Anything Like the "Carol Kaye" Method for Fingerstyle Playing?

[Nyarlathotep]

So, I set up my 4 banger to DGCF, and pretty much readjusted everything for lower action/greater pup height, and Im finding I like it for fingerstyle a little more than my 5er. The pups are a little rounder and make for great, comfortable thumb rests.

The other day I was playing pick style, and noticed that my wrist and arm were both getting sore rather quickly. Eerily enough, just like JimmyM said in his Carol Kaye method thread (Why I keep hammering the Carol Kaye pick method). Since I'd rather not go thru carpal tunnel surgery and all that, and since bringing the 4 banger out of hibernation, I decided to search for something similar to that thread, but for fingerstyle. I found nothing

To get to some kind of point: Is there any videos out there that demonstrate proper fingerstyle plucking. Right now I've settled into resting my hand on the bridge pup and plucking with the sides of my fingers on the low string, and working towards my fingers being perpendicular to the strings when picking the thinner ones. I do sling my basses low, tho not quite as low as I use to. The bottom of my gut (which I really gotta work on reducing ) lines up almost perfectly with the top curve on the bass' body. With the low-slungness I had before I prolly could have whipped my b***s over the top with no problem. Also, im not using the floating thumb technique. Should I work on using the floating thumb? I might try to make some demonstration clips using my new phone, if anyone really wants me to.

Thanks in advance for putting up with me

Oh, and PS: I like the tone I get plucking near the bridge, and I do try to keep my hand fairly loose when playing.

[JimmyM]

Wow, sorry you had to find that out the hard way, bro. But no, there's no real fingerstyle method similar because it's not as critical for your hand's health. Fingerstyle works your hand in a much more ergonomic way. Just keep your hand relaxed, try not to force it into any awkward angles, and you're usually OK.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Wow, sorry you had to find that out the hard way, bro.

You don't have to apologize man! It started after playing bass quite frequently (for me anyway) for about a week. Just sore, no biting pain or anything like that, and since I stopped playing pickstyle I haven't had any problems with my wrist at all. I initially just thought it was cus I hadn't played that much in a while, but it didn't get better. Well, until I stopped that is

there's no real fingerstyle method similar because it's not as critical for your hand's health. Fingerstyle works your hand in a much more ergonomic way. Just keep your hand relaxed, try not to force it into any awkward angles, and you're usually OK.

Interesting. I still might try to get the floating thumb thing down, just so im not "reaching" as much for the higher strings.

[Michael Case]

Personally, I don't like the resting the thumb on the pick up idea. I did it for years, then spent a lot of time on upright. When I came back to the electric I noticed that my right hand would be sore. I realized that I was basically jamming my thumb into the pick up and causing unnecessary tension. I'm now using the floating thumb technique. That's just my experience, check it out for yourself.

[H2ODog]

This may help.

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

[christoph h.]

This is also interesting:

http://www.adamnitti.com/bass_player_02.shtml

[Nyarlathotep]

That Todd vid is cool. Theres also this one that I found helpful too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxnhC...eature=related

I plan on reading the sticky on the subject when I get some time

[smeet]

The Todd Johnson thing is great, he really concentrates on relaxation and ergonomics. Also look up material by Gary Willis, which is where Todd got his initial ideas.