Middle Finger Plucking Issues

B

BillyC553

Jul 20, 2018
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#1
Hi! I'm hoping someone here can help me with an issue I'm having with plucking:
When playing fingerstyle, my middle finger tends to drive the string (particularly the A string into the upper frets making a clicking sound, which I hear over the note I am actually trying to play. It is very annoying, and I cant seem to correct it. I started playing one finger style with the index so I don't hear that noise. I want to be able to play 2 fingerstyle and play higher tempo songs when needed. I have been playing for a little over a year now. I play a 4 string bass currently, and I have tried raising/lowering the action, adjusting the truss rod, etc, but nothing seems to work.
 
#2
I know you said you adjusted the neck relief and string height, but is the bass set up properly according to manufacturers recommendations?

How is the pickup height? Pickups too close to the strings will also pick up a lot of unwanted noise.

If the above is adjusted properly then you may just have to really focus your practice routine to concentrating on developing some more finesse with your middle finger. You can start by playing softer and turning up the amp to compensate for the loss in volumn.
 
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#4
If there is no fret noise with your index finger and only with the middle one, then it's a matter of poor technique most likely. Try pivoting your entire hand away from your body via your thumb so that your fingers pluck strings at a more perpendicular angle. That way you are causing the strings to move slightly more parallel with the frets instead of directly smacking into them.
 
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#7
I would just play alternating fingers on one note on the A string at a tempo that you can control your second finger. This may be very slow. Do that for quite a few days. After that time increase the tempo just a bit and see if you can still control it. Do that for several days and then increase the tempo a bit more. If you get to a tempo where you can't control it go back to the previous tempo and spend more time there. This could take a while.
 
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#9
Don't do what I did, it makes it harder to play 16th notes
hand.jpg
 
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#10
I have a similar issue. In my case, the timbre and attack of a note played with my middle finger is slightly different than my index or ring finger, usually having a bit more fingernail involved. Your middle finger (or as I like to call it, "the driving finger" ;)) is a bit longer, so the reach and stroke across the string is going to be slightly different. Unless you have a lot of meat/tissue on your fingertip, (I don't) it can sound different. It's not too bad, but it annoys me cause I notice it.

I try to keep my nails very trimmed these days. (There's always a nail file nearby.) Additionally, I sometimes pivot my plucking hand outward toward the bridge so that my fingertips strike the string at an angle rather than perpendicular. That way both index and middle finger are striking the string fully extended with roughly the same power and attack. (This doesn't work well when using 3 fingers.)
 
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#11
I've seen (and heard) great fingerstyle players playing with their hands leaning toward the first finger side, with fingers perpendicular to the strings, and with their hands leaning away from the first finger side (more toward the pinky -- counter-intuitive to me, but I've seen and heard people make it work). I tend to go perpendicular(ish) or lean a bit toward my first finger, but there are a lot of factors that could influence which works better/is more comfortable for you.

For most people, the middle/2nd finger is longer than the first. If your technique doesn't account for that, you'll likely be hitting the string at a pretty different depth (and with a different part of the finger) with your first and second fingers. There's also the oft-repeated admonition to pull (with each finger) the string parallel to the fingerboard (rather than push it into it -- unless that's something you're going for intentionally).

Without seeing you play, it's hard to be more specific, but I'd try this:

Play groups of notes with your first, then your second finger -- say four of each (or eight, or five, or whatever you like). 1111 2222 1111, etc. Switch it up. Pay attention to how and where on your finger you strike/pull the string. Experiment (with angle, depth, etc.) until you find an approach or three that you like. Work at a pace you can control and try to make the sound (and feel) as even as you can between the two fingers. (I can't make mine perfectly even -- at least not yet -- I hear some difference -- but a bit of this helps me to make it more even than it would be otherwise.)

Gradually make the groups smaller, until you're playing alternating strokes. 111 222, 11 22, 1212, etc. Vary the speed -- push yourself now and then -- but, for the most part, try to stay aware, in control, and relaxed.

I might also try things like playing 1212... but accenting every third note, so that the accent falls on 1, then 2...

I guess this is more a generalized approach to finding what works for you than a specific technical recommendation (and assumes that the basics of your technique are at least somewhat sound), but I hope it helps.
 
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#16
Overplaying is not only the playing of too many notes. It can also be a right hand technique that is too aggressive.

Reduce the pressure of your right hand attack until the problem goes away. Play at that level of muscular involvement. Raise your amp volume to compensate.

Relax and have fun.
 
#17
What I learned to do was pivot my plucking hand so that the index and third fingers were the same length: To see this, park your plucking hand thumb on a rest, the pickup shell, somewhere around there that's right for you, then put both 2nd and 3rd fingertips on your top (E or B) string. Then pivot that hand around the planted thumb until you're touching that string in the same spot on the tip or each finger. This makes up for the difference in length ( . . . though probably not for our friend 9Thumbs, so sorry . . . ), then work on your strokes more across the top half of the string, back and forth. Try not to get 'all' of the string.

When I was younger, I frammed the hell out of a bass, then I grew up, slowed down, and discovered those GAIN and VOLUME knobs on the amps, and learned a lighter touch. You can too.
 
#18
MarkA said:
For most people, the middle/2nd finger is longer than the first. If your technique doesn't account for that, you'll likely be hitting the string at a pretty different depth (and with a different part of the finger) with your first and second fingers. There's also the oft-repeated admonition to pull (with each finger) the string parallel to the fingerboard (rather than push it into it -- unless that's something you're going for intentionally).
Click to expand...

The now 30 year old "Billy Sheehan on Bass" video talks about this; his solution was to bend his fingers at the middle knuckle, which makes your fingers the same length. This technique also serves to naturally lighten the attack you are using so you are playing lighter.

Your mileage may vary; i had a real hard time with the technique, and the problem that you are finding with hitting the string too hard is actually a technique used by many metal bassists (Bryan Beller works with this in is "Mastering Tone and Versatility" DVD... at least I think it's that one) to get a percussive, distinctive tone that helps cut through.
 
#19
I used to have that issue when I had a bass with a P pickup. I got a jazz bass and put on a thumbrest so my hand was angled back towards the bridge. The issue went away. So for me it was hand placement and practice using a more consistent motion.
 

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#20
I have the same issue. But sometimes I do it on purpose because we don't have a drummer. You are playing 'down' on the strings opposed to playing across the strings. Play slow and watch your fingers. Work on playing across. You will need to change your thumb also
 
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