YOUR QUESTION

11/01/2020Tyler Hartman

As a beginner bassist, I mostly pluck using either my index or middle finger.
However I find it QUITE hard to alternate between those fingers every pluck at a consistent tempo. (I believe that is a very common technique, right?)
Do you have any advice on how I could improve?
Also, I have recently discovered Astrud Gilberto and the late France Gall. ( Particularly, I am VERY fond of their 60's releases! )
I'd love to hear your option on their music.
Are you a fan of Bossa Nova and Yé-yé?
-Many Thanks, Trevor!

MY ANSWER

Put on your metronome at a slow tempo, maybe something like quarter-note = 60 and play eighth-notes alternating 1st & 2nd fingers. Keep an eye on these fingers as you might not know if you’re alternating or not at this point. Your muscle memory isn’t developed yet. Make sure the 8ths are even. Once this feels comfortable step up the tempo two notches and continue in this manner.

Yeah, those Frenchies are fab, right? Serge Gainsbourg wrote a lot for Gall, no? Some of that stuff is a little campy but it’s fun. Wouldn’t say I’m necessarily a ‘fan’ but I dig it.