Does anyone play with their thumb?

JMDT · #1 06-26-2008, 10:38 AM

When I first learned to play the bass, the guy I picked from at church played with a thumb right hand technique and I picked this up from him. I don't see alot of other people playing with their thumb, so I wonder if this is bad technique or if its just another way of doing things. I've learned to play finger style by forcing myself to practice that way, but I'm still more comfortable and can play much faster using the thumb (I use both up and down strokes). So is using the thumb an acceptable technique, or is finger style superior and I should start using it exclusively to improve my possibilities.

Thunderthumbs73 · #2 06-26-2008, 10:41 AM

Yes. I use it along with a bunch of other techniques for the plucking hand.

fretlessman71 · #3 06-26-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMDT

When I first learned to play the bass, the guy I picked from at church played with a thumb right hand technique and I picked this up from him. I don't see alot of other people playing with their thumb, so I wonder if this is bad technique or if its just another way of doing things. I've learned to play finger style by forcing myself to practice that way, but I'm still more comfortable and can play much faster using the thumb (I use both up and down strokes). So is using the thumb an acceptable technique, or is finger style superior and I should start using it exclusively to improve my possibilities.

There are a lot of players who use the technique, however you may be one of the selet few who BEGAN with it. As long as you're getting a good sound and nobody else is complaining about it and you don't feel "limited" by what you do, I think you'll be just fine as a player.

I came from the other side: I was noodling around years ago and came up with a simple groove that didn't sound right unless I used a few "reverse thumbstrokes" in the pattern. Got pretty good at that one groove. Years later, my right hand has started to succumb to my MS, and I've found that using my wrist to make my thumb work is sometimes a lifesaver at a gig when my fingers go on holiday for the last set and a half.

I've worked it into a nice tone; it's one part finger tone, one part pick tone, and one part funky thumb tone. Also, I have an Audere Audio preamp with the impedance switch, and when I go to Low Z mode, it makes it easier for the "double thumb" technique to shine as a viable bass tone. And it makes the percussive stuff a little more finesse-y, and just a tad cooler...?

Deacon_Blues · #4 06-26-2008, 01:09 PM

There's a guy in his 40's at work that I recently found out to be a bass player as well. He said to me he only plays with a pick, and here's the strange part: only upstrokes. Sounded really weird to me, but whatever works for him...

My father always play with his thumb, but he never plays anything faster than quarter notes.

I find it to be a rather slow technique, and that you can go much faster with two or more fingers. Perhaps even with one if your last name is Jamerson.

Whatever works for you, but IMO, you should practice normal fingerstyle until you are at least as proficient on it as with the thumb. It's not fun later if you "hit the wall" regarding what you technically can do with your thumb only.

UncleBalsamic · #5 06-26-2008, 01:16 PM

emblymouse · #6 06-26-2008, 01:16 PM

I do more and more. There is a tone that is meatier, and a certain attack difference when I do. I find it lends itself to a certain rhythmic feel too.
Dare to be diferent!

emblymouse · #7 06-26-2008, 01:17 PM

I do more and more. There is a tone that is meatier, and a certain attack difference when I do. I find it lends itself to a certain rhythmic feel too.
Dare to be different!

varunkapahi · #8 06-26-2008, 01:22 PM

i use the thumb (am not talking slap here) when i want a super fat biteless tone but i can only play like this in passages which are kinda slow

eeyorebass · #9 06-26-2008, 01:23 PM

Thumb is how Leo Fender originally thought we would play the electric bass. That's why old P-basses have the "Grab Bar" on the treble side. You can hook it with your fingers to add some leverage to your thumb picking.

I use the technique a lot with walking lines and bluegrass style root-5 stuff. It adds a meaty, quasi-upright attack to the notes. I only use down strokes, though. Never could get a good sound out of the up-stroke.

Jeremy

emblymouse · #10 06-26-2008, 01:24 PM

I do more and more. There is a tone that is meatier, and a certain attack difference when I do. I find it lends itself to a certain rhythmic feel too.
Dare to be different!

Spinal Tapper · #11 06-26-2008, 01:26 PM

I use my thumb for hitting the root on the lower string so I can get a good pull on the higher octave with my middle finger. Here's a vid for an idea of how it's applied

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enheb8f9zac

tmw · #12 06-26-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleBalsamic

Yes.

+1...That's how began as well...Then my instructor at the time slapped me upside the head and told me I additional fingers to use...

I still revert back to using my thumb for other than slap, especially for a sweet run of octaves in a mellow setting...

PunkerTrav · #13 06-26-2008, 01:35 PM

I do in a couple sections. I pluck with the thumb while palm muting to get a super fat tone that quickly decays.

MrBorisSpider · #14 06-26-2008, 08:14 PM

I like to thumb-pick up on the neck itself, getting more of a hollow sound. I got it from different Reggae guys and John Pattituci

jmcgliss · #15 06-26-2008, 08:30 PM

Yes I'll use this selectively on some tunes either for the phat tone or a subtle attack change. Over the pups, near the bridge, or over the fretboard to change from staccato to swell.
It also helps change up my brain and stay out of a rut.

Sahm · #16 06-26-2008, 08:36 PM

I use it a lot. I played acoustic guitar without a pick before I switched to bass, so it followed along! Matt Garrison is a good guy to check out to see someone using all five fingers on his right hand.

pbass2 · #17 06-26-2008, 08:37 PM

Dude--stick with it! Thumbstyle is one of the most killer routes to a FAT bass sound and style. And thumb/palm mute is a sound you can't get any other way.
I use it all the time for reggae, hip hop, even in a fingerstyle rock track when fat pumping 8ths are called for or whatever.
The thumb rules!

20db pad · #18 06-26-2008, 08:51 PM

Doug Wimbish plucks single notes with his thumb, in addition to a bunch of other techniques including regular thumb slapping. He usually does thumb plucking when he's playing "lead guitar" lines with distortion and an octave divider.

lexxmexx · #19 06-27-2008, 02:51 AM

I think Mark King of Level 42 uses this technique.

BryanM · #20 06-27-2008, 03:32 AM

I use the thumb a lot for playing ska and reggae grooves, so that I can do 1-3-5 runs, octaves or 10ths. I also use it a lot when I'm playing rounder notes in a funk situation, so that I'm right there when it's time to slap.