What fretting technique do you use most often? 🎸 Timestamps for this lesson: 0:00 - Fretting Technique Showdown 0:58 - Meet Your Challengers 2:04 - Round 1: Doing It To Death by James Brown 3:59 - Doing It To Death Play-along 4:53 - Round 2: Time Bomb by Rancid 6:02 - Time Bomb Play-along 6:43 - Round 3: Plush by Stone Temple Pilots 8:31 - Plush Play-along 9:15 - Final Judging + Fretting Myth 10:05 - Pros and Cons of Both Techniques 11:07 - How to Decide Which Technique 12:07 - 2 Principles of Good Fingerings
I've been playing for about 14 years and I've never really stuck to one them, I've always just done what was most comfortable for me, while playing that particular line.
I've recently switched to Simandl. After watching all these female TH-cam bassists and seeing the relaxed fluidity of their fretting, I stopped stretching for notes and started moving my hand. Already seeing an improvement.
I personally don't have a choice in that matter. I'm missing the ring finger on my left hand since 6 years old. So, Simandl it is. Gotta work with what I have.
The first time (out of 20-30 bass teachers) I see somebody who acknowledges the benefits of a fingering other than one finger per fret. Josh, you are a true wise man.
As a person with very small hands playing bass is a challenge and OFPF is almost never an option, but makes me feel extra accomplished when I learn a line I love to play. I've had to rely on Simandl for that reason, but practicing over and over again and adapting to a song better suited for OFPF than Simandl feels great. Just gotta practice and overcome guys!
Thanks for this clarification Josh! Almost 100% of tutorials I ses enforce one of this technique. You're almost the only one who advocates for being smart, and that's a real relief.
best fretting technique video I ever saw was from Adam Neely he posted about 8 years ago where he's talking about how he played for several hours continuously. Basically you want you left had to be as relaxed and in as neutral a position as possible as much as possible. So use 124 for most stuff that doesn't require stretching and use 1234 only for things that do, such as playing full scales. The thing I see others do, that drives me nuts is playing a 3 fret span (e.g. box shape) with index and ring finger. You got that pinky there doing nothing. Should use it instead and save your hand the stretch.
@@58Stejam Agree. And if you've got small hands, it's kinda uncomfortable. I guess I mix styles. Sometimes I use my 3rd finger and pinky as one unit, if I'm doing something like sliding up or down a string. A glissando, I guess you'd call it. My ultimate goal is to hit the right note at the right time, and hell if I care how I got there!
Yes but Adam Neely says some nonsense too. In one video he said that the 1FPF is wrong technique and you should tape your ring and pinky together to forcefully play the right way and, in addition to that, it also improves your tone, groove, sound or whatever. Complete bollocks Bear in mind that the Simandl technique was designed to play the upright bass, which in its full form has a scale length of incredible 43 inches compared to the standard electric bass of 34 inches. Electric bass guitars can be even smaller like 30 inches or if they are really big they stretch to a maximum 36 inches. This massive scale of the upright bass makes 1 finger per "fret" (note) really challenging, if not impossible, and let's remember that just the finger 1 to finger 2 stretch for half step near the nut must be a big hand stretch. Electric basses with shorter scale length made 1FPF possible.
I've been using OFPF for 9 years of playing with smallish hands. I run into that "pain mode" regularly especially in the lower frets. I wish I knew about this Simandl technique sooner. Definitely going to work this tool into my arsenal. Great video!
I was originally taught one finger per fret on bass guitar, but once I started playing upright and learning Simandl, it forever altered my bass guitar technique. Now it’s a bit of a hybrid but is Simandl about 80% of the time.
The Simandl technique is the most useful in first position, because the frets are the most spread apart. Anywhere else on the neck one finger per fret is best. And, if you adjust your elbow out away from your rib cage, you can train your fingers to spread to 4 frets even in first position with no discomfort. The angle at the elbow and wrist are key. If the elbow is away from the ribs, it allows the fingers to spread, like classical guitar technique.
I had no idea those had names. No one ever told me, it just feels completely natural to stretch when I have to and relax when I can afford. Given that, I have rather small hands, so maybe that's why. And to be fair, I sometimes even go index, middle and ring, and keep pinky out of the way. Maybe I'm weird, but it just feels natural.
The interesting thing is that the Simandl method is also a combination of both methods because on a upright bass you will play with only index,middle and pink but after Fret 7 (translated from upright bass to e bass) you will use the Ringfinger because then it is just better and logical. Btw love the content, 11 years upright bass player that is now buing a e bass to add something new to his bass collection :)
Before I got injured with both a TBI (2010) and high level SCI (2014) I used to be able to maintain the 1 finger per fret over the entire fretboard without issues but now that I regained enough finger function to play post injuries I honestly don't care how I do it and that my technique isn't textbook as long as I can play decently and am still improving as I started playing again barely 2 weeks ago. Look up how Gary Sinise plays the bass, that's kinda how I do it. Not how it's supposed to be done but like I said, I don't care. I tried 1 finger a fret on the smaller sections but it takes more energy to keep my fingers spread due to the nerve damage and causes a lot of pain in the wrist which is already an issue with manual wheelchair use.
I wish you the best of recovery. Please don’t settle for anything less than what your ideal recovery and ability is. The brain is capable of far more healing and adaptation than most people know. It’s great that you got back on bass. (:
I only ever learned simandl up until I started watching your channel since my bass teacher mostly plays upright bass and originally taught me a lot of weird upright technique stuff on electric bass for some reason
Hey I just got my bass three days ago and your vids have really helped. Thank you! P.S. the bass I got was actually the Yamaha trbx304, really good bass
Josh, I've watched a bunch of your videos, as well as many videos from many other youtube teachers; you, my man, are the best! The combination of your teaching style with your educational and engaging videos is just right for my learning style. Thank you!
