you can start using 3 fingers.
there's usually two plucking patterns for it:
first one is the more common 321 321 321
it'd be pretty easy when playing triplets but it's a bit tricky when
playing 4 or 8 note patterns cus it'd be like:
3213 2132 1321 I mean each time you play a set of 4 notes you
start with a different finger so you should work on it to sound
more natural and not like triplets. i mean the intensity of your
plucking should be all even.
the other method is what i read on steve digiorgio's web page.
he suggested a pattern like this:
3212 3212 3123
it was touch for me to get use to it because you should pivot
your wrist to get the speed you're looking for.
Personally i use the first method,
I hope it helps you. just try both ways and see what works for
you :)

thanks. I'll have to check out Steve DiGiorgio's page. I am a fan. He did some cool things while with Death as well as Sadus.

steve digiorgio is one of my favorite influences! individual thought patterns by death is a classic!!!!

YEA!
IMO that one's the best Death record

whats up scott, i just posted this in the (OPEN FORUM) titled:
tips for 1st mini-gig

then i saw your message, hope this helps.

sounds like you might have to start throwing in that ring finger! triplets are a lot easier with 3 fingers than 2 fingers.

just a trick that i did to learn how to play with all 4s. remember tape is your best friend!

tape fingers 1&2 together, and use the ring finger as yr second finger. now play like that for an hour.
remove tape.
tape fingers 2&3 together, and use your point finger and pinky, now play like that for an hour
remove tape
get what im doin? just keep alternating the tape. sounds ridiculas but it works for faster results...

you will feel the burn this way in your finger muscles.

as far as using 4 fingers to play somethin, the only time i use all 4s is to rake the strings. i can play with all 4 but what u can do with 2 fingers would b actually faster, and have better tonal quailty and control between a 2 finger stroke, than playing with a 4 finger stroke. whats the point with 4 finger playing? it just looks cooler to an audience thats all,cant go any faster. (2 is a multipul of 4, see what i mean?) the fastest notes come from 3 finger speed. beleive me, i spent years getting 4 fingers down and can go just as fast with 4 as with using only 2 fingers.

thanks a lot for everyone's insight.