Fretting with the same finger when shifting strings

[Uggelbas]

Hi!

I would like to hear what is considered good technique when jumping from one string to the same fret on another string. If I for instance play an F with my ring finger on the third fret of the D-string and the next note I want to play is a Bb (3rd fret of the G-string), should I fret that note with my ring finger as well? Having to make that jump between strings seems slower than using another finger, but keeping the same finger positions feels more rigid.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I'll answer it this way. The F and Bb do seem to fall into the same four fret, four finger pattern. So yes the same finger would get both. Not as a barre but as part of a four finger four fret pattern. Let's get the fretboard and the major scale box into the picture and I think what I said may be a little clearer.

Major Scale Box Pattern. Root note
on the E string. And the fingers
recommended for each note.

...Index...Middle..Ring....Little
G|---9---|-------|--10---|--11--| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string​

If we let the F major scale be our example the R is an F and the scale degree 8 is another F in the next octave and the 11 is another Bb. Both the 8 (F) and 11 (Bb) are fretted by the little finger. But, the little finger is moved from the 8th scale degree to the 11th scale degree.

I suggest you stick with this four fret, four finger method right now. Years from now your fingers will decide all this themselves. And short cut barring may come into the picture, but, for now let's not get off into short cuts...

 

[Rich Fiscus]

There's nothing inherently wrong with using a different finger, if there's a good reason. Having said that, because you're not comfortable using the same finger yet is not a good reason. If anything, it's a good reason to practice using the same finger, at least until it feels comfortable.

 

[jeepsk8]

I use the same finger bar a lot. Play enough R 5 8 5 and you'll see there is a serious economy of motion savings.

 

[RustyAxe]

There isn't a rule ... what finger you use to fret a note depends largely on where you are now, where you need to be next, and where you need to be after that. If you can get there without tying your fingers in a knot, you're good. But if I were teaching it (and I am not a teacher) I'd have the student compare the difference, playing the same passage/pattern both ways. And then a different pattern in which playing with a different finger works best, again comparing the two fingerings. After some practice one hardly thinks about fingering anymore, simply using the most efficient way to get it done.

I often use R-3-5-8 (or some variation) and back again (classic country walking bass lines) I don't barre a fret, it's more like "rolling" my finger from one string to the other. Assuming we're playing over a G major, my fingering for that would be 2-1-4-4 (index=1 pinkie=4).

 

[jeepsk8]

Yeah, technically I don't bar either, more like the rolling motion mentioned above.

 

[Uggelbas]

Thank you for all your answers!

Two more questions:
Would you be comfortable using the same finger when playing a fast bossa or samba pattern like R--R5---R--R5--- where the fifth is played on the string below?

Can you get a consistent legato feel to a melody when shifting between strings using the same finger?

 

[fourstringdrums]

I'll use either a rolling or rocking motion with one finger, or a straight jump depending on what I'm playing and where it is on the neck. Sometimes I'll use two different fingers. It really depends again on what I'm playing and where. It was honestly one of those things where I worried about any rules and if I was doing it right, and I just did what I felt comfortable with. At the time it was using more than one finger, but I practiced using one finger (Bruce Thomas' bass lines with Elvis Costello is great for this. He does this a lot) and over time I just kind of started doing it without thinking of what I was doing.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Thank you for all your answers! Two more questions: Would you be comfortable using the same finger when playing a fast bossa or samba pattern like R--R5---R--R5--- where the fifth is played on the string below?

Can you get a consistent legato feel to a melody when shifting between strings using the same finger?

Now you have brought in that rhythm thing! Most of the time we speak about notes, but, rhythm enters into everything we do.

So to answer your question, yes you not only can it's a part of the skill level you need to incorporate into your playing.

Good luck.

 

[jeepsk8]

Thank you for all your answers!

Two more questions:
Would you be comfortable using the same finger when playing a fast bossa or samba pattern like R--R5---R--R5--- where the fifth is played on the string below?

Can you get a consistent legato feel to a melody when shifting between strings using the same finger?

I have started playing Bossa's lately. I usually use the 5th above the root, so that isn't played by the same finger. You are playing the 5th below the root, so yeah, same finger. I have always used the same finger anytime I had to use that 5th. It will take some practice to get it to sound like you want it to, but yes, that can, will and does work.

 

[RustyAxe]

Would you be comfortable using the same finger when playing a fast bossa or samba pattern like R--R5---R--R5--- where the fifth is played on the string below?
Can you get a consistent legato feel to a melody when shifting between strings using the same finger?

Yes, and yes. I do both all the time.

 

[bolophonic]

For me, it totally depends on the note, the passage, the song, etc.

 

[chris_b]

I could do either, depends where the chords are going, but I prefer the fatter sound of dropping down the 5 below the Root.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Pinky

 

[tshapiro]

Depends on the situation. If, there was was nothing else to consider, I alternate between ring and middle fingers because they are the strongest. If I had to use my index finger, I’d bar the 2 notes.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi!

I would like to hear what is considered good technique when jumping from one string to the same fret on another string. If I for instance play an F with my ring finger on the third fret of the D-string and the next note I want to play is a Bb (3rd fret of the G-string), should I fret that note with my ring finger as well? Having to make that jump between strings seems slower than using another finger, but keeping the same finger positions feels more rigid.

The short answer is maybe, however you need to look at a much longer series of notes than two as well as the key signature before plotting your course of action fingering wise.

On the average in this case if Bb is the 4th of the scale and I’m just bopping back an forth from the one to the forth, I’d probably use my middle finger on the F and the Index finger on the Bb. Or bar the index finger. Both of which might not be considered “proper technique”.

 

[dreamadream99]

If you are adhering to a one-finger-per-fret system, using the same finger for the same fret makes sense. But in a slurred, tied, or legato passage, that doesn’t mean you have to lift the finger off of one string and apply it to the other. I use two cheats to eliminate note separation:

1. Rock the finger. I don’t feel the need to always fret with my fingertip, So I don’t feel the need to relocate my finger to a different string. I leave the finger in the same position and fret the next note in a different place on my finger (maybe muscle, maybe a knuckle).
2. Use the pinky. If I am playing a samba style bassline with a lot of R-5-octave patterns, I will stack/overlap my ring finger and pinky for adjacent fourths.