i used to have a bad habit of anchoring down tightly on the pickup even when playing the high notes, i didn't notice when i played with my band(s) but when practicing not only did the lower string ring out when playing the higher notes, but my elbow would get sore from all that pressure. once i switched, the pain completely went away and i've been playing much more consistently ever since.
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floating thumb techniqe
- Thread starter Torvus
- Start date
Floating-thumb is an integral component of my right-hand technique. Not only do I use it as an anchor, but as many have mentioned, it acts as a lower-string mute.
Once I am playing on strings beyond the top string (B on 5-string, E on 4-string) my thumb lies down flat to mute the lower strings and just glides up and down.
When playing patterns on two adjacent strings, the thumb mute timing is critical. The left hand can act as a mute for the upper string, but the thumb must open up to allow the lower note in the string pair to sound, but then mute simultaneously as the upper string note is struck. Coordinating this action becomes more difficult as speed requirements for a particular lick increase.
I guess if it were an easy technique there wouldn't be such wide and varied discussion on the topic. And because each player is unique and applies his own custom-crafted method, there's no right or wrong. The bottom line is it takes a lot of practice to use it to its fullest extent.
Once I am playing on strings beyond the top string (B on 5-string, E on 4-string) my thumb lies down flat to mute the lower strings and just glides up and down.
When playing patterns on two adjacent strings, the thumb mute timing is critical. The left hand can act as a mute for the upper string, but the thumb must open up to allow the lower note in the string pair to sound, but then mute simultaneously as the upper string note is struck. Coordinating this action becomes more difficult as speed requirements for a particular lick increase.
I guess if it were an easy technique there wouldn't be such wide and varied discussion on the topic. And because each player is unique and applies his own custom-crafted method, there's no right or wrong. The bottom line is it takes a lot of practice to use it to its fullest extent.
I also use the floating thumb technique. I did not pick it up on my own, I was shown it by my instructor once he realized that when I played my thumb never came off the pickup. Playing with my thumb anchored lead to all kinds of problems like what has been listed. Learning the floating thumb technique cured those problems and improved the sound (and speed) of my playing tremendously.
I would say if you're not using a floating thumb technique, you should learn it. To me, it's essential to getting a clean sound.
I would say if you're not using a floating thumb technique, you should learn it. To me, it's essential to getting a clean sound.
It's been two weeks or so that I read my way though this great thread and began to question and work on my fingerstyle picking, having been a thumb-on-pickup guy all my life but never really felt comfortable with it, in hindsight.
Floating thumb was really not that hard to catch compared to other things I tried (and failed) and a key point for me that the fingering hand also gains a lot of freedom because less muting is required there, resulting in a more relaxed and focussed playing, overall.
When changing styles within a song I found it also much easier to switch to slaps/pops and most notably to forced harmonics (like eg Steve Baley does them a lot), it's actually the same move in the end. When I tried to do it Baley style (using the index finger) it turned out to be too sick for me but when using the thumb it pretty much falls in place without messing up my synapses too much
Lurking on TB sure pays off, and that's great.
Floating thumb was really not that hard to catch compared to other things I tried (and failed) and a key point for me that the fingering hand also gains a lot of freedom because less muting is required there, resulting in a more relaxed and focussed playing, overall.
When changing styles within a song I found it also much easier to switch to slaps/pops and most notably to forced harmonics (like eg Steve Baley does them a lot), it's actually the same move in the end. When I tried to do it Baley style (using the index finger) it turned out to be too sick for me but when using the thumb it pretty much falls in place without messing up my synapses too much
Lurking on TB sure pays off, and that's great.
SO funny. I wanted to find this thread to recommend the technique to someone and when I found my first post, it was over 6 years ago (January of 2007) Holy crap does time fly!
I adopted the floating technique back then and have never looked back. I couldn't anchor my thumb on a pickup now if my life depended on it!
I adopted the floating technique back then and have never looked back. I couldn't anchor my thumb on a pickup now if my life depended on it!
I didn't adopt the floating thumb, it kinda came with my new bass.
