Four Finger Picking For Bass - Lesson

DOWNLOAD my new album 'Homespun' - available now from iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/homespun/id377612906

A starter lesson for this technique - hopefully some of this information is clearer to understand than in previous videos - this is should help you break down the basics of the this technique to begin incorporating it into your playing.

I'm using my lovely Sei Bass Single Cut series one - more pics here:

http://www.munkio.com/music/music_seibass.html

Category:

Music

Tags:

• four
• finger
• picking
• matthew
• garrison
• mike
• flynn
• bass
• solo
• funk
• jazz

[Wonko19]

As well, trying to maintain the technique I'm getting some shoulder pains and hand fatigue. I'm not sure if I'm tensing up too much or something, but it's a huge effort for me to keep my fingers curled up as much as you do. 1) Did it hurt like that for you, or am I just doing something wrong, and 2) Is the finger curled-ness an integral part of the technique or are there less fatiguing ways of doing it? Thanks a lot.

[ijazzmunki]

@Wonko19 OK this comment concerns me as you should not be getting any pain while using this technique - it sounds to me like you need to set your bass up to be easier to play - this can mean lowering the action so the strings feel looser, using slightly lighter strings and if you install a ramp your fingers won't slip under the strings as much, this was you can play lighter, longer and faster overall. The hand shape is just like making a fist then relaxing it slightly - make sense?

[Wonko19]

Are you using any fingernail? It sounds rather sharp, and I'm wondering if that's a part of it. I'm having issues getting my hands to maintain shape like that, do you have any suggestions on how to hold your hand properly to maintain technique? Also, where did you get your ramp from, and why are they so damn expensive?

[ijazzmunki]

@Wonko19 Hello - firstly I keep my nails as short as possible on my picking hand, I hate it when I catch them on the strings, so no to the nails thing - I had the ramp installed on this bass when I had it made for me, a decent luthier should be able to make one for you or Google Gary Willis and ramp and you should find a great video he's made on how to build and install your own ramp, they can be inexpensive if you follow his method...

[megajhaz]

sir.mike, i'm having problem downloading your new album at iTunes. is there anyway that i can dowload it on other music sites for free??=) thank you, i will wait for your response. =)

[ijazzmunki]

@megajhaz dude - try Bandcamp instead - it's there listed under the band name Mike Flynn's Urb and the album is called 'Homespun' - either that or try E-music or Napster - it's also on Spotify if you use that as well :-) - hope you can get hold of it

[lkscat]

Hello friend I wonder what is the best positioning down to apply this technique. I'm having difficulty level to apply this technique. thank you

[Wonko19]

@ijazzmunki Oh, I get it. Yes, my bass does need a set up, and I've been planning to downsize on strings for a while now. I guess I'll get that done soon, I'm really interested in learning this technique. Thank you very much for your quick response. I'll be sure to work on that, and on acquiring a ramp. Thanks!

[will902]

nice one man great playing here!

[TaterGumfries]

@ijazzmunki Point is, musical technique keeps improvin the longer an instrument is around, but sometimes it gets to a dead end when folks copy someone they like, along with his limitations.

[4StringedMenace]

Yo Mike!! The Jazzmunki! What's that pickup config you've got workin' there? Sounds good :)

[tomaspepino]

how much time take u to domine this technique ?