Noob Thumb placement question...

[Blankwall]

I was tought to keep it on the pickup the entire time and it works just fine but im no expert so sombody else will be able to give you a more definitive answer

[steveb98]

Anchoring the thumb in one position is done by many, but isn't the recommended technique. Moving the thumb down or using floating thumb is the better way to go, especially when you go to 5 or more strings.

Some of the reason to not anchor is as you move to higher strings some start bending their wrist at a drastic angle. That can lead to CTS in some. Also your angle of attack changes with each string and can lead to uneven tone. Then if you anchor you only get the tone of that fingering position. If your hand is free you can change where you finger to get different tone. Last with your thumb anchored you can't use the thumb for right hand muting.

I think movable thumb offer more.

[thebassclef]

Here we go again

[Poop-Loops]

Try this:

Say you are playing the D string. Put your thumb across both the E and A string (perpendicular to them). If you're playing the G striing, lay your thumb down across all 3 lower strings. This helps mute those strings, too.

With the A string, place your thumb across the E string, and with the E string, you can rest it on the pickup.

[Jazzin']

Originally Posted by Akeo

I have been playing for awhile and i have this question. When i'm playing the top string, the E string, i have my thumb resting on the p'up. now the question is this, NORMALLY, does a bass player keep his/her thumb on the pup when dropping down to the next string The A string? or do i keep it on the pup? I have been up till now so far keeping my thumb resting on the pup playing on the E and A strings and then dropping it off the pup to use the D and G strings. Let me know if i'm wrong. Thanks everyone.

I do. Some people do not.

[Akami]

Hopefully you'll get a lot of usable input in this thread but also do a search for "floating thumb" etc. and you'll find a lot of great information.

[lemur821]

I don't think there is any "normally." Nobody agrees on what to do in this situation. Personally, I recommend using a moving anchor (the pickup for the E string, anchor on the E string when you play the A, and so on) just because it makes muting much easier. You should also be able to play with no anchor though.

[Akeo]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I guess at this point the way to go is to try to learn the "floating thumb" technique.