Need some suggestions for my playing concern/tecnique

[Kawai-chang]

Background:
Bass is at about waist height, when playing fingerstyle, alternate plucking (I&M), the knuckle at the point of attachment to hand on my right index finger aches after playing for a while.

So I tried to go with a more "Garrison" style where I am plucking with thumb and index finger alternating on a string with the middle assisting sometimes. (Sort of like a Mark Knopfler style), now my index finge feels fine, but my thumb is aching at the same knuckle.

My next thought is to just use a pick, since that doesn't seem to make anything ache, but I like to play fingerstyle.

I don't feel I'm plucking excessively hard, since I get hardly any string movement.

I've tried to do a Billy Sheehan thing where I lock the knuckles and only use the last 2 joints on the fingers to pluck, but that's darn uncomfortable.

Any suggestions?

[Russell L]

Sounds to me like your wrist is too bent. Move your arm back, and maybe raise your elbow a bit.

[Kawai-chang]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Sounds to me like your wrist is too bent. Move your arm back, and maybe raise your elbow a bit.

Russell, when I'm doing the "Knopfler" thing, the wrist is almost dead straight.

When doing regular plucking it is bent too much, I'll admit, but would that cause the knuckle pain?

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Kawai-chang

When doing regular plucking it is bent too much, I'll admit, but would that cause the knuckle pain?

Not sure, but it is worth a try. The problem could also be the angle at which you strike the string, and how hard you pluck, though you say you don't really dig in.

You could try checking out You Tube for plucking technique and see how it tallies with what you are doing.

[makkE]

Originally Posted by Kawai-chang

I've tried to do a Billy Sheehan thing where I lock the knuckles and only use the last 2 joints on the fingers to pluck, but that's darn uncomfortable.

Any suggestions?

I would suggest you look into this a bit more. I know it feels strange at first, but give it some time to grow into your playing habit. After a while it won't feel as akward anymore, and IME it helps speed, precision and tone, and makes for mor relaxed plucking. Also easier to keep a good wrist angle that way.

You don't have to completely lock the knuckle, just curling your fingers and using the other two joints as well will do.
It's a lot more economic and allows you to pluck the string more perpendicular to the board -> better tone, less chance of clacks or buzz..

[Kawai-chang]

Originally Posted by makkE

I would suggest you look into this a bit more. I know it feels strange at first, but give it some time to grow into your playing habit. After a while it won't feel as akward anymore, and IME it helps speed, precision and tone, and makes for mor relaxed plucking. Also easier to keep a good wrist angle that way.

You don't have to completely lock the knuckle, just curling your fingers and using the other two joints as well will do.
It's a lot more economic and allows you to pluck the string more perpendicular to the board -> better tone, less chance of clacks or buzz..

I'll give it a whirl. I'm open to try anything once.

[Jay2U]

Try to to keep wrist and hand as relaxed as possible. This applies to the unused fingers as well. I'm rather touching the strings, not beating / pulling them. If I like to hear a well defined attack, I use a pick.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by Kawai-chang

Russell, when I'm doing the "Knopfler" thing, the wrist is almost dead straight.

When doing regular plucking it is bent too much, I'll admit, but would that cause the knuckle pain?

Don't know, I'd have to try it awhile for myself to see. But, I THINK it could cause some pain. Mine is kinda at a 45-degree angle, or so. And from my big knuckle on my hand my fingers don't bend very much from there on down. Just kinda curved.