Hey, I just had my first bass lesson in about a year. The guy told me that I should always wear my bass at same height as sitting (I'm completely comfortable at all heights), and that I should really only use two fingers (he asked me to play something- I decided to just play Be yourself by Audioslave, using only one finger for that pulsing sound) and said it was good how I know alternative techniques (pick/one finger/slap, etc...) are for getting certain tones, but that I should get rid of my 3 fnger-floating thumb technique (for thumb, he said only pickup or E string for anchoring). Any comments, thoughts?
Edit: I forgot to add, he asked me what kind of band I'm in (I replied rock with blues and funk influences [think a cross-ground between LZ and RHCP]) and forgot to add that I love metal alot more

:help: Get another teacher!! :eyebrow:

Your teacher is stupid.

One of the reasons that I'm happy with my current teacher is that he doesn't deal in absolutes, i.e. Always, Never, etc. Hes been playing for about 40 years, and he's seen a lot of stuff. So, for example, when showing me how to slap, he showed me the technique of a bunch of pros, and how he slaps as well, which was an amalgamation of a few of the pro techniques, and explained the differences to me, as far as tone, speed, efficiency, etc., go. After that, he kinda summed them up, this way is best for speed, this way is best for stamina, and so on, and asked me which method I was most interested in continuing with. He doesn't think there's any one way to do anything, he's all about learning as much as possible, and then choosing the best method for you.

Also, he's very respectful, loves all genres of music, tries to see the best in anything, and still doesn't like Fieldy :D

I guess to be fair, I didn't speak up at all, even at the end when he asked if I agree/disagree with anything (mainly because I hate it when other kids think there all that and think they don't need any help, etc...)
He also told me to make a CD of about 10 songs I want to learn (for the band). Next week I'll also tell him that I want to work on my ear, hopefully I'll be able to pick out lines easier, later ;)

Yeah, 3 fingers or not, floating thumb is superior to anchoring.

Start looking for a new teacher. :hmm:

Also the strap issue is weird. I mean, it's good to have it the same level if you are lazy like me and don't want to learn at a different height. But it really shouldn't be an issue how low or high you have it, as long as you are comfortable and can play everything correctly and smoothly.

,,,,,,,,
He also told me to make a CD of about 10 songs I want to learn (for the band). ;)

That's very interesting to me that such a,,,, style(?) of teaching goes that way.

Excuse my ignorance, but is he teaching you to "copy (learn) songs" as a primary objective?
Just strikes me as a bit "hoaky" is all.
Or will he be teaching you the how's, whys, etc. from these examples to help keep your interest up? Just wondering is all.

Brass "Nut"

I had a teacher for a while who just had me learn songs. It was on guitar, before I started playing bass. I asked him about learning theory, and he said "Oh, a guitarist doesn't need to know any theory."

Buh bye.

Now that I'm playing around on guitar again, I forgot all of those songs, because I just learned where to place my fingers, and not what the song is actually made from.

Also the strap issue is weird. I mean, it's good to have it the same level if you are lazy like me and don't want to learn at a different height. But it really shouldn't be an issue how low or high you have it, as long as you are comfortable and can play everything correctly and smoothly.

That's OK, but his teacher's point was:

I should always wear my bass at same height as sitting

And I can tell you: That's a really important yet overrated aspect of playing (the first thing Billy Sheehan remarks in his first instructional video, BTW). Of course it may not be that important for a root-fifth bassline, but for something technically and/or physically demanding, it is something VERY IMPORTANT to take into account. You may feel the best when playing Level 42's "Mr. Pink" at home while seated, but that's not a guarantee it's going to work on stage if your bass' relative position to your body is fairly different when standing.


What I tell my students on the first class is something like: "The electric bass is a young instrument and many opinions about how it should be played have arose. All of them are valid, but the thing is: I can't teach you to play in a way I'm not used to. You want to wear your bass like Robert Trujillo? That's OK. He's a terrific player but I can't teach you to play like him because this and this..." and I start trying to "sell" him/her my approach. If I can't make it, I'm the first to say "maybe you should look for another teacher".

