Could somebody translate this please? (Alain Caron technique in french)

[polsab78]

Here's the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR8NB2T9Fag

I'm specifically interested in the part where he is explaining what I assume is an exercise progression when practicing his double thumb technique. Thanks!

[polsab78]

Originally Posted by MotownBass

I told myself I must find a way to make melodic lines with the same sound. So I tried 2 things:

1) Doing the attacks with only my right hand (and not using left finger mutes for attack) so I started using my thumb from top to bottom. It gave me alot of new possibilities.

2) I started using 2 fingers instead of just my index finger so I could go up/down more easily. First a simple up/down thumb stroke, then thumb stroke + index, then thumb stroke + 2 fingers to have all possibilities (here we're around 1:16).

This enables me to make melodies with this technique, which is easy when basic but a little harder to master when pushed this way. With this, instead of using my whole wrist or arm (to slap), I can use these 3 fingers (thumb + 2) to efficiently do the technique without making big/wide movements, with the thumb making a "circling" shape which lets me do ghost notes.

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I hope this is clear I'm a bit rusty! If you read along with the video you should be fine.

Thanks man!

[DavidMP]

I expanded a little bit on MotownBass' translation since it shows the reasoning behind Caron's technique

I told myself I must find a way to make melodic lines with the same sound. So I tried 2 things:

1) Doing the attacks with only my right hand (and not using left finger mutes for attack) so I started using my thumb from top to bottom, just like a pick. It gave me alot of new possibilities.

2) I started using 2 fingers instead of just my index finger so I could go up/down more easily. First practised on a single string a down thumb stroke +up thumb stroke + finger 1, then thumb stroke + finger1 + finger 2, then thumb stroke + finger 2 + finger 1 to have all possibilities (here we're around 1:16).

This enables me to make melodies with this technique, which is easy when basic but a little harder to master when pushed this way. This is because it is necessary to mute the lower strings and I find myself doing it with the forearm/palm of my hand. I then quickly started to develop the ability to use circular motions of the thumb and fingers instead of the wrist. Many people use the arm movement for slapping to get more powerful sound but this only applies to the "arrival note" whereas the circular motion makes it even and even lets you play "ghost notes"