Entwistle Techniques

[Jimbo]

hey everyone

as of late i have really been getting into john entwistle's playing. he does great work on the bass, i'm sure anyone can tell you that. anyway i want to expand my bass horizons by working on some of those crazy techniques the ox used. i only know the name of one, the typewriter method, but i don't know how to do it. i tried searching for any tutorials on some of these but didn't find anything. does anyone have some reading on the subject or is practiced in them? thanks in advance!

-jimbo

[rickbass]

I've got a fairly crummy video, "Play Rock Bass With the Greats" where Entwistle tried to explain the typewriter.

The reason I say it's "fairly crummy" is that instead of walking you through it, he just uses the technique at 199 mph.

[The Mock Turtle Regulator]

he explains it in his Hot licks bass masterclass video-

it looks like he had a very low action indeed- so he could get a percussive effect even with his thumb plucking the E string.

the typewriter method involves turning your hand sideways so each finger can tap a string.

Doug Wimbish used a variation on this with Living colour eg. "postman".

[dakine]

According to the ox in his video, the only reason he used the "typewriter" and other flashy techniques was to look cool on stage! Then he pulls out a pick and says something to the effect that it's the best way to play.