Extreme left thumb muting

[Cat Fancier]

I'm just coming back to stringed instruments after years of making music on computers. I was never a great instrumentalist and I developed a technique on bass and guitar of muting the bottom strings with my left thumb. No just the E string--all stings below the one I'm playing. I'm not interested in any virtuoso stuff. Just walking bass and riffing. I've got a lot of muscle memory that never went away. Is there a compelling reason why I should tough it out and retrain myself in a more orthodox method?

 

[JKos]

That sounds like one of the orthodox methods called floating thumb.

 

[Cat Fancier]

But I'm using the fretting thumb.

 

[Cat Fancier]

And I forgot to mention that I use a pick.

 

[JKos]

Whoa….. I just realized you said LEFT thumb. How are you doing that? You have your thumb wrapped over the top of the neck?

 

[Cat Fancier]

Whoa….. I just realized you said LEFT thumb. How are you doing that? You have your thumb wrapped over the top of the neck?

Yep. Got used to it.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Your fingers?

 

[Wasnex]

I don't recommend it personally, but some famous players use this technique. In situations where it is the best or only option, I would not hesitate to use it.

 

[mambo4]

hmm just joined today, only one posted thread... my troll sense is tingling
But I'll give the OP the benefit of the doubt

Is there a compelling reason why I should tough it out and retrain myself in a more orthodox method?

Only if you do the thumb thing because you can't left hand mute the 'normal' way
Using an unusual technique is fine as long as it's a choice and not a fallback for lack of practice. Practice *all* muting techniques, and choose what works in context.

 

[Five or Six]

To each their own. I've seen it done but thought it was goofy. I've seen guitar players do it and it still looks goofy.

 

[Cat Fancier]

I don't recommend it personally, but some famous players use this technique. In situations where it is the best or only option, I would not hesitate to use it.

Neat. Who?

 

[InhumanResource]

Yep. Got used to it.

So if you’re playing on the G, you’re muting D A and E strings with your left thumb? Where’s the pressure coming from to fret the note?

 

[Wasnex]

Neat. Who?

AFAIK

There are others...but this is not the type of stuff I keep track of.

 

[Queue]

Neat. Who?

Michael Been (The Call) RIP

 

[Cat Fancier]

So if you’re playing on the G, you’re muting D A and E strings with your left thumb? Where’s the pressure coming from to fret the note?

It just works for me. I'm sure it's not ideal but I'm not playing technical stuff.

 

[vvvmmm]

You know what they say about guys with big thumbs, yeah?

More successful hitchhiking.

 

[sean_on_bass]

as long as it's not causing physical pain then go for it. but also know there are other ways to accomplish the same goal that you should at least take a look at. always good to have multiple tools in the tool box. i think for me, using the thumb that way is going to limit my ability to move around the fretboard more freely.

 

[InhumanResource]

It just works for me. I'm sure it's not ideal but I'm not playing technical stuff.

I’m asking out of curiosity because I can’t visualize it.

 

[gln1955]

That sounds like one of the orthodox methods called floating thumb.

That's not a bad name for it, really.

 

[red_rhino]

I can see where this is a useful ability. I actually did this when I first started playing before someone else worked with me to "correct" my technique. In my case, that correction was the right thing to do; my thumbs aren't really long enough to wrap around the neck in order to make good use of it, and positioning my thumb along the back of the neck enabled other things I was struggling with. But there are times when muting with my thumb in that way would be a good thing.

I say if it's working for you, and you're getting done what you need to get done without pain, it's not a problem.