OMG, Simandl is so much better for me playing down on the fretboard. It keeps me from getting hand pain! Totally agree that both work at different times. I do sometimes get confused in the heat of the moment!
I find that I use 3 fingers, and neglect my pinky most of the time. That leads to a weak pinky when I need it for the 4 finger stuff. Kids, don't be like me.
When I first started playing bass I was using all four fingers. I didn't read music and was a rock player. When I went to college for music the bass teacher introduced me to the Simandl method. It took a little bit to get used to and understand but I found it much better than the four finger approach, especially when reading bass notation. If you use the four finger technique you have your hand in one position and you are stretching your fingers out unnaturally. With the Simandl method your thumb is centered more on the back of the neck and you move your hand more than you stretch your fingers. Shifting is also much easier, which is seldom taught to students. My technique now is 95% Simandl and 5% four finger. Certain instances are easier for four finger technique, like crossing strings when playing intervals of fourths (using forefinger and ring finger to fret.) But I've been using Simandl method and have also had no issues with tendonitis or other health related matters.
Yeah, it depends what are you playing. I started to play bass in 1977 and i did use some classic double bass techniques on the electric bass with a italian method book-Bille- and -Madensky- for arpeggios ". Later i started with the double bass and that gave me an advantage. I make combined exercises in the 4 strings and in different fingering positions back and forward
I greatly enjoy your videos. I am having to learn these techniques in relation to bass. Playing guitar for twenty-five years, I have developed habits that work fine for guitar, but aren’t flying as well for bass. I do switch between the Simandl and OFPR techniques, but I don’t use my pinky as I should for bass. Since it’s just me in my apartment on my P Bass, I am allowing myself to be lazy in not learning proper techniques. I know I need to relearn it all, it’s just hard to break habits. -tangent, but bass-related- Another habit I’m having trouble breaking is using my left hand to mute strings I’m not playing, especially lower strings as I’m playing. On guitar, I only touched the string I was fretting with the tip of my finger rather than the pad of it. A whole lot to relearn... I plan on getting to Beginner to Badass course once I can afford it, but for now I am enjoying your free videos, Josh.
I'm using both techniques, often mixed in the same song, depending on which one suits the best for the song or parts of it. I always use the one that gives me the most stable tone with the least force applied. For beginners I'd always recommend starting with 1FPF to learn the positions and practice stretching first. Later I'd also add Simandl. For double bass players (as I'm too) it's no question, You always use Simandl first, except Your fingers are as long as Stanley Clarke's ;) In thumb on fretboard position in the upper registers I mostly use 1+4 fingers most of the time.
Good video Josh. I use both and while watching the video picked the same as you for each song. Learning bass 25 years ago as a kid from a book it taught the 4 fpf way and I tried and practiced it but as you know, your little pinky in particular is very weak so I would use my ring finger and shift. Eventually the longer you play you use both styles and work out what's best for you. Some teachers out there insist 4 fingers per fret is the only way, but that's not practical all the time and can lead hand or finger injuries. Anyway, look forward to the next vid, cheers.
Almost always OFPF because I don't like shifting. But recently was playing Love Shack which never leaves frets 1-3. And my ring finger got tired. Simandl to the rescue!
Both, although I tend to do simandl on the first lowest 5 frets, then mostly 1-finger-per-fret for higher frets. Also, I previously for the life of me couldn't use my little finger! Thanks to constant exercises, now I use it more than the ring finger, such a world of difference!
My first bass instructor taught me the "four fret spread" technique, I played that way for years, despite learning double bass was taught using a 3 fret spread. THEN... that carpal tunnel got me (aint nobody got time for that!) sadly this Timmy had to take a couple years off. Now upon returning to the cathartic sounds of the low tones, I use the 3 fret hand position when possible and concentrate on good thumb position and good posture. The 3 fret positioning & good thumb position allows me a straighter wrist. At 5'4" tall I don't have big hands. That said the extra attention to technique and posture are working as good as I could've hoped for.
I learned Simandil years after learning 4 finger when I took lessons and learned to sight read. In the end I use what suits the song best. Simandil works great on extended scale basses, over 34" scale in low registers and the technique of sliding into position and having that muscle memory especially with a fretless is awesome.
Because of learning Simandl on a upright bass viol, my fingers are stretched out enough to play one finger per fret on the 34" Fender scale. But I usually laze out and just use my index and middle fingers. Mike B. B. From Philly
I switch back and forth. I mostly play fretless bass, though, so it's really crucial to keep stretches really accurate and to a minimum as needed and fingers need to be as close to perpendicular to the board as possible. One finger puts a lot more stress on the hand, but I also find that it's faster for some parts due to less shifting. Simandl feels much more natural for the kinds of root-octave-root kinds of things that make up a lot of bass lines.
I love your videos, and they get me to want to play. I am a guitarist switching to bass, and I see merit in both techniques. I was naturally doing both without knowing what I was doing, so score one for me!!
I'm an upright player. The double bass has a string length varying from 40-41 inches (on different instruments.) It is just anatomically futile to utilize the 3rd finger consistently in the lower positions. When I play electric bass, I am so thrilled by the freedom to use all kinds of fingering systems. My third finger has actually gotten STRONGER when I go back to upright.
I’d very relieving to watch this. I was having bass lessons with an acoustic 6string guitar teacher and he was fucking annoying as hell on trying to force me to use 1FPF ALWAYS, because that’s how you do on the acoustic guitar with the smaller spaces between frets. It’s changed teacher and now I am developing way more because the first thing he taught me was micro shifting.
