Dumb-diggy octave grooves

[Pbassred]

I have difficulty playing lines like Narada Michael Walden's "I should have loved ya" and especially Chic's "Dance, Dance Dance" , because of the octave grooves ( Low, hi,hi - Low, hi, hi ...) Any chance of some guidance on the right hand?

[Skitch it!]

Bernard Edwards looks like he's using a pick for this, it would explain the consistency and speed of the octaves?

This Squarepusher track Startime 2 is all played with a pick, quick octaves, very tight, I thought he played it with the fingers to begin with, but nay ; )

From 0.30 onwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRGPR8WZhGQ

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Pbassred

I have difficulty playing lines like Narada Michael Walden's "I should have loved ya" and especially Chic's "Dance, Dance Dance" , because of the octave grooves ( Low, hi,hi - Low, hi, hi ...) Any chance of some guidance on the right hand?

...add the fact that many of these '70s tunes played in Discos went easily over 5 minutes...ouch.

I usually use the index finger for the LOW note...the 1st high note = middle finger, the 2nd high note = index finger. Now, since the index finger is kinda coming back towards the LOW string...the plucking pattern begins anew.
The rhythm is 1_&a
The 1st note is an 1/8th note followed by 2 1/16th notes.
At the "_", use that bit of time to pivot your plucking hand to grab the 2 octave notes...again, the index finger pluck on the 2nd note is almost a quasi-"rake", putting you back in position for the Low note.
What was described is not using the floating thumb method...my thumb is pretty much anchored the "E"-string as I played the "A" & "G" strings for this example.

Another method-
Use the THUMB to pluck the LOW notes...the index & middle can then play the 2 octave notes. You will need to alter the angle of your plucking hand for this compared to the way you may normally play.

Go slow & build up that muscle memory.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Skitch it!

Bernard Edwards looks like he's using a pick for this, it would explain the consistency and speed of the octaves?

Not sure Edwards used a pick...he did, at times, hold his thumb & index finger as though he were, however. No plastic/felt involved, IIRC.

[Beginner Bass]

What I would do is try and do a thumb strum for the lower octaves (Not slapped, just strummed), and pluck with the fingers on the higher ones.

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by JimK

Not sure Edwards used a pick...he did, at times, hold his thumb & index finger as though he were, however. No plastic/felt involved, IIRC.

Like this? I'm sure it's a pick on this track, maybe wrong, but if I had to do 3.42 of dum diggy it would be with the plastic for consistency? ; )

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

[JimK]

I'm pretty he did not use a pick. There are a few "Edwards scholars" here at TB.

Here's some info I'm pulling from an Aug 2010 issue of Bass Player (Timothy Schmit cover)-
The tune BP is talking about is "Everybody Dance". The technique is called "chucking".
"For chucking, Bernard would pinch his index finger & thumb together, as if he were holding a pick, go to about midway between the neck & the bridge, & pivot with his wrist. The thumb would be a bit further down his index finger, so what was striking the strings was his index nail & fingertip; Nile (Rogers) siad his (Edwards') finger would often bleed onto his bass during long sessions".

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by JimK

I'm pretty he did not use a pick. There are a few "Edwards scholars" here at TB.

Here's some info I'm pulling from an Aug 2010 issue of Bass Player (Timothy Schmit cover)-
The tune BP is talking about is "Everybody Dance". The technique is called "chucking".
"For chucking, Bernard would pinch his index finger & thumb together, as if he were holding a pick, go to about midway between the neck & the bridge, & pivot with his wrist. The thumb would be a bit further down his index finger, so what was striking the strings was his index nail & fingertip; Nile (Rogers) siad his (Edwards') finger would often bleed onto his bass during long sessions".

Yes, this at 4.25 ; ) I'd still consider the plastic for this kinda stuff, Bernard's technique for this is very close to pick technique with a little more muting, my 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnBJW...eature=related

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by JimK

I'm pretty he did not use a pick. There are a few "Edwards scholars" here at TB.

Here's some info I'm pulling from an Aug 2010 issue of Bass Player (Timothy Schmit cover)-
The tune BP is talking about is "Everybody Dance". The technique is called "chucking".
"For chucking, Bernard would pinch his index finger & thumb together, as if he were holding a pick, go to about midway between the neck & the bridge, & pivot with his wrist. The thumb would be a bit further down his index finger, so what was striking the strings was his index nail & fingertip; Nile (Rogers) siad his (Edwards') finger would often bleed onto his bass during long sessions".

....and back in the day I drove myself maaaaad trying to fingerpick it!!. Once I figured it out, Bernard Edward's "chucking" that is, the lightbulb well and truly came on and it came easily. Put a little time on it and it'll work for you too...

[Pbassred]

@ skitchit Thanks for posting that link. I knew about the "chucking" but the you tube does give a better description of it.

However a lot of players used ordinary finger technique for the same kind of thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUQ6O3Cg7zw

Edit:- Oh, Now It get it. He's doing it the way JimK suggested

Anyone do that? Got any tips? I want to end up doing it on a 5 string

[JimK]

...well, there you go. That's what I was attempting to describe in my 1st post.
His thumb is pretty much anchored as he plays the A & G strings...the plucking hand pivots a bit as he reaches for the high notes.
He's slows it way down at approx. the 45 second mark.

You have the template...it takes some work, however.

[Pbassred]

Ha My edit crossed your reply. Thanks

[AtomicPunk]

I inadvertently started doing that because I use a pick and when I didn't have one, I would do that with my nail and thumb. Had no idea it was actually called something and had such a history!