It's so hard to find someone who plays exclusively or predominantly thumbstyle these days. Anyone?
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Anyone Else Play Thumbstyle?
- Thread starter thecagedbird5
- Start date
I do it sometimes , also for the muted sound (I use my fingernails along with the meat of my index and second fingers mostly). But, the main thing is, I use my thumb when I want the upright sound, in which case I also mute with my palm. Sound pretty convincing. I often gets nods of approval for that.
When I first started playing, I played exclusively alternating thumb and forefinger – like an acoustic guitar fingerpicker.
I got pretty good at it but when I decided to take jazz lessons, I learned the traditional alternating forefinger-middle finger style.
I can still tear-off fast runs cleaner and quicker using my thumb-forefinger.
I got pretty good at it but when I decided to take jazz lessons, I learned the traditional alternating forefinger-middle finger style.
I can still tear-off fast runs cleaner and quicker using my thumb-forefinger.
as a beginner i got a better, stronger, and cleaner note while using the thumb. nowadays,... no thumb unless for wanting a different nuance.
Finger injury 10 years ago. Began using thumb then. I can double thumb faster than I could finger, plus it is now my 'sound'. Went to a Sting concert recently, and he thumbed the whole night.
Flexor pollicis brevae unite!
Flexor pollicis brevae unite!
I try to get both sounds with one style. For notes that need the richer or muted sound, I'll switch it up. More of a hybrid rather than straight up thumbstyle.
Ross Kratter
Supporting Member
- Dec 31, 2010
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- Disclosures
- Artist, RS Berkeley, La Bella Strings, Phil Jones Bass Amplification, Remic, Jerry Harvey Audio
When I picked up electric bass (I started on upright), I didn't like the way my callus on my index finger would cause it to sound different than my middle finger. I heard about Monk Montgomery playing thumb style like his brother Wes did on guitar, so I gave it a try. I love the sound I get and it really fits my style. I used to not like the electric so much for walking bass lines, but not I think it's an awesome sound and I've even played gigs with my combo on it.
