Mixing right hand techniques??

[Jamesemt]

I'm fairly new to the bass, but find it quite difficult to use the floating thumb technique on the E string in certain situations.

Take the main riff to 'Living On A Prayer' by Bon Jovi, I have to anchor my thumb on the pickup to be able to play in time.

Is this normal to mix techniques, or is it a bad habit to get into?

[Jeff Martinez]

Mix as many techniques as you can, as often as you can. You will have fewer limitations on what you can play.

[Jimbob Jones]

When I use the floating thumb (which is more and more often these days) I hold it in such a position that when I'm playing on my E (or B) string, the thumb just naturally slips back and rests on the pickup. Then when I move to another string, it returns to resting on my E (or B). I would just practice playing open E-A-E-D-E-G repeatedly, and eventually it will become a fluid motion.

I also find it helps if I have a short thumbnail.

Hope that helps.

JBJ

[spindizzy]

It's perfectly fine to do what suits you best.

If I can make a suggestion though, try incorporating your thumb, just when you are going to the E, and work it with your index finger in a back and forth combination. It takes a minute to get use to but when I float my thumb, ala Mr. Willis and Mr. Garrison, is used as another way to play the string. Not slap mind you but more like a finger style guitarist.

Try it and see if in combination with FT it gives you some additional ideas. If not play anyway you want brutha, it's only what makes you happy that matters!

Spin