I was definitely trained to use one finger per fret and played that way for many years. I gigged on upright straight for about two years and then came back to electric playing mostly Simandl and I prefer it. That’s my story.
I tend to use a combination of both depending on what I'm playing, or where on the neck I'm playing at the time. I tend to use Simandl closer to the headstock, and end up using OFPF closer to the body due to fret spacing. Then again sometimes it's not even that consistent. I guess it's just whatever feels comfortable at the time
I never gave this a second thought, because I learned a lot of songs playing live on stage. Someone in the crowd would shout out a song, the guitarist or keyboard player would yell out something like, 1 4 5 in E, and we'd start playing. If I'd heard the song on the radio, I had a good idea how the bass line went. If not, I played off of the chords and took timing cues from the drummer. I think that's the best way to learn.
Rancid shirt. Street Fighter announcer voice. YOU WERE IN A SKA BAND WUUUUUUUUT? Great video. This really validates people that (can't) don't use 1 finger per fret. I've been fighting this fight for 15 years.
I use three fingers down at the bottom of the neck and four up higher, say, past the 7th fret or so. I never knew they were actual real schools of thought/techniques. I’m self-taught and that’s just what’s always felt most natural to me.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the Rabbath technique. Using the thumb to anchor your hand and pivot around it is, in my experience, a way to up your Simandl fingering. I still using OFPF a fair amount, but Rabbath is my default.
Let’s just clear this up, no way is the wrong way, there’s certain techniques that give most people the ability to play better, but these textbook specifics don’t have to absolutely apply to everyone. Play however you’re comfortable, I CAN use my pinky but I just don’t most times. I find having more movement in my hand instead of being stretched, allows me personally to be more accurate.
i just stared learning bass. i must confess i'm not able to use the simande technique... my hands are huge so i tend to extend them all over the tracks and just play but after a while i do notice i'm tired.... i guess i should practice more my hand position. thanks for the video!
Really like your channel....for me the best online..ultimately it's what suits you best because you don't have to copy other's bass lines...you can invent your own lines to suit your style...put simply do your own thing..
Nice Rancid shirt. Matt Freeman is a boss on the bass. I'm 5'6" so Simandl is best for me. When I get to the middle of the neck I use the one per fret.
I started playing bass years ago without any preparation, theory, etc. and the 3 finger technique was what I was able to play. Often times I found that I was only using 2: index and pinky LOL With time I've been trying to teach myself to utilize all four fingers but most of the time I can get away without the ring finger. I'm a "lower-intermediate" player though.
I use the Simandl technique (although I never heard this term before )in the lower area of the fretboard. I once hurt my ring and Index finger while playing an bassline that revolves around the deep F while using the 1 fpf technique because a teacher insisted on it. I say there is no wrong technique as long asyou dont hurt yourself and you get the desired sound out of your instrument. If you hsve very long finges its also legit to put the thumb over the neck.
After playing bass for 20 years, never heard of these terms before! I guess most of the time i play with Simandl unless it’s really necessary for the passage i’m playing. As a small guy with small hands, that four fret stretch at the bottom of the neck on my p-bass gets very painful very fast!
I've picked up my bass like a week ago and I tend to use Simandl for the largest frets and OFPF for the smaller frets, unless I really need to use OFPF
Hi Josh, I was wondering whether you might consider doing an evolution of your previous "Best beginner bass amp" video and maybe consider doing a "Best intermediate bass amp" video, something for people who have been playing roughly about a year(ish) or maybe more and are considering moving on to potentially start gigging in the future but need a more powerful amp. Thanks again for another fantastic video as always.
Simandl is generally more comfortable (and better for intonation on fretless below 12th fret) and you’ll expand to 1 finger when necessary. On double bass, there is generally 9 inch longer strings (43.5 vs 34 in my case), so Simandl and shifting is ‘necessary’ and much more healthy (I do also expand with one finger per step and pivot shifting on double bass for certain passages though.... fingering all comes down to context.)
I'd say I use simandl 75% of the time on electric, I use the one finger technique for doubling guitar parts in songs where that's common. Once I started playing upright where simandl is the best, it greatly improved my electric technique
I didn't realize it but I just use Simandl for the lower frets and automatically switch to one finger per fret for the higher frets. Work's well for me
Great video, Josh. I really believe you need both. I probably find myself doing simandl 75% of the time mainly due to the preponderance of roots and fifths. I tend to use 4 finger when I find I need to use some combination that spans 4 frets - like major or minor triads starting with the pinkie on the root or major pentatonics which show up alot. However, if I want to do left hand muting ala Rocco Prestia, you gotta ditch FFPF
i use 124 for lower neck keys and lines but one finger during quick runs and licks in higher octaves or higher keys i’ve been told to do that since i started and it’s done well for me. I wouldn’t choose between because they can both be utilized for different situations
Thanks for this awesome video Josh. Your channel is great. I agree with you in this case and would like to add something. If you're playing fretless, it's best to use 124 in the first positions, on wider 'frets' , and switch to 1234 in the higher positions. It will help the intonation as it works in the double bass left hand technique.
Okey that one finger "The Trooper" performance felt like a poke in the eye. You should've played that with your middle finger to rub salt on the wound, tho. 😂
Interesting video. I've been playing over 40 years and never heard much of using upright fingering on an electric. I learned out of Simandl in college (1980), and we were taught to applied one finger per fret to his exercises. But after seeing the first example playing Funky Good Time, I think there are times when I mix fingering according to the fret range I have to cover or to give my fingers a break from stretching.
