Two thumbs

Robbi · #1 01-29-2003, 01:29 PM

I have a couple, techniques that I use that I can se as being defined as Double thumbing.
The term itself is rather new to me, I never heard it B4 (queue canned laugter)

I've searched this site and VW's, and I don't see the specific term.

so simply as possible please Define "Double Thumbing"
(or of coarse direct me to a thread that does.)

Also feel free to target my lack of knoledge on the subject, especially since I've been playing for near 10 years. (Queue canned oooohs)

Thanx fellow Lo-Noters

R

Matthew Bryson · #2 01-29-2003, 04:56 PM

I think that the technique refered to as double thumbing also gets refered to as double thumping - and I think it's in reference to a technique popularized by Victor Wooten involving a fast slapping motion where the thumb strikess the string with a down stroke and then again with an upstroke. I could be wrong, I'm no slap player and don't use any such technique. Check out this thread:

"Classical Thump"

johnm0187 · #3 01-29-2003, 05:54 PM

you are right. If you want to really learn this i would pick up the Victor Wooten Super Solo Technique Video or Bass Day 98

Wrong Robot · #4 01-29-2003, 06:16 PM

Its not hard just takes some coordination and finesse.
take a deep breath and repeat after me

down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
down-up
...ad nausem

Davehenning · #5 01-29-2003, 06:29 PM

the guy I originally heard doing "double-thumping" was Muzz Skillings of Living Colour in the late 80's.
I had never heard anyone do it before and immediately started copying it. Then I managed to get Victor Wooten to show it to me around 90'
Vic took it to another level.......

But it is just what the other guy said....thumb+up/down= double thumping

Dave

labrat · #6 01-30-2003, 08:27 AM

Randy Coven does it also. It's basically using your thumb to alternate pick (down and up strokes). Sort of an advanced form of slapping.

Robbi · #7 01-31-2003, 12:21 PM

You guys Rock ..
Thanx

R

p0w3rman5ooo · #8 01-31-2003, 05:14 PM

So, is this all thumb movement, or would you "strum" with your thumb by moving your wrist? What would be the best way of incorporating this into a song?

Wrong Robot · #9 01-31-2003, 05:56 PM

Well...you don't want your thumb to be too stiff, but at the same time you're not exactly moving your thumb, you kind of move your whole hand, in a strumming sort of way, BUT with more slap/pop and less strum
slap with your thumb and then pop with your thumb
thats basically it.

You can do really fast triplets, quadruplets, sextuplets and even octuplets this way(using left handed slap, double thumb and two fingered pops), or you can do stringed triplets or whatever, so it can be cool in a song for a really quick stringed triplet fill, or a grace note triplet embellishment.

also when you get comfortable with the technique it allows you to hold steady 8ths or 16ths all with your thumb and it sounds like slap/pop, giving your popping fingers more space to have fun

Wrong Robot · #10 01-31-2003, 05:58 PM

I just searched the net and found this guy
http://www.welcome.to/vadimhandmadebasses

he's got some useful videos to see how its done(how HE does it)

johnm0187 · #11 01-31-2003, 06:48 PM

as i said up there if you really want to learn it get those Wooten videos very helpful...only took me a year and half to master it........yea right.

Wrong Robot · #12 01-31-2003, 08:31 PM

Yeah...wootens vids are great! especially Live at bass day '98 not only is it a kick ass concert but the instructional side is well done too.

Matt Till · #13 02-02-2003, 06:15 PM

I always hear it is as simple as up down up down. But when I use my thumb in an up down fashion... it doesn't sound anything like slap. It just sounds like... my thump. I dunno, confusing stuff. I just realize I suck a lot at slapping... oh well.

Howard K · #14 02-03-2003, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Its not hard just takes some coordination and finesse.

Hmm. I would be inclined to disagree.. it isnt exactly easy to incorporate this technique seamlessly into a bassline.

I mean, sure you could play 1/4 notes at 80bpm, but let's face it we all want to play 120bpm funk fusion lines like Marcus Miller... and that certainly aint easy!!

I find you need to have your bass rigth up by your chin to get anywhere near being able to do this.
Also, it's the combination of accuracy and speed that makes it difficult, IMO of course.

Darth_Linux · #15 02-03-2003, 10:42 AM

Quote:

[i] What would be the best way of incorporating this into a song? [/b]

If you have the need to do some fast arpeggios or perhaps a scalar type run where two or more of the same note in a row is desired, double thumb work makes it easy. If you do a double thumb pluck you can get 3 notes in a row, and with a open-hammer-double-thumb-pluck you get a ghost note and 3 more notes, for a total of 4 notes in one wrist motion . . .

Darth_Linux · #16 02-03-2003, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Darth_Linux

If you have the need to do some fast arpeggios or perhaps a scalar type run where two or more of the same note in a row is desired, double thumb work makes it easy. If you do a double thumb pluck you can get 3 notes in a row, and with a open-hammer-double-thumb you get a ghost note and 3 more notes, for a total of 4 notes in one wrist motion . . .