Playing on tips or pads of fingers?

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Oct 17, 2016
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#1
I'm a complete beginner to bass, and because of the way my fingers rest, it feels much more natural to fret with the pads of my fingers, rather than the tips. I talked to an experienced player the other day, however, and he said I definitely should stop that and move to using my tips. Web searches seem to suggest that both ways are viable. Do you have any advice on this? Will I hinder my progression if I use my pads?

Thanks!
 
#4
If you have small hands like I do, it's the edge of the tip for the middle and ring finger. Pinky and index finger are a more toward the pad, particularly when playing on the E string. If you have longer fingers, maybe you can play more on the tips.

I really don't think there is a single technique for all people.
 
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#5
Both are viable. No hard or fast rule when to do one or the other. I tend to favor my fingertips. But that's me. And I do use both.

The important thing is to fret the notes right up against (but not on) the fret as much as possible. And try to do it that way as much as possible. You'll get better intonation and sustain that way.
 
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#7
Arch you fingers and play with the tips. If you use the pads you might develop a bad habit of laying you fingers across the fretboard not arching them. Once you get that down you can learn to use the pads to mute and grab notes above and below using the pad of the fingers.
 
#8
Arching your fingers so you are playing with the tips will maker you a more articulate player. The arch gives you better strength and you can move your fingers more quickly. Your thumb should be roughly in the center of the back of the neck.
 
#9
MalcolmAmos said:
It's a matter of space the pad takes up. If the pad slopes over into the next string you are not getting a "pure" one fret note. Simple as that. I would hope you would first learn the correct way, which is to use the tip of the finger, and see where that will take you.
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Been giving this some more thought. I was taught to use the tip because I learned on the banjo, then rhythm guitar all of these are strummed. So on our bass if you slop over onto the next string, if you only sound the correct string --- what's the problem.

On the bass it really does not make that much difference.
 
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#10
I like to use my pads and a flat hand (not arched) because I find this helps me mute the unplayed strings. For example if I am playing the E string, then my left-hand fingers are lightly resting on the A, D, and G strings, stopping them from ringing out.
 
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#13
In my opinion bot approach are good.
Keep in mind that playing techniques feature a 50% of your personal feel and instinct.
One thing that I say often to my students is to don't worry too much about differences between players, anyone has a personal way to develop the technique, if I close the eyes the only thing I need to hear is good tone, good timing, and a good groove. That's all.
Pad or tips can't make a difference on your bass skills development, so keep work in the most comfortable way to you.
If you need more help feel free to contact me.
 
#14
When I play guitar I play on the very tips of my fingers.... right next to my fingernails, with lots of arch to my fingers. I fret my bass about half way between that spot and the pads of my fingers. On guitar the last bone in my fingers intersects the string at about a 90* angle. I feel like I am pushing downwards with my fingers. On bass my finger hits the string at about a 45* angle. I feel like I am trying to squeeze an orange as hard as I can.
 
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