Using your thumb instead of a pick..?

Aaiieeee · #1 12-15-2007, 10:14 AM

I like this idea but how practical is it? I dont mean like the double thumb technique but more of creating a smooth picking action with the side of the thumb for strumming and the like. I can get a decent down stroke sound but comming back up is rubbish.. I have to get my thumb under the string and flick it back up with isnt very efficent at all. Any help? or is thisjust a bad idea? I have no intention of using a pick.. if I cant do it with my hands then I wont do it at all.

(I did a breif search but didnt come up with anything, thanks for yout time)

JeffSki · #2 12-15-2007, 10:27 AM

If that's not working for you, you could try holding your index and thumb together and strumming like you're holding a pick.

I picked this up from seeing a buddy of mine switching back and forth from finger style and this pick method during a few of his songs.

olalo · #3 12-15-2007, 10:28 AM

I use my thumb in some songs with my actual band...I do it because the tone you get is sort of a dampened ''plock'' that reminds me of early sixties bass sounds.

the part where you get your thumb up the string again and again after every stroke gets easy with time...I think there is no other way to use it... you could always get yourself a palmrest in your bass...

MyUsernameHere · #4 12-15-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffSki

If that's not working for you, you could try holding your index and thumb together and strumming like you're holding a pick.

I picked this up from seeing a buddy of mine switching back and forth from finger style and this pick method during a few of his songs.

Yea, I've also seen a few metal bassists use this technique. It seems to give a more consistent "pick" sound because you're using an edge of the finger on both the up and down strokes with out having to really dig into the string. I'm kind of supprised I don't see it more often.

As far as the double thump, you said you were performing the up-stroke from below the string (and letting it hit off the board kind of like a pop?) to get a good sound. You might want to try changing the attack so that your thumb actually moves through the string and toward the fretboard just a little bit. The clank sound, for lack of a better word, that gives the note its definition is actually the string hitting off the frets on the up-stroke it as your thumb pulls it a bit toward the board and the string travels around the edge of the thumb as it is released. Also, make sure you are using your wrist and not your whole forearm to achieve the up and down motion of the thumb.
Start off really slow...like playing quarter notes. Initially the up stroked note will probably be very weak in comparison to the down-stroked ones and you'll have a tendency to unintentionally mute the note with some part of your hand after it is played. Just keep working on getting definition in the note, then letting it ring out and then slowly increase the speed you do it.

Rickett Customs · #5 12-15-2007, 12:04 PM

It's definitely a more "dampened" effect.

When I use this style primarily for muted synth lines, but also there are times when I incorporate that "classical style", where the thumb and four fingers are used too. It takes some time to get "accustomed" though. The only advice to pursue that style is to try playing in the thumb style, the way that you would typically play.

Any time you ever see posts where others state "tone is in the hands", this would be where this statement is true.(IMO,IME)

BTW, playing with a pick isn't necessarily a bad thing. All it can do is make your sound more versatile.

#6 12-15-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaiieeee

I like this idea but how practical is it?

Very practical, at least for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaiieeee

I dont mean like the double thumb technique but more of creating a smooth picking action with the side of the thumb for strumming and the like.

I do that exact same thing for strumming and tremolo picking without a flatpick. Though I can, and once in a great while do, play with a pick, it's easier to switch to this technique than constantly be grabbing picks and setting them back down. I actually developed this technique myself from my experience playing with picks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaiieeee

I can get a decent down stroke sound but comming back up is rubbish.. I have to get my thumb under the string and flick it back up with isnt very efficent at all.

You don't need to flick the string on the upstroke. My upstrokes sounded like rubbish at first too. Just keep practicing, practicing, and practicing, and your upstrokes will sound just as strong as your downstrokes. The strength in the upstroke will come with persistance. Hope that gives you motivation.

Aaiieeee · #7 12-15-2007, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone, I will stick with it and hope it improves in time! It just seems like a good idea to get the thumb invloved!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaiieeee

I can get a decent down stroke sound but comming back up is rubbish.. I have to get my thumb under the string and flick it back up with isnt very efficent at all.

By this I ment that in the upstroke, to get the same sound as the downstroke Id have to use the inner underside part of my thumb which is more fleshy and kind of slide it up from under the string which really messes up any consitancy in playing. (hard to explain) But as this is something Ive recently decided on to learn Ill totally stick with it and work on getting a smooth upstroke sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

BTW, playing with a pick isn't necessarily a bad thing. All it can do is make your sound more versatile.

I like the idea of not having to rely on anything other than my hands really and a set peice of equipment. I will only ever have a 4 string and never use effects really and always be in EADG. I want to be able to just pick up my gear and play, not mess about because I cant find a pick or Im a string down or havnt set my all my fiddly cables and knobs correctly or that the tuning isnt in F#FCE etc etc. (though none of these take long to sort out, I just see it as hassle and doesnt fit my character)

musicman7722 · #8 12-15-2007, 01:09 PM

As I get older I am breaking down physically. One place I find it is in my wrists. I find that some times my right hand will start to go numb. It doesn't help that I a PC tech and use a mouse a good part of the day. I know it is only a matter of time until I can't play. Anyway when this happens to me at a gig I will swicth to my thumb until the feeling comes back.

CP

Aaiieeee · #9 12-15-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman7722

I know it is only a matter of time until I can't play.

I guess its got to happen to everyone eventually, must be pretty depressing though. On your very last gig do something totally crazy - go out with a bang!

StanFan · #10 12-15-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffSki

If that's not working for you, you could try holding your index and thumb together and strumming like you're holding a pick.

I picked this up from seeing a buddy of mine switching back and forth from finger style and this pick method during a few of his songs.

That's exactly what I do when I want a pick sound. Anything to save a few bucks.