5th String as a thumb rest?

anyonefortennis · #1 10-08-2006, 07:56 PM

Something I noticed about my technique is that I tend to rest my thumb on the string above the one(s) I'm playing.

My guess is that it is not the right thing to do.

Now the problem as you may imagine is that when I play on the low E of my 4 string I "run out" of strings to rest my thumb on and I feel slightly unconfortable and my playing suffers a little as well.

Now the question is, has anyone ever gotten a 5 string (or just one more string than you really need) just have a thumb rest running along the entire bass? I reall have no need for a 5 banger as of now but I think it would be confortable for me to be able to rest my thumb on a low B stirng while playing the E.

Is this the right thing todo or do I need to clean up m technique instead? Is there a way to correct this tendency?

Thanks!!

Yell03SpecV · #2 10-08-2006, 10:14 PM

Having never played a Ric, I cannot honestly suggest resting your thumb on the neck pup, because I am unsure if the shape/height offers that provision. Every bass I own, I play using the pup as a thumb rest at all times. Since I tend to fingerstyle with my thub, middle and index fingers oriented in a "capital Y" shape, I tend to snap my thumb when using a string as a rest, and I usually trip up or kill a note unintentionally. the great thing about this style is that going from a few 4-strings with 19mm spacing, going to a 5 string with 17mm spacing did not take much getting used to.

Best of luck to you.

Drifta · #3 10-08-2006, 11:49 PM

do what is ever comfortable to you. sometimes i rest my thumb on the Pup but a lot of times i rest it right on the E string and then if theres notes on the E string my thumb naturally hops back up to the pup and back. I think what you're doing is refered to as the floating thumb technique, so mabey instead of trying to remedy it, reinforce your natural technique.

HaroldBishop · #4 10-09-2006, 12:47 AM

Resting your thumb on the string above is perfectly fine.
I have no idea where you came up with the idea that it isn't.

janek65 · #5 10-09-2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drifta

do what is ever comfortable to you. sometimes i rest my thumb on the Pup but a lot of times i rest it right on the E string and then if theres notes on the E string my thumb naturally hops back up to the pup and back. I think what you're doing is referred to as the floating thumb technique, so mabey instead of trying to remedy it, reinforce your natural technique.

+1. no problem

good luck,
Jan

Brad Maestas · #6 10-09-2006, 01:36 AM

I think getting a 5-string just to have an extra string rest is pretty silly.
Regarding technique, it's very hard to convey stuff with words on a forum like this. It's much easier to share this in person. I'll still give it a try!

For the most part I rest on the next-lower string. Not all the time but most of the time. You have to be flexible. For instance, when I rest on the pickup(s) and play to the G or C strings, it feels very unnatural since my attack angle is so different than when I'm hitting the lower strings. When I play the E or B, I either rest my thumb on a pickup, on the top of the bass or at the end of the fingerboard, depending on the tone I'm after. When I'm really moving, I notice that I sometimes completely float and my thumb doesn't rest on anything. I think if you give yourself options you can overcome your tendency to want to rest on a string all the time. Good luck!

PrimusNut · #7 10-09-2006, 12:01 PM

If you are having trouble finding an anchor when playing on E, and don't have a pickup to anchor on that feels comfortable, check out Cliff Burton's technique. He rested the inside of his wrist near the top of the bass. I tried this and it feels very comfortable.

Sometimes, on my Ric, I rest my thumb on the pick-guard above the neck pup.

Whatever feels right.

tone.tran · #8 10-09-2006, 12:05 PM

you can always buy a thumbrest. seems like a cheaper option. but i haven't used them so wouldn't be able to comment on that.

EricF · #9 10-09-2006, 03:07 PM

My understanding is that this is called the "moveable anchor" technique, and it's quite common and accepted. Some even claim it to be the "best" technique. When playing the E string, use the edge of the pickup as your anchor.

anyonefortennis · #10 10-09-2006, 07:53 PM

Thanks for all the coments everyone!

As far as using the pup/pickguard as thumbrest, I try that and it just doesn't feel the same since the spacing is different and it is not "flexible" as the string.

I do the resting of the wrist on the edge of the bass most of the time so that helps with stability.

I guess I just have to practice and live with my technique. The "moveable anchor" it is!