Muting on lower strings? Overall Muting technique - "Floating Thumb"

NickCormier · #1 10-22-2009, 08:11 PM

as I said in the other post, I just started learning bass this May. Getting there though.

So, The first 2-3 months, I did the "pickup anchor" awkward style, where my thumb sat in the space between the two screws on my humbucker pickup (Carvin HB pickups), it works kinda but obviously it puts my hand in an awkward bend which eventually starts to hurt, along with strings ringing out more.

I read up on "floating thumb", and general moving your thumb to rest on the string below whichever string you are playing on, a pretty standard bass technique if I recall.

Its fine, works decently, my only issue now is when I happen to play on the low B string (i play 5 and 6 strings), I have no place to anchor my thumb now, and it messes up my whole position. I have been starting to place my thumb on the neck pickup, but it still feels weird/wrong.

How do you guys mute your strings properly / more importantly, the lowest string? (E for 4stringers, B for 5)

WayneS · #2 10-22-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCormier

I read up on "floating thumb", and general moving your thumb to rest on the string below whichever string you are playing on, a pretty standard bass technique if I recall.

Thats actually a floating anchor technique. With floating thumb, your thumb dont rest on anything. Thats the way I play. My thumb mutes the strings above the one I'm playing on, and my left hand mutes the strings below the string that I'm playing on.

With the fingers that youre not using to fret, rest them on strings that you are not playing, and that your thumb is not muting.

Does that even make sense?

Rockles · #3 10-22-2009, 08:27 PM

I use what WayneS describes as the "floating anchor", and when I play my low B string (it's a fiver) I rest my thumb on the bridge pickup. I play a Fender MIM jazz, and it's pretty much the only kind of bass I've ever used frequently. I've become so used to resting my thumb on the bridge pickup that I don't know how I'd play the B string without it. I've heard of people placing some kind of small wood block above the B to rest their thumb on. Seems it would work, but if it's the feeling of resting your thumb on something that's not a string that's bothering you, it might not be to your liking.

NickCormier · #4 10-22-2009, 08:30 PM

the main issue I have with resting my thumb on the pickup (for me, Neck pickup) is that if you want to change the location of your picking to get a different attack (you know, more thumpier when its closer to the bridge, and totally different when its closer to the fretboard) that kinda takes away your ability to do that, if you rely on a specific anchoring in a location..

I normally have it so my thumb is parralel to the strings to mute them, one string under (talking like if im playing on the E, my thumb is on the B) and it follows like that, just when im down on my lowest string, the thumb kinda has no where to go, unless I "anchor" on my pickup, which Im trying not to do.

tobie · #5 10-23-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

My thumb mutes the strings above the one I'm playing on, and my left hand mutes the strings below the string that I'm playing on.

++1. The side of the thumb 'floats' on top of and against the lower strings, its pad does not not 'rest' against any single string. Takes a few days getting used to, but thereafter it does not matter how many strings are on your bass - it always works great!

deckard · #6 10-23-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobie

++1. The side of the thumb 'floats' on top of and against the lower strings, its pad does not not 'rest' against any single string. Takes a few days getting used to, but thereafter it does not matter how many strings are on your bass - it always works great!

This.

NickCormier · #7 10-23-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobie

++1. The side of the thumb 'floats' on top of and against the lower strings, its pad does not not 'rest' against any single string. Takes a few days getting used to, but thereafter it does not matter how many strings are on your bass - it always works great!

but where does your thumb go when you are on the lowest string? Thats the issue. Im fine with everything from the E string upwards, just when im on the B string, my thumb loses its placing.

WayneS · #8 10-23-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCormier

but where does your thumb go when you are on the lowest string? Thats the issue. Im fine with everything from the E string upwards, just when im on the B string, my thumb loses its placing.

Thats the point of the floating thumb technique. Your thumb doesnt anchor on anything.

The heel of your hand can rest against the body of the bass. This can provide your anchor.

Like someone said above, it takes a few days to get used to, but once you do you'll be glad you did.

Michael Campbel · #9 10-23-2009, 11:08 AM

Here's the "classic" video on floating thumb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU

On the low string (mine's a 5, so the low B), I just rest it next to the string on (but not on the ledge of) the pickup. I'm struggling with/trying to find a smooth transition from B to E, but it's coming.

deckard · #10 10-23-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

Thats the point of the floating thumb technique. Your thumb doesnt anchor on anything.

The heel of your hand can rest against the body of the bass. This can provide your anchor.

Like someone said above, it takes a few days to get used to, but once you do you'll be glad you did.

You can also lay the side of the thumb on the bass body as you pluck your lowest string.

unclejane · #11 10-26-2009, 11:27 AM

This was the hardest part of transitioning to the FT for me also - what to do when plucking the B (I'm a 6 string player).

What I've ended up with is basically emulating what I do with the thumb on the other strings - it basically just floats above the B and I don't consciously anchor it anywhere. Same as with the other string positions except there's simply no string for it to rest on.

I think I rest the side of the thumb on the edge of the PU sometimes (I pluck over the bridge humbucker) but generally I try to maintain the same position as when over the other strings.

LS

tobie · #12 10-26-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclejane

I think I rest the side of the thumb on the edge of the PU sometimes

This is exactly what I do. I like to know (without looking) that when I move back to the higher strings, I'm right above the pickup closest to the neck. That's where I produce my prederred tone.

Trapezius · #13 10-27-2009, 04:13 AM

I never felt any need to anchor my thumb anywhere. It just floats on the strings, and when I play the E, it's just in the air. I kinda hit the strings anyway, so it works for me.

MalcolmAmos · #14 10-27-2009, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Campbel

Here's the "classic" video on floating thumb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU

Yes, thanks, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Then this one came up just below that and his thumb and fingers are a little more visible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFSeNy_GMk&NR=1

Thanks, I now understand ......