Right Hand Technique Dilema

Ryan Mohr · #1 11-10-2007, 09:35 AM

I have been playing since July. I have a Squier P-bass and have been practicing a lot. Just recently, I noticed that my anchor thumb is moving around to much, but the serious problem is that the tips of my fingers are bent and when people watch me play, they cant see my fingernails. I have noticed that a lot of professional bassists have their right hand (or left hand for lefties) almost parallel to the strings. I tried to do this by hitting the string above the string i am playing after i strum it, but i keep hitting the pickups or accidently hit that other strings. This is slowing me down and sound horrible because my fingers keep hitting the pickups. HELP!

Infern0 · #2 11-10-2007, 10:12 AM

I had the same problem, my fingers were almost at a 90 degree angle. I just switched, played slow with my fingers literally flat, maybe a little bend, and sped up. The switch doesnt take long at all. Be sure to rest your finger on a pup or the low string so you have support.

Ryan Mohr · #3 11-10-2007, 10:16 AM

Any way to reduce the noise of hitting the pickup?

Infern0 · #4 11-10-2007, 10:34 AM

Well, once you make the transition, you wont hit the pup that much anymore. Learn to play ligher, so if that means turning the amp up, do it.

Ryan Mohr · #5 11-10-2007, 10:39 AM

Am I supposed to hit the strings above the ones i am playing, by hitting i mean just touching them, not actually strumming.

elpelotero · #6 11-10-2007, 10:44 AM

I used to play like this also beause I assumed that the strings were meant to be plucked like a classical guitar. Don't do this!!!

You should have the fingers much straighter and cause the string to vibrate parallel to the bass, not perpendicular to it (which would make it hit the pickups and create pops). Practice alternating your fingers at a slow tempo and you will eventually get it. It took me a good while, so it won't come easily at first.

After you hit a string, your finger should come to rest on the next string. So, if you hit a G, it rests on the D. This creates some extra thump as well as mutes that string so it doesn't vibrate.

Tslicebass · #7 11-10-2007, 10:59 AM

You know....some of the best bassists actually do pluck the strings more like a classical guitar...Tony Grey comes to mind. There is no do all right or wrong when it comes to strikiing with the right hand. The are so many different approaches. In fact when you want to really build your speed it is important to actually to play with a little more "grace" and not dig in to the max. You should also compare the differences in sound between your technique now and other techniques. Find what is most comfortable for you and work on it and stick to it. It is gonna be hard to remember to keep practicing but be consistent and you eventually find a solution. Also dont just focus on your fingers alone but your hand posistion, arm posistion, etc.
Check out some of these guys on you tube. They have some of the best right hand technique i have ever seen
Tony Grey
Gary Willis
Hadrien Feraud
Janek Gwizdala
Adam Nitti
Jeff Berlin
Check em out and try to find what works best for YOU

Infern0 · #8 11-10-2007, 12:28 PM

I agree with every one elses comments. If you do chose to play the parallel method, however, rest your fingers on the string above the one you are trying to play.

fearceol · #9 11-11-2007, 05:41 AM

You might like to take a look at the "Floating Thumb" technique sticky near the top of this forum.

Linkert · #10 11-11-2007, 06:15 AM

I just tried to re create your problem.. I can't get my fingertips to a point where people in from of me can't see my fingernails. It must look really weird.

lmfreeman9 · #11 11-11-2007, 06:38 AM

Try this drill: Mute the strings with your left palm. Using the right hand start with both fingers extended on the G string. Pluck softly with your index finger and finish resting on D. Then repeat with the second finger. Then repeat the process until you are on the lowest string. Then reverse the process. If it feels unnatural do it real slow. 5-10 minutes a day for a week and you will improve.

gweimer · #12 11-11-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infern0

Well, once you make the transition, you wont hit the pup that much anymore. Learn to play ligher, so if that means turning the amp up, do it.

Jeff Berlin gave that exact advice to me here long ago when he had a forum. It was the best piece of advice I've gotten in a long, long time.

uethanian · #13 11-13-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

You might like to take a look at the "Floating Thumb" technique sticky near the top of this forum.

definitely, it got me playing nice and low