Double-thumbers: a string-crossing question

[arcellus]

I've been adding double-thumb techniques to my practice lately, and overall it's been going pretty good. However, I have run into one small problem that you experienced thumb-slingers may be able to help me with:

I'm using mostly a down-thumb (dt), up-thumb (ut), index-pop (ip), middle-pop (mp) pattern; when playing linear phrases (such as scales, scale fragments, chromatic stuff, etc) how do you deal with crossing strings with your thumb? For example, playing a scale that would require you to play dt on the E string, followed by ut on the A string.

I find it pretty awkward to cross up a string (E-A) or down a string (A-E) with the ut attack. I've experimented with a couple of different ways of doing this, either strictly maintaining the dt/ut/ip/mp pattern or varying it, popping on the string crossings.

Any thoughts?

[EADG mx]

Try doing ut on the E and dt on the A

much more efficient

[A Minor]

why not just to down-thumps? i dunno if you WANT to be able to do it that way but i know once i started doing what felt NATURAL instead of trying to keep up with the down-up-pluck format i could play a lot better rhythms

[funkydanbass]

I will alternate the down-up-pluck 1 -pluck2 pattern to accomodate whatever I'm playing. You could pluck the note on the A string, OR if your only playing one note per string during a phrase just use downstrokes or conventional slap technique.

You should still maintain the ability to thumb fast passages with 'normal' thumb style or only down thumbs!!

Hope that helps.

[arcellus]

Originally Posted by funkydanbass

You should still maintain the ability to thumb fast passages with 'normal' thumb style or only down thumbs!!

Yeah, this is pretty much where I'm at.. leaving the strict pattern depending on the situation. Thanks!

[martin shane]

I'm using mostly a down-thumb (dt), up-thumb (ut), index-pop (ip), middle-pop (mp) pattern; when playing linear phrases (such as scales, scale fragments, chromatic stuff, etc) how do you deal with crossing strings with your thumb? For example, playing a scale that would require you to play dt on the E string, followed by ut on the A string.

i would pluck the next string ..

[EADG mx]

I'd say go with what's comfortable, chances are it's what you want

this applies to most techniques

[Hoover]

Think of down/up thumbing as a variation on guitar plectrum technique: in classic "alternate picking" the strict alteration between down & up is broken every time you move to a different string. Likewise, if your thumbing passage crosses strings after a dt, do another dt on the next string.

Double dt ftw!

[BenHack]

For what it's worth I asked Victor Wooten this question and he said he tends to maintain a strict alternating pattern with his thumb eg Down Up Down on E, then up down up on he A string. This is when he's just using the thumb and works out like alternate picking on guitar. I hope this helps. Cya

Ben

[arcellus]

thanks guys!