Slap and pluck?

[Pbassred]

Should you mix? I'm pulling apart ( don't laugh) a live version of an Nsync song ( gonna be me). Just figuring out what is going on. It sounds like a mix of slap, pop and normal fingerstyle.
Trouble is; I have just been relearning left hand position. (thumb on pick up, fingers straight.) To go from one position to another quickly is impossible. Should I be attempting to mix?

[AxtoOx]

From the title I thought this was going to be about Larry Graham.
It's done a lot. Claypool's great at it. Flea does it. Just takes some practice. I anchor on the neck PU or B string and slap in front of it.

[JimmyM]

When you are switching back and forth, don't rest your thumb on anything. That's what's slowing you down. Just let it float and it'll always be ready.

[AxtoOx]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

When you are switching back and forth, don't rest your thumb on anything. That's what's slowing you down. Just let it float and it'll always be ready.

I want to kill an instructor I had in San Diego over that. I was able to do that when I first started playing, took lessons from him, he insisted on me anchoring on the neck PU. I've been trying to undo that for years now. I can switch back and forth no problem, but when it comes to playing a bass w/ only a bridge PU, it flips me out.

[JimmyM]

You're not allowing yourself to make mistakes, dude. You're used to playing anchored, and when you get off the thumbrest you probably fumble around, and then you revert back to anchoring because you're better that way. Am I right? Am I? Come on, man, you know that's what happens!!!



I'd bet if you forced yourself to do it for an hour solid and played through that initial period, you'd have it down.

[AxtoOx]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You're not allowing yourself to make mistakes, dude. You're used to playing anchored, and when you get off the thumbrest you probably fumble around, and then you revert back to anchoring because you're better that way. Am I right? Am I? Come on, man, you know that's what happens!!!



I'd bet if you forced yourself to do it for an hour solid and played through that initial period, you'd have it down.

I'll check it out. Nobody likes to sound bad, so yeah, now that I'm so used to it, I'll bet I'm not even giving it a chance. I'm not usually one to take the easy way out but in this case...........

[AxtoOx]

OK, it feels like wearing jeans with no underwear, but I see some potential here. I'll keep working on it.

[JimmyM]

LOL! Just be careful not to scratch your...uh...bass.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You're not allowing yourself to make mistakes, dude. You're used to playing anchored, and when you get off the thumbrest you probably fumble around, and then you revert back to anchoring because you're better that way. Am I right? Am I? Come on, man, you know that's what happens!!!



I'd bet if you forced yourself to do it for an hour solid and played through that initial period, you'd have it down.

Yes! It's really, REALLY worth-it to float! Now with that I should say that there are still some grooves inwhich it's best to anchor; there are. But i guess I'd definately say "All the ones where I anchor, I wouldn't HAVE-to anchor, but many songs where I float, I HAVE to float!". -Mainly for the powerful muting (which includes where along the length of the string I'm muting, to quench harmonics for a given part or key or whatever), but also matters of tone along the string, and consistent angle-of-attack for the plucking fingers (three of'em, in my case)...

Some tunes I still anchor, though - and, of course: some songs, ya even gotta get out the pick.

Joe

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by Joe P

Yes! It's really, REALLY worth-it to float! Now with that I should say that there are still some grooves inwhich it's best to anchor; there are. But i guess I'd definately say "All the ones where I anchor, I wouldn't HAVE-to anchor, but many songs where I float, I HAVE to float!". -Mainly for the powerful muting (which includes where along the length of the string I'm muting, to quench harmonics for a given part or key or whatever), but also matters of tone along the string, and consistent angle-of-attack for the plucking fingers (three of'em, in my case)...

Some tunes I still anchor, though - and, of course: some songs, ya even gotta get out the pick.

Joe

Hey mate it's OK. I mainly learned my bass techniques from watching Cliff Burton's method of playing, incuding finger anchoring, from the Cliff Em All video.

I didn't know he had issues with his pinky on his fretting hand and thought I was meant to stick my pinky out there like that. I've lost count how many times I've been called a "Cliff wannabe" for the influence and habits I've let creep into my playing style.