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with anchoring on the E and pickup only? I know I personally get more speed on the G/D if I'm on the A, but when not playing for speed where does the problem lie?

there is nothing wrong with anchoring on the E or pickup if it is comfortable to you. When I am playing the G I anchor on the A and then back up to the E . Ive also seen Jamerson anchors on the string that is right above what he is playing. I just feel more comfortable now after doing it for awhile.

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with anchoring on the E and pickup only? I know I personally get more speed on the G/D if I'm on the A, but when not playing for speed where does the problem lie?

Nothing. Just like there's nothing wrong with only using 2 fingers to fret and 1 finger to pluck. But there is a better way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU

I think you found a good teacher!
About the anchor I agree with him even if sometimes I'll let an advanced student stick to his floating thumb technique only if he is very comfortable with it. It all depends on your goals,but most of the time you will want to dig in the strings and the floating thumb is not a good technique for that. You seem to like Rock (Audioslave) so go with 2 fingers and anchor.

SB

I haven't found a teacher yet, but I don't think I would give up on this guy just yet. I would suggest that you prefer the floating thumb technique, using three fingers or whatever. Ask if he can help you build on what's comfortable for you.

I've been obsessing over the strap height thing ever since I got my bas a month ago and found that I can't hold the bass high. It hurts my left wrist--bad. I have to have the strap as long as it will go, but I hold it the same way sitting and standing. Just open my legs when sitting and let it hang between tem a little. But you have to understand that I am SUMOSIZED like my name suggests. A high strapped bass makes the neck at a poor angle for me.

Sorry about the rant there, but I don't think you would be one of those kids that thinks they have nothing to learn. You must want to learn or you wouldn't have strated lessons--right? Make sure this guy's for you before getting to involved, but also give him a few lesson before looking somewhere else. You may find that talking to him may really open him up!

I don't see what's wrong with 3 finger-floating thumb technique...sure the sound isn't quite as consistent and you can't dig-in as easily; but you tend to have better endurance, can mute better, and it prevents you from bending your picking wrist to a bad angle

My floating thumb is kinda wierd, as in I'll anchor on the A string if I'm playing the D etc...So I can really dig in, it's just he said only two fingers and cited Jaco and Wooten (I have enormous respect for them, but can't listen to their music) as why. Also, he asked me to play anything (whenever I'm asked that, I blank out on all the songs I know) so then I just randomly played be yourself (audioslave) with one finger, when he told me not to use one either I explained how Geddy and Timmy do that to get a more pulsing sound, but he just said that meant I lacked two finger technique, etc...My next lesson is on wednsday(sp?) so any advice (also, if it means anything, I'm not one to speak up or stand up for myself)
Thansk guys

My floating thumb is kinda wierd, as in I'll anchor on the A string if I'm playing the D etc...So I can really dig in, it's just he said only two fingers and cited Jaco and Wooten (I have enormous respect for them, but can't listen to their music) as why. Also, he asked me to play anything (whenever I'm asked that, I blank out on all the songs I know) so then I just randomly played be yourself (audioslave) with one finger, when he told me not to use one either I explained how Geddy and Timmy do that to get a more pulsing sound, but he just said that meant I lacked two finger technique, etc...My next lesson is on wednsday(sp?) so any advice (also, if it means anything, I'm not one to speak up or stand up for myself)
Thansk guys

You're describing floating anchor not floating thumb technique. I think the guy is trying to expose you to more ways of doing things and that is good. Getting locked into only doing things one way is not good. The more tools you have at your disposal the more you can do or easy to workout of unfamiliar situations. Since you mention muting over the years I have worked on floating thumb, palm muting, right hand and left hand muting, finger muting ala Gary Willis, and floating anchor. These days I rarely think about how I mute something I just do it.

