I punch my bass too much...

[AmazingGracePlayer]

When I do these open-hammer-pluck things (like Wooten's OHP's), I tend to "punch" my bass with the first joint of my index, middle, and sometimes ring finger... If I don't put in more strength and punch it, the attacks are not as sharp. What can I do to correct this habbit?

[Phalex]

I punch the clown too much. I'm trying to cut back, but so far, it's been really hard.

[JimmyM]

What do you mean by punching the bass?

[AmazingGracePlayer]

When I do open-hammer-pluck on the bass, I hit an open string with my thumb, at the same time, I also drive the joints of my index fingers into the bass body with great force... and it hurts. That's what I mean by punching the bass.

[JimmyM]

Oh, well that's simple. Lighten up and don't worry about what it sounds like until you've gotten control of yourself, THEN worry about your tone.

[Bassist4Life]

Turn up the volume on your amp and let it do some of the work. You don't have to whomp on your bass.

Joe

PS. If you keep up this "punching" your bass stuff, it might end up looking like this:

[JimmyM]

Two observations...

1. For a 25 year old bass that's been well abused over the years, that bass actually looks pretty good.

B. Leave the backstage passes off when you're onstage.

[geoffkhan]

Originally Posted by htotheh

When I do these open-hammer-pluck things (like Wooten's OHP's), I tend to "punch" my bass with the first joint of my index, middle, and sometimes ring finger... If I don't put in more strength and punch it, the attacks are not as sharp. What can I do to correct this habbit?

I can definitely identify with this habit. It didn't take long before I learned not to do that because of the pain from hitting the bass with my fingers.

Try making the slap motion more of an outward motion, rather than an up and down motion, and see if that helps. If you watch Vic play, you'll notice that he really treats his thumb as a pick.