Typewriter technique?

[fettbass]

I was just doing a little reading on the late great John Entwistle, and i came across alot of references to a "typewriter technique" he invented, which involves using both hands, and 4 fingers on the right hand, to tap one or all strings simultaneously. This helped him, according to articles, to create melodic and persussive passages, and to mimic drum fills. I know how to slap, tap, pick, and play fingerstyle, and i wanted to add this to my repertoire. However, i haven't had any luck finding tutorials on this technique, and i haven't heard any actual music played with it. Can any of you bass monsters at the talkbass forums help me out? Thanks!

[rockwarnick]

if you have comcast, they have a two-part special on "thunderfingers" (entwistle). it talks about his life, basses, techniques, etc. he even shows his "typewriter" technique, how he uses it and why. basically it has everything you are looking for.

[Thunder_Fingers]

You have obviously not heard much the who then? Preferably live.

It sounds much like slapping, exept for using your thumb, your using the tip of your fingers and simply do the same. let your finger bounce of the string.

Hold your fingers in line with the neck, have your fingers straight over last fret (Johns Buzzard had 26, and that was not becouse he used the extra range ) and one finger per string, you can realy use your ring finger for the G string to, John said he used the little finger for show, it realy hadnt any practical use.

and then you hit them, short and right of again, like slapping..

hope that helped.

[moogboy]

the 'Hot Licks' DVD is very helpful. also, check out my sig, click the link. that link will show you a thread that i made on John.

[fettbass]

that does help alot, thanks!

[fettbass]

oh, two more questions: is it a good idea to "anchor" your right hand with your thumb against the side of the neck, like in tapping (well the more van halen style of tapping), and does the slap sound come from the wrist and elbow like in regular slapping, or just from the finger joint?

[Thunder_Fingers]

John had his thumb on the side of the fretboard, or the pickup.

though i have seen him lifting the thumb from time to time.. search Jonh entwistle bass solo on Youtube, the 5:15 one shows alot of what he did. i do it the way that my fingers give all the force, and non from the wrist.

[Thunder_Fingers]

[moogboy]

the above post shows this technique INCREDIBLY well.

[johnvice]

In the bonus section of the DVD of this movie is something called the OXCam. It is a constant close up of Entwistle playing and the bass really loud in the mix for a few tunes. ( I think 'Baba..' and "Won't Get Fooled Again".)

I can't recall if he does the 'typewriter' in this as his technqiue is complelty over my head. There is no way any bassist can't watch this and say "wow!"

[Thunder_Fingers]

Hes not typewriting in that, but its very nice non the less.

[johnvice]

Originally Posted by johnvice

In the bonus section of the DVD of this movie is something called the OXCam. It is a constant close up of Entwistle playing and the bass really loud in the mix for a few tunes. ( I think 'Baba..' and "Won't Get Fooled Again".)

I can't recall if he does the 'typewriter' in this as his technqiue is complelty over my head. There is no way any bassist can't watch this and say "wow!"

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfDE-ZvfOwU