Even with a 6er back in my early 20's my thumb was superglued to the damn pickup. Now its just not the case, and I don't feel like I've lost any punch because without the crutch of a thumb anchor my plucking fingers do more work with less effort.
Even with a 6er back in my early 20's my thumb was superglued to the damn pickup. Now its just not the case, and I don't feel like I've lost any punch because without the crutch of a thumb anchor my plucking fingers do more work with less effort.
Yes, keep practicing it! The strength will come. It feels awkward at first, and your fingers will feel weaker in this position. As you practice, you will slowly notice the strength building and you will find the sort oof sweet spot in attack that comes from practice.
Oh, and did I mention practice? Don't give up. See iit through and you will be glad you did!
I know right! I just kind of picked up this weird ring finger/pinky claw-like right hand mute out of sheer necessity and trial and error. I never even noticed it until one of my buddies pointed out my crazy hand position in a jam session. I'm in the middle of re-learning both floating thumb and anchored thumb to see which one I like better. I'm thinking learning one of these techniques properly in the first place would have saved me months on the learning curve!
personally I like to using the floating thumb technique because it helps me have the same amount of strength for each finger on each string, but thats just personal preference
You can find almost anything on YouTube. This technique is relatively simple. Really nothing magical about it. It's actually a natural way of playing. Practice, practice, practice.
So you guys usually have your right thumb in the air when your playing the low B (for a 5-string) or low e (4 string)? Seems odd but I may have to try it. Right now, I just alternate between resting my thumb on the pick-up or the B string… sometimes on the E if I'm going to be playing the D/G for a while. I've been having issues with ringing strings on my 5-string so maybe I need to suck it up and work on this.
I adopted the floating thumb technique for a while but I recently went back to an anchored thumb above the E string. For me, I just find my playing more consistent and fluid that way, though I still employ floating thumb on my 6 string bass. There's almost no other way to play it, given the stretch it would require to reach the highest C string otherwise.
i prefer anchoring my thumb. It allows me to pivot and crossing strings and raking faster, instead of having to move the entire arm up and down with floating thumb...
I have a doubt.
I'm a beginner & I started to play with the floating thumb technique but something feels weird.
If I separate completely the right hand from the bass while playing with the floating thumb, my bass will fall to the left, staying in an horizontal position (& I don't want it to stay there).
Do I need to rest a part of my right hand on the bass while playing with the floating thumb?
Or do I have to slide my left hand thru the arm of the bass instead of rising the left thumb while changing frets?
(sorry for my english, I don't know if I explained myself well).
I want it to stay in a diagonal position while I'm standing.
What am I doing wrong?
Maybe I'm playing it wrong, I mean, should my left thumb slide thru or should it rise a little? Cause when I rise it, the bass falls to my left.
I'm a beginner & I started to play with the floating thumb technique but something feels weird.
If I separate completely the right hand from the bass while playing with the floating thumb, my bass will fall to the left, staying in an horizontal position (& I don't want it to stay there).
Do I need to rest a part of my right hand on the bass while playing with the floating thumb?
Or do I have to slide my left hand thru the arm of the bass instead of rising the left thumb while changing frets?
(sorry for my english, I don't know if I explained myself well).
I want it to stay in a diagonal position while I'm standing.
What am I doing wrong?
Maybe I'm playing it wrong, I mean, should my left thumb slide thru or should it rise a little? Cause when I rise it, the bass falls to my left.
I play 6 string most of the time and slap pop etc. Muting strings with my plucking palm side gives me freedom to play my upper strings with thumb if I want.
Palm mute is from playing with a pick and it just came in handy as I started on the 6. If I play a harmonic or pop one I can let it ring while playing around it
But it takes some wood shedding. Relax. Little bit at a time. I'll try to vid something.
Palm mute is from playing with a pick and it just came in handy as I started on the 6. If I play a harmonic or pop one I can let it ring while playing around it
But it takes some wood shedding. Relax. Little bit at a time. I'll try to vid something.
For me it is the only way to play.I started on bass this way and it was the easiest,most natural/comfortable method to play and mute the strings,so....
It is just the way I play now.It works for me,but I think one does sacrifice a bit of speed with it.
