Downpicking

cossie · #1 05-10-2008, 06:46 AM

(or is it down-picking?)

Hey all,

I'm doing a gig in a week's time and have been going through a lot of fast down picked stuff that I haven't played in a long time. It's been tough going so far but I'm getting there (just!).

I've noticed that when I lengthen my strap so the bass is fretboard is around crotch level that I can play stuff for longer before my arm starts to give up. And when I have it up at the usual level (fretboard just above my waistband) I tire quicker.

Anyone else find anything like that when they play? I'm just curious as I'm beginning to wonder if I have a flaw in my technique that I need to work on. I used to really beat the be-jaysus out of my strings when I played before and I refined my technique somewhat so that I get the same tone with less effort, which meant I could play for longer...or so I thought.

MikeVQ · #2 05-10-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie

(or is it down-picking?)

Hey all,

I'm doing a gig in a week's time and have been going through a lot of fast down picked stuff that I haven't played in a long time. It's been tough going so far but I'm getting there (just!).

I've noticed that when I lengthen my strap so the bass is fretboard is around crotch level that I can play stuff for longer before my arm starts to give up. And when I have it up at the usual level (fretboard just above my waistband) I tire quicker.

Anyone else find anything like that when they play? I'm just curious as I'm beginning to wonder if I have a flaw in my technique that I need to work on. I used to really beat the be-jaysus out of my strings when I played before and I refined my technique somewhat so that I get the same tone with less effort, which meant I could play for longer...or so I thought.

I'm the exact same way. I find it has more to do with the positioning of the shoulder girtle and use of the wrist. With the bass up high, I tend move the pick using the elbow more, as a result the shoulder lifts a bit, after a while you can feel the muscle starting to fatigue. With the bass down low I use the wrist more, the shoulder is relaxed so fatigue is a non-issue.

Not sure if that makes any sense.

cossie · #3 05-10-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Not sure if that makes any sense.

It makes perfect sense, from tricking around a bit more while I was practicing I noticed the same thing.

Dennis098 · #4 05-10-2008, 11:11 AM

basses are easier to play pickstyle when slung low.
more relaxed right arm, and less movement.
think punk rock
but it does require a bit more left hand reach for more tricky runs.

MikeVQ · #5 05-10-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie

It makes perfect sense, from tricking around a bit more while I was practicing I noticed the same thing.

It's amazing how fatiguing it can get when you first start out with heavy downpicking. I switched from guitar to bass so i naturally did a lot of alternate picking.

Finally I decided to work on the downpicking more, just running through some chromatic scales as fast as I could. No kidding, I was actually sweating. LOL!

MikeVQ · #6 05-10-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis098

basses are easier to play pickstyle when slung low.
more relaxed right arm, and less movement.
think punk rock
but it does require a bit more left hand reach for more tricky runs.

It looks so cool too. LOL

Dennis098 · #7 05-10-2008, 11:29 AM

makes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome easier too

cossie · #8 05-11-2008, 03:37 AM

I've got a sore shoulder this morning from several hours of practicing yesterday...not cool.

Ground Pounder · #9 05-11-2008, 03:59 AM

I tend to swing the bass more towards my hip when I play fast downpicked lines, instead of keeping it center-mass with my belly. Not sure why, it just feels more comfortable that way.

YMMV.

Night Prowler · #10 05-11-2008, 05:48 AM

Study Jason Newsted

MikeVQ · #11 05-11-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie

I've got a sore shoulder this morning from several hours of practicing yesterday...not cool.

I spent all day yesterday working on Anaestasia (Pulling Teeth) and the callouses on my left hand are killing me.

cossie · #12 05-13-2008, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night Prowler

Study Jason Newsted

Newsted has downpicking at a billion times a second down cold! I've spent a lot of time listening to him and all the Ac/Dc I can find for that pumping, driving sound. But I just can't play a bass as low as Jason, and I have tried in my younger days.

JimmyM · #13 05-13-2008, 08:45 PM

Good luck to you guys when you're 40 and can't move your arms anymore.

cossie · #14 05-14-2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Good luck to you guys when you're 40 and can't move your arms anymore.

Well these are pretty competent now, so in another 13 years time, when my arm can't move, they should be a lot more advanced

"Go go Gadget downpick!"