I can't get his Vic Wooten double thumb technique.

TUEP · #1 10-22-2009, 10:02 PM

My hand moves to far away from the neck. Its so dang frustrating.

Any online vids you guys can suggest?

I would like to be able to play like this one day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAs0IBmBiOk

I taught myself how to play slap many moons ago in my high school garage band and I have bad technique. Kinda home grown.

Anyway I want to be more precise.

Gawd · #2 10-22-2009, 10:06 PM

What exactly is the problem you're having with it?
I had some trouble getting it going too, because for a long time I though of it as another version of slap bass. But than I started thinking of it more like using a pick, once I had the image of my thumb being a pick it suddenly became easy.

two fingers · #3 10-22-2009, 10:08 PM

Vic plays VERY lightly. And he uses VERY light strings. And his action is VERY low. So if you are starting out with one or more of those things different, it may be quite a task.

WalterBush · #4 10-22-2009, 10:52 PM

What two fingers said. I couldn't get the hang of it until I saw how a lot of double-thumping bassists had their instruments set up one NAMM show a few years back. It was an eye opener.

The pick analogy is pretty good, too.

Get lighter strings, drop the action, and play with a much, much lighter touch, letting the amp do the work. I actually use Vic's signature 5 string set on my BTB. It was just one less thing to worry about while learning; I was more sure of my setup and technique once I had the right gauge strings.

TUEP · #5 10-22-2009, 11:54 PM

Ahhh...I use heavy gauge rotosound steels strings on mine. Not a drop of nickle. I mainly double and triple pluck the bass, cause I play heavier music and only .05% of the time every use a pick. I will keep this in mind.

**pringlw** · #6 11-09-2009, 07:57 PM

Question: My technique is (slowly) coming along - but my practicing is always slowed down by THT (Thumb Healing Time). I've noticed some of the heavy weights use a tape or something on their thumb (Mark King for example). Everytime I try to do this I end up with gooey tape gunk on my strings. Has anybody found some sort of tape or thumb protection that works?

(I'm anticipated a "just man up and toughen up your thumb" response or two - but who knows perhaps someone has an idea)

a_magg · #7 11-09-2009, 08:01 PM

I just wanted to throw this in there as a more comprehensive video on practice techniques. I'm no slapper by any means, but when I went through my slap-happy phase, I was all over this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ki9D2aQP08

Great closeup angles, along with everything slowed down to really show the technique of it.

Christopher · #8 11-10-2009, 10:43 AM

All I can suggest is (i) move less and let the amp do the work; and (ii) don't think of it as slapping so much as picking with alternating down and up thumbstrokes.

xyloeye · #9 11-11-2009, 09:28 PM

I've watched the Amazing Grace Live at the Quick video on youtube about 50 times and I can't figure out what Vic's doing just before the harmonics (melody) section. It's so fast, I can't tell if he's just sweeping with his thumb or adding to it with his index finger. Are there left hand hammer ons in between? Any thoughts?

LaklandBass · #10 11-11-2009, 09:34 PM

pretty much what every body has said. what works for me is to try it super slowly.... then try it very fast and sloppy. after i get used to the action ill clean it up.

cynical-rabbit · #11 11-14-2009, 08:37 PM

Is there a way to slow down YouTube videos? I think learning through observation would be very helpful.

Is double thumping really the sole reason light strings would be used? Because if it is, I'm never going to learn that technique (not that I've tried.)