lobematt Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Hey guys! I'm a relative newbie to double bass and there is one thing that crops up quite a lot in the music I'm playing that catches me out, playing fourths. In particular when I'm in half position and playing F or Bb, R 5 8ve type shapes. For the 5th and 8ve I would ordinarily use my pinkie on BG but it doesn't seem like a great option on the upright, has anyone got any advice for this? I play quite a bit of folky root-5 stuff and this comes up A LOT!! Many thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 This thread has some useful tips (from post #4 onwards) - [url="https://www.talkbass.com/threads/hand-position-finger-choice-when-playing-fourths.1094371/"]https://www.talkbass.com/threads/hand-position-finger-choice-when-playing-fourths.1094371/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Which fingers do you use at the moment? for the fourths in fast legato passages you can barre them but be careful with intonation, particularly in lower positions. If you're using the standard fingering technique ( 1, 2 and 4 supported by 3. One finger per semitone) then 4 for the 5ths and octaves is natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 I usually use either finger 1 or 4 (with 3) depending on what I'm playing. Finger 4 feels most natural but this is probably just a throw back to my bass guitar technique! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 4ths are more difficult that 5ths or octaves, there's no real trick, just practice to get the string crossings smooth. Work and more work, I'm afraid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted June 22, 2016 Author Share Posted June 22, 2016 [quote name='neilp' timestamp='1465899794' post='3071909'] 4ths are more difficult that 5ths or octaves, there's no real trick, just practice to get the string crossings smooth. Work and more work, I'm afraid! [/quote] Ah, I was afraid of that haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 It's like most things DB in that respect - no short cuts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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