Cant play fast with floating thumb, will this change?

[Huffer777]

I cant play as fast consistently with floating thumb as normal. I have been trying floating thumb for about a week or 2.

Will i gain different muscles and it will become easier, or is it just rule its better muting but slower?

[Thunder_Fingers]

Don't force it mate, play like it feels natural for you

[tswd]

It should get faster. You're probably still consciously forcing yourself to use the technique, which slows you down. When you don't have to think about it anymore and your body just does it, it won't slow you down.

[artistanbul]

you'll probably get faster. skipping fingers would be harder in the beginning but everything is great when you get used to it.

[SuperDuck]

Trust me, it will get faster. Two weeks isn't very long at all. Six months from now you'll be moving so fast that you won't even be thinking about it. Once it becomes second nature you'll fly.

[Bochafish]

I've recently started the floating thumb too. I figured it would take me a while to get up to speed because you have to relearn some muscle memory. One thing I have noticed is that I play in time much easier. I used to have a tendency to drag moving toward the G string, and accelerate a bit going back down towards the E. Everything evened out on its own with the floating thumb.

[Reverend_Dan]

I'd practise your usual exercises without your thumb touching the strings at all. If you're used to using thumb pressure to 'pinch' a note out then your finger muscles might be underdeveloped.

So yeah, practise without touching anything with your thumb, and concentrate on accurately and quickly moving your arm up and down the strings. It'll sound ****ing awful but it'll help you get away from the idea that the thumb is an anchor.

Oh, and last but not least, when you do return your thumb to the strings/pickup, make sure you're not bending the strings with your thumb when you move, and also have a look at your thumb every so often to make sure there isn't an indentation from pressure.

Take it easy,
Dan

[bullshark]

I think skipping strings using the floating thumb technique is inherently slower than playing with an anchored thumb, you gotta move your whole arm instead of just bending the wrist a bit after all so it's simple physic, but at the same time playing with the thumb anchored force your wrist to bend which is a recipe for CTS. And speed does increase with practice and, playing with a straight wrist well supported by the shoulder, you'll play for longer without fatigue or/and health issues.

[Rudreax]

It's all natural. Just keep at until for a couple more weeks until you get to the point where you can do it without thinking. Floating thumb is like any other passive technique; after a while you'll just automatically get used to it without realizing you're used to it.

[Huffer777]

alright very very good help, much appreciated

[spade2you]

Playing for a while should help it. I might guess that you feel that you don't have enough strength and you used to put a little more "muscle" into it when you used to play fast. Getting used to playing soft might take a little time to get used to, but only comes with time.

Are you using 2 fingers or 3? I find that when I start playing fairly fast, I sneak in my ring finger to distribute the action between the other two.

Originally Posted by bullshark

I think skipping strings using the floating thumb technique is inherently slower than playing with an anchored thumb, you gotta move your whole arm instead of just bending the wrist a bit after all so it's simple physic, but at the same time playing with the thumb anchored force your wrist to bend which is a recipe for CTS. And speed does increase with practice and, playing with a straight wrist well supported by the shoulder, you'll play for longer without fatigue or/and health issues.

As far as I know, there isn't a 100% perfect form that works for everything and everyone. I've always found it slightly awkward playing the lowest string, which is why I like to lay my thumb on the pickup edge or thumb rest in an effort to keep my hand in the same shape as I do when playing the 2nd or 3rd string. I tend to "open my hand" so to speak if I want to start some wide skipping maneuvers.

[steve4765630]

I've been using "thumb trailing" since 1997 and can say that the work and the waiting are truly worth the payoff. You'll have much clear technique and you won't be the guy with the B string drone that ruins a recording. When I was statring out on it I just had to remind myself, "It's better to play a line simpler and cleaner than sloppy and fast." Be patient with yourself and take your time.

[Erick Lam]

Originally Posted by bullshark

I think skipping strings using the floating thumb technique is inherently slower than playing with an anchored thumb

Not really. Fingers bend and extend so you don't have to move the whole hand completly. Also, bending the wrist does move the whole hand. It may not feel that way because it rotates on the thumb but the whole arm AND hand move. Using a floating thumb, the arm moves the hand up and down but the hand doesn't actually move. Finally, I play with 3 fingers and with a straight wrist, my hand has a slight angle and the ring stays on a higher string and ready to play.

[Deacon_Blues]

I always played with floating thumb until I heard about anchored thumb. I've started experimenting with it, and now funkier basslines involving lots of octaves and other fast string skipping works much better than they ever did before. It helps up my precision and speed when the thumb keeps the hand more stable and is out of the way for the other fingers. It feels much more relaxed that way.

Both techniques are useful in their own ways. Use whichever technique is the most appropriate for the bassline in question.