Double Bass E String Technique Question

[EasilySpooked]

Good Morning!

I've been playing the upright for less than 3 months now, got myself a DVD tutorial that was moderately helpful in the learning, using the internet as much as possible, and have myself a question.

I gather that when plucking a string, one brings the broad side of the index finger across, sounds the note, and lets the finger come to a rest on the next string down, so you get a nice clean tone with lots of power, and the next string acts as a springboard and stopping point.

Can't do this with the E string, so when playing a tune that uses a lot of E, I find my time wanders and my hand cramps up and my tone slacks faster because I'm having to stop my fingers on my own somewhere out in the space beyond the fingerboard.

I know it's a bit difficult to write about technique, but am I misunderstanding or doing something wrong, or are there specific concepts or exercises I should be working with to power through this particular hurdle until stopping and rebounding on the E becomes second nature? Any advice (practice, practice, practice) would be more than welcome.

Thank you!

 

[Jay Corwin]

Technique with the E string just takes longer to develop. It's a balance between getting solid tone and definition from it without pulling too hard and having it flutter uncontrollably.

One thing that you will hear over and over (which I subscribe to) is to relax. You're so used to the adjacent strings stopping your motion above that E that you're probably not stopping your "pull" until you feel your finger hit the next string. In other words, the note is already played but you're still applying force that is no longer needed. Use your ears to determine when the note has been plucked instead, and this will help you play with a lighter touch while still constructing good notes. (notice I said lighter touch, not quieter)

The lighter touch will help you play the E more efficiently because your fingers wont be flailing all over. It also helps sometimes to play the E closer to the end of the finger board since the tension will be greater giving less string play. It will however change the tone.

Does any of that make sense?

 

[TDAN]

I am sure you will get some replies from player with more experience than me but something my teacher suggested was playing the E string with my second finger. It is not a radically different concept than playing anywhere else on the bass but focusing on the second finger helped make the motion seem more natural and has helped play the E better with both fingers and play with both finger better across all the strings.

 

[EasilySpooked]

hey that's great thank you both!

i definitely understand that i've got many years to go before this all gets comfortable and tight, but i'll work on relaxing a bit on my attack, i also appreciate the use of language here, little things like using "pull" will help me in the future when trying to describe technique.

I definitely see where Relaxing would help, I tend to be a bit of a heavy handed musician, used to break a ridiculous number of strings on the 6 until raw years finally calmed me down, so thank you for that advice!

I'll also give the middle finger a shot, been playing with that a little, but am never quite sure when its going to help and when I'm just going to trip over myself, but I can definitely see that as advantageous!

much obliged!

 

[John Crosley]

I started this thread awhile back in the jazz forum. everyone came out of the woodwork to give options.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f23/right-hand-e-string-794038/

 

[John Crosley]

I am sure you will get some replies from player with more experience than me but something my teacher suggested was playing the E string with my second finger. It is not a radically different concept than playing anywhere else on the bass but focusing on the second finger helped make the motion seem more natural and has helped play the E better with both fingers and play with both finger better across all the strings.

I just tried this. It does seem more natural, but I still need to work at it a bit to smooth it out. Cool! one more trick for me to use.

 

[TDAN]

If you are new to DB and playing bluegrass I would recommend an exercise that I have been doing over the last year to work on acoustic volume, tone, and evenness across the strings and in between stopped and open notes. It sounds very simple but has helped me focus on getting the most out of my right hand. set your metronome at a moderate tempo and start playing root-fith half notes. Really get into the groove and keep it very simple so you can focus on the right hand. Once you are happy with the open notes start adding stopped noted, skipping strings, change the tempo, whatever you are trying to improve. Spend enough hours working on the mechanics and when you are in a jam and focuses on the tunes it will feel natural. In a bluegrass setting (no drummer, all acoustic) good time and right hand technique are key to getting started.

 

[EasilySpooked]

lot of great stuff in that other thread, i've been working the middle finger, definitely liking it, but i'm going to try the rotational snapping on the other thread as well, thank you most kindly for your help! I'll doubtless end up asking myriad other beginner questions as the adventure continues.

and thanks for the exercise TDAN, I'd be curious to hear your other thoughts on practicing with a metrognome, exercises, hiccups, philosophy of use, it's not something I've done before, but is very much on my List now that I'm supposed to be the one in time (my natural time is decent, but I definitely love and appreciate my drummer in other projects)

 

[dainescot]

Informative stuff here got answers of lot of queries.

 

[rusag2]

I find that when playing the E string, I need my right hand nearer the bridge, slightly, than other strings. With the G string, I contact the string further up towards the nut.

With each descending string, my hand moves another 1/4" or 3/8" towards the bridge. I've found that if you play all 4 strings exactly the same distance from the bridge, the feel of teh strings is very different as is the intensity of the attack, and the quality of the sound.

Also, I tend to get a better sound if I can let the weight of my right arm coax out the tone, rather than the muscles of my hand.

Maybe just me, but worth experimenting.