It is just the way I play now.It works for me,but I think one does sacrifice a bit of speed with it.
I use floating thumb technique a little differently then it is trypically described, I find it to be a little more ergonomic- for me.
I feel like it's somewhat important to understand where I'm coming from on a technical perspective:
I was a guitar player for 8 years (full/most of the timetime teacher, and session guy for 3-4). One day I just had a musical epiphany and naturally gravitated towards bass- reason being that I pervceive it as a superior instrument- you're not limited to creating melody (like most conventional guitar players) or rhythmic ideas. I got into Percussive acoustic guitar and wrote a whole album but the appeal for that field has little opportunity for someone who aspires to be a working pro. So bass. Anyways, in the short time I've shifted all my focus onto the lower register I not only have a new perspective on playing and writing music but it has also helped me grow as a person. Long story short, I feel my approach to the guitar was very egotisical whereas on bass (While I do put emaphasis developing chops/pushing my playing to it's limits) I'm able to focus on "The bigger picture".
here's my question:
Floating thumb technique works best for me but I find it difficult to do in the conventional sense where you rest your thumb on the string above the one you're playing on. I have my thumb literally float over the strings below, using the whole thumb and the flesh of my palm to mute. When I play on the lowest string my thumb either sits lightly above or rests on the pickup/ramp. It serves the same function and as far as I can tell it doesn't create any problems for my right hand (which I use a lot of techniques with). What it does do though is allow me to jump from string-to-string very smoothly.
If someone with experience far beyond me saw me do this would it be frowned upon? I know, I know: I shouldn't put so much merit in "the conventional" because what I'm doing works. However, in my mind proper technique is crucial and I'd rather stop and remedy this when I still consider myself fairly new to the instrument.
I feel like it's somewhat important to understand where I'm coming from on a technical perspective:
I was a guitar player for 8 years (full/most of the timetime teacher, and session guy for 3-4). One day I just had a musical epiphany and naturally gravitated towards bass- reason being that I pervceive it as a superior instrument- you're not limited to creating melody (like most conventional guitar players) or rhythmic ideas. I got into Percussive acoustic guitar and wrote a whole album but the appeal for that field has little opportunity for someone who aspires to be a working pro. So bass. Anyways, in the short time I've shifted all my focus onto the lower register I not only have a new perspective on playing and writing music but it has also helped me grow as a person. Long story short, I feel my approach to the guitar was very egotisical whereas on bass (While I do put emaphasis developing chops/pushing my playing to it's limits) I'm able to focus on "The bigger picture".
here's my question:
Floating thumb technique works best for me but I find it difficult to do in the conventional sense where you rest your thumb on the string above the one you're playing on. I have my thumb literally float over the strings below, using the whole thumb and the flesh of my palm to mute. When I play on the lowest string my thumb either sits lightly above or rests on the pickup/ramp. It serves the same function and as far as I can tell it doesn't create any problems for my right hand (which I use a lot of techniques with). What it does do though is allow me to jump from string-to-string very smoothly.
If someone with experience far beyond me saw me do this would it be frowned upon? I know, I know: I shouldn't put so much merit in "the conventional" because what I'm doing works. However, in my mind proper technique is crucial and I'd rather stop and remedy this when I still consider myself fairly new to the instrument.
I have recently started taking up the bass again. I am familiar with the floating technique from my (very limited) skills with playing slide guitar. With slide, I would always have the bottom strings muted with my picking thumb and the top strings muted with my fretting hand.
Trying this on the bass feels very natural to me. I am going through the Hal Leonard series and Ed advocates the moving anchor. The moving anchor does allow me to pluck with a bit more force but the wrist angle and the moving up and over each string to anchor on the next are both uncomfortable and awkward for me. Should I just stick with the floating thumb or work on the moving anchor technique?
Trying this on the bass feels very natural to me. I am going through the Hal Leonard series and Ed advocates the moving anchor. The moving anchor does allow me to pluck with a bit more force but the wrist angle and the moving up and over each string to anchor on the next are both uncomfortable and awkward for me. Should I just stick with the floating thumb or work on the moving anchor technique?
