Snapping While Walking

[Daniel Baskin]

I pretty sure most bassists don't have this occurance, but wanted to see if anyone knows what I'm talking about. Basically what happens when I am walking a line at about a walking speed (90bpm about, but could be faster or slower) my fingers tend to snap together once in a while. Ironically, most of it goes on in beats that swing to the line, so I don't know what to think.

I searched for this topic and couldn't find anything, but I honestly didn't think there would be anything related to this anyway. What I am asking is if there is anyone out there who occasionally snaps their fingers in the process of playing a walking line every while. This is getting pretty specific, but I always thought it was weird, and I can't seem to be able to consciously do it, it just happens. I can purposely stop myself though, I just usually don't want to.

(and BTW, I'm going to be gone for the next couple of days to All-state orchestra, but I'll be back on this post.)

[lowphatbass]

Oh yea, I've snapped plenty too..It happens when I take my right hand out of position..normally my hand and fingers are pointed down, parallel with the strings, digging in with the the side of my index and middle finger, I'm talking every part of my fingers, from the nuckle down..thats where the fat sound is at..sometimes of I bring my wrist angle up and dig with the tips of my finger(more like a bass guitar) I can get a snap every time with my middle finger..I'm not sure how you are "snapping" but you may be allowing your fingers to do too much of the walking, it's difficult to explain verbally, check out some vids of some real jazz ub'ers, or check out some live shows..make sure digging-in "correctly, in order to "snap" your finger(s) need to move independently from your hand, this should not be happening that much while you're walking a nice easy tempo, your whole hand should be moving...
KEEP ME POSTED! pm's appreciated!

[Mike Goodbar]

Hey, Charlie Haden does it all the time, so you're in good company.

(I do it too, sometimes, but not as soulfully as Charlie.)

[JazznFunk]

i snap all the time... it developed as an unconscious side-effect of consciously going for a fatter sound with a different right hand attack. i love it... though i had a guitarist think i was getting pissed at him once and was snapping my fingers to get his attention. we got a good laugh out of it.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Mike Goodbar

Hey, Charlie Haden does it all the time, so you're in good company.
(I do it too, sometimes, but not as soulfully as Charlie.)

If I'm not mistaken Charlie only does that on the E string when he plays with his middle finger. I used to wonder about that until I tried not dropping my hand off the board when playing the E with the middle finger, and there it was...SNAP! Unfortunately, like you, I also don't snap as soulfully as Charlie.

[Alexi David]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

If I'm not mistaken Charlie only does that on the E string when he plays with his middle finger. I used to wonder about that until I tried not dropping my hand off the board when playing the E with the middle finger, and there it was...SNAP! Unfortunately, like you, I also don't snap as soulfully as Charlie.

I've only noticed it on his E also.

Same with me - I do it on E. So far it hasn't occured where I didn't like it!

[FredH]

I sometimes mum a counter bass line to myself when I'm trying not play too many fills.