Double thumb?

S1dewinder · #1 03-20-2008, 04:22 PM

I've got a problem with this technique. I'm learning how to do it from Vic's videos on youtube, and I'm quite fresh to it. (started 4 days ago, then I took a 2 day pause because the blister on my thumb:-P)

The probles is following: The downward motion phase is ok, but when I'm moving the thumb upwards, I don't like the sound I'm getting. I noticed even Victor's "upward sound" is different but often the string doesn't bounce off the frets whatsoever (only when playing open strings) so it sounds a lot like finger plucking and not like double thumb...

I try to play with my thumbs knuckle, with the thumb parallel to the string. I like the sound better, I can controll it better, and it doesn't hurt as much as playing with the "corner" of the thumb

Can you help me here? Maybe my string action is way too high, I'm playing a really ****** instrument with a spiralling neck, and the action can't be lowered anymore... gonna go to the shop soon and make the guy change the neck... but could it be anything else? Your thoughts?

Thanks for answer to my noobish question

mothmonsterman · #2 03-20-2008, 05:16 PM

Not really a noobish question.

SO the problem is not getting the *pop* sound on the up stroke?

S1dewinder · #3 03-20-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mothmonsterman

Not really a noobish question.

SO the problem is not getting the *pop* sound on the up stroke?

Precisely.

highwattage · #4 03-20-2008, 05:57 PM

This is what a guy told me to do, because I am having this exact same problem:

What is most likely happening to you is what is happening to me. My action is fairly high also. When plucking up versus plucking do I (and probably you too) am getting a sound that sounds like someone brushing a drum stick against the cymbal, versus hitting it. The string is sort of just sliding off your nail.

How to fix this problem:
1. Don't have such a heavy attack on the down stroke
2. Play up and down like you are playing with a guitar pick (don't think of it as slap)
3. Change the angle of your wrist and thumb after the down strokes
4. Play songs you would normally play with fingers with a lot of repeating 8ths.
5. Play classical thump over and over again slowly

Btw: This is DEFINATLY not a noobish question considering most people at this forum don't even know how to slap.

phektus · #5 03-20-2008, 11:40 PM

Yeah maybe think more about a guitar pick. How about try a guitar pick first, observe how the pick is working with the strings, then do it on your thumb. I would agree with the above poster that this is different from slap/pop.

S1dewinder · #6 03-21-2008, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highwattage

This is what a guy told me to do, because I am having this exact same problem:

What is most likely happening to you is what is happening to me. My action is fairly high also. When plucking up versus plucking do I (and probably you too) am getting a sound that sounds like someone brushing a drum stick against the cymbal, versus hitting it. The string is sort of just sliding off your nail.

How to fix this problem:
1. Don't have such a heavy attack on the down stroke
2. Play up and down like you are playing with a guitar pick (don't think of it as slap)
3. Change the angle of your wrist and thumb after the down strokes
4. Play songs you would normally play with fingers with a lot of repeating 8ths.
5. Play classical thump over and over again slowly

Btw: This is DEFINATLY not a noobish question considering most people at this forum don't even know how to slap.

Thanks for answer, I'm begining to think 3. might be best to solve the problem... time for me to play with it a little. Also, I downloaded tabs for classical thump, good point