You should learn both methods. I studied upright bass, and when I used the Simandl system I used the 3,4 as one finger. The reason for this that the 3rd and 4th fingers pressing together is stronger than either one separately. On a bass guitar, the four finger method is better for speed, but in the lower positions the Simandl method can be less strenuous. Also, if you playing hours of repetitive bass licks like root/fifth in country music, the Simandl fingering will keep your hand from tiring. Simandl recommends using four fingers as you get into the upper positions. When I was a classical guitar teacher, I would have young guitarists with small hands start by using the Simandl fingering when they were learning the first position. I think I'm the only classical guitar teacher in the world who ever taught that way.
I recently picked up playing bass after a long absence. Played in my high school pep band and the Bass belonged to the school. My technique was sloppy so I mainly stick to ofpf to strengthen my pinky and try to keep my tone consistent.
First position: simandl, the rest: finger per fret. I use Daddario Varigrip when I do not have bass with me to strenghten my fingers and practice a lot, so it does not feel hard anymore..
I don't think it's mentioned in the vid, but for fretless bass it is quite difficult to have accurate intonation near the nut using OFPF. There are of course freaks of nature like Jaco who played OFPF all over the neck, but many fretless players use Simandl or a hybrid fingering. Upright bass players who double on electric often use Simandl regardless of fretted/fretless.
The Simandl method takes into account the position (also size?) of your hand in conjunction with where you are on the fretboard I personally, use *index RING* {< I find it more natural for me than stretching to the middle} *Pinky* up to around the 6th or 7th fret.. and then I go 4 fingers.. (crunching inward the higher I go) Now for Upright?, you really have to embrace the Simandl method and then some I would also recommend the Rufus Reid book..
I use index, middle and ring finger. My pinkie got badly broken years ago and is basically vestigial at this point and just kind of hangs there, but I didnt want to stop playing bass and had to completely learn again from scratch. I get a lot of comments that I'm "doing it wrong"
Bear with me for a moment. I'm an intermediate bassist, currently studing music. I've had only 3 bass teachers in my life and they all talked about Rafael de la Vega, and how he mixes this two tecnics... cause neither of them are correct, you need to be contextual. For example in the song "doing it to death" they will tell me to fret index on the first fret, the pinky would take the third fret on the D string and the ring finger the third fret on the A string... often telling me, that I should be able to play it with the 1fpf tecnique but doing a fretted motion with my ring finger (sort of like a capo) leaving my finger in the C and playing the F with the joint of my finger without lifting it. As long as my understanding go, the reason for this is to learn to be resourfull, not thinking that something is "correct" like the 1fpf but to understand what the song demands and predict position shifting, fretting, voicing... etc.
thanks for this video I agree I started out with one finger per fret then had a bass teacher who advocated simandl for it's cleanliness and efficiency for reading I think if your technique is very good one finger per fret is ok simandl I think is cleaner or maybe it's takes a little less effort to play clean I don't know what I am trying to say except I agree with your video but I lean a little more toward simandl
I think it boils down to a genre thing. If you are playing older (pre rock) music you rarely are even going above the 4th fret so that Simandl makes more sense.
I'm self taught, but I just use my middle and index finger and slide up and down each string one at a time. I also use power chords for emphasis sometimes.
What fretting technique do you use most often? 🎸
Timestamps for this lesson:
0:00 - Fretting Technique Showdown
0:58 - Meet Your Challengers
2:04 - Round 1: Doing It To Death by James Brown
3:59 - Doing It To Death Play-along
4:53 - Round 2: Time Bomb by Rancid
6:02 - Time Bomb Play-along
6:43 - Round 3: Plush by Stone Temple Pilots
8:31 - Plush Play-along
9:15 - Final Judging + Fretting Myth
10:05 - Pros and Cons of Both Techniques
11:07 - How to Decide Which Technique
12:07 - 2 Principles of Good Fingerings
Simandl as I have small hands. I do use OFPF when playing solos at the top of the neck though
I've been playing for about 14 years and I've never really stuck to one them, I've always just done what was most comfortable for me, while playing that particular line.
It's really useful
I would say normally Simandl from fret 1 to 5, and OF from 5 and up. I really need the added pressure of ring and pinky
I mostly play the Ubass, so OFPF works just dandy....
I've recently switched to Simandl. After watching all these female TH-cam bassists and seeing the relaxed fluidity of their fretting, I stopped stretching for notes and started moving my hand. Already seeing an improvement.
That ending one finger technique was a huge flex
Ikr
Noob Josh has really put in the work
@@cactustactics It's still a flex, but well deserved. Dude is a beast.
Right!
The Ytse Jam OMG
I personally don't have a choice in that matter. I'm missing the ring finger on my left hand since 6 years old. So, Simandl it is. Gotta work with what I have.
Great humble brag, dude : )
@@innocentoctave
Thanks man, never thought 'bout it this way. Sorry I wrote that.
@@HapyLLIuTeJIb Don't be sorry. It was fine.
@@HapyLLIuTeJIb Seriously, great attitude, man. Django Reinhardt still holds the record, though. : )
@Naki Ryan Yes, I was aware of this. His achievement is still astonishing, and should inspire anyone.
Dude, the graphics in this video are so smooth and crisp, its really on a new level
Thanks Djordje!
The first time (out of 20-30 bass teachers) I see somebody who acknowledges the benefits of a fingering other than one finger per fret.
Josh, you are a true wise man.
I have not had a teacher advocate OFPF. they all probably retired with arm injuries before i got to them!
As a person with very small hands playing bass is a challenge and OFPF is almost never an option, but makes me feel extra accomplished when I learn a line I love to play. I've had to rely on Simandl for that reason, but practicing over and over again and adapting to a song better suited for OFPF than Simandl feels great. Just gotta practice and overcome guys!
