When I Play With My Fingers I Have A Problem

[John Deacon]

My fingers bump the next lower string and make a thumping noise. Like if I was playing on the A string, my fingers keep hitting the E after striking the A string. Suggestions?

[ThatGermanDude]

is the thumping noise the problem?
If so, try turning down the treble on your bass or amp and it should become less noticeable.
Also, it should disappear in a band context.

[John Deacon]

Originally Posted by ThatGermanDude

is the thumping noise the problem?
If so, try turning down the treble on your bass or amp and it should become less noticeable.
Also, it should disappear in a band context.

I don't think that it's extremely bad. I mean, it's not to noticible. But If i could fix it, it would be good. I will try that. Thanks!

[capnsandwich]

Well, you could try playing closer to the bridge where the strings are further apart, or straighten up your technique to where you're not swinging your fingers so far that you hit the next string. Try taking shorter strokes and if volume is your problem with that, adjust you EQ settings/volume levels to where you can get the same volume with shorter strokes. Also, keep your thumb on the string above the string you're playing on, if you're playing on the A string then rest your thumb on the E string to deaden the string. I think they call that the floating thumb technique.

[MyUsernameHere]

Just practice playing with a light touch or shortening your stroke. Also, hitting the next string isn't necessarily bad, lots of players do it on purpose because it gives the note a little thump and adds definition (a la what upright players do).

[elpelotero]

actually, letting your finger come to rest on the next lower string is considered proper bass technique. The added thump is usually something many players like because of the added punch.

I would not recommend picking at the strings like a classical guitarist, wherein the fingers float off into space after hitting a string. This is how I learned to play bass several years ago and I developed injuries in my fingers because of it. It took me a long time to learn how to do it properly.

[uethanian]

Originally Posted by elpelotero

actually, letting your finger come to rest on the next lower string is considered proper bass technique.

proper technique? if anything, i'd say floating thumb.

[quadebass17]

i tell those who ask to practice making a fist, rest thumb on pickup, and only play with one finger (keeping the other fingers in a fist)

after a while, you can let go of the fist and the fingers will be out of your way. or you can two/three finger technique it without having this problem once again.


but make a fist, stick out index finder, rest thumb on pickup and play.

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by elpelotero

actually, letting your finger come to rest on the next lower string is considered proper bass technique.

I do this. It allows a rest, muting the next lowest string, and makes sure I don't hit anything else.

[morf]

Originally Posted by Valerus

I do this. It allows a rest, muting the next lowest string, and makes sure I don't hit anything else.

+1. If when doing that you hear a sound when your finger sits on the lower string, you probably have too much highs.

[ysand]

+2 that's the way i do it too, and i've heard that that's the "proper" if u can say that.

[Bassguy87564]

Use the floating thumb (I think some one said this I just briefly went over what other people said). when you are playing the E string rest you thumb on your pickup or thumb rest. When playing the A string shift your thumb to the E string and rest it there and then the same with the D string shift your thumb to the A string and so on. This is one way of fix and the way I recommend doing. I wouldn't call the Floating thumb the "proper" way of playing their are many different ways of playing the bass this is just one style. If pluck the strings is not working for you try a pick, try slap bass try anything, but if you are going to try take your time and really develop the style. Well thats my 2 cents on your situation hope that helps.

[Hawaii Islander]

Originally Posted by Valerus

I do this. It allows a rest, muting the next lowest string, and makes sure I don't hit anything else.

+1

Many of the introductory bass instruction books and CDs recommend this method.

[elpelotero]

Even if it is floating thumb, the finger that just hit a note still comes to rest on the string below it. Floating thumb has nothing to do with what he is describing.

Now, if the noise in question he is getting is an annoying overly loud sound, then he is probably striking the string too hard and creating too much noise when he hits the lower string. But, getting a small thump sound on the next lower string is perfectly normal.

In fact, you can even see Gary Willis talk about it in his video.

[Jazzerbone]

I'm pretty sure what most of you guys are describing something that isn't the floating thumb technique. Using or not using floating thumb wouldn't change this situation a bit. It sounds like to me you guys are saying to use your thumb as a stopping point for the fingers instead of the strings... not floating thumb. Thats moveable anchor. Check out the sticky on floating thumb technique. There is a good youtube video that explains all. Not the point of this discussion though...

As for the topic at hand, it's normal to be hitting the next string down with your right hand when you play. If the thump is really bothering you that much, then it could be how your eq'd or you're playing ridiculously hard. I don't even get a thump at all when I play. I do get a little thump though from the string I am pulling. I guess I don't fully understand the problem.

[Bassguy87564]

Originally Posted by elpelotero

Even if it is floating thumb, the finger that just hit a note still comes to rest on the string below it. Floating thumb has nothing to do with what he is describing.

Yeah your right I didnt read the question right. I would also try a compressor for the hell of it but also try what Elpelotero said. thats what happens for going quickly through.

[Caca de Kick]

Originally Posted by John Deacon

My fingers bump the next lower string and make a thumping noise. Like if I was playing on the A string, my fingers keep hitting the E after striking the A string. Suggestions?

This is usually normal for fingerstyle. If your finger plucks the A string and comes to rest on the E string, what you're doing is what most do...which is how it was done on the upright too.
Fingerpicking like a guitarist would be improper.

Are you causing somekind of unwanted noise when you do this?

[uethanian]

i noticed it a while ago with my playing. i've been using floating thumb for a while too. it definitely is not as effective at preventing the thump of the lower string. but, it forced me to use a lighter touch. some people build up a lot of force when they anchor their thumb, and when released their fingers are halted not by the string their playing, but completely by the string behind it. so if you're using moveable anchor, just concentrate on the force you use and how much of your finger digs into the string.

[0175westwood29]

yeh it sounds like you are attacking the string! probs playing to heavy i'd use the same tec, thumb on pickup and just use a lighter touch?

[cumquott]

Originally Posted by elpelotero

I would not recommend picking at the strings like a classical guitarist, wherein the fingers float off into space after hitting a string. This is how I learned to play bass several years ago and I developed injuries in my fingers because of it. It took me a long time to learn how to do it properly.

As I have studied classical guitar in the past, and have recently begun to apply some of those techniques to the bass, I'm interested to know what stresses or injuries you encountered. Seems to me that if you can play fingerstyle using classical technique, you have that much more control for certain situations and another option for technique. Currently I'm heading toward "standard" fingerstyle for most playing but classical technique for certain chord passages and solos. (Sorry if this gets too far off topic.)