Bad habit? Waddya think !?!?

Tama · #1 07-26-2009, 09:13 AM

New to bass, I have been teaching myself from the web.
Got into the habit in my short time of using only my thumb to hit notes.

Got to thinking, I better break myself of this before it becomes a permanent limiting factor.

I have been doing well at learning to use the pointing, middle and sometimes the thumb.
As a beginner I didn't notice any real speed difference...because I am only a beginner. But I believe it is a good thing to get control of before I pick up a bad habit.

What do y'all think ?

As an unrelated note, I am a drummer who is learning bass at 46 years old.

I just love the sound and purpose of the bass guitar. Often subtle and just "LOCKS IN" with the drummer when we play.

To me it is so kool the way the bass player and drummer can hit 1/4 notes together in perfect timing to keep time. Also the way I can play the drum groove in that way while the bass player plays along with me....THEN does a little run...then right back together.

Y'all know what I mean....feels great !!! Gotta love the bass !!!

Thanks !!! Dave

irishryno · #2 07-26-2009, 09:25 AM

I too am a former drummer. Picked up bass at 33, now 37. You should concentrate on the all aspects of picking. Using alternating index and middle fingers, using thumb as well, pick, and working with three fingers <useful if you aren't Steve Harris>. You may find a favorite but having versatility is important. You get different sounds from each. I would say practice the same way with each method. It will only make your fretting hand even stronger. But remember, if it hurts, that's your body telling you you are doing it wrong. Welcome to the an even bigger world. Btw, you are about to gain a lot more respect for bassists. Having been a drummer, I thought all they knew were all root notes and followed my lead. Now as a bassist, I realized that he was leading and keeping me in time, the whole time.

fearceol · #3 07-26-2009, 09:34 AM

I would not say it was a bad habit only using your thumb. It will put limitations on your playing though. Nothing wrong with having different techniques for different situations.

Keep working on alternating your index and middle fingers. Dont worry about speed for now, that will come in time. Concentrate on trying to get an even tone with both fingers. Seeing as you are concentrating on your plucking hand at present, you might be interested in the "Floating Thumb" technique link below. Good luck with it, and welcome to the "low end".

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

Bassmickeyd · #4 07-26-2009, 09:52 AM

Two drummers playing bass.
Glad to see you playing a musical instrument.
Just kidding.

Stick to the two finger pluck but remember, like in drumming, for every action there is a reaction. when hitting the snare on the two and four if you bring your arm up too high you have to get you arm back down to catch the next beat. It's the same with alternating the two plucking fingers. Keep the movement to a minimal and it will help build up speed faster. You should be able, with practice, to alternate those two fingers within a 1 1/2" space.
It's the same idea as a military press roll.

Tama · #5 07-26-2009, 11:09 AM

Thanks y'all for the good advise.
Irish: Yeah, I think the bass is under-rated...exactly why I like it. Anyone who plays an instrument and doesn't regard the bass as "just as important" is clearly mis-informed.

Fearceol, yeah I have no illusions about speed right now. Speed is a long ways away for me right now. I have to work on proper technique, reading bass tabs (maybe even sight reading) and lots of "the basics"

Mickeyd:
yeah, also an old dog learning new tricks

Keeps me out of trouble

Cheers, Dave

electracoyote · #6 07-26-2009, 11:17 AM

Thumb not "wrong." Limiting, but not "wrong." You will get more speed and dexterity when you develop index and middle (and later ring if you stick with it). I wouldn't make thumb my primary picking digit.

Michael Campbel · #7 07-26-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

Two drummers playing bass.

Count me in as a third.

Tama · #8 07-27-2009, 08:49 PM

Ok, thanks for the help guys.
I had no problem getting away from that. However, I do use the thumb for like hitting the E string and want a different sound. For example if I use the pointing finger for this, I often slap the string against the pickup....which is fine if that's the sound I was looking for. Using the thumb for this gives me a different sound.

Incidentally, I have been trying to use the ring finger in my practice.

Man !! lots of practice and cant even play "Old Man" by Neil Young.....about the easiest tune ever.