Thanks for this clarification Josh! Almost 100% of tutorials I ses enforce one of this technique. You're almost the only one who advocates for being smart, and that's a real relief.
Glad it was helpful Bob!
best fretting technique video I ever saw was from Adam Neely he posted about 8 years ago where he's talking about how he played for several hours continuously. Basically you want you left had to be as relaxed and in as neutral a position as possible as much as possible. So use 124 for most stuff that doesn't require stretching and use 1234 only for things that do, such as playing full scales.
The thing I see others do, that drives me nuts is playing a 3 fret span (e.g. box shape) with index and ring finger. You got that pinky there doing nothing. Should use it instead and save your hand the stretch.
Absolutely agree! I always think it looks painful watching people playing index and ring 🙂
@@58Stejam Agree. And if you've got small hands, it's kinda uncomfortable. I guess I mix styles. Sometimes I use my 3rd finger and pinky as one unit, if I'm doing something like sliding up or down a string. A glissando, I guess you'd call it. My ultimate goal is to hit the right note at the right time, and hell if I care how I got there!
Yes but Adam Neely says some nonsense too. In one video he said that the 1FPF is wrong technique and you should tape your ring and pinky together to forcefully play the right way and, in addition to that, it also improves your tone, groove, sound or whatever. Complete bollocks
Bear in mind that the Simandl technique was designed to play the upright bass, which in its full form has a scale length of incredible 43 inches compared to the standard electric bass of 34 inches. Electric bass guitars can be even smaller like 30 inches or if they are really big they stretch to a maximum 36 inches. This massive scale of the upright bass makes 1 finger per "fret" (note) really challenging, if not impossible, and let's remember that just the finger 1 to finger 2 stretch for half step near the nut must be a big hand stretch. Electric basses with shorter scale length made 1FPF possible.
I let me pinky and ring finger work together in those instances, naturally they kinda want to anyway realizing I could do that was a life changer.
I've been using OFPF for 9 years of playing with smallish hands. I run into that "pain mode" regularly especially in the lower frets. I wish I knew about this Simandl technique sooner. Definitely going to work this tool into my arsenal. Great video!
I have been mixing both fretting techniques, and you are the only TH-cam bass teacher that says it's ok to mix both techniques. I totally agree.
This channel is underrated. Enough said.
I was originally taught one finger per fret on bass guitar, but once I started playing upright and learning Simandl, it forever altered my bass guitar technique. Now it’s a bit of a hybrid but is Simandl about 80% of the time.
I guess I alternate depending on note location. I honestly can't say I've paid much attention. My hands are a little on the small side.
The Simandl technique is the most useful in first position, because the frets are the most spread apart. Anywhere else on the neck one finger per fret is best. And, if you adjust your elbow out away from your rib cage, you can train your fingers to spread to 4 frets even in first position with no discomfort. The angle at the elbow and wrist are key. If the elbow is away from the ribs, it allows the fingers to spread, like classical guitar technique.
Sounds like keeping your elbow up/out and not curling your wrist/tendons
I had no idea those had names. No one ever told me, it just feels completely natural to stretch when I have to and relax when I can afford.
Given that, I have rather small hands, so maybe that's why. And to be fair, I sometimes even go index, middle and ring, and keep pinky out of the way. Maybe I'm weird, but it just feels natural.
The interesting thing is that the Simandl method is also a combination of both methods because on a upright bass you will play with only index,middle and pink but after Fret 7 (translated from upright bass to e bass) you will use the Ringfinger because then it is just better and logical. Btw love the content, 11 years upright bass player that is now buing a e bass to add something new to his bass collection :)
I feel like getting comfortable with both and and using what’s best for the specific song/riff is the smartest option
Before I got injured with both a TBI (2010) and high level SCI (2014) I used to be able to maintain the 1 finger per fret over the entire fretboard without issues but now that I regained enough finger function to play post injuries I honestly don't care how I do it and that my technique isn't textbook as long as I can play decently and am still improving as I started playing again barely 2 weeks ago.
Look up how Gary Sinise plays the bass, that's kinda how I do it. Not how it's supposed to be done but like I said, I don't care.
I tried 1 finger a fret on the smaller sections but it takes more energy to keep my fingers spread due to the nerve damage and causes a lot of pain in the wrist which is already an issue with manual wheelchair use.
I wish you the best of recovery. Please don’t settle for anything less than what your ideal recovery and ability is.
The brain is capable of far more healing and adaptation than most people know.
It’s great that you got back on bass.
(:
What’s an SCI ?
I only ever learned simandl up until I started watching your channel since my bass teacher mostly plays upright bass and originally taught me a lot of weird upright technique stuff on electric bass for some reason
I think it's worth mentioning that on a fretless bass, the Simandl technique helps you play much more "in tune"
On upright there is no 1 finger per fret until you are up in thumb position
Hey I just got my bass three days ago and your vids have really helped. Thank you!
P.S. the bass I got was actually the Yamaha trbx304, really good bass
Got one this week, I love it.
Welcome slaper
New to bass, my Yamaha tbrx304 is on its way, and the Vox bass amPlug 2. But your channel has been a huge help on learning so far, I'll keep watching!
Josh, I've watched a bunch of your videos, as well as many videos from many other youtube teachers; you, my man, are the best! The combination of your teaching style with your educational and engaging videos is just right for my learning style. Thank you!
Thank you!
One of your vids encouraged me to learn the 1 finger per fret style. I’m definitely glad I went through the pains of beginning that.
OMG, Simandl is so much better for me playing down on the fretboard. It keeps me from getting hand pain! Totally agree that both work at different times. I do sometimes get confused in the heat of the moment!
