Index finger "sticks" when popping

[btrag]

I've analyzed my technique, and will try to explain the problem as I see it. It involves playing quick slap/pop passages. I mainly pop with my index, sometimes middle finger. My finger gets "stuck" underneath the string, and I cannot seem to recover, so the passage sounds rhythmically sloppy. My finger pops the string at a 45 degree angle. I use about one half inch of my fingertip underneath the string.

I want these passages to sound seamless. This affects my thumb to, so, it sounds awkward and sloppy. Don't pop so hard, I know, but I need to get a good, confident, pop sound. Please, details on how to do it right?

[Unchain]

Try not to dig so much under the string.

[lemur821]

A half inch of finger under the string is way too much. Use the tips of your fingers, and use as little of them as possible. I'd say you should have about an eighth inch of finger under the string at maximum.

[rpatter]

Originally Posted by btrag

I've analyzed my technique, and will try to explain the problem as I see it. It involves playing quick slap/pop passages. I mainly pop with my index, sometimes middle finger. My finger gets "stuck" underneath the string, and I cannot seem to recover, so the passage sounds rhythmically sloppy. My finger pops the string at a 45 degree angle. I use about one half inch of my fingertip underneath the string.

I want these passages to sound seamless. This affects my thumb to, so, it sounds awkward and sloppy. Don't pop so hard, I know, but I need to get a good, confident, pop sound. Please, details on how to do it right?

This is the reason a lot of guys use a "slap ramp". It's basically like a pickguard that shortens the distance between the strings and the body of your bass, which keeps you from getting too much finger under your strings. After struggling with the same problem for years, I finally installed one on my fretted bass. Makes popping so much smoother.

Ralf

[Christopher]

Loosen up your fingers, too. You don't have to keep your index or middle fingers in a claw shape to get a good pop - you can let them "give" a little when they're coming out of the pop.

[Michael Henson]

You need to be using the very tips of your fingers when popping. It is a little painful at first but like with every other aspect of playing the bass, your fingers will get used to it. Work on it but don't do it so much that you can't enjoy playing for a lengthy period of time, give your fingers time and they'll adjust.

[NJL]

Originally Posted by rpatter

This is the reason a lot of guys use a "slap ramp". It's basically like a pickguard that shortens the distance between the strings and the body of your bass, which keeps you from getting too much finger under your strings. After struggling with the same problem for years, I finally installed one on my fretted bass. Makes popping so much smoother.

Ralf

Did you make it or buy it?

[rpatter]

Originally Posted by NJL

Did you make it or buy it?

I made it out of a 1/8" piece of wenge.

Ralf

[NJL]

Cool!

Look what I found:

http://www.hwein.com/ramp.htm

[NJL]

Originally Posted by rpatter

I made it out of a 1/8" piece of wenge.

Ralf

Did you put a radius to it or is it flat?

[rpatter]

Originally Posted by NJL

Did you put a radius to it or is it flat?

Nope. It's flat just like a pickguard would be.

Ralf

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by NJL

Cool!

Look what I found:

http://www.hwein.com/ramp.htm

Yeah - look at that third picture down; he's not even showing an eigth-inch under the string.

I think I use more than THAT!

Joe