Proper right hand technique?

Grizzly700 · #1 09-06-2008, 06:25 PM

Ok, I've been playing bass for a while now and I'm not getting the really clean sound alot of other people are. I have aFender Geddy Lee Jazz which is a very good bass and I don't think the problem is in it or my Ampeg BA115. When I play faster songs it sounds like my strings hit the pickups. When playing the galloping rhythm in Iron Maiden songs it can be inaudible. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

ysand · #2 09-07-2008, 03:09 AM

Well, we can't say anything about your technique if we can't see it.
What you're describing could be a mix of bad right hand technique and (maybe) your bass needs a set-up too.
So my suggestion is to post a video of u playing here, so we can tell you more things of what might be wrong.

Grizzly700 · #3 09-07-2008, 08:18 AM

I'll try to get a video up as soon as possible but the only thing I have to record with would be my crappy webcam and yo probably couldnt see anything anyways. I'll try though.

tswd · #4 09-08-2008, 12:08 PM

A video would help. I had a problem before when playing slap bass where I would mute the strings too hard with my right palm, which would force the strings into the pickups. It's possible you could be doing something similar.

Are you sure the strings are hitting the pickups? Try pushing the strings into them and see if it's the same sound. Or is it clacky fret buzz? You could be playing harder when you try to go faster, which would cause the strings to hit the fretboard more.