Is it my playing or the camera? Technique question (VIDEO ADDED)

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #1 02-28-2011, 02:19 PM

I apologize for this being on another sub forum but after posting it there I figured perhaps this is the better one to post it on.

Last saturday night my band had an opening gig. Now while I was playing I didn't notice it at all but when I watch video that I took with my sony handy cam I here a lot of klacking when I pluck the strings. It is the way I"m playing or is it because the camera my now be picking up the lows?

The video is not the best but perhaps some of you might be able to tell wether it's my playing or something to do with the audio recording by just hearing it.

If it is my playing, any advice? How some one hit/pluck the strings? I've only been playing for a year so there's a whole lot of work that my technique needs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE5thOJLZBA

brammerd · #2 02-28-2011, 04:59 PM

Strings hitting the fretboard I think.

Caused by strings being too low in height or the tension of the arm.

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #3 02-28-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brammerd

Strings hitting the fretboard I think.

Caused by strings being too low in height or the tension of the arm.

The action on my Schecter is quite low, if that's what you're referring to, but I like it low.

As for the strings hitting the fretboard, I originally thought it was that when I was hearing it out of my new amp a few weeks ago. But then I changed the positioning of my right hand so that I wasn't plucking towards the pickups.

How do you finger pick? My guess is I"ve been doign it too hard, if that makes any sense.

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #4 02-28-2011, 05:51 PM

Also, what do you mean by "tension of the arm"?

Randall · #5 02-28-2011, 06:18 PM

Lighten up with your right hand for a more mellow tone. Right now you have the "classic fieldy from korn tone". Which is ok for some songs but not all. Higher action will also let you dig in more without the clack.

DirtPoorRobins · #6 02-28-2011, 06:23 PM

It sounds like you are using your finger as a "hammer" to hit the strings instead of using your finger to pull through the strings. Like when you put your finger on the string, pull though and end on the string above it.

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #7 02-28-2011, 06:59 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys:-) I've only been playing seriously for about a year. Taping my band helps me in realizing that I"m doing something wrong.

DirtPoorRobins · #8 02-28-2011, 08:47 PM

Your miles ahead of what guys who have been playing for years probably still don't do. Recording yourself playing and then analyzing what your doing good and what you are doing wrong is the best way to learn to be a better player.

**nutdog** · #9 02-28-2011, 08:56 PM

Are you sure the clacking is you?

zephyr_words · #10 02-28-2011, 11:21 PM

Look at how you're plucking the strings. If you're doing finger style and coming across the strings more horizontal towards the bass it gives a clicking, almost half slap bass sound.
Instead try to come more vertical. Try tensing your fingers almost like the same tension you put in your wrist to open a door. Roll the tip over and through the string coming into the next string. It'll get the same hard attack but without the clack.

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #11 03-01-2011, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutdog

Are you sure the clacking is you?

I'm certain. I recorded our entire set. I noticed it does seem to happen mainly in parts where I'm stricking the strings instead of plucking them.

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #12 03-01-2011, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zephyr_words

Look at how you're plucking the strings. If you're doing finger style and coming across the strings more horizontal towards the bass it gives a clicking, almost half slap bass sound.
Instead try to come more vertical. Try tensing your fingers almost like the same tension you put in your wrist to open a door. Roll the tip over and through the string coming into the next string. It'll get the same hard attack but without the clack.

I actually noticed I was coming across them more horizontal a week or two after I got my new amp and noticed a slap sound, so I know I'm at least half way there

Now to stop wiht the striking and more with the plucking/rolling.

copasetic · #13 03-01-2011, 05:01 AM

I agree with the others --it sounds like you're plucking too hard and striking at an angle. In addition to adjusting your right hand technique, I'd also look at how you have your amplifier set and EQ'd.

It's much easier to dig in and pluck too aggressively when your volume is too low. Turn up and let the amp do the work. You should be able to pluck lightly to moderately and be heard perfectly well in the mix. This higher volume will also work as a training aid --if you go to hard, you'll hear it right away and be able to make technique adjustments on the fly.