But I'm still pluggin' away.
Cheers, Dave

onlyclave · #9 07-27-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Thumb not "wrong." Limiting, but not "wrong." You will get more speed and dexterity when you develop index and middle (and later ring if you stick with it). I wouldn't make thumb my primary picking digit.

Wes Montgomery never seemed to be limited by his thumb...

Tama · #10 07-27-2009, 10:08 PM

I know what you're saying Onlyclave. But I think they mean to tell me to learn a broader spectrum of practice that wont limit my "possibilities"

As a practicing drummer, you can really pick up some limiting habits.

However, I wont ignore the possibility of eventually doing grooves and such with only the thumb. It just depends how it fits in for me.

I'm actually having a degree of "fun" learning bass.
This didn't happen for me with the drums....and still doesn't.

Practice is boring for me, but rewarding. Ya don't get good watching TV

Endless 16th note practice makes my old arms tired, but like I say.....

Cheers, Dave

electracoyote · #11 07-27-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Wes Montgomery never seemed to be limited by his thumb...

That's open to interpretation. Wes Montgomery forged his own style on jazz guitar (not bass), and thumb-stroked octave melody runs are his claim to fame. Arguably, his style limited him to just that--his style. He was told by his parents that he must play his guitar as quietly as possible, no plectrums, and only the soft flesh of his thumb was to be used. If he had a choice, he would have developed more flexability and versatility in his playing.

My advice stands. "Thumb only" is limiting. Not wrong, and you could certainly achieve some level of proficiency with thumb only, but it is limiting nonetheless.

fearceol · #12 07-28-2009, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Wes Montgomery never seemed to be limited by his thumb...

James Jamerson never seemed limited by using just his index finger either. Yet I'll bet many of today's bassists dont follow his lead in this regard.

There are always exceptions Onlyclave

Pilgrim · #13 07-28-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Thumb not "wrong." Limiting, but not "wrong." You will get more speed and dexterity when you develop index and middle (and later ring if you stick with it). I wouldn't make thumb my primary picking digit.

I agree. I think that for most players, the limitations is imposes on your playing far outweigh the advantages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Wes Montgomery never seemed to be limited by his thumb...

Granted, but if the OP could play as well as Wes Montgomery, he wouldn't have asked. IMO he's well advised to learn normal technique and after he becomes proficient, he can depart from it if he feels the need to.

electracoyote · #14 07-28-2009, 10:47 AM

When I think of thumb players, Sting always comes to my mind first. That guy could thump away for an entire song with his thumb while jumping around and singing lead. I think he was just having fun with it.

But thumb was only one of his picking varieties.

SnoMan · #15 07-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Just learn to play with your elbow. It's like a cheat code, once you get it, you'll be able to play anything...N E THING...

electracoyote · #16 07-28-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoMan

Just learn to play with your elbow. It's like a cheat code, once you get it, you'll be able to play anything...N E THING...

Yes, and then when you become proficient with your knee caps, you become BASS MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE.

Tama · #17 07-28-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoMan

Just learn to play with your elbow. It's like a cheat code, once you get it, you'll be able to play anything...N E THING...

Well, the elbow didn't work so well for me. I tried a toilet bowl brush...but now my bass smells funny.

I give up...I'm going back to the instrument I was classically trained on...the jews harp.

I can only play "Join together with the band" by The Who.

Unfortunately, Pete Townsend told me I would also have to learn the recorder before he'd give me a go. so sad

electracoyote · #18 07-28-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tama

I can only play "Join together with the band" by The Who.

Au contraire...when you have mastered one song on the jews harp, you have mastered them ALL. Congratulations, you are the master of your own domain.

Tama · #19 07-28-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Au contraire...when you have mastered one song on the jews harp, you have mastered them ALL. Congratulations, you are the master of your own domain.

Have you heard of Zamfir? He is and I quote "worlds premier pan-flutist"

I dont know why I said that.....

electracoyote · #20 07-28-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tama

Have you heard of Zamfir? He is and I quote "worlds premier pan-flutist"

I dont know why I said that.....

Ah, Zamfir, yes...I have been tempted to give up being a musician many times upon hearing his eloquent pan-flute stylings on the late-night TV advertisement...