WHY didn't I think of this before?

mactac · #1 10-14-2007, 12:02 PM

I've been trying with great difficulty to lighten my touch. It seems as though as soon as I get into a groove or forget to focus, I start really digging in... It's a problem that I 've struggled with for a long time & have had a tough time breaking this habit.

Anyways, Yesterday I realized that I could simply play with an envelope filter on all the time while I'm practicing, setting the sensitivity so that if I play any harder than with a light touch, it opens up, telling me that I'm playing too hard.

it has worked EXTREMELY well for me, and I've seen a big improvement after just one day.

if you're trying to lighten your touch, try it.... it really seems to work.

UncleBalsamic · #2 10-14-2007, 12:14 PM

I might try this, sounds cool.

pstyle · #3 10-14-2007, 12:18 PM

great idea!
Cranking ur amp up too loud works too.

mactac · #4 10-14-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstyle

Cranking ur amp up too loud works too.

nope, didn't work for me. not as obvious. when the envelope follower goes above a certain volume , it tells you. your amp just goes a TINY bit louder.

smeet · #5 10-14-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mactac

Yesterday I realized that I could simply play with an envelope filter on all the time while I'm practicing, setting the sensitivity so that if I play any harder than with a light touch, it opens up, telling me that I'm playing too hard.

Good idea. For a more physical reminder, you could also consider a ramp (removable if possible). That forces you to not dig in.

JimmyM · #6 10-14-2007, 02:03 PM

The problem I have with ramps is that if you do want to dig in hard, it's nearly impossible. The envelope filter idea is a great one for practice, BTW. Not so good live because you can end up making Kenny G songs sound like P-Funk, but a very good practice idea.

SteveC · #7 10-14-2007, 02:06 PM

Why does everyone think they need such a "soft touch" these days?

Steve · #8 10-14-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Why does everyone think they need such a "soft touch" these days?

If you play bright and have low action, you do.

Either that or a "Willis Ramp".

GroovyGaz · #9 10-14-2007, 02:19 PM

It's all about dynamics, building up and also creating tension, ala Curtis Mayfield. When the Drummer does a snare roll you're able to increase your volume without touching the amp or your volume knob.

A soft touch is also good to create economy of motion, learning to play slow and fast, at both loud and quiet volume requires a lot of control, for me learning how to do this, I used no ramp, just keeping your ears open and gauging your ears to know when you are playing soft or harsh even though your fingers know already, essentially it's control.

JimmyM · #10 10-14-2007, 02:23 PM

Bah, I'm with Steve on this one. A light touch usually equals a light sound. You don't have to kill the strings and clank them into the pickups, but you should play with some force when the music demands it.

mactac · #11 10-14-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Bah, I'm with Steve on this one. A light touch usually equals a light sound. You don't have to kill the strings and clank them into the pickups, but you should play with some force when the music demands it.

like another poster said, if you have a bright tone & low action, you need a soft touch, or you get all clanky.... this is actually my problem that i'm trying to solve.

Nobody is saying that "everyone needs a light touch"... but some people do (including me).

Dave Martin · #12 10-14-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mactac

like another poster said, if you have a bright tone & low action, you need a soft touch, or you get all clanky.... this is actually my problem that i'm trying to solve.

Nobody is saying that "everyone needs a light touch"... but some people do (including me).

Or you could set up your bass with a higher action. I've played Bob Babbitt's old Precision - the one he played at Motown. You have to beat the crap out of it to make it speak, but when it does...

mactac · #13 10-14-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

Or you could set up your bass with a higher action. I've played Bob Babbitt's old Precision - the one he played at Motown. You have to beat the crap out of it to make it speak, but when it does...

you're missing the point. if you WANT low action.... raising the action is not a solution to wanting low action....

JimmyM · #14 10-14-2007, 06:35 PM

I guess if you want insanely low action, a light touch is required, but I set my basses up according to Fender specs, which is a pretty low action, and I use light rounds mostly, and I don't have those problems playing heavy and clanking. Of course, playing closer to the bridge helps a lot. And I don't have a really bright sound. I consider it bright enough. But when I practice, I practice with a bright sound to keep from clanking.

So I guess the point is you have to find a way to stop the clanking for yourself while playing the song the way it needs to be played. If the material you play calls for a light touch, then there you go. But to tell you the truth, if I go hear a band, and the bassist is playing some cool 70's funk with a light touch, I want to run up to him and scream, "Stop being a wuss and PLAY that thing!"

Twnty1inRF · #15 10-14-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

Or you could set up your bass with a higher action. I've played Bob Babbitt's old Precision - the one he played at Motown. You have to beat the crap out of it to make it speak, but when it does...

Well, Babbitt was a professional wrestler for a short time...

http://www.bobbabbitt.com/about.htm

mactac · #16 10-14-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

So I guess the point is you have to find a way to stop the clanking for yourself while playing the song the way it needs to be played.

i *did*. that was the whole point of my thread.. I was trying to pass it on to others.

This thread is not a debate about why you would want low action. ... sheesh

casualmadness · #17 10-14-2007, 06:56 PM

I have this same problem. In my formative years, I always had crappy basses with horrible action. So it forced me to dig in hard (actually have had bloody fingers at times). So when I got to the point where I could afford nice basses with good setups, I still had that same problem. I've focused for years and now I have a pretty light touch but even now, after several years of being mindful of my touch, I notice that if I stop concentrating, I tend to dig into it rather heavily.

SteveC · #18 10-14-2007, 06:59 PM

I think I set things off on a tangent. I agree, there are setups that require a light touch. This seems like a good way to work onit, although I also think just listening and thinking about what you are doing works well, too, no matter what the touch.

Dave Muscato · #19 10-14-2007, 07:09 PM

Interesting idea. I keep my action set very low, so I *can't* dig in, or I get terrible buzz. I might have to try this on my "practice" bass (I keep the action high on one of my instruments, to work on Bill Dickens-type speed).

mactac · #20 10-14-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

I think I set things off on a tangent. I agree, there are setups that require a light touch. This seems like a good way to work onit, although I also think just listening and thinking about what you are doing works well, too, no matter what the touch.

not for me (as I have already said). hence the reason i am doing this.