Right hand

[Mr Cooper]

Why do instructors typically teach you to move your thumb down to the A string when playing the G string yet I never see any musicians do this. Or at least it looks like nobody is moving their thumb beyond muting the E string. I know the idea is to mute the E & A strings but I dont see it done by others.

[Red_Sox_1]

I do it allot when I know that I'm just gonna be using the D and G for a while. If I know there's an extended time when I don't use E and A, I'll move.

In the end, just do what works for you. If it's more comfortable not to move your thumb, you don't have to. It's just a suggestion. If you don't like it, don't use it.

[FretlessMainly]

Certain messages regarding technique can be important to avoid injury long-term, but others are simply a matter of preference. In my world, I have no idea why anyone would use a floating thumb technique, but lots of players do. Personally, I anchor well above the E string and it's an easy reach to the G string. I couldn't imagine doing it any other way - I feet totally cramped when plucking that close to my thumb if it's any closer than an inch to my plucking fingers. So, do what works for you. In this case, there shouldn't be concern for what is "proper" to avoid injury.

As far as muting goes, I do most of that with my left hand, with the exception of muting the string below the one I just plucked, which is where I land.

[funkybass]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Certain messages regarding technique can be important to avoid injury long-term, but others are simply a matter of preference. In my world, I have no idea why anyone would use a floating thumb technique, but lots of players do. Personally, I anchor well above the E string and it's an easy reach to the G string. I couldn't imagine doing it any other way - I feet totally cramped when plucking that close to my thumb if it's any closer than an inch to my plucking fingers. So, do what works for you. In this case, there shouldn't be concern for what is "proper" to avoid injury.

As far as muting goes, I do most of that with my left hand, with the exception of muting the string below the one I just plucked, which is where I land.

I use the floating thumb because for me it's a better way to mute, plus I was having wrist pain anchoring my thumb on the pickup. I can't see why anyone would anchor their thumb, but if it's comfy for you I don't see anything wrong with it.

[mcglyph]

I use floating thumb and four finger(T,I,M,R), making sure to follow through to the string, "below" for proper muting. Don't get using only two fingers.
YMMV.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

I have no idea why anyone would use a floating thumb technique

The advantages of the FT would be :

1. The wrist is straight, therefore the chances of carpel tunnel and similar problems developing are minimal.

2. Muting unwanted sounds from strings not being played.

3. Unlike when you rest the thumb on the pick up, there is no muscle memory for the different hand positions required when plucking each string.

4. Floating thumb is a major advantage for muting, on five and six string basses.

Now you know !

[The BurgerMeister]

i use my right hand to agitate the string and my left hand to specify what note each string sounds when agitated. YMMV

[bezbass]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Certain messages regarding technique can be important to avoid injury long-term, but others are simply a matter of preference. In my world, I have no idea why anyone would use a floating thumb technique, but lots of players do. Personally, I anchor well above the E string and it's an easy reach to the G string. I couldn't imagine doing it any other way - I feet totally cramped when plucking that close to my thumb if it's any closer than an inch to my plucking fingers. So, do what works for you. In this case, there shouldn't be concern for what is "proper" to avoid injury.

As far as muting goes, I do most of that with my left hand, with the exception of muting the string below the one I just plucked, which is where I land.

I don't understand either. I teach bass for a living too but I teach all my students to anchor the thumb, often on the pickup . It gives more strength to the notes especially when pulling through or playin The notes in a rake fashion. It gives oomph to the sound without needing to add extra bass and therefor allows your notes to maintain their punch and clarity while being beefy. All the pros around me (in the midlands uk) seem to play this way too.

[Skitch it!]

It's something I see being utilized more on 5's/6's because of the span of muting involved and the extra strings to mute. On 4's which I mostly play now, I usually anchor the thumb on the E string, re-position to the pickup to play the E for the duration then re-position back. I would find it a little cramping constantly using floating with 2/3 finger technique on a 4, I've got a pretty large hand span and rely on the left for a majority of muting as it goes. Saying that, I do use thumb, index, mid for some things and some 4 finger technique which is pretty much floating thumb effectively. Difficult to get the same attack/note intensity without that anchored thumb though I find personally.

[Gadgetech]

Originally Posted by bezbass

I don't understand either. I teach bass for a living too but I teach all my students to anchor the thumb, often on the pickup .

This is what I've been taught.

[JimK]

Nice to know/be familar with both techniques.
I fail to understand what's wrong with that.


The floating thumb has been around awhile (Alphonso Johnson, anyone?)...but has gained more recent attention with 5 & 6 string basses.

In addition to the muting thing (being able to mute with either hand is better than just one, IMO), another thing it does-
Keeps the angle/curvature of your hand/plucking fingers more consistent vs. anchoring the bass body or E-string.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by bezbass

I don't understand either. I teach bass for a living too but I teach all my students to anchor the thumb, often on the pickup . It gives more strength to the notes especially when pulling through or playin The notes in a rake fashion. It gives oomph to the sound without needing to add extra bass and therefor allows your notes to maintain their punch and clarity while being beefy. All the pros around me (in the midlands uk) seem to play this way too.

All resting the thumb does, or if you want anchoring is activate the "pinch" reaction of the hand. So the muscles and associated tendons are activating the fingers to hold or grip, rather than move. In floating thumb, when done correct it is muscles deep in the forearm that work the finger, so these bigger muscles are more effective in playing and control and as such any tiredness, or muscle "burn" is felt in the forearms not the fingers.

Activting the "pinch" is not a bad thing, in fact sometimes it is desirable in some contexts of playing as a technique and as it is so wide spread used if it works for you then go with it.