Playing hard at the bridge or light at the neck?

RayO5421 · #1 08-24-2009, 08:32 AM

Hey all,
I've been playing in a rather heavy band for a while now. I find myself playing over the bridge pickup for the added tension in the strings to play faster. I often feel like my hand gets pretty stressed out if I don't warm up 20 minutes before playing. Also, my tone can get rather distorted because I'm plucking so hard against the pressure of the strings.

I went to a show last night and noticed that every bassist that used fingers could play over the neck pickup just as fast and accurately as I could over the bridge. I'm guessing they use a lighter touch and practice more that way?

What do you guys feel about playing fast songs? Should you play hard over the tighter parts of the string (bridge) or lighter of the softer (neck pickup) parts?

Discuss!
Ryan

MuzikMan · #2 08-24-2009, 08:47 AM

if your hand is hurting at all you should consider a change in technique. for me it was changing my thumb position to a floating technique. if there is no pain then all is good.

Kipaste · #3 08-24-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayO5421

What do you guys feel about playing fast songs? Should you play hard over the tighter parts of the string (bridge) or lighter of the softer (neck pickup) parts?

I'd say it depends on the sound one is after. Those two playing techniques sound quite different. And naturally the best thing to do is trying to master both techniques (and everything in between) and use the one that fits the song better.

unclejane · #4 08-24-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayO5421

Hey all,
I've been playing in a rather heavy band for a while now. I find myself playing over the bridge pickup for the added tension in the strings to play faster. I often feel like my hand gets pretty stressed out if I don't warm up 20 minutes before playing. Also, my tone can get rather distorted because I'm plucking so hard against the pressure of the strings.

I went to a show last night and noticed that every bassist that used fingers could play over the neck pickup just as fast and accurately as I could over the bridge. I'm guessing they use a lighter touch and practice more that way?

What do you guys feel about playing fast songs? Should you play hard over the tighter parts of the string (bridge) or lighter of the softer (neck pickup) parts?

Discuss!
Ryan

Try lighter over the bridge PU

.

If it's just too stiff there and you can't get a good sound, try going to a lighter gauge string, or a string with lower tension.
But don't hammer on it - ironically that leads to a weaker sound than a light touch....

LS

grifff · #5 08-24-2009, 05:38 PM

Well maybe those bassists couldn't pluck as well as you can over the bridge

RayO5421 · #6 08-24-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grifff

Well maybe those bassists couldn't pluck as well as you can over the bridge

Haha thanks, but more than a few of them were blowing me out of the water with their playing.

BigOldHarry · #7 08-24-2009, 06:13 PM

I play over the neck, up past the neck p'up, and I play very lightly. If I want to "dig in", I do it by the bridge, but I can't play nearly as fast.... try practicing playing light & quick and see how that works for ya

Krowser · #8 08-27-2009, 09:33 AM

I had a lot of finger pain when playing with my band (heavy metal)

I was playing too hard with my right hand.

I turned up the volume, turn up the mid and turned down the High so that I could actualy hear myself.

Problem solved, I dont need to slam my strings anymore.

NKBassman · #9 08-27-2009, 10:03 AM

I play hard and fast over the neck pickup 90% of the time. It's my tone, and I'm happy with it. For some passages I play over the bridge pickup, but thats mostly for fast three-finger galloping stuff on the lowest string.

wetzelman1 · #10 08-27-2009, 10:06 AM

you'll need to adjust your tone to the different locations. I play in a techy stoner metal band with a pick and play everything fast on the bridge and slower parts with fingers on the neck. Get the boomy resonance at the neck and crisp clarity at the bridge. Playing at the neck you'll be able to turn the lows down a bit and the mids up.

Jazzdogg · #11 08-27-2009, 01:06 PM

Changing plucking position varies the tone I produce, as does increasing or decreasing the intensity of my plucking, and changing the blend/balance of my pickups. Changing plucking position also effects note attack and decay.

When I pluck by the bridge, clarity and percussiveness increase, and volume and bass decrease; the notes decay quickly, and the transition between notes is easier to hear, especially when playing up-tempo 16th-note runs.

