Is the "moveable anchor" bad technique?

[tegnoto89]

Before I go any further I want to know that my technique is solid so it won't slow me down later.

I've been using the "moveable anchor" with my right hand, keeping it on the string below that which I'm hitting. Is this going to slow me down later on?

[kesslari]

I don't use it myself, but just saw a video closeup of a player with a pretty darn good right hand (I think it was Rocco, but it might have been someone else) who was using moveable anchor.
Didn't seem to slow him down at all.

[Mushroo]

No, it is good technique because it mutes the unplayed strings, stopping them from ringing out when you don't want them to. In my opinion.

[mothmonsterman]

Not sure, I've been doing it for 10 years so seems to work ok with me.

[Commreman]

Movable Anchor is a great technique, especially on 5 string. It will stop you from overstretching the plucking hand and hyperextending your wrist, as well as acting as a mute on the unplayed strings.

[ysand]

Some use it, some don't.
I've seen extremely good players use it.
I've seen bass legends not use it.
Your decision.
Just choose smth and stick to it

[Jake of Bass]

Originally Posted by Commreman

Movable Anchor is a great technique, especially on 5 string. It will stop you from overstretching the plucking hand and hyperextending your wrist, as well as acting as a mute on the unplayed strings.

+1

I've usually used a fixed anchor but lately have found the moveable anchor reduces strain on my right hand and allows for cleaner, faster passages.

[ac1710]

I use a mixture of 2 styles.

I use the floating thumb/moveable anchor technique described here most of the time as it mutes the lower stings making my life much easier. However I find I get less attack using this method as your only using the lower half of your fingers to pluck the string. When I want more attack I plant my thumb on the pickup (usually the bridge).

[Elrend]

Only use it when playing a 6er, and its brilliant.

[drunkenrobot]

I used to use the moveable anchor technique and it was great for muting the lower strings but when i was jumping 3 strings at a time in quick succesion I found it much harder to play at the right tempo.

I switched to the fixed anchor and found I could play much faster. Now I rest my ring and little fingers on whichever strings need muting and it works a treat.

[progrmr]

I only move my thumb up to A from E - after that (on a 4-string anyway) if you're plucking G, follow through and use your plucking fingers to mute D. I find it easier and faster to play things because you don't have to move that thumb around, but on a 5+ string bass movable achor seems to be the way.

[Grank]

I initially started by anchoring my thumb on the pickup. With my noob enthusiasm overflowing, after a few months persisting with this technique my thumb started aching above the 1st knuckle up to the wrist (I was also having a muting problem - but didn't know it!!).

At my 1st lesson my teacher immediatly taught me the moveable anchor technique (after a quick talk about hyper flexing) - within a few weeks my aching thumb improved immensly. I also found it was a better basis (for me) when muting, as opposed to dropping the playing finger on to the upper string to mute.

[kreider204]

Moveable anchor = good stuff.

Brief, fast passages might require using fixed anchor occasionally.

No worries.

[EBBassMan]

For me playing with a floating anchor just came naturally. Playing with my thumb on the pup (my first bass was a MM) seemed to cause pain after a while. I subconsciously started using a floating thumb in what I suppose would have been called bad technique at the time. But I never hurt again, and I've never had any problems with my speed at all. 19 years playing with a floating thumb and no wrist/finger/tendon issues at all, so it can't be all bad. That being said, do what works for you. As long as you're not hurting yourself and you can play cleanly, do whatever technique you feel comfortable with.

[bassrique]

One can float the thumb w/out much anchoring at all. That's my preferred method on a 4 or 5er.

[DreadyDiggs]

If the technique works for you why would you ask if it's bad? If it works for you then there's no way it can be bad. If everyone is using one technique and you come out of nowhere with a new technique, that don't make you bad, that makes you unorthodox

Do what works, not what's considered right or wrong.

[Nerotic]

Originally Posted by Elrend

Only use it when playing a 6er, and its brilliant.

+1

You can't really play a 6'er without this technique.
But for 4-string play, I'd say whatever suits you best!

\\nero

[tegnoto89]

Thanks for the responses. That being said, can somebody recommend some exercises to help with cross-string speed? I need to be able to shift my thumb more quickly.

[Rudreax]

If you're not physically injuring yourself, chances are the technique isn't bad.

[kreider204]

Originally Posted by tegnoto89

Thanks for the responses. That being said, can somebody recommend some exercises to help with cross-string speed? I need to be able to shift my thumb more quickly.

http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Fitness-E...5603721&sr=1-1