Hey all.

Just kind of monkeying around with this, but how about using the thumb and first 2 fingers in a "fingerstyle guitar" sense?

The best description is Knopfler's technique.

I'm noticing that I'm muting much better than when I just use the standard figerstyle technique. Seens cleaner, and just as fast.

Any opinions, input?

If it works for you, go right ahead. Personally, I always thought the thumb sounded a bit weak compared to using your fingers, but there's no reason not to do it if it works for you.

Watch Vic Wooten and his thumb technique.

www.youtube.com

I sometimes use a technique just like that. Works great. It takes me a little longer to get warmed up but playing chords is easy and you can play runs and scales pretty darn fast. I started with an Anthony Jackson like thumb and index pick style playing. Thumb down, finger up. Then added the middle. T, M, I or any combo. Now I can very them depending on the line without thinking about it. 2 notes per string= T, I. 3= T,I,M 4=T,I,M,R. It works great but takes time to develop.

I don't know much about this...but wasn't Mark Knopfler a guitarist? If you are just saying that you're using his guitar technique on bass, then I completely understand.

I use thumb and two first finger to play my stuff.
The thumb really have a different sound mfrom the other fingers (less bright) so if you try to keep the same tone at all notes then it's a hard thing to do when involving the thumb in the playing.

on the other hand using the thumb can really help making some bassline easier like fast funk or disco bassline as in the case of jamiroquai bassist for instanse who makes fast 1/16 lines moving in octaves.
Despite this I still try to be able to play all I play with the thumb also without it (only to fingers) because of the tone reason I mentioned earlier.

I like to alternate between those three fingers too. It allows for different muting and accents. Triplet feel is a lot easier too.

I don't know much about this...but wasn't Mark Knopfler a guitarist? If you are just saying that you're using his guitar technique on bass, then I completely understand.

You are correct.
His style seems to fit my physiology better then the "Fender" wrist.
It also seems,...now this may sound kind of odd....that when I use this technique, I feel more "connected" and "musical" in my physical relation to the instrument.