Because of the greater string motion over the fingerboard, plucking over the neck pickup naturally generates more volume and woofiness, and less precision/sterility. But the increase in string motion also enables me to coax more nuance out of each note by altering the intensity of my plucking and the pressure and articulation of my left hand. When I'm going for an upright feel, I pluck over the fingerboard.

Because of the greater string motion over the fingerboard, I tend to move my plucking hand bridgeward, toward the P-bass p'up position, when I want to play a fast, percussive, well-defined run without changing my timbre.

standupright · #12 08-27-2009, 01:10 PM

if you like the tone you get playing over the bridge pup, then run your pups hot so you can play lighter.

Rudreax · #13 08-27-2009, 06:04 PM

I always play light, and let the amp do the work.

John Wentzien · #14 08-27-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Changing plucking position varies the tone I produce, as does increasing or decreasing the intensity of my plucking, and changing the blend/balance of my pickups. Changing plucking position also effects note attack and decay.

When I pluck by the bridge, clarity and percussiveness increase, and volume and bass decrease; the notes decay quickly, and the transition between notes is easier to hear, especially when playing up-tempo 16th-note runs.

Because of the greater string motion over the fingerboard, plucking over the neck pickup naturally generates more volume and woofiness, and less precision/sterility. But the increase in string motion also enables me to coax more nuance out of each note by altering the intensity of my plucking and the pressure and articulation of my left hand. When I'm going for an upright feel, I pluck over the fingerboard.

Because of the greater string motion over the fingerboard, I tend to move my plucking hand bridgeward, toward the P-bass p'up position, when I want to play a fast, percussive, well-defined run without changing my timbre.

Very well said!

hbarcat · #15 08-27-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudreax

I always play light, and let the amp do the work.

+11

I play only about 2 or 3 inches away from the bridge and very lightly and this gives me a lot of control over dynamics. I have the amp set louder to compensate and I run a bit of compression (onboard the amp) in case I get a bit too heavy handed in a spot or two. But for the most part, what I've learned over 20+ years of playing is that I don't need to bang on the strings to get the volume I need.

Others may get great results with totally different techniques but this is just what works for me.

rageatmachine14 · #16 08-27-2009, 06:32 PM

Pluck really hard over the neck pickup. "Play as hard as you can without making it sound like ****." That's my favorite saying.

KPAX · #17 08-27-2009, 08:47 PM

It depends on the player.
Jack Bruce used to play back by the bridge to get that hard tight bark.
JP Jones and Geddy play farther towards the neck.
Flea plays kinda back towards the bridge.
I usually play in the middle when I use fingers.
For pick I move it around depending on the song/sound I'm going for.

TOOL460002 · #18 08-27-2009, 08:48 PM

super hard over neck with tapping and rakes... and then gut ALL treble... hehe...

Honk'n_down-low · #19 08-27-2009, 08:58 PM

I think it is important to strike a balance - hand position is so important to the overall sound and the type of lines you are playing - having control, using your equipment efficiently and controlling your touch is important. For fast Rock - warming up is essential IMO and IME. Also being sure you are well hydrated - I found this out the hard way - playing fast tempo driving 8th or 16th notes can cause cramping and for me be hydrated, warming up effectively and controlling my touch or attack and using the power of the Amp make a difference. Often it is these little adjustments or nuances that make a huge difference - many people miss this for some reason. My 2 cents.

Kevinmach · #20 08-27-2009, 09:41 PM

As been said, the two tones sound completely different, at least to bassists. Though I admit my decision to play in one area over another is sometimes just an issue of what feels better at the time -probably not the best philosophy from technical bassists perspective, but hey, last time I checked, no one was sending me checks in the mail for my hobby, so I do what I want.

It's weird- sometimes I feel like the tension near the bridge makes me faster- and other days, I find myself preferring the sloppiness on the neck. And that sometimes varies by what is being played in terms of the piece. Odds are though, if it's a live mix and not recorded material, the only one who is really knowing the difference is you.
That being said, I am trying to get away from using my fingers to create "volume". Using fingers to create subtle accents here and there, fine. Using fingers to create differences in tone? More power to ya. But I try to leave the volume issue and being heard to the amp.