Learning the rest stroke

ForTheMoon · #1 05-19-2008, 11:00 PM

Ever since I started playing the bass, I have played with free strokes with my right hand at a slight angle. However, I would really like to make rest strokes my primary picking style, so I ask you this:
1. About how long does it take to learn the rest stroke to the point where you can do it without even thinking about it?
2. Should I straighten my hand up? Would angling the right hand be inadvisable?
3. Are rest strokes considered "proper" technique for finger picking?
4. Would it help or hinder my speed?
5. Would I sound more clean and professional in my playing?

Answers to these questions would be much appreciated. I just feel like not being able to use rest strokes makes me a poor player, and all my motivation has been sapped from me. I need some advice to get me back on track. Many thanks.

plar · #2 05-20-2008, 07:29 PM

I used to play with free strokes too until I saw my guitarist play with rest strokes on my bass. Its not to hard to learn how to do. Just consistently practice with it and it will come. When I first started using rest strokes, my right hand plucking speed was very decreased at first. But eventually I was able to make this my normal style of playing. Just remember to stick with it.

Shroom · #3 05-20-2008, 07:42 PM

What is a rest stroke?

Beast · #4 05-25-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroom

What is a rest stroke?

+1

crazyguy832 · #5 05-26-2008, 03:12 PM

http://www.flatpick.com/Pages/FAQ/rest_stroke.html

^_^

**Mark Wilson** · #6 05-26-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroom

What is a rest stroke?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beast

+1

Rest stroke is when you pluck the string, and rest on the string below.

E2daGGurl · #7 05-26-2008, 08:38 PM

Yeah - I'm in the what is a rest stroke crowd.

Especially since there was no early agreement on the FT method - can we hear an explanation? Or see one?

Shroom · #8 05-26-2008, 08:52 PM

I see.. I know what you're talking about now. So does it actually improve playing? I know it looks a little better, but I don't see any real benefits

**Mark Wilson** · #9 05-26-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E2daGGurl

Yeah - I'm in the what is a rest stroke crowd.

Especially since there was no early agreement on the FT method - can we hear an explanation? Or see one?

Read the above... I'll record something soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroom

I see.. I know what you're talking about now. So does it actually improve playing? I know it looks a little better, but I don't see any real benefits

It depends.
Tony Grey, who is a monster player, uses Free Stroke.
Rest Stroke gives more of a defined sound, which is what makes Tony so damn good. Cause his done is SOLID.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OL4GDaulw1Q

Watch his right hand.
I'll record a video of rest stroke soon.

phat daddy · #10 05-26-2008, 10:33 PM

I've always used rest strokes. I didn't call them that, it's just the way I've always played, trying to emulate the killer players I watch and listen to. In fact, I can't imaging how the mechanics of a free stroke would work, as I need the bottom string to stop my fingers motion and prepare it to stroke again. It actually allows me to play very uniform between my fingers now that I think about it, and it alots me a lot of speed I wouldn't otherwise have.

If you don't play that way I highly suggest giving it a good try, because it cleans up your right hand playing and assists in recovery and reset, which are constants in fingerstyle playing. I actually believe most people, once they understand a few simple mechanics about it, find it EASIER to play this way.

kirbyrock · #11 05-26-2008, 10:48 PM

I've also always played with rest strokes. Free strokes feels pretty awkward for me.

Ramstien · #12 05-27-2008, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OL4GDaulw1Q

Holy hell, that was amazing.

**Mark Wilson** · #13 05-27-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramstien

Holy hell, that was amazing.

Yea. He's something else.
He's also a TBer!

uethanian · #14 05-27-2008, 06:32 PM

i've read the responses here and i sense some confusion. we are talking about picking here? i sure know what a fingerstyle rest stroke is, but i've never seen a picking rest stroke.

if i'm correct, its where you down pick thru the string and land the pick on the next one.

if thats what it actually is...why? i'm not a pick player, but alternating picking (especially if your ups and downs are even) just seems superior to just doing downs. its a tone thing, i gather. and it sounds like something more applicable to guitar than bass.

E2daGGurl · #15 05-28-2008, 12:51 PM

Okay, I just practice for awhile with it. No, it isn't just looks, by gosh! Totally different sound.

Thanks. This is one to try out with my early rock covers, kind of Johnny B. Good style. What fun. I did it with a pick, like tiddlywink style (had tried that, but never thought about it for steady playing) and with my thumbnail edge, but the pick really gives that one sound that some of us are looking for.

Up/down with the pick is different. I'm not good at finding the words here, but just played several songs all the way through rest stroke style and it really made me smile.