Simandl Question

Technique
1

Hey all,

I just recently started to use the Simandl method to fret on my five string. I was using OFPF exclusively beforehand and was finding that I had to uncomfortably stretch for the lower frets. Simandl works amazingly well for me on the lower frets. My question is this; For my hands and current scale length (34”), I find that I can start comfortably (without stretching) doing OFPF starting at about fret five. So Simandl for frets one to four, and OFPF for five and up. How do you decide whether to use OFPF or Simandl on frets higher than five? Either would work. How do folks do it? Is this a case where you just mix and match and use Simandl where it feels better for the required fretting vs OFPF? Or do people exclusively use Simandl because it can be used on the whole fretboard? Or do you use Simandl on the low frets and OFPF on the higher ones?

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What are you struggling with?
2

I mix and match. Generally I’m finding that once I know which notes I need, my fingers fall into whichever works best on their own.

Raking seems to happen without me thinking about it, too.

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OFPF does not mean that you hold your fingers in position over those frets. You still microshift your hand into position over each fret. Usually what I do is extend my finger to where I want to fret, place it as a guide, and shift my hand in line to fret comfortably.

OFPF vs. Simandl usually depends how big of a span I’m playing in the string. It’s not about position on the neck. One of the songs my band plays is, “The One I Love” by REM. Most of that is in a 3-fret span. I do that Simandl. When it goes to 4-frets, I switch to OFPF.

Here is an example of OFPF without stretching hands at all:

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4

Maybe I’m weird, but I don’t think about whether I’m doing OFPF or Simandl at any given time. I just use whatever fingers feel right for the notes before and after what I’m playing.

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excellent example that really few beginners get. my only critique with simandl is i think a lot of people use it at the beginning because they really don’t want to strengthen and coordinate their “weaker” fingers.

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I did it for this reason well after finishing the course :rofl:

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I use simandl more since playing more fretless. Trying to get vibrato with the middle finger feels weird.

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8

I use whichever requires the least effort and/or sounds better :slight_smile:

e.g. if i’m playing frets 1, 3 i’ll use simandl. If i’m playing frets 1,3,4 i’ll use OFPF. I frequently use OFPF in frets 1-5, you don’t have to stretch, you just move your hand.

I don’t have good finger independence for my ring finger so using my pinky is usually easier.

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As others have said I don’t really think about it. I do what feels ergonomic and sounds correct. My callouses tell me though that I mostly play slides using either my index or pinky finger tho :rofl:

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Thanks for all of the responses everyone. Simandl will definitely be a great tool in my playing toolbox. Here’s looking forward to the point where I don’t even think about whether to have to make the OFPF vs Simandl choice. I’ve only been playing for a little less than six months so that will likely not be for a while.

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