Floating thumb... and fast octaves.

AngusM · #1 04-25-2009, 06:18 AM

Is this really a viable technique to use for fast disco style octave bass lines? Or is it better to resort to double thumb or anchoring. Whats your thoughts? See so far im either moving my shoulder fast as lightning, having to 'jump' with my thumb up and down real quick or basically sit on the E string ( if im playing A to G octaves ).

Nashrakh · #2 04-25-2009, 09:11 AM

I use the floating thumb technique, but for octaves, I anchor my thumb (on the lowest string when it's not used) and then octave away... that way you don't have to move the entire hand.

So I guess I do it the same way you do.

HogieWan · #3 04-25-2009, 09:29 AM

I don't float my thumb for fast single notes, I just reach down. If I've moving up a line or I'm going to play the octave for a any length of time, I'll move the thumb.

Jaco who? · #4 04-25-2009, 10:09 AM

Just because you use floating thumb doesn't mean you have to mute with it all the time. I'll mute the lower string with my thumb and the higher string with either my pinky or my middle finger, depending on the position, and pluck the notes with the ring and index.

You're hand might not work that particular way, so just try muting w/different appendages on your hand that aren't busy.

Whatever works, works.

**jmattbassplaya** · #5 04-25-2009, 10:14 AM

Can someone actually explain this technique for me please? I honestly don`t see any logic in 'floating' from my understanding of it. I anchor on the E and A string typically, but even if I`m not muting the A when I`m playing on the D I still don`t get any sort of ring out from the A. My fingers play all the way through and even land on the A, but they don`t give off a noise.

edit: I`ve seen the actual thread for floating thumb, and it seems like half the people can`t even agree on what it is =\

theunknowndude · #6 04-25-2009, 10:16 AM

I have small hands so if im doing root octaves continually I tend to anchor thumb with the hand bent slightly away from the bass so I can reach for both root and octave easily, if im playing runs however I float the thumb, now trying to incorporate using 3 fingers so I can always have a finger free to 'reach' if im doing fast continuous 16ths on different strings, I used to use my index twice which had its limits (worked ok raking down but reaching up was causing me headaches) , tho have yet to perfect using 3 fingers just yet... still a little bit of practice today using 3212 worked cos I tend to go crazy if I dont start on the same finger for 4/4,... brain just wont compute!

Eminor3rd · #7 04-25-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HogieWan

I don't float my thumb for fast single notes, I just reach down. If I've moving up a line or I'm going to play the octave for a any length of time, I'll move the thumb.

Same. Economy of movement. Seems more efficient to me.

fearceol · #8 04-25-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Can someone actually explain this technique for me please?

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

Bocete · #9 04-25-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Can someone actually explain this technique for me please? I honestly don`t see any logic in 'floating' from my understanding of it. I anchor on the E and A string typically, but even if I`m not muting the A when I`m playing on the D I still don`t get any sort of ring out from the A. My fingers play all the way through and even land on the A, but they don`t give off a noise.

edit: I`ve seen the actual thread for floating thumb, and it seems like half the people can`t even agree on what it is =\

As far as I know, floating thumb is about having no anchor. Floating anchor is about moving your thumb, but keeping it on a string when it's not moving.

Most probably you don't get any noise from the A string when playing the D string because your plucking fingers touch the A string whenever you pluck D. Try anchoring you thumb on the A string, and plucking G: your E string might start ringing slightly. Maybe not.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #10 04-25-2009, 03:13 PM

Here you can see the way I play disco octaves (ignore the singer, please). Hope this helps.

Jaydin Nathan · #11 04-25-2009, 05:22 PM

I think the best way to use the floating thumb, is to have a whole range of other techniques, as the floating thumb has some weaknesses. I use the floating thumb most of the time, but occasionally I might need something else, and it's good to have them.

SGD Lutherie · #12 04-25-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindizzy

As for what FT is; When you rest your thumb on the face of the string (that is in front of it not resting on top of it) for the purpose of muting and with that thumb moving up and down in front of the strings without being used as support for strinking fingers...you are using Floating Thumb.

That's just normal technique to me. Been playing that way for about 41 years.

I unconsciously mute with anything from my left hand to the palm of my right hand (that fleshy part by the thumb). My left hand thumb often sits on a pickup or the end of the fingerboard, but it's just as often on an unused string, or between them.

I'd hardly call that a technique, it's just part of standard right hand plucking.

And meanwhile you take someone like Jaco or Stanley, and they had their thumb pretty much planted in one spot, because they didn't move their right hand much. And that's the ultimate economy of motion. Same with the left hand... Don't flail those fingers around! They shouldn't lift off the strings very far at all. But do what works well for you.

For real fast double octaves (like in Do You Think I'm Sexy) I use a pick!

AngusM · #13 04-26-2009, 04:26 AM

Thanks for all the feedback!

Iv decided on using anchoring for the octaves (unless its very quick then I use an adaption of double thumb) then switching back for single note runs n things.

Iv spoke to Todd Johnson and he basically said not to move the mechanism more than is needed... which is basically anchoring but I think that takes away the consistant range of motion in the right hand. Meh i'll nail it in a day or so.

bearshimmy · #14 04-28-2009, 10:32 AM

I would go ahead and do what's easiest for you, when I play octaves I don't float the thumb, I anchor it to a pickup.

**lowendfriend** · #15 06-06-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

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

May the heavens rain good upon you for the link, and Todd Johnson for the video....holy friggin mackerel, for as many times as I thought I knew what floating thumb was! THe right way is the easiest way I've ever played it and now I feel like a grade a dope for doing anyting else!

And, my tripping right hand caused by my move to five string has found its footing...

SGD Lutherie · #16 06-06-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

May the heavens rain good upon you for the link, and Todd Johnson for the video....holy friggin mackerel, for as many times as I thought I knew what floating thumb was! THe right way is the easiest way I've ever played it and now I feel like a grade a dope for doing anyting else!

And, my tripping right hand caused by my move to five string has found its footing...

It's in interesting concept... but I find no need to mute my strings all the time, and I don't get any ringing strings. My thumb is resting against the lower strings, but it's not floating. I'm probably also muting somewhat with my left hand, but I just played some scales to watch what I was doing, and I'm not muting anywhere.

But I also don't anchor my thump in one spot... I move it. It's close to his floating thumb technique, but I have it resting on the next string up. I can't get any power doing it his way, and I prefer to pluck my strings harder than that.

As far as CTS problems, it's important to bend you wrist towards the bass, and not up away from it.

But I guess what is comfortable for you is the way to go.