Accomplished bass players that use floating thumb?

[JacoLifeson]

I don’t think floating thumb is a bad technique I just feel like it’s a bit of false advertising. Going into it I thought it would be the one stop shop right hand does all the muting but you still have to get your left hand involved. I don’t think there is any bass technique that can entirely mute. It’s always going to be a combination of right and left hand muting.

 

[Matty Koff]

Not saying this is your issue, but double check your string height. One day I started lowering the action on my fretless 5 string and got interrupted after the first string I went to work on and forgot about it, I started with my B string. For like a week after that I couldn't figure out why harmonics kept ringing out of my B string even though I was pushing my thumb into it really hard. Started a TB thread and everything.

Then I remembered that I'd only adjusted one string and it was quite a bit lower than my other strings. Once I got the strings closer together in height I was back in business, much easier to mute.

 

[JacoLifeson]

Not saying this is your issue, but double check your string height. One day I started lowering the action on my fretless 5 string and got interrupted after the first string I went to work on and forgot about it, I started with my B string. For like a week after that I couldn't figure out why harmonics kept ringing out of my B string even though I was pushing my thumb into it really hard. Started a TB thread and everything.

Then I remembered that I'd only adjusted one string and it was quite a bit lower than my other strings. Once I got the strings closer together in height I was back in business.

Thanks for the advice. I just recently did my usual bass adjustments so I don’t think my problem lies there.

 

[LBS-bass]

This is interesting. I use my thumb as an anchor and often use the E string (or B) to rest it, depending on what notes I'm playing. I do this in order to reduce the ringing of the E and A strings (if playing the D and G I can rest the thumb between strings so it dampens E and A).

I always thought this was "floating thumb" but my thumb is solid against those strings and no harmonics ever ring out. I guess I'm not doing this thing they call "floating thumb" then?

 

[Matty Koff]

This is interesting. I use my thumb as an anchor and often use the E string (or B) to rest it, depending on what notes I'm playing. I do this in order to reduce the ringing of the E and A strings (if playing the D and G I can rest the thumb between strings so it dampens E and A).

I always thought this was "floating thumb" but my thumb is solid against those strings and no harmonics ever ring out. I guess I'm not doing this thing they call "floating thumb" then?

Kind of more of a moving anchor if I'm not mistaken. From my understanding of floating thumb you don't actually rest the tip of your thumb on a string, you just keep the back of your thumb on all the strings below the strings you're playing.

I play with a moving anchor myself. I use a pickup if I'm playing on the lowest string and I'll move my anchor to the string below the one I'm playing. If I'm anchored on the A string I'll flatten my thumb a bit to mute the E and B. My thumb kind of sticks out to the side where with floating thumb it's more straight up and down.

 

[LBS-bass]

Kind of more of a moving anchor if I'm not mistaken. From my understanding of floating thumb you don't actually rest the tip of your thumb on a string, you just keep the back of your thumb on all the strings below the strings you're playing.

I play with a moving anchor myself. I use a pickup if I'm playing on the lowest string and I'll move my anchor to the string below the one I'm playing. If I'm anchored on the A string I'll flatten my thumb a bit to mute the E and B. My thumb kind of stick out to the side where with floating thumb it's more straight up and down.

Thanks, that's what I do, too. I guess I have been using the wrong term for it!

 

[Wasnex]

The harmonics I’m getting are sympathetic. Usually I’ll play a line and notice them ringing out on the e string. Usually, they don’t stop unless I mute with my left hand or more firmly push my thumb into the string. So what I’m saying is my thumb will be “floating” on the e string yet it doesn’t prevent the e string sympathetic harmonics.

I don’t think floating thumb is a bad technique I just feel like it’s a bit of false advertising. Going into it I thought it would be the one stop shop right hand does all the muting but you still have to get your left hand involved. I don’t think there is any bass technique that can entirely mute. It’s always going to be a combination of right and left hand muting.

You probably just need to make a very minor adjustment with the position of your thumb. There are a lot of natural harmonics in that part of the string, but not all of them speak easily, so it should be matter of finding a dead space to rest your thumb, and then adjusting the geometry of your accordingly.

I am not aware of anyone who has said floating thumb was easy, or that there were not problems to overcome. Yes I agree, you need to use a combination of right and left hand muting techniques, especially if you play 6-string.

It's not just the thumb on my plucking hand. In fact I use all of my fingers except the thumb on my fretting hand for muting. At times I also use the outside of the palm of the plucking hand.

When I transitioned from 4-string to 5-string I did not notice any need to pay extra attention to muting. My 4-string technique seemed to work just fine. When I transitioned to 6-string, I noticed that I was often having significant trouble controlling all of the strings. I believe it took me about two years to really expand and automate my muting technique so I could play cleanly without having to think about it.

To this day, from time to time I need to stop and deconstruct how I am playing a certain line in order to control undesired string ring.

IMHO floating thumb is more effective than anchored thumb for muting, but it's not perfect. You still have to work things out and make adjustments from time to time.

 

[Wasnex]

Thanks, that's what I do, too. I guess I have been using the wrong term for it!

I believe floating thumb is with the first part of the thumb gliding sideways across the strings.

 

[phillipkregg]

Victor didn’t double thump because accomplished bassists were double thumping.

Just do whatever works for you and helps you accomplish your goals.

 

[Wasnex]

Victor didn’t double thump because accomplished bassists were double thumping.

Just do whatever works for you and helps you accomplish your goals.

The problem is we tend to do things a specific way more out of habit than because it is the best way. So if you don't explore new ideas, and give them a long enough exploration to break your old habits, you may miss out on a great opportunity to develop new capabilities.

'Course, some times you try something new and it turns out to be a complete waste of time .

 

[LBS-bass]

I believe floating thumb is with the first part of the thumb gliding sideways across the strings.

View attachment 4025335

If my thumb was in a similar position, it'd be because I'm playing the G and D strings and my thumb would be firmly anchored on the A string and pressed against the E string to mute it. It wouldn't be lightly touching.

 

[Les Fret]

The harmonics I’m getting are sympathetic. Usually I’ll play a line and notice them ringing out on the e string. Usually, they don’t stop unless I mute with my left hand or more firmly push my thumb into the string. So what I’m saying is my thumb will be “floating” on the e string yet it doesn’t prevent the e string sympathetic harmonics.

Any video of the issue? Would make it much clearer. So we can help.

The harmonics shouldn’t be ringing so you can make some improvements of your floating thumb technique. But we have to see how you are doing it to be able to help.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Who were the first big advocates of Floating Thumb?
Who is credited for inventing it?

 

[Les Fret]

Who were the first big advocates of Floating Thumb?
Who is credited for inventing it?

I think Gary Willis. See post #16.
But I think I saw a 70s player use it already. Forgot who it was.

 

[ximun]

Hum, OK old thread I know, but is Jamerson not playing with a floating thumb here ? It looks a lot like it to me.

 

[Wasnex]

IMHO floating thumb becomes more important as you add strings. When I transitioned from 4 to 5, my existing muting techniques seemed to work pretty well (still used anchored thumb). When I transitioned from 5 to 6, I had to develop and expand my muting techniques.

 

[Les Fret]

Hum, OK old thread I know, but is Jamerson not playing with a floating thumb here ? It looks a lot like it to me.

Yes it sure looks like it. If that’s the case he was ahead of his time.

The only difference is that he plays everything with the index finger and he plays closer to the neck than most FT players. Good find!

 

[Markmann]

I also play some fingerstyle guitar and lap steel so floating thumb seems perfectly natural to me. I use floating thumb for aggressive playing more than soft and IMO gives me more freedom to move my RH around.