floating thumb ?

[eli]

This is what Brad was talking about -- you have to choose the technique that's right for both you and what you're playing. If floating thumb isn't working, then anchor it somewhere! And after that lick/section is past, then you can go back to floating if and when it fits. It does NOT have to be an "all or nothing" thing.

[Secksay]

According to Warwick:

When using the two-finger technique, you can anchor your thumb in one place (Figure 1), have a moveable anchor (Figure 2) or use a free-floating technique (Figure 3). Anchoring your thumb in one place is very popular because it gives you a point of reference that never changes. Hard rock and metal players like this technique because the anchor gives them more power and helps them play as they leap around the stage.

The moveable anchor technique still gives you power, but it helps to keep the strings that you are not playing quiet. When you are playing the E string (or B string for your fivers out there) you anchor your thumb on the pickup or thumb rest. When you play the A string, you move your thumb so that it rests on the E string (keeping it from vibrating and adding noise). When you play the D string, you then rest your thumb on the A string. (Some people will rest their thumb on the A string, but will let the side of their thumb touch the E string to keep it quiet (Figure 4). This moveable anchor technique is perfect for the studio because it keeps the sympathetic vibrations under control.

The free-floating technique is not widely used, but those who employ it are ardent supporters of it. Basically, you do not anchor your thumb to any point on the bass and allow your hand to "float" over the strings. Proponents of this technique like the freedom of it, but will admit that they can play with a lot of power.

[pd_5string]

Most pro's right hand moves all over the place...back and forth and up and down. I tend to stop at the A string with my thumb when playing the D and G strings (on the 6 I stop at the D string when playing the G and C strings.) Back and forth, I move all over the place. Neck for deeper tones, bridge for cutting tones, bridge for going high on lower pitched strings, etc.

If I want to dig in, I dig in. No biggie. You don't have to anchor in one spot the whole song to dig in for one passage.

Originally posted by Secksay
According to Warwick:

When using the two-finger technique, you can anchor your thumb in one place (Figure 1), have a moveable anchor (Figure 2) or use a free-floating technique (Figure 3). Anchoring your thumb in one place is very popular because it gives you a point of reference that never changes. Hard rock and metal players like this technique because the anchor gives them more power and helps them play as they leap around the stage.

The moveable anchor technique still gives you power, but it helps to keep the strings that you are not playing quiet. When you are playing the E string (or B string for your fivers out there) you anchor your thumb on the pickup or thumb rest. When you play the A string, you move your thumb so that it rests on the E string (keeping it from vibrating and adding noise). When you play the D string, you then rest your thumb on the A string. (Some people will rest their thumb on the A string, but will let the side of their thumb touch the E string to keep it quiet (Figure 4). This moveable anchor technique is perfect for the studio because it keeps the sympathetic vibrations under control.

The free-floating technique is not widely used, but those who employ it are ardent supporters of it. Basically, you do not anchor your thumb to any point on the bass and allow your hand to "float" over the strings. Proponents of this technique like the freedom of it, but will admit that they can play with a lot of power.

[KIRKSFANGS]

I've been using the floating thumb technique ( as Eli described it ) exclusivly for a while now , except when I'm slapping , tapping , etc. I find i not only works well to mute , but also keeps the wrist straight , as opposed to anchoring , which usually makes your wrist bend at a 90 degree angle. The straight wrist reduces fatigue and increases speed dramatically for me . I know alot of folks will shoot back that Jaco anchored , but Jaco was also double jointed in his thumbs , and if you look closely , his picking hand is in a position very similar to that achieved by the floating thumb. No right or wrong , just an opinion ...