So maybe need to be a little more open minded to what the guy is showing you. You don't take lesson just to keep doing things the same do you?

You're describing floating anchor not floating thumb technique. Sorry my bad, :P . I'm all for being open, in fact I do that stuff naturally without thinking anyway, I'm just kinda uneasy about how he said I should only do it the way he described, and on top of that, he said I shouldn't use a pick (I like fingerstyle more, but saying that to me is like going up to Dimebag Darrell and saying rednecks suck, etc...)

You're describing floating anchor not floating thumb technique. I think the guy is trying to expose you to more ways of doing things and that is good. Getting locked into only doing things one way is not good. The more tools you have at your disposal the more you can do or easy to workout of unfamiliar situations. Since you mention muting over the years I have worked on floating thumb, palm muting, right hand and left hand muting, finger muting ala Gary Willis, and floating anchor. These days I rarely think about how I mute something I just do it.

So maybe need to be a little more open minded to what the guy is showing you. You don't take lesson just to keep doing things the same do you?

There's an inherent contradiction in what he said, though.

1 finger = bad 2 finger technique.

3 fingers = no, don't do it, do 2 fingers.

Why doesn't 2 finger = bad 3 finger technique?

I like how my teacher told me I could do either, because really there is no difference if you get it down. He taught me the floating thumb because it's easier, but also said that sometimes you have to ancor to let other notes ring out.

So basically he's telling me how to do things, but also acknowledging that there are other ways that work in other situations. This guy doesn't seem to be doing the same thing. He's precisely teaching his own way of doing it without showing that there are other valid ways.

You should try the thigns he tells you about/teaches. But don't throw away everything you learned before that, thinking its grabage. Cause it's not. You should learn as many techniques as you can and apply them as you see fit. Sometimes floating anchor and three finger plucking is a wonderful idea, other times not. As a rule of thumb: there is no "always" and "never" in music, and if it hurts, you're(probably) not doing it right.

Nothing hurts I'm comfortable with 1, 2, and 3 fingers, all heights of bass (even Trujillo height), and different anchoring techniques, and can do any of them when called for, but he's telling me to dismiss that and do 2 fingers, thumb-pickup anchor, and nipple-riding bass height (which while comfortable, does inhibit my slapping speed and accuracy)

And I can tell you: That's a really important yet overrated aspect of playing (the first thing Billy Sheehan remarks in his first instructional video, BTW). Of course it may not be that important for a root-fifth bassline, but for something technically and/or physically demanding, it is something VERY IMPORTANT to take into account. You may feel the best when playing Level 42's "Mr. Pink" at home while seated, but that's not a guarantee it's going to work on stage if your bass' relative position to your body is fairly different when standing.
Do you *require* your students to play sitting down? I always practice standing and always gig standing. If I am never going to be sitting down, what difference does it make what height the bass is at (assuming it is not physically harmful)?

Maybe I am being naive here, but I can't see why bass height would be a big factor in teaching someone :confused:

And this is mainly a rhetorical question since, while I have never heard "Mr Pink", based on Level 42s other songs I am way more on the root/fifth end of spectrum.

Do you *require* your students to play sitting down? I always practice standing and always gig standing. If I am never going to be sitting down, what difference does it make what height the bass is at (assuming it is not physically harmful)?

That's the point: I always tell them to play the exercises while standing, but most of them practice sitting. There have been cases in which some students tell me things like "I practiced this sitting and now that you tell me, I have problems trying to playing it while standing".

That's the point: I always tell them to play the exercises while standing, but most of them practice sitting. There have been cases in which some students tell me things like "I practiced this sitting and now that you tell me, I have problems trying to playing it while standing".

Ok, that makes sense then. Thanks for the clarification.

And now that you mention it, I have noticed that in a lot of the youtube videos of people playing they are sitting down. Which always seemed a bit strange for rock music.

One of the reasons that I'm happy with my current teacher is that he doesn't deal in absolutes

Only the Sith deal in Absolutes!

:D