I've seen many bassists use the 3 finger strum technique, or even 4 fingers, but is this really necessary? If so, when should I start to practice it?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
Welcome to TalkBass! Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
How Important Is 3 Finger Strumming?
- Thread starter Bass Ace89bi
- Start date
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
Administrator
Gold Supporting Member
Supporting Member
- May 3, 2002
- 28,806
- 19,863
- 5,267
- Disclosures
- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
Do you mean plucking, or do you mean actually strumming?
Neither would be necessary at all for your average player. But if you’re interested in doing them, as with nearly everything, you should start practicing it as soon as possible.
Neither would be necessary at all for your average player. But if you’re interested in doing them, as with nearly everything, you should start practicing it as soon as possible.
i don't think it's "necessary" but it's another way to accomplish a task in a particular moment. i mostly walk with two fingers, but i use three fingers often enough. for me, it depends on which changes at which tempo...with no hard/fast rules.
- you learn some skills and rarely use them, for whatever reason.
- you learn some skills and wonder why you didn't learn them sooner, for some reason or another.
but you have to learn the skill first, or become acquainted enough, to really assess its usefulness for you. good luck with three finger walking!
I always play with 3 fingers. I'm just used to it. I started this way so I'd still be able to play if a finger was injured.
It turned to be most convenient but certainly not mandatory.
It turned to be most convenient but certainly not mandatory.
There are guys like Alex Webster and John Myung, who use three fingers pretty darned efficiently. Also, there's the legendary Billy Sheehan:
...& Steve Harris...
The real question OP, is how important is it to you?
The real question OP, is how important is it to you?
rtav
Millionaire Stuntman, Half-Jackalope
If you want to stay with two fingers, that's fine - Jamerson only needed 1.
But seriously, if you plan on playing metal or some of the more active prog genres learning to play with three fingers on your plucking hand will give you huge payoffs down the road.
But there is no inherent advantage to it, it all depends on what you want to play and how you want to play it.
I recommend it, but then I play a lot of prog metal and other very active prog stuff, but YMMV.
But seriously, if you plan on playing metal or some of the more active prog genres learning to play with three fingers on your plucking hand will give you huge payoffs down the road.
But there is no inherent advantage to it, it all depends on what you want to play and how you want to play it.
I recommend it, but then I play a lot of prog metal and other very active prog stuff, but YMMV.
It's not really necessary... and you can start anytime you want to.
I've been playing three fingers since I saw Iron Maiden's Live After Death video years ago. Steve Harris' galopping bass can be done with 2 fingers, but it's much easier with 3 fingers.
I've been playing three fingers since I saw Iron Maiden's Live After Death video years ago. Steve Harris' galopping bass can be done with 2 fingers, but it's much easier with 3 fingers.
I guess it depends on what you want to play. I’m 46, and play with a thumb and 2 fingers. I use a pick on the songs that need it. That covers 100% of what I am interested in playing.
It comes in handy if you play a little too much, and your fingers get sore. Or if you get a blister.
I'll be honest. I grew up and learned to play before videos and such. I had to learn by Cassette or LP. I had no idea how guys did what they did. I just knew I wanted to play those lines. So, I learned em. All. From Run to the Hills to Shyboy to Master of Puppets to YYZ, with two fingers. I can still play em all that way. And often do. Necessary? Nope. But maybe handy for some of today's speedier tracks. Heck, I even learned pick tunes, such as Race with a Devil on a Spanish Highway with two plucking fingers. Adding a third has been difficult, bein honest. Tho I have tried. It may be easier to acquire that technique and play these kinds of songs, but I just don't have the patience. Ha!
Necessary? Depends on what you are doing!
(I basically play 'flamenco' on my bass guitars - works for me...)
(I basically play 'flamenco' on my bass guitars - works for me...)
Well, it's always good to have another item on the musical bag of tricks.
Sorry for the nitpick, but Steve Harris plays with 2 fingers only.
"You’ve said it plenty of times, but some people still insist that you play “the gallop” with three fingers. Can you confirm that your right-hand technique uses just two fingers?
It’s only two".
Source: https://www.bassplayer.com/artists/...tes-a-bold-new-chapter-with-the-book-of-souls
Sorry for the nitpick, but Steve Harris plays with 2 fingers only.
"You’ve said it plenty of times, but some people still insist that you play “the gallop” with three fingers. Can you confirm that your right-hand technique uses just two fingers?
It’s only two".
Source: https://www.bassplayer.com/artists/...tes-a-bold-new-chapter-with-the-book-of-souls
Don't be sorry, I learned something new today! Mind=BLOWN!
I'm glad you understood my intention. I didn't want to sound disrespectful or like a mister know-it-all.
That said, the brilliance of Steve Harris' genius is truly mind blowing.
I guess I could put him up for a night or two. But after that he's gotta go. I have a wife and kids, ya know.
It's a little presumptuous of you to offer up my house like that though.
Well, lets not rule anything out nowI guess I could put him up for a night or two. But after that he's gotta go. I have a wife and kids, ya know.
It's a little presumptuous of you to offer up my house like that though.