Left hand technique

saxon · Post by **saxon** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 8:35 am

Hi gents, not sure if I already asked about whether you finger with the tips or flats of your fretting fingers. I started a year and half ago being shown to finger with the flats or pads of my fingers. At the Aebersold camp last summer they pushed me to get on my tips, tough to do, should I change?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 8:38 am

I never think about it ... I just push and hold ...

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 8:55 am

do what's most comfy for you.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 9:28 am

Yes, what they said.

You can develop your own technique once you feel comfortable doing the basics.

Mostly,. I'm a finger tip player with my index and middle, combination of tip and "flat" with my ring finger and mostly flat with my pinky, which fits the natural claw shape on my hand when playing.

Whatever works for you.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 11:58 am

I tend to use the flats of my fingers when riding notes or playing slow passages but when I need some speed/dexterity I tend to use the tips. I never even thought about it until you mentioned it so I ran through a couple tunes to see what I do.

Do whatever works to get the job done.....one person's proper technique could be your handicap so by all means try other options but ultimately rely on what you are comfortable with.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:17 pm

My left hand technique includes holding the pick. K[/size]

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:23 pm

Do what ever works for you. No two players are the same.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 5:30 am

I advice beginner bassists to use their fingertips, but as you advance, like others have stated already, you will develop your style / technique and use you fingers in a way that is most comfortable for you to play your best.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 5:37 am

I have never thought about it before. I just checked and found that I tend to play off my finger tips, only occasionally resting on the flats.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:39 am

Fingertips. I try to use "proper" LH technique.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:45 pm

I think it comes from being coached by an old classical player when I was a kid. He would yell at me if my thumb came off the back of the neck or if my wrist was not perpendicular to the fingerboard. I tend to use the "proper" technique because of him.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:05 pm

My callouses are on the tips, so there's your answer.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 4:43 pm

Pads. I'm self taught. My uncle would try to teach me 6 string guitar and always say "tips!" but I went for the pads. Even with fast passages or songs I use my pads. I think it's because of my small hands and fingers.. it helps a lot. I hardly ever use my tips. When I do it's because I try to. And it usually hurts... hehe.

Also I sliced the tip of my index finder on my left hand open once. It was a big, painful mess. When I played after it healed I had a sharp pain shoot up my hand. Damn nerves. After that I tried not to use the tips. Every now and then I get the pain, but not that often.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 4:48 pm

Battle scars....

I had to check also....lol!
Pads for me , 90% of the time....tips the rest.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 5:20 pm

The 4 point tip stance...