Damping technique/help stop ringing

[J Wilson]

Master these problems on the Alembic, believe me, you'll be able to play anything.

I owned two for 10 years, and they are brutally unforgiving instruments in that you hear EVERYTHING. They MADE me clean up my technique, the greatest axes I ever owned if for nothing else than that.

I played fives exclusively since the late 80's, and some form of the 'floating thumb' is key. I bought a four-string on a lark a few years ago and simply carried it over to that as I didn't want to go back to how I once muted on a four. If you're going to continue to play both, that's what I'd recommend.

This is why though guys say it's simply a bass with one more string, fours and fives are simply different instruments when it comes to playing them well.

 

[Les Fret]

The only downside? I've never really bonded with the fifth string on my two five string basses; I don't have a use for it, it widens the neck, makes the bass heavier, and for what? An occasional (unnecessary) foray below E in the jazz styles I play? No one cares. Still.. it made a nice thumb rest. Now.

if you don’t use the B why don’t you sell your 5 string basses and stay with 4 string basses? Also easier for damping.

 

[factory presets]

The suggestions for leaving the pinky and ring finger of my right hand on the lower unused strings is probably a good one for lots of folks in lots of styles, but that feels really awful to me; I have very small hands, and it puts my hand in kind of an unnatural shape and slows down/interferes with my ability to pizz rapid passages, either raking or using index and middle finger alternate, evenly and cleanly. Perhaps with practice I could make it work, but it seems to cause problems in the pursuit of solving other ones.

The floating thumb thing, however, is a new concept for me, and it makes GREAT sense and works really well. It'll take some time to get used to it, but if anything it feels like an even MORE relaxed way to approach rapid passages in the RH, with the added plus of continuous damping of unused lower strings. Right now, without the anchored thumb on the lowest string, I confess I'll occasionally wander onto the wrong string or lose my bearings, but I know that will resolve itself with practice. A GREAT tip. Very grateful.

The upper strings, as many have said, are taken care of by the left hand; that's what I've been doing all along instinctively. Still, it was affirming to read "upper strings taken care of by left hand, lower strings by right hand." A great way to look the issue, simplified.

The only downside? I've never really bonded with the fifth string on my two five string basses; I don't have a use for it, it widens the neck, makes the bass heavier, and for what? An occasional (unnecessary) foray below E in the jazz styles I play? No one cares. Still.. it made a nice thumb rest. Now... it's not even useful for that...

Thanks again, everyone. I'll continue working on your tips.

Got to admit it worked for me on the 4 string but not so much on the 5. But for different reasons than yours. Mainly mentioned it coz I heard Jaco was partial to it.

Sounds like you found a winner with floating thumb. I found that quick and easy to learn and minimal distortion of the wrist as well.

 

[JonathanPDX]

You are already working hard to improve. If posting a video helps that process, or even speeds it up, why not take advantage of an accessible tool that may help you reach your goals?

I don't think anyone is going to judge a video clearly intended to help address a technique issue. You can post it as unlisted too, so it doesn't pop up when people are searching for your public material.

 

[SteveCS]

...
The suggestions for leaving the pinky and ring finger of my right hand on the lower unused strings is probably a good one for lots of folks in lots of styles, but that feels really awful to me; I have very small hands, and it puts my hand in kind of an unnatural shape and slows down/interferes with my ability to pizz rapid passages, either raking or using index and middle finger alternate, evenly and cleanly. Perhaps with practice I could make it work, but it seems to cause problems in the pursuit of solving other ones.
...

My hands are on the large side yet I also find that method feels really alien and causes problems elsewhere. It doesn't figure in my method and I lose no sleep over that.