If you rest your thumb on E, pick it up and float it when playing the E string.
Verrrrrrrrry simple solution.
Verrrrrrrrry simple solution.
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5 string just to anchor your thumb?
- Thread starter tekydon
- Start date
It may or may not be, but he quoted the OP.
Thumb rest, rail, several others said to use pickups, or a ramp, all of these are valid.
Floating thumb and anchor are equally valid too. I shouldn't mean to imply floating is superior, it works for me. A while back, I actually thought I was anchoring until I realized the subtle distinction. I actually do think buying a 5 string is valid too, but it won't solve the root issue here, and I've certainly spent money on problems practice might have solved only to have to do the practice part anyway.
Yes, but I'm the one the OP suggested needed to work on my technique.It may or may not be, but he quoted the OP.
Thumb rest, rail, several others said to use pickups, or a ramp, all of these are valid.
I actually do think buying a 5 string is valid too, but it won't solve the root issue here, and I've certainly spent money on problems practice might have solved only to have to do the practice part anyway.
PS: I agree that jumping to the conclusion that the player's technique is bad and needs to be changed is premature.
There's nothing wrong with the "hopping thumb" technique, as long as muting isn't a problem. And some players mute ERB's in other ways, with the other fingers on the plucking hand for example, and don't use the floating thumb at all.
And there's nothing wrong with solving the problem of plucking on the lowest string something like a thumb rest or a ramp, or etc.
The idea here is what problem is it you're trying to solve, and what's the best bang/buck ratio solution to that problem. Going to the floating thumb (as I did some years ago) doesn't automatically solve the problem of the lowest string - you still have the difficulty of no string below it for the plucking fingers to come to rest on if you still "hammer stroke".
Some players solve the problem by abandoning hammer-stroking altogether and simply plucking straight across the strings without coming to rest on the lower string. And they don't rake either, and so on.
And then of course, there's playing with a pick, which is its own solution.
But those are very large investments in time and effort to switch to, and may not be appropriate if all you want to do is pluck the E string well. Again, you have to look at the specific problem, and then the bang/buck ratio of the available solutions. And go from there....
L
There's nothing wrong with the "hopping thumb" technique, as long as muting isn't a problem. And some players mute ERB's in other ways, with the other fingers on the plucking hand for example, and don't use the floating thumb at all.
And there's nothing wrong with solving the problem of plucking on the lowest string something like a thumb rest or a ramp, or etc.
The idea here is what problem is it you're trying to solve, and what's the best bang/buck ratio solution to that problem. Going to the floating thumb (as I did some years ago) doesn't automatically solve the problem of the lowest string - you still have the difficulty of no string below it for the plucking fingers to come to rest on if you still "hammer stroke".
Some players solve the problem by abandoning hammer-stroking altogether and simply plucking straight across the strings without coming to rest on the lower string. And they don't rake either, and so on.
And then of course, there's playing with a pick, which is its own solution.
But those are very large investments in time and effort to switch to, and may not be appropriate if all you want to do is pluck the E string well. Again, you have to look at the specific problem, and then the bang/buck ratio of the available solutions. And go from there....
L
I won't give you are a hard time about technique. You may already play better than me. Yep get the 5 string and use the B as an anchor to start with and I am positive that you will be using it eventually to play notes.
If you must have a thumb rest, it seems much easier to install a rail rather than have a whole extra string that has to be tuned, replaced periodically, and needs 25% more neck and hardware to support.
Just another anecdotal data point for Tekydon.
I have a 4003s/5W that I love. I wanted an "OG" 4003, so I got a 4003W. Awesome bass, gorgeous, just the right tone, but missing the 5th string. I did end up adding treble bezel with the lip that feels like a 5th string and at approximately the right spacing so I could float across it. It wasn't the same and I ended up putting the PU cover back on and eventually selling the bass. Ultimately, I did need the B string for the music I was playing, but I never did personally get comfortable with that as an anchor.
I have a 4003s/5W that I love. I wanted an "OG" 4003, so I got a 4003W. Awesome bass, gorgeous, just the right tone, but missing the 5th string. I did end up adding treble bezel with the lip that feels like a 5th string and at approximately the right spacing so I could float across it. It wasn't the same and I ended up putting the PU cover back on and eventually selling the bass. Ultimately, I did need the B string for the music I was playing, but I never did personally get comfortable with that as an anchor.
I concur.
I love my low B instruments but they are a hassle with the cost, weight, comparative scarcity of hardware, neck width, spacing and not least of all finding one with a B string that really sings.
FWIW I still prefer 4-strings on jobs where the lower register won't get used. IME they're easier to play and you usually get a lot more bang for your instrument shopping buck.
If I wanted to stick to 4-string range and depended heavily on some sort of thumb anchor, I would just install a thumb rest. YMMV.
Sure, why not? And then you'll have some lower notes if you want and some different positions to play some notes that you would normally play on a four string. There are many, many songs that I play on five where I don't touch the B string other than using it for a thumb rest. And then the B string will be useful for the next song. Go for it!
No need to apologize...I use a pick.
I should've questioned the OP, but he never replied to my second post.
I wouldn't buy a 5-string *just* to use the low B as a thumb rest, but it is true that (1) having the low B as a thumb rest is great and absolutely can make playing on the E string smoother, and (2) the 5-string does have many other benefits that you might appreciate once you try it out.
I fear that is a vicious cycle. Once you discover the awesome goodness of the low B, then you'll want a low F# for your thumb-rest.
I have a five string and will rest my thumb on it, but as soon as you will be playing B string notes you will have the same problem all over again.
If I don't rest my thumb on the B or E strings and I am not floating my thumb I may rest it on the body.
For me trying to rest my thumb on the pick up is uncomfortable for my arthritic hand.
If I don't rest my thumb on the B or E strings and I am not floating my thumb I may rest it on the body.
For me trying to rest my thumb on the pick up is uncomfortable for my arthritic hand.
For as cheap as thumbrests are, it`s silly to spend the money on a fiver (unless you just want another bass)!
I say YES. Then it will lead you to play a 5 string which
you will thoroughly enjoy IMHO.
P.S. 5 string since 1991
you will thoroughly enjoy IMHO.
P.S. 5 string since 1991
Floating thumb. It becomes absolutely natural very quickly once you start doing it regularly.
