Angle of plucking fingers

tbass-chicago · #1 09-05-2006, 02:53 PM

Hi,

I've looked around for an answer to this, but never come right out and asked. Well, September is my month of technique cleanup, and now I'm asking all the fine folks here at talkbass: what angle should my fingers (right-hand) be for plucking the string?

Currently, I'm at around a 45 degree angle, and I pluck into the bass.

Thanks!

Gegatso · #2 09-05-2006, 10:35 PM

I don't think there is going to be any "standard answer" for this one. People do what they have to in order to achieve the results, and since the r hand does so much with tone - I think it is good practice overall to work with different angles and be adept with them all....it's kind of along the line of where you're plucking the string..over the fretboard or an inch from the bridge. All the stuff matters. Back when I used to teach I would get the students playing so that they were comfortable most of all.
Oh yeah, got off-topic...I'm pretty much around 45 degrees as well for the majority of the time.

Mark

Poop-Loops · #3 09-05-2006, 10:39 PM

Make sure the wrist doesn't bend much. That's really what matters. I try to keep my wrist straight, and when my bass is at a 45 degree angle, my fingers will be almost perpendicular to the strings. Since I play 3 finger, it has to be or else the tone would be off too much.

Alec W. Conway · #4 09-06-2006, 06:21 AM

In my humble opinion, if you feel comfortable, your angle is good.

tbass-chicago · #5 09-06-2006, 07:25 AM

As mentioned, I am currently around a 45 degree angle now, and I do have a lot of wrist bend. I've noticed, however, that I tend to get a "tighter" bass tone if I pluck at a 90 degree angle to the bass, which esstentially means I'm plucking up. However, in the few places that talk about it, I've seen mentioned that one should pluck into the bass.

Another thing I've noticed is that I'm able to keep my wrist straighter if I hold out my elbow instead of resting it on my side (which I should be doing anyway). It seems to help with the tone, too.

But, as I said, this is technique cleanup month for me, and I'm trying to do things the right way.

Alec W. Conway · #6 09-06-2006, 02:04 PM

With my thumb floating all about, I pluck straight down in the lower pitched string, and into my thumb if I play on my fat B (with my thumb hanging on the edge of my pup)

As for the elbow, when its some slow stuff, I just let my arm rest on my side. When it speeds up though, I lift my elbow to straighten my wrist, and then I can get much more speed.

Hope this helped in any way.

JustOpenYourMind · #7 09-11-2006, 12:15 PM

90 degrees is the best angle to avoid fret buzz and clacking it provides a better tone too. The only downside is that it is harder to play that way but practise makes perfect....

dunamis · #8 09-11-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustOpenYourMind

90 degrees is the best angle to avoid fret buzz and clacking it provides a better tone too. The only downside is that it is harder to play that way but practise makes perfect....

Have a tried a bass with a ramp? I have one on my Zon and I find that it forces me to maintain the optimal relationship between fingertips and strings.