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floating thumb techniqe

#241
Well I guess there are many different techniques that suit different people comfortably. I used to anchor my thumb on the pickups when playing the E and A strings and then anchor it on the E string when plucking the D string and so on...

However, I saw a video that recommends that the thumb not be anchor on the pickups as you will have to sort of do a little hop to anchor the E strings when plucking the D string. So it recommends that the thumb be pushed against the face of the pickups when plucking the E and A strings and in this case, it is easier for your thumb to anchor the E string from this position better.

Lastly, I would anchor the A string while playing the G string as the thumb would mute the A string and I lean my thumb against the E string to mute it and the plucking fingers would mute the D string after plucking the G string :)

Sorry... I talk abit too much as I just signed up for this forum and its my first post :P
 
#242
I've always anchored my thumb on the neck pickup of my jazz bass, and recently, I've found that it just isn't working. I couldn't get consistent punch and volume out of all the strings, and I felt fettered and exhausted when I played. I feared I was losing my touch. However, I started playing this way, and after a few hours, I find I can't play any other way. The moveable anchor is what's been missing from my playing, in the style of it, the sound of it, and the efficiency. (Please excuse typo, I've never been any good at spelling.) I find more consistant sound quality from my bass, and it makes my playing faster, easier, and harder-hitting. I'm starting to feel the old flame of excitement when I play again, and I don't feel like I'm not as good anymore. I couldn't be happier! Thank you to whoever started this thread, I am in your debt!
 
#244
I've started practising this technique.

Personally I don't use one technique all the time.

If i'm playing something along the lines of metal, I'd keep my thumb placed on the pickup, because a lot of the time you'd be relying on your heaviest string, and need a lot of power behind it. A pickup is a lot sturdier than a string!

If I'm just playing something smooth and jazzy, I'll normally rest my thumb either on the face of the pick up if I'm playing my E string, or on the E string if i'm playing anything else.

However, if in any of these instances I need to play something fast on the farther strings, I rest my thumb as close to them as possible. (Think the intro to Number Of The Beast by Maiden - I rest my thumb on the A string)
 
#246
BullHorn said:
What about octaves, how would one go and play those with a floating-anchor technique?

-EDIT: When I say octaves, I mean at least like Rocco plays on What Is Hip. How should I play that?
Click to expand...

Play it like Rocco did :)
Which string are you using to get the highest octave by chance? G or D?
I have used 2 different postions on the neck for that one (the track).
 
#248
For me it would depend, floating thumb is not an absolute, I find it a lighter touch than anchoring on the Pickup or E string, so if I wanted to get the same feel as Rocco did, thats quite a bit of force so I'd stick with the p/up or E for anchoring, if I'm playing the head of Donna Lee, then I'll float.
 
#249
I used that song as an example for quick octaves. I understand what you mean, but this doesn't answer my question. Will practicing octaves with a floating thumb technique give me any useful results or is it just a waste of time?

A YouTube video reply would be the best, I just have trouble finding material on this issue.
 
#250
Practising it for everything is never going to hurt your playing, it's one technique, get comfortable with it, and then mix it up with other approaches, the bottom line for octaves is yes imo it is worth practising, I find it mutes more efficiently and is smoother sounding for certain grooves/whatever.?

My thing is using a three string range, if I'm playing on E A and D I'll anchor on the E, as soon as I have to move up to the G I move my anchor to the A, so always covering the range of 3 strings, if I have to play over 4 I move the anchor position, but I only use 2 anchor positions for everything on a four string bass.....? On a 5 string 3 anchor positions because of the extra string.
 
#252
BullHorn said:
That makes sense actually. Anchor on the A string and whenever I use it, i curl the thumb up a bit and anchor it under the E string, in between the E and A strings. This works well, actually. Lots of force thanks to it, as well.
Click to expand...

I always just think in a 3 string range, when I need extra notes outside that range, I shift the anchor between the E and A, my thing isn't too involved, I just like that spacing. Cool ; )
 
#253
BassLevite84 said:
Well I guess there are many different techniques that suit different people comfortably. I used to anchor my thumb on the pickups when playing the E and A strings and then anchor it on the E string when plucking the D string and so on...

