Did I invent my own technique

[highwattage]

One of the beauties of playing the bass is the numerous techniques that can be used such as 1 - 4 finger picking (I use 43214321 and 321321321 if anyone is wondering) , Steve Digiorgio Picking (12321232), tapping, slapping, double thump (& double pluck), sweeping, and the list goes on.

I've mastered most of these except the double thump/pluck (which blows on a 15mm string spacing 5 string). I looked at an old bass Guitar mag and saw the Geddy Lee Flamenco strum technique, which involves flicking the string up and down w/ index finger. I tried it and thought about using it with two fingers, IU ID MI MD. I sort of get a pick sound with it (which is cool cause I suck *&^%$*%#$%$^*^&*^* with a pick).

I'm just wondering if any of you all could try this and tell me what you think of this. With the 4321 I can play the retardedly (yes i invented that word) fast Necrophagist 1000 npm pieces. Can anyone see themselves using this technique efficiently and successfully in songs like that?

Btw, if anyone has thought of this before me, I sincerly apologize and you can yell at me

[BryanM]

My teacher has mentioned to me that he's working on that technique, so far I've heard him play at at least 500npm that way if I were to venture a guess.

[mutedeity]

No, you are not the first person that uses that technique. I use it and so do a lot of other bassplayers, Steve Digiorgio included.

[HaVIC5]

Yeah, that's pretty common, and its actually been used on the upright bass before electric. Mingus used it a lot for his tremelo effects.

[highwattage]

just to make sure you know what im talking about, I don't hold the two fingers together and go up down. On beat 1 & 2I flick index down and then up and then on beat 3 & 4 I flick middle down and middle up. Does that make it more clear or did you know what I was talking about already.

[Beast]

Use it sometimes on Origin songs. Other than that, I just stick to 1-2-3-4

[jaebee]

i acutally find more of a use going index down middle down index up middle up, but i use 3 fingers a lot more. then again i dont think i can play 1000npm so...

[Slax]

Yeah I do something along those lines when I need insanely fast tremlo playing finger style. I showed my friend when I first figured it out and he just went "There will NEVER be a reason for bass to go that fast..." lol.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by highwattage

just to make sure you know what im talking about, I don't hold the two fingers together and go up down. On beat 1 & 2I flick index down and then up and then on beat 3 & 4 I flick middle down and middle up. Does that make it more clear or did you know what I was talking about already.

I know exactly what you are talking about and once again I refer to my original post.

[Rattlehead]

I'm a bit confused here ...

won't the finger make a regular finger plucking sound on the way down and a very tinny almost pick-like (lots of treble, little bass) sound on the way down?

And since you can't really alter the pattern to get the thin notes where you wan't them, doesn't this mean your notes will sound very different and inconsistent?

[EddieN]

I've done it a little. It's also a technique common in a style of 5-string banjo playing, where I got it from. Never knew anybody to use it on bass but not surprised that it's been done.

[hunta]

Is npm supposed to be notes per minute? I've never heard anyone use that term.

[lawsonman]

I use a flexible Pick!

[pizzicato16]

I know a great bassist in Pittsburgh that uses that technique.