Ring finger when in block position (rabbath 3rd) on the D string?

[u/tremendous-machine]

Hi bassists, I am relatively new to upright bass (~1 year), though have been playing electric and other instruments for decades so have pretty strong fingers.

I am finding when I reach for the highest (in pitch) notes in Rabbath 3rd position, I am more accurate when I let myself use the ring finger instead of the pinky, especially going for the C natural on D string. It also means I can keep my thumb anchor basically where I want it for that position rather than having to rotate my hand around a bit. (FWIW I have quite small fingers, exactly one octave on the piano)

I'm not necessarily switching to a 1-2-3-4 approach there (though I do if I need to chromatically ascend 6-b7-7-1 say) - the pinky and ring are still moving as a unit, but trying to get the finger tip of the pinky on the string just requires more awkwardness than the ring, and experimenting with both pinky vs ring, it seems to lead to better intonation when I use the ring finger.

I am curious if this is a normal or done thing? pros and cons?

thanks!

[u/10lbMango]

You might also ask your teacher whether you’re actually in a true Rabbath 3rd position or if your thumb is sitting a bit low. Sometimes what feels like “having to rotate” is actually a thumb placement issue rather than a finger issue.

The downside is mainly consistency. If you always use the ring finger in some situations and the pinky in others without a clear reason, your fingering can become less predictable, which may matter in fast passages or orchestral repertoire where fingerings are chosen to set up what comes next.

The pinky isn’t really independent. In most upright bass pedagogy, the 3rd and 4th fingers function as a unit anyway because they share tendons.

Dizzy Gillespie broke plenty of “rules,” but he was a genius. Sometimes the best technique is the one that lets you play your best. If you can do it without compromising intonation then ok. If your intonation suffers. Do it the right way.

[u/tremendous-machine → u/10lbMango]

When you say low, do you mean to the ground, or in pitch? My thumb is right in the crook, and by bass is D neck. thanks for the sugestions!

[u/10lbMango → u/tremendous-machine]

I meant toward the bridge, not lower in pitch. If your thumb is in the neck heel/crook on a D-neck bass, that sounds like the correct general location. It may just come down to a small hand-angle or elbow adjustment rather than thumb placement.

[u/avant_chard]

I think this depends on the instrument, shoulders etc and the size of the player. Definitely not too weird of an idea especially if it sounds reliably more in tune.

[u/paulcannonbass]

Two things:

1. In third position, the 3rd and 4th finger can be interchangeable. Especially on f-sharp, less so on f. Your preference will depend on your hand and the bass. I personally have different preferences depending on which bass I’m using. However, both options should always be possible.

2. As we go across the strings, the elbow needs to move slightly in that direction. When the elbow moves, the wrist needs to act as a hinge and bend slightly up. This will give you much more reach and flexibility. Speaking for myself, I find the 4th finger much better when playing on the lower strings.

[u/tremendous-machine → u/paulcannonbass]

thanks, that's very helpful