Looks like I've been using Simandl technique without even knowing something like that existed 🤔
I find that I use 3 fingers, and neglect my pinky most of the time. That leads to a weak pinky when I need it for the 4 finger stuff. Kids, don't be like me.
Too late... XD
@@BlackJackLopez It's not too late! Save yourself! :oD
That us exactly what I do. And curse my pinkie for running from some work 🤣
My scrawny pinky can't hold a string down...
@@insertmetalusernamehere Time to pump! You up!
When I first started playing bass I was using all four fingers. I didn't read music and was a rock player. When I went to college for music the bass teacher introduced me to the Simandl method. It took a little bit to get used to and understand but I found it much better than the four finger approach, especially when reading bass notation. If you use the four finger technique you have your hand in one position and you are stretching your fingers out unnaturally. With the Simandl method your thumb is centered more on the back of the neck and you move your hand more than you stretch your fingers. Shifting is also much easier, which is seldom taught to students. My technique now is 95% Simandl and 5% four finger. Certain instances are easier for four finger technique, like crossing strings when playing intervals of fourths (using forefinger and ring finger to fret.) But I've been using Simandl method and have also had no issues with tendonitis or other health related matters.
Yeah, it depends what are you playing. I started to play bass in 1977 and i did use some classic double bass techniques on the electric bass with a italian method book-Bille- and -Madensky- for arpeggios ". Later i started with the double bass and that gave me an advantage. I make combined exercises in the 4 strings and in different fingering positions back and forward
I greatly enjoy your videos.
I am having to learn these techniques in relation to bass.
Playing guitar for twenty-five years, I have developed habits that work fine for guitar, but aren’t flying as well for bass.
I do switch between the Simandl and OFPR techniques, but I don’t use my pinky as I should for bass. Since it’s just me in my apartment on my P Bass, I am allowing myself to be lazy in not learning proper techniques.
I know I need to relearn it all, it’s just hard to break habits.
-tangent, but bass-related-
Another habit I’m having trouble breaking is using my left hand to mute strings I’m not playing, especially lower strings as I’m playing. On guitar, I only touched the string I was fretting with the tip of my finger rather than the pad of it. A whole lot to relearn...
I plan on getting to Beginner to Badass course once I can afford it, but for now I am enjoying your free videos, Josh.
I'm using both techniques, often mixed in the same song, depending on which one suits the best for the song or parts of it. I always use the one that gives me the most stable tone with the least force applied.
For beginners I'd always recommend starting with 1FPF to learn the positions and practice stretching first. Later I'd also add Simandl.
For double bass players (as I'm too) it's no question, You always use Simandl first, except Your fingers are as long as Stanley Clarke's ;)
In thumb on fretboard position in the upper registers I mostly use 1+4 fingers most of the time.
Good video Josh. I use both and while watching the video picked the same as you for each song.
Learning bass 25 years ago as a kid from a book it taught the 4 fpf way and I tried and practiced it but as you know, your little pinky in particular is very weak so I would use my ring finger and shift.
Eventually the longer you play you use both styles and work out what's best for you. Some teachers out there insist 4 fingers per fret is the only way, but that's not practical all the time and can lead hand or finger injuries. Anyway, look forward to the next vid, cheers.
Almost always OFPF because I don't like shifting. But recently was playing Love Shack which never leaves frets 1-3. And my ring finger got tired. Simandl to the rescue!
As someone who started from rhythm guitar this cleared up a lot of confusion of what to do’
I learned bass on the upright double bass in school orchestra. Now I know why I play electric bass differently than a lot of videos I have seen.
Both, although I tend to do simandl on the first lowest 5 frets, then mostly 1-finger-per-fret for higher frets. Also, I previously for the life of me couldn't use my little finger! Thanks to constant exercises, now I use it more than the ring finger, such a world of difference!
My first bass instructor taught me the "four fret spread" technique, I played that way for years, despite learning double bass was taught using a
3 fret spread. THEN... that carpal tunnel got me (aint nobody got time for that!) sadly this Timmy had to take a couple years off.
Now upon returning to the cathartic sounds of the low tones, I use the 3 fret hand position when possible and concentrate on good thumb position and good posture. The 3 fret positioning & good thumb position allows me a straighter wrist. At 5'4" tall I don't have big hands. That said the extra attention to technique and posture are working as good as I could've hoped for.
Glad the technique tweaks are working for you after the time off! So glad I've never had to deal with that, sounds rough.
I learned Simandil years after learning 4 finger when I took lessons and learned to sight read. In the end I use what suits the song best. Simandil works great on extended scale basses, over 34" scale in low registers and the technique of sliding into position and having that muscle memory especially with a fretless is awesome.
Another Winner from Josh and BassBuzz, thanks teach!!!!!
Thanks Toby!
Because of learning Simandl on a upright bass viol, my fingers are stretched out enough to play one finger per fret on the 34" Fender scale. But I usually laze out and just use my index and middle fingers.
Mike B. B. From Philly
I switch back and forth. I mostly play fretless bass, though, so it's really crucial to keep stretches really accurate and to a minimum as needed and fingers need to be as close to perpendicular to the board as possible. One finger puts a lot more stress on the hand, but I also find that it's faster for some parts due to less shifting. Simandl feels much more natural for the kinds of root-octave-root kinds of things that make up a lot of bass lines.
I love your videos, and they get me to want to play.
I am a guitarist switching to bass, and I see merit in both techniques.
I was naturally doing both without knowing what I was doing, so score one for me!!
I'm an upright player. The double bass has a string length varying from 40-41 inches (on different instruments.) It is just anatomically futile to utilize the 3rd finger consistently in the lower positions. When I play electric bass, I am so thrilled by the freedom to use all kinds of fingering systems. My third finger has actually gotten STRONGER when I go back to upright.
