Strings hitting the fretboard?

[Atech]

Hello, everyone, I'm a newbie here...

I hope to make myself clear with this question... When picking with my fingers, at speed, I don't always pick the strings 'parallel' with the fretboard. That causes the strings to hit the fretboard. This is NOT the buzzing you get with a bend neck. Some might say it sounds a little sloppy. Do you guys consider this as bad technique, as the sound isn't very clean? At some bassists like Steve Harris, you hear that a lot, I think.

Thanks in advance...

[dreadheadbass]

a lot class it as bad technique i suppose but i like it i use it most of the time it makes my bass stand out more (i ply in a metal band with2 guitars) it is good to learn the correct technique as well though just in case you need to play a song with a clean sounding bass
if you want to play faster but with a clean sound i always found plucking the strings a little lighter always helped

[capnsandwich]

Yes, it's always important to learn and practice proper technique and playing a little lighter is helpful too. Another thing that has helped me is to play closer to the bridge. The strings aren't as close to the fretboard there and they're tighter there too.

[BuffaloBass]

Defeintely getting closer to the bridge cleans thigns up.

Dude, I donnow, I play some of our tunes ( originals) that way, up on the fretboard, more hammering than fingering, ala early Geezer. Sloppy? I donnow, the new drumemr is always saying how I can use my hands like an effects pedal. To me, a great compliment.

One of the reasons we bassits need so much oooph from our rigs is that we often morph into light touch players.

[dreadheadbass]

agreed have a look at some of your fave bassists you'll be amazed at just how many of them have "bad technique" i mean you mentioned steve harris's strings hitting the fretboard he also plays with his bass slung low and he hangs his thumb off the top of the neck as does billy sheehan both are classed as bad tech (especialy the thumb creeping over the neck)
but these are 2 bassists with incredible skill and musical ability get some flats on your bass for a really cool "clank" sound and really dig in you'll be haerd over every other instrument

[danielsan00]

Have a listen to Ryan from Mudvayne, and Muzz Skillings (?) from early living color.
They both hit the strings at almost right angles on purpose so the strings slap the upper register frets ( almost like slapping with 2 thumbs ). It gives their sounds a distinct tone and cuts right through both the drums and guitars.
Maybe its something to work on . .

[Rattlehead]

If you are considering doing some of both, as the above posters suggested, this thread is a must see:

Demystifying Metal styles, how to make fingerstyle playing heard in Metal

[MyUsernameHere]

Bad technique is only "bad" when you don't mean to be doing it.

[BuffaloBass]

You tube up some early Sabbath and see how Gezzer plays that jazz bass. I really dig that punchy sound.