Right Hand Position

tbass-chicago · #1 03-30-2011, 12:18 PM

Hi,

I've noticed recently that I tend to play bass with my right hand over the neck pickup. I never thought about it before; it just always seemed to end up there.

I've been trying to clean up my technique lately. I'm wondering, where do most people place their right hand for general playing? Closer to the bridge? Between the pickups?

Thanks in advance!

Marton · #2 03-30-2011, 12:23 PM

Depends on the sound you want to get. I play right over my P pickup because its the sound I'm looking for.

tbass-chicago · #3 03-30-2011, 12:45 PM

I generally go for more of an old-school tone in the classic rock vein.

Kermin VH · #4 03-30-2011, 12:49 PM

I used to play with my plucking hand over the neck pickup, but as I got into playing faster stuff that needs to be more articulate, I realized that (for me, anyway) I got a clearer, more precise sound by playing over the bridge pickup. It took a bit of getting used to, but the results were well worth it.

Darth Handsome · #5 03-30-2011, 02:40 PM

Try different approaches for yourself. I've found the most versatile players are also the ones who move around their RH position the most.

ProgRocker · #6 03-30-2011, 02:51 PM

I agree with Darth. Where your right hand needs to be depends on what you're playing and the sound your looking for. It also depends on what you've got for pups. For instance, on my Yamaha BB300, I've got a p style half way between the neck and bridge (no pup in the neck position), and a J style in the bridge position. Each has it's own sound. So, depeding on the sound I'm looking for, I'll play closer to which ever pup I need to get that sound. Also, your tone will have a sharper attack the closer you get to the bridge (at least this has been my experience).

Experiment, and see what works for you.

Russell L · #7 03-30-2011, 05:17 PM

Sometimes I hit the strings between the neck pickup and the fingerboard for a deep, more scooped-mids sound, then on another tune I will hit them about between the pickups. Seldom do I hit the strings over the bridge pickup or any further toward the bridge. I think it is essential, and intuitive, to move the picking hand around like that. For one thing , it is like having an instant tone control in your hand. But, it sure helps you find a tone after you have gotten as close as possible with the tone controls on your bass and amp. Many times I even find that I can leave the amp flat and be able to adjust enough otherwise by where I put my picking hand. I move around a lot. Sometimes, I will perch my thumb on the neck pickup.

Gab124 · #8 03-30-2011, 05:31 PM

I am another that moves around, even during a run, I may start around the bridge pup on the e string and ascend up to the g string ending up plucking by the neck pup. That will give me an articulate punch on the lower strings and a thicker sound on the higher strings. And, as mentioned, the song has alot to do with where the hand needs to be. It might be just me, but I find these details in tone more noticeable on my passive bass.

dbass87 · #9 03-30-2011, 08:19 PM

For a long time I've had a bad habit of just resting my hand down on the bass. Now I'm trying to get used to resting thumb on pup instead, much better technique haha, and more mobile. But then it seems that if you leave the thumb there while playing G string, you have to bend your wrist more, so it's a bit more comfortable to just drop the thumb down to the E string then.

Russell L · #10 03-31-2011, 05:55 AM

My floating thumb has made a dull spot along, and almost under, the E-string. I do not float it anywhere else, never on top of the strings, as is suggested in the standard floating thumb technique. LOL, years ago I used to wonder when cleaning my bass what it was that was continuing to scratch the finish on my old '87 Jazz Bass Special along the E-string, until it dawned on me. (Now, the mystery is what is doing it between the bridge pickup and the bridge under the G-string---my fingers NEVER go there

Bass Gnomes?).

EDIT: Hah! I figgered it out. It's my 2nd thru 4th fingers dangling when I go to adjust the control knobs. Whaddayaknow!

queevil · #11 03-31-2011, 07:36 AM

It all depends on what sound I need. For mid paced to fast passages where I need more articulation I tend to pluck over or near the bridge pickup so that the note can cut through easier. For slower ballad type stuff I pluck closer to or over the neck to get a warmer sound that doesn't have as much definition.

I would encourage you to let your ears be your guide.

thesilence · #12 03-31-2011, 07:46 AM

depending on the song and what sound I want my RH position changes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by queevil

It all depends on what sound I need. For mid paced to fast passages where I need more articulation I tend to pluck over or near the bridge pickup so that the note can cut through easier. For slower ballad type stuff I pluck closer to or over the neck to get a warmer sound that doesn't have as much definition.

I would encourage you to let your ears be your guide.

Russell L · #13 04-01-2011, 06:12 AM

Caught myself last night at practice AUTOMATICALLY moving toward the fingerboard as I played across the strings moving toward the G-string. So, I guess it's in the back of my mind always.

Baron Von Vik · #14 04-01-2011, 06:30 AM

Depends on the song... If it needs a more snarly tone, closer to the bridge, but I prefer the fuller tone you get from playing over or above a single PU, or right on top of the neck PU. Of course, the sweet spot is different for every bass, but my hand just naturally finds it.

nutricous · #15 04-01-2011, 11:32 AM

As it's been said in this thread so far it really depends on the type of sound you're trying to achieve. That being said I usually play on the neck pickup or on the 20-24th frets for a fat sustained sound and play near the bridge for a more aggressive tone. It really depends on what sound you're trying to get, what you feel comfortable with, and how your bass is set up.

Baron Von Vik · #16 04-01-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

EDIT: Hah! I figgered it out. It's my 2nd thru 4th fingers dangling when I go to adjust the control knobs. Whaddayaknow!

Awesome! The moment of discovery. Bass is such a dynamic instrument, it's almost like a wild beast you have to tame. And a sexy beast, at that.

TOOL460002 · #17 04-02-2011, 01:19 AM

anywhere between flase harmonics behind the bridge pup (only one i got) and playing on the neck (12th to 15th fret area). on the neck you can get it to sound more subtle, or you can dig in and get some clank. i play the part where it sounds best. resting your thumb on the neck isnt necessarily a bad thing at all.