Does "fingertip"/fretting position differ between bass - guitar.

[Rich44]

I've always been told to "fret with your fingertip", and typical of me I've never done it, it feels totally unnatural so I've followed the "if it hurts, don't do it approach.

I'm wondering what peoples definition of "fingertip fretting" is so have included a very poorly drawn MS Paint diagram (that in hindsight looks like a thumb) to gauge people's opinions:



I myself fret (as well as type) as shown in "B". I've tried fretting like with "A" (how I see most guitarists do) but find the thickness/weight of the string to be very uncomfortable (to the point where I felt I was "hitting the bone" underneath/bruised feeling); I don't have much fat on my "tips", instead have pretty bony fingers. I'd understand on very light gauges/guitar strings/flatwounds, but I just don't see how it can be comfortable on thick bass stings.

Is B considered "fingertip" fretting, as I've heard from many people that this is necessary to develop a quick, clean playing style.

[paul_5]

I'm probably somewhere between A and B, but TBH, I've spent loads more time on my RH technique than my fingertip position.

[Gazm]

Have always played bass #C probably poor technique but works for me. #B for guitar though.

[KingBollock]

I'm very naughty and don't have a set technique. I tend to find it differs depending on what I'm playing. If I'm playing something slow I tend to be more B or even C, if I'm doing something technical and/or fast I go A. I always thought that A was supposed to be bad technique on Bass and believed I was doing it wrong.

[Rich44]

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1343582531' post='1752337']
I'm very naughty and don't have a set technique. I tend to find it differs depending on what I'm playing. If I'm playing something slow I tend to be more B or even C, if I'm doing something technical and/or fast I go A. I always thought that A was supposed to be bad technique on Bass and believed I was doing it wrong.
[/quote]

On the contrary, I was always told A was good technique as it's seen as more precise/you aren't catching the other strings with your fingers. I'd definitely do it if I was playing chords on a guitar/acoustic with light strings, but on bass it's masochistic!

That said the benefit of C is you can lay the fingers flat and use them to mute, and with wider fretboards it makes a lot more sense.

I was just trying to gauge if B was considered "bad technique", considering its not what I'd class as the fingertip.

[Oopsdabassist]

Whatever works I reckon, I combine B and C and it sounds just fine to me!

[Fat Rich]

B and C. I usually try to play fairly flat to the fingerboard to help with muting, particularly on 5 and 6 string.

I barre quite a lot too, usually with the joints of my fingers. Anything to get some speed and economy of motion.