To Thumb Or Not To Thumb

[Dolan]

The bassist in our band (I'm the guitarist and a hack bassist) plays almost exclusively with his thumb and I mentioned to him that his notes are not coming out as clearly as when he uses his fingers. I'm thinking I could be out of line by saying something but am I hearing things or are my ears correct?

I just cannot see how you could play individual notes on any other string but the low E. Hes slapping not picking with if you know what I mean. We play classic/modern rock if that's any help. I'm just curious, its not the end of the world.

[Fetusyolk]

he's slapping in classic rock ? Somethings off here

[Dolan]

Hes not slapping per se but using his thumb in that manner.

[4bpauly]

well,

people can definately slap on other strings... at least i hope they can.

but for classic rock it seems odd... i would recommend fingers for sure... even a thumb pluck would be ok but to thump? ewww

[Fendr1320]

if he is slapping every note, that's unconventional, but there are people who do it...typically because that's part of their unique style and the role it fits into the music they're playing.

i guess to answer your question, it's possible to get a clear notes out of slapping constantly, if the person had the right technique and equipment to make it happen. the important thing is whether it's working or not. if the other members think the band sounds better when he's using a more traditional fingerstyle, then that's an issue to take up with him. if he's the kind of guy who doesn't take to suggestions then it's probably rough being in a band with him to begin with. but that's a battle that's yours to choose.

[jgroh]

Is he "slapping" using his thumb, or doing the Sting thing and plucking each note with his thumb? (I guess you could go to Youtube and look for a Sting video if you dont know what I mean)

If he is slapping, then I would ask him why he is doing that for classic rock. If he is plucking with his thumb (which, IMO, does make the notes fatter and muddier) record your next practice and let him hear it for himself.

[Dolan]

I've mentioned it to the bassist a few times but have not lately. He's a good guy but very difficult at times when it comes to his ear vs someone other then himself if you get what I mean. He bought a brand new wireless because he said the low end was not coming out clearly enough and the frequency response was cutting off his low end. I kept my mouth shut thinking "its not the wireless". I can tell right away when he starts using his fingers because his lines are clearer. Here ya go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kpX56nrWGQ

he plays like that all the time

[RONQUITO]

it seems that his method is "kind of" working...

if "kind of" is good for him, you should have a serious talk with the guy, "kind of" is not enough for me.

[eggcrate]

It is "kind of" working, but damn that looks pretty stupid and uncomfortable.

[mimaz]

Using "technique" like that, I find it hard to believe that he could do little more than a steady repetitive 8th note type of line with any consistency. A walking blues line? Probably sounds like muck. Anything melodic? Forget about it.

"Technique" in this case is a term VERY loosely applied. He needs to learn to play.

Sorry. I'm blunt like that.

[Dolan]

Originally Posted by mimaz

Using "technique" like that, I find it hard to believe that he could do little more than a steady repetitive 8th note type of line with any consistency. A walking blues line? Probably sounds like muck. Anything melodic? Forget about it.

"Technique" in this case is a term VERY loosely applied. He needs to learn to play.

Sorry. I'm blunt like that.

No need to apologize. Its something I already knew and have mentioned it to him more than once. I just wanted a bassists' opinion.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by mimaz

Using "technique" like that, I find it hard to believe that he could do little more than a steady repetitive 8th note type of line with any consistency. A walking blues line? Probably sounds like muck. Anything melodic? Forget about it.

"Technique" in this case is a term VERY loosely applied. He needs to learn to play.

Sorry. I'm blunt like that.

I wouldn't exactly say that,
Monk Montgomery was almost 100% thumb when he played electrics. There are many other pros that did as well, were they able to play like vic or marcus, no. But Monk predated all those cats.

He just may need to further develop his playing style, he will be comfortable with.

[Skywalker83]

I would'nt play with that technique, especially for rock. I'm pretty sure if he switched to a finger pluck or pick pluck for that it would improve the feel of the song. The thumbing there is not going to produce a stacatto type of feel that a song like that needs. But i guess there are no right or wrongs in music, if he's got the groove going then no harm. iI's when it starts f**king things up and pissing other members off that you need to start having a word in his shell like.

[BobaFret]

Part of the issue with that is he is letting every note ring until the next time his thumb hits. It's not very versatile to say the least. It's the worst of all worlds.

[MD]

Lopping shears would do the trick.
http://www.gemplers.com/product/6215...Lopping-Shears
Probably a little harsh though.

I knew a guy that slapped walking bass lines. Couldn't tell him anything either.