Also, in case you have trouble laying back when you get into it, try tweaking the upper mids and highs on your amp to take the edge off of the hard attack.

kr0n · #14 03-01-2011, 06:52 AM

Imagine when your girlfriend is nagging again and you're a little pissed from something else and decide the best course of action is to make the "blaah blaah" hand sign with your right hand... You know, you smack fingers against the thumb?

Now imagine a string being between the fingers and thumb. And thumb pointing to bass body.

Want to hit harder for the "fieldy" sound? Do a 45 degree angle with the thumb and smack away. That's how I do it O_o

maturanesa · #15 03-01-2011, 12:22 PM

That clicking is you hitting the strings with your right hand. Its produced by an agressive touch with floopy strings. A lot of players have that click, steve harris, billy sheehan a little, John Myung...
If you dont want it, just put a higher tension strings (or raise the action to get higher tension) or just play softer....

tastybasslines · #16 03-01-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copasetic

Turn up and let the amp do the work.

Big +1.

It took me a little while to adjust, but it really taught me how important economy of motion is. Not only that, but how to control the tone as well with my right hand.

stflbn · #17 03-01-2011, 12:38 PM

In my experience this happens from multiple sources.

1. Striking down on the strings as other have explained above.

2. #1 combined with extra enthusiasm of playing live. (aka turn up the amp and attack the strings lighter)

3. #1 and #2 combined with extra stage volume and playing harder to hear yourself in a tight area.

4. EQ settings on the bass and PA

If you don't notice the problem alone then it's very likely a combination of 2 and 3.

If you do notice it frequently or periodically alone or in practice it's like you need to learn to lighten up your right hand attack and approach. If you don't like that tonal sound then that's really your only choice, or just pull back those frequencies of Treble to where it's less obvious. "To me" it sounds like you have a bunch of treble and possibly new strings.

And it 'is' completely possible to train yourself not to beat down on the strings. I used to play more aggressively and retrained myself... and it's nice to be aware and in control of your technique for when you 'want' different tonal approaches.

.

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #18 03-02-2011, 01:29 AM

Quote:

A lot of players have that click, steve harris, billy sheehan a little, John Myung...

I have noticed it with Steve Harris, particarly in Maiden's early albums (live and studio). NEver really noticed it with John Myung.

Quote:

In my experience this happens from multiple sources.

1. Striking down on the strings as other have explained above.

2. #1 combined with extra enthusiasm of playing live. (aka turn up the amp and attack the strings lighter)

3. #1 and #2 combined with extra stage volume and playing harder to hear yourself in a tight area.

4. EQ settings on the bass and PA

If you don't notice the problem alone then it's very likely a combination of 2 and 3.

If you do notice it frequently or periodically alone or in practice it's like you need to learn to lighten up your right hand attack and approach. If you don't like that tonal sound then that's really your only choice, or just pull back those frequencies of Treble to where it's less obvious. "To me" it sounds like you have a bunch of treble and possibly new strings.

And it 'is' completely possible to train yourself not to beat down on the strings. I used to play more aggressively and retrained myself... and it's nice to be aware and in control of your technique for when you 'want' different tonal approaches.

It's pretty much all three. I tend to come down hard and fast with the fingers on my right hand. I did some exercises today to help me play softer. I guess some my playing too hard comes from my lead guitarist saying during practices about "attacking".

Twenty2AcaciaAv · #19 03-02-2011, 01:31 AM

The strings are as old as the bass. I bought the bass I'm playing at that show (Schecter Stilleto Custom) back in November new.

INTP · #20 03-02-2011, 08:36 AM

It could be due to the excitement of the event, but you could also be in a bit of an arms race with your other bandmates, trying to be heard. If one musician cannot hear themselves, they might be increasing their own intensiity to make up for it. Maybe the singer needs to hear more (or better quality) in the monitor, or you or the guitarists need to adjust your amp placement in order to hear yourselves better. Be careful about just turning up, though, because as the group as a whole gets louder, it gets harder for anyone to hear themselves.

I agree with the previous comments about technique, just pointing to something that MIGHT be a factor which is causing an unconscious effect. As your bandmates about the levels, and you might get some interesting responses.