However, I saw a video that recommends that the thumb not be anchor on the pickups as you will have to sort of do a little hop to anchor the E strings when plucking the D string. So it recommends that the thumb be pushed against the face of the pickups when plucking the E and A strings and in this case, it is easier for your thumb to anchor the E string from this position better.

Lastly, I would anchor the A string while playing the G string as the thumb would mute the A string and I lean my thumb against the E string to mute it and the plucking fingers would mute the D string after plucking the G string :)

Sorry... I talk abit too much as I just signed up for this forum and its my first post :P
Click to expand...

+1 I've found the face of the pickup's act as a little ramp and stops the thumb from getting too 'under' the strings, it's reassuring to have a 'feel gauge' under the thumb imo ; )
 
#255
maturanesa said:
To me, anchoring the thumb make fingerstyle effortless, like some of the force is absorved by the thumb. When floating feels like the fingers do all the work.
Click to expand...

Yes it's nice to feel the feedback from the thumb anchorage but it's pro's and cons as far as muting is concerned, I skipped the floating thumb and moved on to 4 finger technique, I figured if I was going to use the thumb for floating, I may as well use it as a picking digit instead/as well as. I do have a simple floating thumb thing but really it's only skipping between the E and A and re-anchoring, my 2 Pence on this.
 
#256
Skitch it! said:
Yes it's nice to feel the feedback from the thumb anchorage but it's pro's and cons as far as muting is concerned, I skipped the floating thumb and moved on to 4 finger technique, I figured if I was going to use the thumb for floating, I may as well use it as a picking digit instead/as well as. I do have a simple floating thumb thing but really it's only skipping between the E and A and re-anchoring, my 2 Pence on this.
Click to expand...

I feel like muting with the right hand (thumb or palm) in one way or another restricts some of the right hand capacity/skill cause you got to get too close to the strings. Anchoring create some distance allowing more free movements i think... I prefer left hand muting.
 
#257
dvh said:
Yes

It's interesting. I never heard of movable anchor or floating thumb before joining this site. Once I tried it the moving anchor technique quickly became natural and now I wonder how I did without it.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what happened to me when my teacher showerd me this technique. I really don't know how to do differently anymore; it came naturally after only a weeks disciplined practising.
 
#258
rwm0268 said:
Hmm, perhaps you are correct. I thought the two were one in the same. The technique described on Warwick's site is very different than the movable anchor that Adam teaches. The movable anchor is really a non-anchor technique. Your plucking hand really just floats above the strings using the thumb to mute as needed. There is no pressure applied to the thumb.

This technique helped me learn to play with a lighter touch, also.

Hope this helps,
Click to expand...

Yes they are two different techniques one is moving your thumb down the strings and anchoring it in the string that is above the string where you are plugging with your index and middle fingers.

The other one is floating the thumb over the strings to mute them. I picked up this technique after seen Tod Johnson in a jazz concert, at that time I was starting to play 5 strings and I was amazed by his clarity on a 6 string bass so I approached him and he explained to me briefly the principles of this technique. It is very natural actually is the way that you have your hand when you are standing, with the natural curve of the fingers and the thumb resting which is going to be floating over the strings. Check Tod Johnson on You Tube there is the video there:


Good luck this is a very natural and powerful technique.

Javi:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#259
The "floating thumb" (scenario: playing a scale from E to G on a right handed 4 string) - E string: Thumb on pick-up, A string: Thumb on the E string and so on makes perfect sense in the context of muting the previous string; in this case muting E when moving to A.

My question is, when you play the scale back to the E string from the G string, how do you go about muting the previous strings? e.g. when you move to the D string from the G string, how would you mute the G string with you right hand?
 
#260
BluesMan1 said:
The "floating thumb" (scenario: playing a scale from E to G on a right handed 4 string) - E string: Thumb on pick-up, A string: Thumb on the E string and so on makes perfect sense in the context of muting the previous string; in this case muting E when moving to A.

My question is, when you play the scale back to the E string from the G string, how do you go about muting the previous strings? e.g. when you move to the D string from the G string, how would you mute the G string with you right hand?
Click to expand...

Muting is a combination of both hands, no just the floating thumb, the fingers of your left hand that are not active should be muting other strings. That will improve your accuracy and clean sound. It is a life long task. Check the vido on You Tube from Tod Johnson.

Javi
 

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