Finger technique

[telejojo5]

I am a drummer who loves to play bass and i sometimes find myself plucking the strings creating a loud sound that I don't want.Plucking is fine if I want to but it happens sometimes when i don't it to.Is there a practice or method that will reduce the loud plucking?

 

[Lee Moses]

Without knowing what the sound is or specifically what you are doing to cause it, it is difficult to pin it down. But I suspect the problem could be resolved by 1 of 2 things (or both): (1) play with a lighter touch, (2) play horizontally across the strings rather than pulling them up or pushing them down.

 

[Docduval]

Practice, get better control over finger movement. I’d start with slowish songs that play the same note the entire bar.

 

[eniac]

Also playing down closer to the bridge (away from the neck heel) will reduce the problem. Like this, beginning around the 1:20 mark:

 

[tb-player]

Get a 2-week free trial at Scotts Bass Lessons and take his technique course. It'll cure you.

 

[JimmyM]

Get a 2-week free trial at Scotts Bass Lessons and take his technique course. It'll cure you.

Or take two seconds to read the advice Dave LaRue gave me:

Lighten up and play closer to the bridge.

 

[JonathanPDX]

Without video or even audio the sound could be any one of a million different things. Strings, instrument setup, technique or angle on either hand and any finger. It's just impossible to say what sound you are hearing by description alone, especially such a vague one.

 

[andruca]

I think it's all down to control, as many say, and getting used to a speciific bass or setup (which usually might take a bit too). To gain that control maybe try the same phrase or passage, played in different levels of plucking intensity, constant all the way, from very subtle/quiet to clearly digging in. Also from soft to hard attack, which is independent (you can play loud with a soft attack or quiet with a hard attack).

For me sensation is all, getting the necessary feedback, that's why I mentioned you also need to adjust to each bass and setup. I've deprived myself of enjoying P basses for almost 30 years just because I didn't get it, didn't feel how Precisions want to be played, so I felt AND sounded real clumsy on them.

Despite most every piece of advice you'd need is out there on YouTube, if there's any bass coach around it never hurts to have somebody experienced check on your technique 1st hand and get you moving in the right direction in a couple sessions

 

[Dana R Gregory]

You might be plucking from the base of the finger. Try plucking from the middle joint. This will force you to pluck lighter and thus give you better control as well as help with muting. Good luck.

 

[g-dude]

Once you learn how not to make the noises, learn how to intentionally make them.

There’s a time for everything.

 

[J Wilson]

Next time you practice, boost the treble (in a particularly aggravating frequency range around 1 k) on the amp and turn it up louder than you'd like.

Adjust ONLY with your playing to get both back to a comfortable level. Playing hands only, don't touch a thing on the amp, until you begin to sound right. The tone may not be the best, but you can make it better by where you're playing and reign the volume down by hands as well.

The where and how of your hands on the strings is the core of everything, and this will show you why. The bass, the strings, the amp, the effects finish your sound, but it all starts with two hands on the strings and while you can spend thou$ands on equipment, until your hands are under control, you got nothing.

 

[klyph]

Fingernail management is crucial for fingerstyle bassists and classical guitarists. Many bass players keep theirs cut down to the quick, some don't. What's on your fingertips? Give yourself a quick manicure and report back...

 

[telejojo5]

Great advice I think I was using my fingertips too much.......................

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I am a drummer who loves to play bass and i sometimes find myself plucking the strings creating a loud sound that I don't want.Plucking is fine if I want to but it happens sometimes when i don't it to.Is there a practice or method that will reduce the loud plucking?

A ramp might be useful, but being honest, practice works well. Like the 100s of hours I spent starting out working on my technique. I will add that dynamics is a good thing, but you do need to be able to control it.

 

[Ritter667]

Light touch, only stroke the strings with the outmost tip of your fingers/nails, rather than actually plucking, pulling or striking the strings.

You will get much nicer tone that way as well.

Also while you are at it, do yourself a favor and learn floating thumb technique.