Right Hand Technique

[PhilOnBass]

Hello
I've just got hold of your Technique Builders DVD so that I can concentrate on improving my right hand technique, particularly with regard to ergonomics (ie not bending my wrist). I'm slowly incorporating the floating thumb technique having previously used an anchor and dropped my elbow..

I'm finding that because my hand/fingers are closer to the strings when I pluck I'm moving a bit more from the middle knuckle of my fingers rather than the base knuckle (ie where the finger joins the hand). I assume that this is okay, although I guess the middle knuckle is a little less powerful/strong.

I've also been looking at Gary Willis Progressive Bassics lessons online.. Knowing that you were taught by him and your methods are greatly influenced by him, wondered why you hadn’t incorporated his three finger technique into what you do.

Is it something that just doesn’t work for you, is it too difficult or something that you feel is better done another way? I'm just curious about whether I should try Gary's technique in parallel to your Floating Thumb technique.

Regards
Phil

[Todd Johnson]

Originally Posted by PhilOnBass

Hello
I've just got hold of your Technique Builders DVD so that I can concentrate on improving my right hand technique, particularly with regard to ergonomics (ie not bending my wrist). I'm slowly incorporating the floating thumb technique having previously used an anchor and dropped my elbow..

I'm finding that because my hand/fingers are closer to the strings when I pluck I'm moving a bit more from the middle knuckle of my fingers rather than the base knuckle (ie where the finger joins the hand). I assume that this is okay, although I guess the middle knuckle is a little less powerful/strong.

I've also been looking at Gary Willis Progressive Bassics lessons online.. Knowing that you were taught by him and your methods are greatly influenced by him, wondered why you hadn’t incorporated his three finger technique into what you do.

Is it something that just doesn’t work for you, is it too difficult or something that you feel is better done another way? I'm just curious about whether I should try Gary's technique in parallel to your Floating Thumb technique.

Regards
Phil

Hi Phil,

Good for you!! You're on your way. You've got it all correct....more from the middle knuckle etc.

I bassically do a 2 fingered version of what Gary teaches. I tried the 3 finger thing....which I think is BRILLIANT btw.....and it just took forever for me to incorporate it......I personally had trouble adding the 3rd finger....but if you can do it, then by all means do it. The logic and methodology behind it are simply brilliant IMHO.

I've been able to make the 2 finger version work EXTREMELY well for me and others. My advice is to experiment and see what works best for you. It's essentially the same information.....It's up to you.

Let me know what you decide and how it works out. You're way ahead of the game either way.

Keep up the good work. I'm proud of you!!

[PhilOnBass]

I've started off trying the Willis techinque in 'open' position.
So on open strings alternating middle/third finger on the G string. Then alternating index/middle finger on the A string.

The difficulty I'm finding is playing the A string with the middle finger whilst keeping the third finger muting the G string. You end up with two adjacent fingers spanning 3 strings, which is a bit of stretch, and when I play the A string with the middle finger I feel the finger is reaching back a bit, since the string is almost underneath my palm.

I'm getting the hang of it, I guess it might help having longer fingers.
Also I find that the D string is ringing.. I suppose this is where left hand muting comes into play?

Interested if anyone else has tried this technique and what level of success they had.

Also, I don’t suppose anyone knows if the book that comes with the Gary Willis video is available online as a PDF or something?
The videos are up on youtube but the notation would be very useful!

[Poobah1]

Hi Todd,

Would you be able to briefly outline the advantages and disadvantages to picking by bending your fingers at the knuckles as opposed to bending them at the first joint?

I'm currently changing from a moving anchor technique to the floating thumb technique as demonstrated in your YouTube video. I've watched a few videos of you playing jazz using the technique, but I haven't really seen it used in other styles such as rock or funk. Do you know if there are any disadvantages or issues related to using the technique in other styles?