I’d very relieving to watch this. I was having bass lessons with an acoustic 6string guitar teacher and he was fucking annoying as hell on trying to force me to use 1FPF ALWAYS, because that’s how you do on the acoustic guitar with the smaller spaces between frets. It’s changed teacher and now I am developing way more because the first thing he taught me was micro shifting.
Alright I liked, subscribed, and rung the bell so there's my vote. You know what to do!
I was definitely trained to use one finger per fret and played that way for many years. I gigged on upright straight for about two years and then came back to electric playing mostly Simandl and I prefer it. That’s my story.
I tend to use a combination of both depending on what I'm playing, or where on the neck I'm playing at the time. I tend to use Simandl closer to the headstock, and end up using OFPF closer to the body due to fret spacing. Then again sometimes it's not even that consistent. I guess it's just whatever feels comfortable at the time
I never gave this a second thought, because I learned a lot of songs playing live on stage. Someone in the crowd would shout out a song, the guitarist or keyboard player would yell out something like, 1 4 5 in E, and we'd start playing. If I'd heard the song on the radio, I had a good idea how the bass line went. If not, I played off of the chords and took timing cues from the drummer. I think that's the best way to learn.
Rancid shirt. Street Fighter announcer voice. YOU WERE IN A SKA BAND WUUUUUUUUT? Great video. This really validates people that (can't) don't use 1 finger per fret. I've been fighting this fight for 15 years.
I use three fingers down at the bottom of the neck and four up higher, say, past the 7th fret or so.
I never knew they were actual real schools of thought/techniques. I’m self-taught and that’s just what’s always felt most natural to me.
Makes sense Chris!
You're the best bass teacher on TH-cam and I've devoured your videos but this was over my head.
Makes me want to sell my bass.
Don't sell your bass!
BassBuzz My fretting technique is survival.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the Rabbath technique. Using the thumb to anchor your hand and pivot around it is, in my experience, a way to up your Simandl fingering. I still using OFPF a fair amount, but Rabbath is my default.
Jesus Christ Josh is the tattoo on your left arm the Blackstar stars? I loved you already now I love you even more
Yes!
When we play high up on the fret board we need the 1 finger per fret technique . On low end sim technique is great . This vid proved we need both .
Let’s just clear this up, no way is the wrong way, there’s certain techniques that give most people the ability to play better, but these textbook specifics don’t have to absolutely apply to everyone. Play however you’re comfortable, I CAN use my pinky but I just don’t most times. I find having more movement in my hand instead of being stretched, allows me personally to be more accurate.
Thanks! As a guitar player just learning bass, I appreciate your attention to fundamentals. Well done! 👍
i just stared learning bass. i must confess i'm not able to use the simande technique... my hands are huge so i tend to extend them all over the tracks and just play but after a while i do notice i'm tired.... i guess i should practice more my hand position. thanks for the video!
Thanks for this... Coming from guitar i Thought ofpf was the way but quickly learned that it was not the way since my fingers got tired soon
Really like your channel....for me the best online..ultimately it's what suits you best because you don't have to copy other's bass lines...you can invent your own lines to suit your style...put simply do your own thing..
Nice Rancid shirt. Matt Freeman is a boss on the bass. I'm 5'6" so Simandl is best for me. When I get to the middle of the neck I use the one per fret.
I started playing bass years ago without any preparation, theory, etc. and the 3 finger technique was what I was able to play. Often times I found that I was only using 2: index and pinky LOL With time I've been trying to teach myself to utilize all four fingers but most of the time I can get away without the ring finger. I'm a "lower-intermediate" player though.
I use the Simandl technique (although I never heard this term before )in the lower area of the fretboard. I once hurt my ring and Index finger while playing an bassline that revolves around the deep F while using the 1 fpf technique because a teacher insisted on it.
I say there is no wrong technique as long asyou dont hurt yourself and you get the desired sound out of your instrument. If you hsve very long finges its also legit to put the thumb over the neck.
After playing bass for 20 years, never heard of these terms before!
I guess most of the time i play with Simandl unless it’s really necessary for the passage i’m playing. As a small guy with small hands, that four fret stretch at the bottom of the neck on my p-bass gets very painful very fast!
I've picked up my bass like a week ago and I tend to use Simandl for the largest frets and OFPF for the smaller frets, unless I really need to use OFPF
You're amazing! I've never heard about Simandl
Hi Josh, I was wondering whether you might consider doing an evolution of your previous "Best beginner bass amp" video and maybe consider doing a "Best intermediate bass amp" video, something for people who have been playing roughly about a year(ish) or maybe more and are considering moving on to potentially start gigging in the future but need a more powerful amp. Thanks again for another fantastic video as always.
_Very cool fretting techniques runthrough there! Thanks for sharing_ 👍🎸😍🎵
Simandl is generally more comfortable (and better for intonation on fretless below 12th fret) and you’ll expand to 1 finger when necessary. On double bass, there is generally 9 inch longer strings (43.5 vs 34 in my case), so Simandl and shifting is ‘necessary’ and much more healthy (I do also expand with one finger per step and pivot shifting on double bass for certain passages though.... fingering all comes down to context.)
