Is it really bad form to use your E string to anchor your thumb?

[fireincairo]

I don't really want to put a thumbrest on my bass. The pickups aren't really in a comfy position for me to use those, either. I do seem to like to use my E to anchor my thumb, and it's not too bad when I need to back off it to use the E. Is this considered really bad form? Should I force myself to use my pickup?

[Sammy_L_D]

No, in fact, that's much better form than using a thumbrest.

Keep working on it.

[topper]

I do the same thing. I actually move my thumb from string to string, resting it on the string above where I'm playing. For the E I tend to rest on the pup.

I think I've heard this described as "floating thumb" though it's just what I've evolved naturally. No one taught me to play (or not to play) this way.

For me it keeps my right hand position relatively stable. I'm not moving my wrist or hand much when changing strings. Instead the movement happens more with the whole arm or elbow.

[UncleBalsamic]

No. It's fine.

[tomvelsor]

i do the floating thumb thing too, but often it will land on a string as an anchor. quite often on the B or E strings.

not a bad thing at all.

[Largedon]

Originally Posted by topper

I do the same thing. I actually move my thumb from string to string, resting it on the string above where I'm playing. For the E I tend to rest on the pup.

I think I've heard this described as "floating thumb" though it's just what I've evolved naturally. No one taught me to play (or not to play) this way.

For me it keeps my right hand position relatively stable. I'm not moving my wrist or hand much when changing strings. Instead the movement happens more with the whole arm or elbow.

This is exactly how I play also. The thumb rests on the string above the one I'm playing. I've found it also helps with muting those strings as you play. I picked it up off of the Jaco video I believe.

[Ric5]

Get a 5 string bass and use the low B as your thumb rest ...

That will work until you go to play the B

[Nick Kay]

It really depends on how you're doing it. You want to use the pickup when you're playing on the E, use the E when you're playing on A, use the A when you're on D, etc. And don't PRESS on it. Just lightly rest it there. It becomes much easier to move it around when you're not using force. If you're pressing it down and only anchoring on the pickup or the E string, it's VERY bad form. Just rest it lightly and let your thumb float where your hand takes it.

[roberthelpus]

Using floating thumb, I don't like anchoring the thumb on the pickup because it's nice to move up and down the string to vary the tone. Even though I do tend to have a home position that is close enough to the pickup (neck on a J stylee) that it wouldn't make any difference.

[HaVIC5]

Anchoring on a thumb rest really is not a good idea. Don't worry about anchoring, its not bad technique.

[DaneB]

It's great for muting. I think I alternate between resting it on the pickup, and resting on the string below the one I'm playing on. Usually only on E and A I guess.

[spindizzy]

If your are interested in FT read through this thread:

floating thumb techniqe

You should also check out Todd Johnson's forum. I am no longer doing more than pointing folks to these existing resources. Too many opinionated folks have made me feel that to offer anything stronger in the form of a recommendation is somehow damaging to the community.

This will be my last post on Floating Thumb perhaps last post altogether. I will simply say I have found the theories and application of FT helpful in my playing.

[T-MOST]

Do whatever works for you. There is no right or wrong in this case. I saw Victor Bailey switching between the E and the pickup just recently. I do the same with my B.

[warnergt]

Originally Posted by Largedon

This is exactly how I play also. The thumb rests on the string above the one I'm playing.

I do this, too. Generally, it works great. However, sometimes when I'm anchored on the A and am really thrashing on the D, the side of my thumb inadvertently pushes the E string into the pickup magnet and get a loud pop. Does anybody else have this problem?

I hate it when this happens. I've learned to avoid it pretty much but it still bites me once in a while.

I tried nylon tapewound strings so I wouldn't have a metal on metal (string on pickup) contact when this happens. That did help reduce the pop noise quite a bit but I just wasn't crazy about the tone.

[Richard Lindsey]

You don't actually need to use the pickup as an anchor when you play the lowest string. Watch a classical guitarist sometime. Those folks have no pickup to anchor on, yet they manage to play the lowest string quite well. (I studied CG for years, so I'm not speaking in total ignorance here.)

You can train yourself to play the lowest string without anchoring on anything. Should you? It's up to you whether you consider it worthwhile. But consider the advantages of not being forced to play over a pickup when you want to play the lowest string.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

you want your thumb to be "Floating"

When playing the D or G string, my thumb is between the E and A string (essentially muting them)

when on the A string, thumb is on the E string

When on the E string, thumb is floating freely ready to move where ever I need to go.

You want to be muting with your Thumb as well as Left Hand as well for a good quiet sound.

[Audiophage]

As long as you're not playing the string that you're resting on you're fine.

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

you want your thumb to be "Floating"

When playing the D or G string, my thumb is between the E and A string (essentially muting them)

when on the A string, thumb is on the E string

When on the E string, thumb is floating freely ready to move where ever I need to go.

You want to be muting with your Thumb as well as Left Hand as well for a good quiet sound.

This is close to what I do. My thumb is close to parallel to my plucking fingers and rests on the strings lower than the one I'm playing in order to mute them.

[uethanian]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

you want your thumb to be "Floating"

When playing the D or G string, my thumb is between the E and A string (essentially muting them)

when on the A string, thumb is on the E string

When on the E string, thumb is floating freely ready to move where ever I need to go.

You want to be muting with your Thumb as well as Left Hand as well for a good quiet sound.

this is movable anchor, not floating thumb

...sortof a pet peeve of mine...

[FingeringAm]

i almost want to buy a 5 string just use the B as a thumbrest