What about this video?

[RedRyder21]

I am a bass newbie, but I found this video and I was wondering about the thumb plucking technique. Seems a little diffrent than I have seen...

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=1349941586

[MammaryVest]

Some people like to do that, I think like Paul McCartney, or maybe Sting. It's just a different way of hitting the string, kinda like a pick. That is really a terrible video, and you and I are in a fight now because of it....just kidding.

[Joe P]

Notice that it's the same guy playing all three instruments.

I'll bet that he's not firstly a bassist. That's how a lot of guitarist play a bass when they pick one up.

Joe

[RedRyder21]

Thanks for the info... I have just been watching other bass players while I try and find what works best for me!

[metalbass777]

Originally Posted by Joe P

Notice that it's the same guy playing all three instruments.

I'll bet that he's not firstly a bassist. That's how a lot of guitarist play a bass when they pick one up.

Joe

LOL! Dude you are so right about that! It is almost comical to me.

[2 Fingers McGee]

Originally Posted by Joe P

Notice that it's the same guy playing all three instruments.

I'll bet that he's not firstly a bassist. That's how a lot of guitarist play a bass when they pick one up.

Joe

I've noticed a lot of non-bassists in general do that, or try to (this is hard to explain) put the top edge of the body in that space between the thumb and index finger, so their thumb is on the backside of the body and their other fingers are trying really hard to reach all the strings on the front side.

[zymeth]

once u get the thumb add the middle and index with it. opens up new possibilities. add the ring to if u want... billy idols the man lol.

[Alan Vorse]

Its also possible to mute the strings with your palm to get a quick, muted staccato sound, which would force you to pluck with your thumb. Some players do that when playing reggae (hence Sting).

[Mordecai___]

^ Often times I use a technique that I figured out where I use my pinky and stretch it out to the bridge to partially palm mute it. This sounds really great if you're playing some Beatles tunes or something, and you still want to pluck with your fingers.

Although, I dont think I've ever seen anyone else but me use this technique, but I'm positive I'm not the first.

[MarkTAW]

I play with my thumb sometimes. Just another addition to the tonal palette, and yes, it lets you finger mute. But if you start this way, you're kind of stuck if you want to a quick fill, my thumb isn't dexterous enough to do that and I'd have to switch over if I wanted to play faster.