Thumb Picking

[Slyonbass]

I've been working on using my right hand thumb as a pick ( got the idea from a Victor Wooten video )for a couple of years and I've gotten some interesting results. I'm trying to adapt it to many styles but I've premiered my public debut in a jazz fusion context. Here's a sample video :http://www.slyonbass.com/thumbpicking/?p=37

Anyone else trying this out??

[Slyonbass]

Thanks for all of your feedback.

[PJSShearer]

I used a thumb pick for a while some years ago - also in a Jazz-Fusion type band as a matter of fact. I found that it worked well enough, but I also found it got in the way when I wasn't using it (which was most of the time actually) and I could get much the same effect using the thumb and forefinger "chucking" technique that Bernard Edwards of Chic (amongst others) championed.

[BobaFret]

I've been using a ton of thumb picking recently. I never did much before a couple months ago but it's quickly becoming my standard. Damian Erskine has some good videos on complex picking patterns. Very useful and better economy of motion for me.

Nice playing.

[Slyonbass]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

I used a thumb pick for a while some years ago - also in a Jazz-Fusion type band as a matter of fact. I found that it worked well enough, but I also found it got in the way when I wasn't using it (which was most of the time actually) and I could get much the same effect using the thumb and forefinger "chucking" technique that Bernard Edwards of Chic (amongst others) championed.

I tried a thumb pick and though the attack is more consistent, I couldn't get as comfortable a feel as with my bare thumb...Maybe I didn't give it enough time...

[Slyonbass]

Originally Posted by BobaFret

I've been using a ton of thumb picking recently. I never did much before a couple months ago but it's quickly becoming my standard. Damian Erskine has some good videos on complex picking patterns. Very useful and better economy of motion for me.

Nice playing.

Thanks, I'll be sure to check out the Damian Erskine video...

[Skitch it!]

I was going to comment on the Jeff Beck feel, then I heard the 'Cause We Ended as Lovers' quote toward the end. Lovely sound and effect there, especially the 'backwards' trem effects. Great touch, really nicely played emotive solo, keeps the flow.

On a side note, could you tell me the make of the trem fitted there, and what it's like for holding tuning? If you don't mind of course ; )

On a thumb picking note, for that I use my thumb and index for that kind of effect.

[Slyonbass]

Originally Posted by Skitch it!

I was going to comment on the Jeff Beck feel, then I heard the 'Cause We Ended as Lovers' quote toward the end. Lovely sound and effect there, especially the 'backwards' trem effects. Great touch, really nicely played emotive solo, keeps the flow.

On a side note, could you tell me the make of the trem fitted there, and what it's like for holding tuning? If you don't mind of course ; )

On a thumb picking note, for that I use my thumb and index for that kind of effect.

Thanks alot.

The trem is a Kahler and is excellent for staying in tune. Once new strings get a little bit stretched out it's really quite surprising how stable the tuning is.

I'm fairly abusive with the trem ( ;-) ) so I do have to retune from time to time - but no more than if I was bending in the more traditional manner.

[Slyonbass]

Here's a video of a solo bass piece using thumb picking, double stops and tremolo :

http://www.slyonbass.com/thumbpicking/?p=46

Any feedback, good or bad, will be appreciated...