Picking with the thumb?

milkman-27 · #1 12-04-2009, 01:09 PM

Does anyone out there pick with there thumb? I am not talking about slap I am talking about an alternative to fingerstyle and using a pick. When I first started playing years ago I was pretty much self taught and I just started out by playing with my thump. I did this for a couple of years but when I joined my High School Jazz band the band teacher told me that I needed to quit using my thumb and start using a pick or my fingers. Since I was already had a technique that would be easier to adapt to pick playing that is what I did. I eventually became proficient at pick and fingerstyle, but I always really liked the sound that I got by picking with my thumb. It wouldn't work for everything but on some stuff it sounds like it should be played that way. So does anyone else use there thumb now(I know that way back that is how alot of people played) or is it not seen as a viable way to play anymore?

**Rune Bivrin** · #2 12-04-2009, 01:40 PM

Is it wrong to play with yer thumb?

J. Montgomery · #3 12-04-2009, 01:57 PM

I play in a cover band that plays a wide range of tunes from classic rock to blues. I change up my plucking hand technique to get different sounds and feels.

I often play with my thumb when I'm palm muting for a deep, bassy tone on song's like 'Waitin' for the Bus' by ZZ Top.

Danny Fox · #4 12-04-2009, 02:43 PM

I use thumb and two finger plucking style a lot when I play solo

MalcolmAmos · #5 12-04-2009, 02:54 PM

The jury is still out on what I do. I use both the thumb/palm mute and two finger picking. Depends on the song. From what I've read and seen it's kinda left up to you to make that decision, i.e. what ever works best for you and your music.

Danny Fox · #6 12-04-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

The jury is still out on what I do. I use both the thumb/palm mute and two finger picking. Depends on the song. From what I've read and seen it's kinda left up to you to make that decision, i.e. what ever works best for you and your music.

Well said Malcolm. I find it suits my solo style perfectly, so i do it. It might not work for everybody, but thats the way music is.

Stumbo · #7 12-05-2009, 01:55 PM

I "pick" with my thumb on guitar or bass. Nice little callas built up on the edge of my thumb.
I also "pick" with my index finger nail (holding thumb/index together except no pick). I can also do the two finger plucking and playing with a regular pick.

For the past year, I've deliberately put my picks away so I can work on alternatives.

If it gets the job done, IMO/IME, whatever works.

scrunks11 · #8 12-05-2009, 02:15 PM

i play with my two fingers and i always will do

**Jerose** · #9 12-08-2009, 07:06 PM

I do when I want a nice fat note during a part. You can get a deeper sound out of it.

Gawd · #10 12-08-2009, 07:46 PM

I do it sometimes.

newbold · #11 12-08-2009, 07:58 PM

Anyone that doesn't see a certain style of picking as viable just doesn't want you to know that they'll never be as fast as Jamerson or Django.

Stumbo · #12 12-08-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman-27

Does anyone out there pick with there thumb?

My thumb doesn't fit in my nose.

Absentia · #13 12-10-2009, 08:14 AM

It not obsolete, it has purpose.
I use it all the time, though usually when we are just dinking around with song ideas and it's easier than using a pick when I'm bored or lazy.

nice fat tone from it too

DeluxeRed · #14 12-10-2009, 08:29 AM

Changing to and from thumb picking from finger picking (or slap or pick), sometimes with palm muting, is a great way to change tone and dynamics on-the-fly, esp with a tube amp, and I find myself then well positioned with the thumb and my fingers ready for that riff-blast coming out of the mellow part. As well, I find it useful for altering the response of my synth setting I use on a couple of songs, where my attack tone controls how far the synth sweeps, so I have it balanced where thumb picking creates a low swell and finger picking creates a sharp spike.

drteeth · #15 12-10-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

My thumb doesn't fit in my nose.

Mine does

Kidding aside, doesn't Sting play with his thumb?

Fergie Fulton · #16 12-10-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman-27

I joined my High School Jazz band the band teacher told me that I needed to quit using my thumb and start using a pick or my fingers.

Just curious..why?

DeluxeRed · #17 12-10-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Just curious..why?

Cuz Mel Bay sez so, I'm sure.

Playing a variety of music requires a variety of techniques. Don't get locked into any one thing, and serve the song's needs.

Fergie Fulton · #18 12-10-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Cuz Mel Bay sez so, I'm sure.

Playing a variety of music requires a variety of techniques. Don't get locked into any one thing, and serve the song's needs.

Naw, not buying in this case......milkman-27 has been asked to play with a pick or..... never heard of that being an option for an upright player in a jazz band so why is it relevent here?

LeonD · #19 12-10-2009, 11:52 AM

If I'm going to be playing a lot of octaves, I'll use my thumb and index finger.

LeonD

HoosierDaddy · #20 12-10-2009, 12:12 PM

I use my thumb especially to hit the "E" string and doing octaves.The band director should watch some pro bass players and see that many use their thumb.I remember Roy Orbison's bass player almost exclusively use his thumb on SNL.Maybe it's on video? Ps,,,can't check myself, on the road in Houston, using Blackberry.