Sweeping Techniques?

[XAxiomX]

Sweeping on bass is something I've always wanted to learn for the soloing-virtuosity factor of it. I know the idea behind a sweep, but I'm not sure of what technique to use, as there seem to be so many out there.

Let's say I wanted to sweep a C Major arpeggio. Would I: Use my thumb to pluck the C, hammer-on the E to G, and thumb through to the B, and then go back down the same way with my index?

This is the technique I've been taught, but it seems to stutter at the hammer on, and not sound very flowing, as a sweep should.

Any thoughts?

[IconBasser]

I dunno.. Its something I've never tried before. I usually just to a tripplet per string when I shred.

I suppose you should just try and immitate a guitarist, but use your thumb or sumpin instead of a pick..

[ostrich]

i've been trying one note per string across 4 and then back witht he thumb

hehe not having much luck though

[ROGI]

try this . chose your own technique for right hand


and most important -> hard work makes master

i play 3 2 1 3 2 1 3 2 1 on right hand (1 2 3 beeing the fingers -1index, 2middle, 3ring)
when i go from E over A over D to G string i play 3 2 1 3 , so i'm returning "down" and playing ... 2 1 3 2 and again 1 3 2 1 etc.... hope that helps. it's difficult cos i don't "rake" the strings with one finger but play each note with different finger BUT it gives you better articulation and acts as great finger excercise

[AlphaMale]

I've always wondered how long does someone need to play before attempting it?

[meev991]

Originally Posted by AlphaMale

I've always wondered how long does someone need to play before attempting it?

lol no fooling huh?

I still won't touch it, I don't think I've earned it yet, haha

[Grueber]

Originally Posted by AlphaMale

I've always wondered how long does someone need to play before attempting it?

I'm wondering how long I need to keep attempting it, to get good at it

[ROGI]

as long as it takes. depends. but it's long.

[purduebass]

ROGI: Cool exercise. Parts of it remind me of John Petrucci's method on guitar for geting used to sweeping. If any of you can get your hands on Rock Discipline, the arpeggio technique section of that video could easily be used on bass. Here is the general idea of the method. Make note that this is in no way musical, it is a warmup tool and muscle memory developer that would benefit your right hand.

G-------16--13-------------16--13------------16--16
D-----15------14---------15------15--------15-----14
A --14----------15-----14---------14-----14---------15
E 13------------- 16-13-------------16-13-------------13

That's the general idea, you keep the constant right hand pattern but you switch around the fingers on your left hand

[ROGI]

@purduebass : it's not my exercise. it's a bass line form metropolis pt1 by Dream Theater. i practice it daily cos i play it with my band. damn it's hard.

[AlphaMale]

For anyone who sweeps how long did you wait until you sincerely tried it?

[purduebass]

Originally Posted by AlphaMale

For anyone who sweeps how long did you wait until you sincerely tried it?

I've been playing bass for a good 4 years now, music in general for 6 and I'm just now beginning to learn sweeping.
But honestly, music doesn't work off set time tables! What you should know before you attempt sweeping would probably be some chord theory, as you are playing chords note by note when you sweep, since that is the definition of an arpeggio. If you can't play regular "lead lines" based off various scale techniques then you should probably learn those before sweeping.
Sweeping is a very advanced technique that few basists do, because honestly, as far as being a useful technique in a band...it doesn't rank too far up. I play in a metal band and actually get bass solos, so it will be very useful for me to advance as I will actually use it. However, I learned other, more useful stuff, first.
My main advice for you would be to learn music theory, as that will be the basis of soloing and actually staying in key while you do it. Nothing is more annoying than someone "shredding" and going way out of key while doing it! Remember, there is a such thing as playing the "wrong note" if you are playing with a band!
Feel free to PM me if you need more advice.

[MistaMarko]

I recently began practicing sweeps, and what I do (5 string bass) is go 1 2 3 4 going up on B E A D then come down with 2 3 4 5 on G D A E then go 2 3 4 5 and so on and so on. So far I do it at 105 BPM in 16ths :/

[oops]

I was chatting with a guitarist the other day about sweeping. We were actually watching a teacher perform an exercise, and the guy i was talking with said something about the teacher 'cheating'. anyway. what he reckoned was the 'proper' way to do it is to actually pluck all the notes, and not resort to hammering on and off for the notes on the D string. I'd say it's all personal preference, but if you want it to sound consistent I would practice plucking all the notes with whichever fingers you like plucking with.

[Erlend]

I find that 4-finger technique is the most efficient method IMO. starting on the pinky and going up.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r6bwMILm4AA

[Fli]

Originally Posted by Erlend

I find that 4-finger technique is the most efficient method IMO. starting on the pinky and going up.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r6bwMILm4AA

+1 I use a similar technique, but I only play a 4-banger so I play like 1-3-2-1 and use my middle finger to go back down. I also use my thumb sometimes when combining slap/pop with sweeping.
Good technique to learn however you approach it. Adapt to make sweeps fit your style of play and learn how to use them in a musical fashion, so it's not just wankery. Sweeps also do wonders for bass fills in metal.

[highwattage]

I'm fairly fluent with sweeping now. The main thing I learned is that because bass is low compared to guitar, unless you have a six-string bass, it is best to use mostly roots octaves and fifths. This first sweep is something I came up with based on this and later I found out that it is the same sweep used in the song "Giles" by Unearth

G----121612---------111411---------9129-------7117------
D--14-------14----12-------12----10-----10---9-----9-----
A-14----------1412-----------1210---------109--------9--
E----------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------------

I use the thumb on the ascension and on the descension I use my middle and ring finger as a brush (I keep my index free to hit extended high notes. You can also add additional fifths thirds and octaves to give the sweep more depth. I like adding the 12 and 15 on the E.

[Kobaia]

is there an instruction for a sweeping technique that dosent involve tapping ie adam nitti

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by Erlend

I find that 4-finger technique is the most efficient method IMO. starting on the pinky and going up.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r6bwMILm4AA

I think it depends on what you want to do. I prefer the thumb and finger method that Adam Nitti uses, myself. Though I admit that my left hand pinky is pretty useless and need to spend some serious time developing it if I want to be able to give a more objective repsonse.

I am wondering though, when you use the 4 finger method how do you play down again? I haven't watched your video yet and that might answer my question, but do you rake down with one of your fingers or do you play each string with its asigned finger?

[edit] I watched the video and I am still not sure how you are playing the arpeggio descending. Looked like you were raking down in some cases though.

[iceshaft07]

Originally Posted by Erlend

I find that 4-finger technique is the most efficient method IMO. starting on the pinky and going up.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r6bwMILm4AA

What exercises did you do to learn how to do that? I had used four finger technique for a while, but I found that I it was much easier to do solos using two fingers, but seeing you play that makes me reevaluate my life.