Is my right hand technique flawed?

Andy.mpeg · #1 08-28-2011, 07:08 AM

I noticed that my fingers are little more bent than most other players I've seen and I'm wondering if this needs to be "fixed". It may look like I dig under the strings and pluck them (like some beginners often do - basically popping constantly) but I really do just "brush" my fingertips over the string like you're meant to. The difference is I believe I brush more towards the side of the string, the surface facing the ground, rather than the top. Here's a rough "cross section" and a photograph to provide a visual -
\
O\ <--- String
^ Roughly the way my finger contacts the string

as opposed to:

___ <--- Fingers brush over the top
O <--- String

After a bit of observation, I've decided that method one makes more use of the second knuckled (in the middle) and method two makes more use of the base knuckles for moving the fingers.
I've always done the first one and felt natural doing it that way, but I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this... Does my technique need fixing, and should I try to convert to the second method? Cheers.

Jazz Ad · #2 08-28-2011, 07:16 AM

If it sounds good and doesn't hurt, there is no reason to change.

77PBass · #3 08-28-2011, 07:17 AM

Most teachers will tell you to keep the wrist straight, thus altering the angle of the fingers in relation to the strings. If you were going to fix anything, I would start with that. Check out Gary Willis on YouTube... he has a video discussing this issue....he claims he can generate more speed with a flattened wrist.

Clearly, you, like me and Jaco, don't adhere to the flat technique. In our case, use whatever works to get your tone. James Jamerson used his index finger almost exclusively....it even had a nick name "The Hook!"

stflbn · #4 08-28-2011, 07:18 AM

Actually, with how you're doing it you'll have less trouble with the strings moving down and slapping the frets.

77PBass · #5 08-28-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Actually, with how you're doing it you'll have less trouble with the strings moving down and slapping the frets.

Yes...this is a problem for me. As my instruments have gotten better in quality and I have had pro setups, my technique has revealed this flaw. The string slapping sound is especially noticeable when I play on the A string....my fingres slam into the E string causing a clicking sound that is HIGHLY IRRITATING. I am working hard to change many years of right hand muscle memory to eliminate this unwated noise.

Andy.mpeg · #6 08-28-2011, 07:23 AM

Ahh thank you, this is all very reassuring - especially the fact that Jaco does the same! I've spent the last couple of days trying to straighten my wrist out and it just didn't feel right. It's good to know I don't have to.

fearceol · #7 08-28-2011, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77PBass

Most teachers will tell you to keep the wrist straight, thus altering the angle of the fingers in relation to the strings. If you were going to fix anything, I would start with that.

+ 100.

Check out this technique.

Todd Johnson Bass Guitar : Floating thumb technique - YouTube

fearceol · #8 08-28-2011, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.mpeg

I've spent the last couple of days trying to straighten my wrist out and it just didn't feel right. It's good to know I don't have to.

No. You dont have to. Nothing is written in stone. However, it could save you a lot of physical problems at a later time, if you learn to keep both wrists straight. Jaco was Jaco, you are you.

Mayers · #9 08-28-2011, 07:43 AM

The only thing I see ... is yor wrist angle. A straight wrist is less prone to tendonitist and the attack is easier.

Andy.mpeg · #10 08-28-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

+ 100.

Check out this technique.

Todd Johnson Bass Guitar : Floating thumb technique - YouTube

Mmm that's interesting. I'm trying it now and it seems to work really well. I generally use a similar technique, but I actually use the pad of my thumb on the side of the string below which I believe I learned from Adam Nitti - it's shown in both of the photos I posted. I'll experiment with this though, it's cool... And I certainly need to stop resting my forearm on the body of my bass haha.

fearceol · #11 08-28-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.mpeg

Mmm that's interesting. I'm trying it now and it seems to work really well. I generally use a similar technique, but I actually use the pad of my thumb on the side of the string below which I believe I learned from Adam Nitti - it's shown in both of the photos I posted. I'll experiment with this though, it's cool... And I certainly need to stop resting my forearm on the body of my bass haha.

Yeah, persevere with it for a while and you will get the hang of it. The added bonus is the muting. While you do see a lot of bassists resting their forearm on the body of the bass, it is a recipe for trouble IMO.

77PBass · #12 08-28-2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

+ 100.

Check out this technique.

Todd Johnson Bass Guitar : Floating thumb technique - YouTube

+1 this is another technique used by a lot of studio cats....it silences the string not being hit and also forces you to have a lighter attack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

No. You dont have to. Nothing is written in stone. However, it could save you a lot of physical problems at a later time, if you learn to keep both wrists straight. Jaco was Jaco, you are you.

+100...you don't HAVE to do anything. There are different techniques and each will affect your tone and other aspects of your playing in different ways. "Jaco was Jaco, you are you."...the ultimate goal on an instrument is to find "your voice." Technique will help you find it.

Fergie Fulton · #13 08-28-2011, 09:35 AM

A far as i can see from the pics the fingers are fine, better to have some degree of curl, that helps load the finger joints much better than staight fingers.

+1 on the wrist being straighter.
The key is in the elbow not the wrist. As far as the wrist is concerned the rule is the more the hand goes towards the neck the straigher the wrist will be, the further towards the bridge the more it will bend.
This is of course depends on the elbow, no matter what degree of bend you use (within reason) the elbow will straighten it out.
See it as an elbow placement problem rather that a wrist one because the wrist will set the hand to the bass the hand will set the fingers to the strings, so any bend in the wrist can be taken out with the elbow out away from your body till the wrist angle is straighter or less. So in fact in a chain of sequence is, the elbow set the wrist-the wrist sets the hand- the hand sets the fingers and of course vica versa.

Andy.mpeg · #14 08-28-2011, 09:59 AM

Mmm yes, I will take that into consideration. My wrist looks horribly bent in those photographs but I'd like to point out that's just because I'm hunched over a bit to take the photo, that's all. I will work on everything that you helpful people are suggesting, though. It's so nice to be able to get some advice from several experienced players and in such a short amount of time.

Antoanto · #15 09-01-2011, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

The key is in the elbow not the wrist.

Absolutely. But the key to the elbow is the bass and arm placement. In the picture you were sitting down and bending over a bit. In this position thr bass sits too high and if you rest your arm on the edge of the bass your elbow will be bent and your wrist will be bent to compensate. Place the bass a bit lower (which I believe will be the case as soon as you stand up) and eventually don't rest your arm on the edge of the bass. You'll see your wrist going straight.

And don't believe the "there are no rules" kind of things. Physiology is not a superstition and some behaviors can lead to problems. You don't need to jump down from a running horse to know it is dangerous, you just trust your teacher it is.