I'd say I use simandl 75% of the time on electric, I use the one finger technique for doubling guitar parts in songs where that's common. Once I started playing upright where simandl is the best, it greatly improved my electric technique
I didn't realize it but I just use Simandl for the lower frets and automatically switch to one finger per fret for the higher frets. Work's well for me
Great video, Josh. I really believe you need both. I probably find myself doing simandl 75% of the time mainly due to the preponderance of roots and fifths. I tend to use 4 finger when I find I need to use some combination that spans 4 frets - like major or minor triads starting with the pinkie on the root or major pentatonics which show up alot. However, if I want to do left hand muting ala Rocco Prestia, you gotta ditch FFPF
i use 124 for lower neck keys and lines but one finger during quick runs and licks in higher octaves or higher keys i’ve been told to do that since i started and it’s done well for me. I wouldn’t choose between because they can both be utilized for different situations
Thanks for this awesome video Josh. Your channel is great. I agree with you in this case and would like to add something. If you're playing fretless, it's best to use 124 in the first positions, on wider 'frets' , and switch to 1234 in the higher positions. It will help the intonation as it works in the double bass left hand technique.
Okey that one finger "The Trooper" performance felt like a poke in the eye. You should've played that with your middle finger to rub salt on the wound, tho. 😂
Interesting video. I've been playing over 40 years and never heard much of using upright fingering on an electric. I learned out of Simandl in college (1980), and we were taught to applied one finger per fret to his exercises. But after seeing the first example playing Funky Good Time, I think there are times when I mix fingering according to the fret range I have to cover or to give my fingers a break from stretching.
4:18 is a good exercise for alternative up/down thumb stuff too with muteing and choice
Best teacher ever
I employ both techniques depending on neck position. Simandl down low. OFPF up higher. But not always. It depends on what style music I'm playing.
Without even realising it was 1FPF or simandl for a long time I've always mixed up the two quite evenly to suit whatever I may be playing
this video is awesome in terms of the mini skits of finger fights
I do both depending on the neck. My main bass is fretless so I will use simandl for the lower notes where OFPF could cause some intonation issues.
You should learn both methods. I studied upright bass, and when I used the Simandl system I used the 3,4 as one finger. The reason for this that the 3rd and 4th fingers pressing together is stronger than either one separately. On a bass guitar, the four finger method is better for speed, but in the lower positions the Simandl method can be less strenuous. Also, if you playing hours of repetitive bass licks like root/fifth in country music, the Simandl fingering will keep your hand from tiring. Simandl recommends using four fingers as you get into the upper positions. When I was a classical guitar teacher, I would have young guitarists with small hands start by using the Simandl fingering when they were learning the first position. I think I'm the only classical guitar teacher in the world who ever taught that way.
I just bought an American p bass that looks just like this one! I’ve only had a 5string Warwick corvette
I recently picked up playing bass after a long absence. Played in my high school pep band and the Bass belonged to the school. My technique was sloppy so I mainly stick to ofpf to strengthen my pinky and try to keep my tone consistent.
I am using both, one for Quick playing and the other for more Stability on my pinky
Most of the time my pinky does the job but if i play something that needs more power i use ring like in schism by tool
Loved the one fingered Trooper at the end. Nice!!
Coming from the guitar I gravitated towards ofps but simandl seems to work best on the wider fret spacings and definitely more energy efficient.
First position: simandl, the rest: finger per fret. I use Daddario Varigrip when I do not have bass with me to strenghten my fingers and practice a lot, so it does not feel hard anymore..
I don't think it's mentioned in the vid, but for fretless bass it is quite difficult to have accurate intonation near the nut using OFPF. There are of course freaks of nature like Jaco who played OFPF all over the neck, but many fretless players use Simandl or a hybrid fingering. Upright bass players who double on electric often use Simandl regardless of fretted/fretless.
Good point Ethan!
I don’t have a bass yet but I’m trying to learn first, I have very small hands and can’t really stretch them out that far so I might try the first one
Okay that's it I'm going to get that damn one finger technique down.
that looks really damn cool and badass and it sounds awesome
The Simandl method takes into account the position (also size?) of your hand in conjunction with where you are on the fretboard
I personally, use *index RING* {< I find it more natural for me than stretching to the middle} *Pinky* up to around the 6th or 7th fret.. and then I go 4 fingers.. (crunching inward the higher I go)
Now for Upright?, you really have to embrace the Simandl method and then some
I would also recommend the Rufus Reid book..
I use index, middle and ring finger. My pinkie got badly broken years ago and is basically vestigial at this point and just kind of hangs there, but I didnt want to stop playing bass and had to completely learn again from scratch. I get a lot of comments that I'm "doing it wrong"
If that's what works for your unique situation, then you're not doing it wrong! Standard technique only applies to standard finger configurations.
Generally, Simandl on the lower frets (up to the 5th fret) and OFPF higher up. Comfort is king!
Bear with me for a moment. I'm an intermediate bassist, currently studing music. I've had only 3 bass teachers in my life and they all talked about Rafael de la Vega, and how he mixes this two tecnics... cause neither of them are correct, you need to be contextual. For example in the song "doing it to death" they will tell me to fret index on the first fret, the pinky would take the third fret on the D string and the ring finger the third fret on the A string... often telling me, that I should be able to play it with the 1fpf tecnique but doing a fretted motion with my ring finger (sort of like a capo) leaving my finger in the C and playing the F with the joint of my finger without lifting it. As long as my understanding go, the reason for this is to learn to be resourfull, not thinking that something is "correct" like the 1fpf but to understand what the song demands and predict position shifting, fretting, voicing... etc.
thanks for this video
I agree
I started out with one finger per fret then had a bass teacher who advocated simandl for it's cleanliness and efficiency for reading
I think if your technique is very good one finger per fret is ok
simandl I think is cleaner or maybe it's takes a little less effort to play clean
I don't know what I am trying to say
except I agree with your video but I lean a little more toward simandl
I think it boils down to a genre thing. If you are playing older (pre rock) music you rarely are even going above the 4th fret so that Simandl makes more sense.
I'm self taught, but I just use my middle and index finger and slide up and down each string one at a time. I also use power chords for emphasis sometimes.