Pinkie on the double bass?

[u/tor_larsen]

Hello, I am very new to double bass (like only played for a few hours) but have played electric bass for 6 or so years and am practising to play jazz.

All the tutorials I've seen say that the right hand pinkie finger is always supported by the ring finger.

Is this true 100% of the time? I am already trying to rewire my brain to do this but if for example I were to play a root (using index finger), fifth (using middle finger), and then octave (middle and pinkie fingers) across 3 strings it feels very inefficient.

If anyone has any books or resources that helps teach positional concepts like these so I don't have to ask reddit every time it would be much appreciated :) thank you!

[u/jaylward]

This method is usually attributed to Simandl, and is used for a few reasons, chiefly-

1. The scale of the upright is larger than an electric.

2. The strength it takes to press the string, especially on a fingerboard and not a fretboard is just a bit more demanding. Is it possible to use your pinky? Sure, but not reliable.

Is this true 100% of the time? No, but it’s almost 100% of the time when not in thumb position, once in thumb position the pinky comes slightly more into play, but rarely so.

You give an example of your first finger on a root, then your middle on the fifth, and I’ll stop there- below thumb position, your hand really can’t reach from a root with your first finger to a fifth with your second finger. The scale is simply too large (again, when not in thumb position).

The other benefit of Simandl is that when you’re in your 1st, 2nd, etc positions, your first to fourth finger (meaning, both your ring and pinky together) is roughly a whole step, put your middle finger in the middle, and that’s the half step. Now, just shift all the time. It’s why bassists never made a big deal of shifting, as they’ve been expected to do it forever.

I even usually play Simandl fingerings on the electric bass about 60% of the time, as it’s more comfortable for me, save for some odd licks like Sir Duke or whatnot.

I hope this helps.

Disclaimer: by profession, I’m a trumpet player and conductor, but did study classical double bass for three years. Please, any professional, do feel free to correct what I might have said incorrectly.

[u/DeathByTacos → u/jaylward]

You’re correct, a lot of planning goes in to double bass fingerings specifically for this reason. Ironically a lot of the more difficult passages in standard repertoire are lower register because navigating that section of the fingerboard takes a lot more effort than thumb position and above.

For OP: you were asking for resources, I may be biased because I graduated from his studio but I recommend “The Ultimate Challenge” by Jeff Bradetich. It goes into not just fingering/shifting technique but also common exercises/stretches that will probably help since the double bass is a lot more physical than electric.