to bend or not to bend?

thedbassist · #1 04-29-2007, 04:53 PM

Should I bend my left thumb(I play right handed) while holding the neck? I know what to do in thumb positions but just wanting to clarify about this matter, thanks for all your responses!

msabp · #2 10-01-2009, 09:31 PM

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking (bend in what direction?). I don't think it should be bent but it also shouldn't be stiff. Do what feels the most comfortable and relaxed to you.

Les Fret · #3 10-02-2009, 03:31 AM

I know what you mean. Many classical players bend their left hand thumb. So only the tip of the thumb touches the neck. Like the way you bend the right hand thumb holding the french bow. So keeping the thumb curved (bend might not be a good description).

I never learned it that way and find it more relaxed to keep in not curved. So more touching the neck in the middle of the thumb. Like you do on guitar or electric bass.

I don't see why I should change this. Still I am interested in hearing the advantages of the curved thumb. Always wondered why many classical players prefer this.

dchan · #4 10-02-2009, 12:16 PM

I think the curved left thumb, in a manner so that only the tip touches the neck, allows for more left hand agility and mobility. That's the reason why classical bassists use this technique. Those who study the Rabbath method will find it impossible to do the left hand pivots without it.

Square Bear · #5 10-03-2009, 04:16 PM

right... the idea behind curved fingers in general is that there is less surface area of the fingers in contact with the instrument therefore less friction while shifting. it allows for greater ease of motion.

if the thumb is "holding" the neck, you're not going to have much luck shifting though. the instrument should be balanced in such a way that the thumb doesn't have to hold it up. there is no way to shift smoothly otherwise.

Les Fret · #6 10-04-2009, 03:17 AM

I hold the thumb on my DB like I hold it on electric bass. So thumb in the middle of the neck behind the 2nd finger slightly curved in the middle not the tip.
Many players do it like that, also orchestral players. I don't 'hold' the bass with my thumb and I have absolutely no trouble with shifting. Also pivoting is no problem.
otherwise it would also not be possible to shift on electric bass.
It feels more relaxed then the bend thumb tip for me.

David Potts · #7 10-04-2009, 06:54 AM

I rather like using both hands from a "C" shape, with cupped hands, arched fingers and slightly curved thumbs. My hands fall naturally into this shape when I open a gentle fist and slot them onto neck and over bow. The pad of my left thumb, not the tip, rests on the middle of the back of the neck when I raise my hand as naturally as possible to the neck from my side. Straightening or reverse bending of my thumb will close up my palm and stiffen the big thumb muscles that will quickly tire and ache. Using only the tip of the thumb would infer that the thumb is over-bent, again causing stiffness in an un-natural shape?

DP

Jordan M · #8 10-04-2009, 10:09 PM

This is probably horribly wrong, what I do.

Have you ever seen a picture of Jaco Pastorius' thumbs? Mine resemble his in the way that they bend backwards over 90°, further backwards than forwards. They go into that position naturally. I use the entire pad of my thumb, up to the first knuckle. I've a sneaking suspicion that this is a horrible idea and I'll end up with problems from it someday. Due to this I also find it hard to shift

I'm trying to correct this, but finding it very difficult.

bejoyous · #9 10-05-2009, 03:58 AM

Make a tight fist with both hands then relax them. They'll probably be in a nice relaxed C shape. That should be the shape of your hands when it's on the neck and bow.

JoeyNaeger · #10 10-05-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchan

I think the curved left thumb, in a manner so that only the tip touches the neck, allows for more left hand agility and mobility. That's the reason why classical bassists use this technique. Those who study the Rabbath method will find it impossible to do the left hand pivots without it.

I'm curious as to why you say this. My thumb stays fairly straight because it feels most relaxed that way and don't find that it inhibits my agility at all. I can't think of why curving the thumb would give you better facility.

freddershredder · #11 10-05-2009, 11:32 AM

i think you should do whatever feels more comfortable everyones thumb bends at different angles i have a friend that can bend his at almost 90 degrees. however i do think when you bend your thumb less surface area is touching the neck so you can move up and down faster that way...

dchan · #12 10-05-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

I'm curious as to why you say this. My thumb stays fairly straight because it feels most relaxed that way and don't find that it inhibits my agility at all. I can't think of why curving the thumb would give you better facility.

As long as your left hand technique allows you to have the agility and facility to play what you want, and it allows you to play in a more relaxed manner, then you should be okay with it. I'm only speaking from a general point of view of what should theoretically work best, from a sorta physics and physiological point of view. So don't get so defensive, because I'm not sh*tting on you method at all.

Alex Scott · #13 10-05-2009, 08:31 PM

I think neither flexed nor extended is a good way to think about it.

Try this:

open and close the thumb joint while wiggling your fingers.

Stop when it feels the best.

JoeyNaeger · #14 10-07-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchan

As long as your left hand technique allows you to have the agility and facility to play what you want, and it allows you to play in a more relaxed manner, then you should be okay with it. I'm only speaking from a general point of view of what should theoretically work best, from a sorta physics and physiological point of view. So don't get so defensive, because I'm not sh*tting on you method at all.

Sorry if I came off as defensive. I've heard a lot of people advocate the curved thumb so I was wondering if you could explain why you think it's best from a physics standpoint. I'm just genuinely trying to understand the problem.

Jack Clark · #15 10-07-2009, 10:16 AM

Just replying so as to get email follow-ups on this thread. If there's a better way to do this, please let me know. Thanks.

dchan · #16 10-07-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

Sorry if I came off as defensive. I've heard a lot of people advocate the curved thumb so I was wondering if you could explain why you think it's best from a physics standpoint. I'm just genuinely trying to understand the problem.

Sorry. I just read your response as defensive. No hard feelings, I hope.

In my view, the curved thumb with only the tip touching the neck allows for the rest of your left hand to stretch a longer distance in any one position - hence, why it allows for more agility. I've found it works best for me. That said, like any other technique, it shouldn't be regarded as the ironclad "correct" way of playing. If you've found a more comfortable technique, and you find it allows you to do the same things, then use it by all means.

JoeyNaeger · #17 10-07-2009, 02:07 PM

None at all. I realize I didn't write my post very well. Thanks, for your response though. I haven't thought about the issue lately, but I will try to do some experimenting with both ways.

Jack Clark · #18 10-07-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

. . .I will try to do some experimenting with both ways.

As will I, even on my strange bass. Haven't thought about thumb posture before. The thumbtip posture might help me keep from tending to trail the thumb behind when I shift, which has been a problem I've been working on. Thanks for the thread!