Dodgy fingers

[badtaste]

My fingers are a bit dodgy (as title reads). Every time I strike the a string with my index finger, I always end up getting a bit of nail touching the string. The only way that I can avoid this, is if I really hook my finger under the string. Unfortunately, this method prevents me from playing anything fast. Plus, I don't get a full sound using this technique.

My middle finger performs similar results, but with less nail scratching occurring.

Could all you bassists perform a little test for me? Look down at your fingernails (palm face down). How much of a finger tip do you have above your nail? I've got no tip for my index, a bit for my middle and plenty for my index. My experiments have showed me that when I stroke a note with my index finger, I never scratch the string. So my hypothesis is: "That fingers with a big fingertip will achieve a better strike of the string, than fingers that have no fingertip (above their fingernail)".

So anyone have any suggestions as to how I can alleviate this problem? The only answer I can think of is to bite my nails (to shorten the nail) or to try clip my nails down. Thanks everybody.

[crazyguy832]

There's actually nothing wrong with hitting the bass with your nails. It sorta gives a cross between a finger and a pick sound.

However, if you really don't want to have that sound, buy a pair of nail clippers and DESTROY your nails (nah, j/k). Seriously, though, just cut them and cut them all the way to the pink.

[Surf Q. Hardcore]

yeah dont go crazy tho, ive cut my nails too short a few times and after an hour or so of playing ive had bleeding finger tips from where theyve been pressing on the cut nail

[Ting]

Do not, i repeat DO NOT cut the sides of the nails. Ingrown nails are not fun.

[badtaste]

Thanks for the replies everyone. To tell you the truth, I'm trying to play bass with my middle and ring fingers now. The sound is way more full, and I barely scratch the strings now. Only problem is ring finger is less coordinated than my index finger.

Any one know of people who use their middle and ring fingers to play bass?

[crahn]

my old bass teacher played like that for a while after he gave blood and needed to have some needle or something in his pointing finger

[badtaste]

my old bass teacher played like that for a while after he gave blood and needed to have some needle or something in his pointing finger

Mmm.. right, when you donate blood they prick your finger to check your haemoglobin count (I would know, being a donor and all). Yeh, playing bass with middle and ring fingers right now, and it's working well.

[pitchfork]

I play usually with my first two and sometimes with my ring (usually joining the middle to give an accent to every second note i play)

[Syntax]

I play bass with my index middle and ring finger and sometimes my pinky the trick is to cut your nails short and then file them down a bit and build up you callouses.

[ThunderBass]

yeah... maybe try adjusting the angle that you hit the strings at as well...

although if youre comfortable doing the middle/ring thing then maybe you should stick with that...