my thumb won't bend

[sir juice]

as a general problem i seem to have been blessed with fat fingers, but this does really hinder me all to much, but the main problem is that my thumb just won't bend,

so as far as slapping is concerned, which is the only technique that isn't coming along as i progress generally,

i can slap kinda ok, but not to any level to which it could actually be used in a song so that it would work. is my thumb the actual problem, because i can't put my thumb horizantal and still hit the string properly so i'm forced to put my whole wrist underneath the strings and have my thumb almost vertical

can i get around the problem, or it just that i'm learning bass from a guitarist and he doesn't know proper technique (and i'm getting lessons from a real bassist in september)

[Jason Gale]

I dont have a bendy thumb either, but I don't have that problem. Aslong as you are slapping with the correct part of the thumb and coming straight back up after striking the string I can't see why having a straight thumb would draw you back?

I slap with my thumb at a 45 degree angle pointing up, and down (depending on what gig it is) and I think I have a clean sound/technique. I'd suggest you sit down and find a comfortable position for yourself and working on getting it sounding clear and tidy!

Jase

[Zebra]

Your thumb won't bend at the knuckle, or at the base? I can't see how this is inhibiting you from slapping, and I don't think that my thumb needs to bend in any significant way to slap. Can you describe the technique you use right now?