"Floating" on the low notes

[bigshoo119]

Hi Todd,

I just had a quick question regarding floating thumb technique:

I was able to pick it up pretty quickly and use it almost exclusively now as it's proven to be quite efficient and economical, but I'm having trouble with doing any sort of runs off of or using it for any extended periods of time on my bottom string.

On a six string, for example, I have no trouble utilizing floating thumb on strings E - C, but the second I need to play anything on my B string, my thumb gets lost. I've tried to keep my forearm at a similar angle and height and 'float' my whole hand above the strings, but I feel that I'm loosing efficiency and power by doing so. Another thing I've tried is to switch to using my pickup as an anchor-point for my thumb but again, there seems to be a loss of speed and efficiency with that as well.

What do you normally do with your thumb when playing the bottommost string of your bass? Keep it floating? Revert to an anchor-point technique and rest it on the pick up? Something else?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ilmaio]

I submit to this post since i have the same exact problem.

 

[Todd Johnson]

Hi Todd,

I just had a quick question regarding floating thumb technique:

I was able to pick it up pretty quickly and use it almost exclusively now as it's proven to be quite efficient and economical, but I'm having trouble with doing any sort of runs off of or using it for any extended periods of time on my bottom string.

On a six string, for example, I have no trouble utilizing floating thumb on strings E - C, but the second I need to play anything on my B string, my thumb gets lost. I've tried to keep my forearm at a similar angle and height and 'float' my whole hand above the strings, but I feel that I'm loosing efficiency and power by doing so. Another thing I've tried is to switch to using my pickup as an anchor-point for my thumb but again, there seems to be a loss of speed and efficiency with that as well.

What do you normally do with your thumb when playing the bottommost string of your bass? Keep it floating? Revert to an anchor-point technique and rest it on the pick up? Something else?

Thanks in advance.

If you "move the mechanism" then the thumb will follow...and "float" just off the B string etc.
....OR....
You could temporarily anchor the thumb...That works too...just make sure you go back to the FT when you get off the B string etc.....

Use your common sense.....Ultimately its whatever works and mutes the strings.

FWIW, my Technique Builders DVD has a bunch of exercises that get you comfortable dealing with the B string, but the above advice still applies.

I hope this helps!!

Have fun and play slow!!!

 

[christoph h.]

I "float" only when playing on the A, D and G strings. When playing on the E string I'll anchor on the B, when playing the B string, I'll anchor on the PU.