I can double thumb... what now?

Clarkus Miller · #1 11-17-2008, 06:20 PM

So I've learned all the Victor Wooten-esque double thumb techniques, double thumbing, double plucking, the combinations, but what now? I feel like they're just techniques, what can I do with them? Please help?

Fetusyolk · #2 11-17-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkus Miller

So I've learned all the Victor Wooten-esque double thumb techniques, double thumbing, double plucking, the combinations, but what now? I feel like they're just techniques, what can I do with them? Please help?

You can do whatever you want with them. The sky is the limit. BUT. be tasteful, and don't destroy it for everyone. Every technique is beautiful in it's own fashion and time.

and freakin sweet dood, i cant get my head wrapped around double thumping.

jsingles · #3 11-17-2008, 06:33 PM

I think the question is what can't you do

Oric · #4 11-17-2008, 06:35 PM

might start with learning some of his solos. I see it as more of a soling technique, although I can see its use in basslines too.

onlyclave · #5 11-17-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkus Miller

So I've learned all the Victor Wooten-esque double thumb techniques, double thumbing, double plucking, the combinations, but what now? I feel like they're just techniques, what can I do with them? Please help?

I think you have answered your own question. How's your sight reading?

jsingles · #6 11-17-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

How's your sight reading?

+1

GrooveWarrior · #7 11-17-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkus Miller

So I've learned all the Victor Wooten-esque double thumb techniques, double thumbing, double plucking, the combinations, but what now? I feel like they're just techniques, what can I do with them? Please help?

This is classic.

Well now, you join a band that will feature you in solo spots in every song, sell millions of records, do some solo albums, and get featured in every bass publication imaginable . . . or you can post some videos on youtube like all the other ones that are out there and join a band playing covers where you will never use any of the stuff you just spent time mastering . . . and how are your sight reading skills . . .

Jazz Ad · #8 11-17-2008, 08:02 PM

I learnt double thumbing out of boredom, knowing from start that I'd never find a practical use for it.
Man, what I right. It's still a lot of fun do do.

lennyonbass · #9 11-17-2008, 09:06 PM

bring forth Music

Clarkus Miller · #10 11-17-2008, 09:35 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I'm in high school and I haven't been playing bass for very long, my sightreading is pretty not good. I'm learning though. I just feel like I can't put the techniques into motion in a way that's musical.

quale213 · #11 11-18-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkus Miller

. I just feel like I can't put the techniques into motion in a way that's musical.

Congrats on acquiring a new skill. I learned to do it so I could play "Power" by Miller, so I would suggest taking a look at Marcus Miller who does use it very well musically. This is just the first artist that came to mind, I am sure there are others out there who also are musical thumpers.

fretlessman71 · #12 11-18-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsingles

I think the question is what can't you do

Or maybe, what SHOULDN'T you do. Remember that using Vic's techniques in a devil-may-care fashion will only get comments like, "Yeah, that guy thinks he's Victor Wooten" instead of "Wow, great player". Be wise and judicious in your use of your newfound tools!

fretlessman71 · #13 11-18-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkus Miller

Thanks for all the responses. I'm in high school and I haven't been playing bass for very long, my sightreading is pretty not good. I'm learning though. I just feel like I can't put the techniques into motion in a way that's musical.

Yeah, you got the message all right. So sightreading it is - it really does make you think of music in a whole different light. While you're at it, read Vic's book The Music Lesson - it comes highly recommended.

Skywalker83 · #14 11-18-2008, 09:52 AM

In this video (which you may have got the double thumb and plucking lesson from) Victor tells you what to do next!
At around 0.50-1.00

"With every technique i want to be able to turn it into music"

So...go and do that then!

mike perry · #15 11-18-2008, 10:03 AM

Congrats, get yourself a drum machine or drummer and play with it. Try to play with different tempos beats and time sigs. Record the sessions if possible then pick it apart. See where you played cleanly and not so clean. How where the fills? How was your tempo? Really pay attention to see if you kept time well. Also, remember that double thumbing is a very percussive style of playing so when it's time to play a lick or a fill how well did it fit and how easy could you get back in time. Try this for awhile and see how it goes, once you feel comfortable play in front of people, how did it go then? Remember that every bass player is better by themselves in there practice room. It's a new ballgame when playing live.. Good luck

bassrique · #16 11-18-2008, 10:50 AM

The goal I think is to get such techniques ingrained in your being so that they come out naturally at the right times. If you have to think "I'm going to double thumb here", then you may be off-base.

jgroh · #17 11-18-2008, 12:04 PM

I too learned double thumb because I was bored and looking for something to do. I do occasionally pull it out in some covers (for example when we had a female singer we did "like the way I do" by Melissa Etheridge and at the ending of the song it worked well)

I felt the same way about tapping and I have yet to use it.

pengyou40 · #18 06-07-2011, 03:33 PM

On a side note... I'm slowing figuring out that song, too. Power by Marcus Miller. Freakin' slammin' song!

Quote:

Originally Posted by quale213

Congrats on acquiring a new skill. I learned to do it so I could play "Power" by Miller, so I would suggest taking a look at Marcus Miller who does use it very well musically. This is just the first artist that came to mind, I am sure there are others out there who also are musical thumpers.

**Staccato** · #19 06-07-2011, 03:58 PM

Two things.

1. Before you play anything at a fast tempo, make sure you can play it beautifully at medium speed.

2. Give equal importance to feeling (and technique) in your music. There's a big difference between playing something well with little emotion, and putting yourself into your music!

Skitch it! · #20 06-07-2011, 04:41 PM

I spent some time on it more for a picking technique than a percussive thing but found I like the consistency of thumb followed by index much better so don't use it much, twice in the cover of the track below that Norwood recorded in 1988, at 3.01 and 3.06. Other than that for an occasional triplet maybe.

YouTube - ‪Fishbone - Bonin' in the Boneyard Bass Sample.‬&rlm;

Tom Jenkinson has got it together in his own way though,

YouTube - ‪Squarepusher in session guardian.co.uk‬&rlm;