really depends on the music. My technique varies depending on what I play.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
CoolBear rocks
Miskatakeable 2 years ago
I was searching for a video like this because Im traying to play The Trooper =]
It really helped thank you.
Tomerba25 2 years ago
hey at the end where u say-practice everything that u normally do... what was that pattern, 3rds?
kindweed 2 years ago
It's the major scale in groups of 3s. Back and forth. I'll be doing a video on rhythmic groupings soon. Stay tuned.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
nice work,, looks to me tho that the action on that j-bass is a bit off, The G string looks like its about to fall off the side, and the E has like 1/2 an inch space :/ Is that a custom bass ?
CatFro4 2 years ago
The action is quite low. The neck is out of alignment. I've corrected it. It's an Ibanez Jazz copy from 1975. Love it!
CoolBear777 2 years ago
thanks for the video man
dead2machine 2 years ago
thank you for the videos, they are really useful! but, ive got a problem... when i practice this my pinky is straight, separated from the strings and the other fingers... something like this (imagine thats a hand): \mm (the pinky is the \) and i dont know how to solve it, because if i dont do it like this my third finger can hardly move! but i havent seen anyone doing it like this, so it should be wrong... any advice? :D again, thanks for your help!
Trystia 2 years ago
Thank you so much! Go back over my strength video. Slow but sure you'll gain at least a little more independence.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
Steve Harris uses 2 fingers ;)
DrRez 2 years ago 7
dude youre good.
ieatbabies12 2 years ago
Dude I had one question, what happen with the tension using 3 fingers technique?
Saenz700 2 years ago
I'm sorry, dude. I'm not understanding your question. Try me again.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
I used to play guitar over 3 years, but Im starting to play bass. What happens is that when Im playing bass my right hand hurts a lot (I am right-handed) and that happen because of the tension.
Saenz700 2 years ago
Practice slow. You have to try and relax. Don't move forward too fast. That can cause a bit of tension.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
My last response is to lefty5150guy
neomodernbill 2 years ago
Cool man. I really like how you are applying it. Let me know what you think of my own 3 finger technique. It is geared and adapted more towards the flamenco tremelo style. I use my thumb index and middle fingers. I will be posting a tutorial soon. I have two videos right now. 1st one is more of quick demo based off of my song. ImproZed Peace is full of dynamics. Enjoy!
neomodernbill 2 years ago
I've harris live and he uses a pick.Neither 2 nor 3 fingers:o
orestis1234567 2 years ago
Unfortunately you are blind as well as retarded. Steve users his fingers and has explained in interviews that he uses only two.
PutItAway101 2 years ago
Well,youtube has ended up being the home of fascism.I said what i've seen harris do and i got -5.Also i get a pig saying i am a retard because i was mistaken.
You can eat my shit now,you fucktards.
orestis1234567 2 years ago
LOL, yes of course, it's "fascism" to mark you down for spreading incorrect information. You continue to parade your stupidity with your response.
PutItAway101 2 years ago
At least I don't "reatard" someone who I don't know and because I disagree with him.Learn to behave at least.
I'm not gonna reply to anything you say to me,so you can say whatever bitchy ass word you want.
orestis1234567 2 years ago
The funny part is that I have seen Harris live too, and he was like 3 meters on me, and I have seen (as well in videos) that he uses his fingers.
Dude, not ofending, but don't say things that you dont know.
Saenz700 2 years ago
just watching this makes me want to snap your fingers.
cdnsoldier1 2 years ago
Why so?
CoolBear777 2 years ago
I was about to say Steve Harris uses 2, but I see you've probably had a bunch of others tell you. But this is still pretty cool.
BassistHigh 2 years ago
Yep he does. For years and years I would've sworn he used three. That's ok. My three finger technique got really good anyway! :)
CoolBear777 2 years ago
its awesome how your pickup is white where you rest your thumb. It shows your dedication.
CursedOne27 2 years ago 2
It also shows that I painted my pickup covers! LOL There are some serious wear spots there. I've recently changed my covers to black. Now they're shiny again!
CoolBear777 2 years ago
Thanks for a TOTAL rip-off ! You stole this entire lesson from Billy Sheehan. It is off of his: "On Bass", or "Bass Secrets" VHS tapes. Give it up already.
lefty5150guy 2 years ago
I normally don't reply to things like this, but...consider everything we play, everything we say has come before us. EVERYTHING! There is NOTHING new under the sun. We are a regurgitation of information. You'll here these things from me and everybody else on here. If you feel I've "ripped" you off, I apologize. I'm just sharing the knowledge I've acquired. I agree with Sheehan, Wooten, Harris, Lee, Pastorius, and everyone else who's made me who I am. I wish you well in what you do. Take care.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
Do you even play dude? Do you know what it takes to create something and constantly improve on it every single day? To take what you have learned from your peers, your idols, even your students and shape it into your own? The amount of discipline involved is staggering to most people. Think before you make your comments.
neomodernbill 2 years ago
Mine go in one direction, but the rhythm doesn't feel consistent. If I use 1 2 1 3, even if they don't line up to 4 notes, it feels a lot more controlled with the rhythm. I don't know why, but it feels very natural.
nowayride 2 years ago
Man maybe you can do it more slowly? Im beginner :)
black696966 2 years ago
steve harris uses only 2 fingers
canvoodoo 2 years ago
I stand corrected! Out of his own mouth! That's the great thing about the internet. No one would have known that. I know tons of bass players who swear he uses three. I was one of them. Oh well...another technique for those who didn't have it. Take care.
CoolBear777 2 years ago
actually I thought he used 3 but i have a student who is crazy bout Harris and he showed me an interview. I think a lot of people think he uses 3 because of his weird hand positioning.
canvoodoo 2 years ago
lol the trooper I recently posted that
canvoodoo 2 years ago
i just use back and forth for the 3 finger technique which is 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 1 and so on
myspacceer 2 years ago