Right-hand technique

[tbei]

I'm using a four string bass.. I was wondering if the following right hand technique is used at all and if not why and what are the drawbacks?

When you're playing the E string the thumb is on the pickup, with your 4th finger on the A string.

When you're playing the A string the thumb is on the E string and 4th finger on the D string.

When you're playing the D string the thumb is on the E and A strings and 4th finger on the G string.

When you're playing the G string the thumb is on the E and A strings and the 4th finger is on the D string.

If there is a major drawback with this could someone suggest another as I have real problems muting strings without using this.

Thanks.

[4bpauly]

different, but whatever works for you

i use the floating thumb 90% of the time, which means i keep my thumb on the string just above (lower note) the string i am playing... example if i amplaying the A string my thumb is on the E, and so on.

it mutes strings and keeps the distance between thumb and picking fingers the same, so your attack is consistent.

[adube810]

i ussualy just keep my thumb on the pickup or on the E string and play with 3 fingers (billy sheehan style but nowhere near as good) alternating. for string crossings it depends sometimes i rake and other times i use the next finger

[artistanbul]

if you are newly beginning I would definitely recommend floating thumb.
But what you do is also a pretty common way of playing.

[cookiesRfalla]

Always on pickup, allows me to play faster. but I think there's no "right" way to play.. just do whatever fells better for you. make your own style if you have to

[mambo4]

I put my thumb on the string below the one I'm playing, or the Pickup when playing the E string. I have never paid attention to where my right hand 4th finger goes.

Many players advocate the floating thumb for reasons of economy of motion and right hand muting. some will claim it gives you more speed, too, but Rocco plays with his thumb on teh pickup and he's plenty fast for me

whatever works fir you is fine, but keep your wrist more or less straight -don't rest your arm on the bass body and dangle your hand, that's just asking for future pain.

[tobie]

Originally Posted by cookiesRfalla

Always on pickupp

(Interesting topic, specially for a beginner like myself). This method appears to be the norm for all instruction pieces on paper and the 'net (and I guess for a good reason)! BUT - as a pedal steel & dobro player where blocking is an integral part of playing technique, I immediately picked up unwanted string noise when fiddling with the bass for the first time. I've blocked with either the 1st / 2nd finger (when playing with the 'other' one respectively) so far, but I'm not sure it's the right thing to do, specially for fast playing.

Funny that I couldn't find some usefull theory on 'blocking with bass' anywhere. How do you go about blocking if your thumb stays on the pickup?

[HaVIC5]

Originally Posted by tobie

(Interesting topic, specially for a beginner like myself). This method appears to be the norm for all instruction pieces on paper and the 'net (and I guess for a good reason)! BUT - as a pedal steel & dobro player where blocking is an integral part of playing technique, I immediately picked up unwanted string noise when fiddling with the bass for the first time. I've blocked with either the 1st / 2nd finger (when playing with the 'other' one respectively) so far, but I'm not sure it's the right thing to do, specially for fast playing.

Funny that I couldn't find some usefull theory on 'blocking with bass' anywhere. How do you go about blocking if your thumb stays on the pickup?

This is what Todd Johnson's floating thumb method is all about. It's pretty popular around here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU

[cookiesRfalla]

Originally Posted by tobie

Funny that I couldn't find some usefull theory on 'blocking with bass' anywhere. How do you go about blocking if your thumb stays on the pickup?

for unwanted noise i mostly use my left hand. it's pretty easy if you get used to it. this video might help out
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=L9sTnDswOrI

[Jake of Bass]

I rest my thumb on the low B (5 string), then on the pickup when playing that string. I had a student who rests his thumb at the end of the neck, and it worked well for him. Guess it depends on what works.

When playing guitar I almost always have my little finger on my right hand (picking/strumming hand) resting on the high E, it just feels right.

[rrohde]

I found it easier for me to not rest the right thumb on any string at all, but rather let the thumb lightly press against the strings with its side, so it never actually touches any strings with its tip, as in "resting ON a string". Thus my thumb doesn't really change the position and also doesn't have to be lifted off a string (as I would do if I rested it on the string). Guess this is the "floating thumb" technique you guys refer to, eh?

[ysand]

Personally i don't like the floating thumb technique. I prefer having my thumb on the pickup when playing the E (or B for 5str) and when playing the other strings on the E (or B).