floating thumb techniqe

[bengolding]

I'm finding it hard to decide a position and stick with it. I need one that will allow me to play fast with the right hand to play 'hit me with your rhythm stick' xD so far I prefer an anchored position, much more accurate plucking for me personally

 

[Tankdave]

I hear you, I'm still experimenting, but if a technique ain't working for you after trying and trying, stick with what does work, none of them are wrong.

 

[Feral Feline]

No technique is wrong, unless it causes injury – then that technique is patently wrong.

 

[FJBass82]

I didn't start playing the bass guitar until 1999, when I was 35. I was self-taught, learning out of a book/cd compilation called "The Bass Guitar Primer." There was also a seperate video tape for the book that I bought as well.

For some reason I started using the floating thumb technique right off the bat. I didn't know it was called that, and the book/cd/video tape didn't show it, nor mention it. They showed how to use your fingers (by anchoring your thumb to the pickup) or a pick. Why I began using the floating thumb, I don't know.

Several months after I started playing and felt comfortable, I decided to take bass lessons, just to see what a teacher could show me and to see if I was on the right track. One of the first things my teacher said, when seeing how I was using the floating thumb technique, was that I shouldn't be doing that, that it was wrong. Instead he had me anchor my right thumb to the pickup and use my fingers that way.

Since this was new to me, I felt like I was starting all over again learning how to play the bass! But it didn't take long and I got used to it. A little research even back then showed me that my original technique wasn't "wrong", that it was called the floating thumb technique.

I've tried to get back to the floating thumb technique but I'm so used to not doing it that it I prefer anchoring my thumb to the pickup, although sometimes I do use it briefly.

 

[Daveypoo]

Ok, here's my $0.02.

Like FJBass I started out with this technique naturally, however after awhile I found that my speed and accuracy was limited. I realized that with the "floating thumb" approach I had to move my whole had every time I switched strings. When I started anchoring my thumb on the pickup all the sudden it was a matter of simply pivoting on my thumb to gain access to higher strings. I found that my speed and consistency increased, and I also developed a muting technique of resting my 3rd and 4th fingers on the E and A strings to mute them when not being played.

I instruct my students to anchor their thumbs but mainly because it worked for me and I can only speak from my own experience. There's certainly nothing wrong with "floating thumb" but anchoring the thumb made such a noticeable difference in my playing that I've never gone back.

 

[davidhilton]

Which one of these techniques did Jaco use?
To me it looks like his anchoring his thumb on top of his E string and not the pickup, even when he playing the E-String.

I watched a lot Jaco vids...he does both.

 

[timobee4]

Hmmm! This is a very interesting discussion I never thought I'd ever have. ) a floating thumb, ey. Now you telling me! I play my bass for the past 27 years with my thumb either anchored on the top of the pickup or on the E string even A sometimes. I play with 3 fingers and often use my thumb to pluck/strum the E taking advantage of it being there while I move left hand and reposition right hand to accommodate whatever I'm playing. Never thought about it to mention or debate. It's brilliant. Great chat and I'm sure that it help some out there!

 

[Schlyder]

Going to a 6 string, from a 5 string..... I had to incorporate more floating thumb. There was no way around it.

It is now a dance of floating thumb, and anchored thumb... either on pickup, string, or fretboard.

The more variation of right hand techniques you can employ is always a good thing as I see it.

 

[Geri O]

Ok, here's my $0.02.

Like FJBass I started out with this technique naturally, however after awhile I found that my speed and accuracy was limited. I realized that with the "floating thumb" approach I had to move my whole had every time I switched strings. When I started anchoring my thumb on the pickup all the sudden it was a matter of simply pivoting on my thumb to gain access to higher strings. I found that my speed and consistency increased, and I also developed a muting technique of resting my 3rd and 4th fingers on the E and A strings to mute them when not being played.

In the two videos I watched on the floating thumb technique, both instructors make mention of moving the entire arm up and down to change strings as you play. They mention that it will be a little difficult to do this with the unsupported arm at first, but with practice, the muscles in the arm will develop, like anything else you train for, and eventually strengthen and do the operation without pain.

I watched these two videos and the Adam Nitti video on movable anchor technique and I find myself using an amalgamation of both techniques. It came really naturally and easily for me

 

[Daveypoo]

At some point you have to just do whatever works best for you. There really isn't any right way to do things - just look at Larry Graham! If he had done things the same as everyone else we wouldn't have slap bass right now.

 

[JaminDyer]

Just try to stop thinking about it, and do what naturally feels right!

I now do all sorts of techniques without realising I'm doing them, floating thumb, thumb on pickup, playing by the neck, playing by the bridge, dynamics. Your body will find what's comfortable and will adapt over time As I'm sure it's been said a thousand times, the only time a technique is wrong is when it is detrimental to your health, so play with your toes if it feels right!

 

[viking power]

I used floating thumb for a little while but find that I can get a more aggressive attack by anchoring my thumb on the pickup. I have to deal with a lot of noise with the anchor technique though...

 

[Frizzle Fry]

I've never really liked anchoring, even on guitar, most people seem to think you need to be somewhat tense to pick or pluck, but once you can get used to completely relaxing your hand, it does make a big difference. If you just float, you don't have to worry about finding that one spot that feels really good and keep moving when you move strings. It also acts as a really nice mute, though, anchoring offers that same advantage, so meh.

 

[viking power]

I've never really liked anchoring, even on guitar, most people seem to think you need to be somewhat tense to pick or pluck, but once you can get used to completely relaxing your hand, it does make a big difference. If you just float, you don't have to worry about finding that one spot that feels really good and keep moving when you move strings. It also acts as a really nice mute, though, anchoring offers that same advantage, so meh.

I think floating thumb is a far superior method as far muting unwanted noise goes. Anchoring only allows for muting the string adjacent to the one you just hit. This is my frustration with anchoring vs. floating thumb. Floating thumb though, to me, feels like it limits my ability to play in an aggressive manner with metal or punk.

Thoughts?

 

[Frizzle Fry]

Well, I can get a fairly aggressive stroke, but then again, I don't like slamming the strings, as long as it's loud, it's good for me, if I need any more, I just use a pick.

 

[viking power]

Just farted around a little with both methods- actually can get pretty aggressive with floating thumb. More so than I had thought. I may go back to it as my preferred method. SO NICE to not have a bunch of resonant tones sounding like I do when I'm anchored on the pickup. I know a lot of guys just mute with their fretting hand...not something I've been able to figure out.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I've ve been taught that the proper technique should mean that you do not use the pickup as an anchor point with your thumb when plucking the E and should just have it floating when playing A, D, and G you can use the string above an an anchor point. Also, pluck with your index and middle fingers alternatively at 90 degrees to the strings close to the bridge. It's hard to begin with but this makes such a difference.

What do you think?

I use a pickup as an anchor when on the Lowest string. Keeping the fingers close to the bridge gives you only one sound. I move up and down the string from close the the bridge for a sharper edge to almost the end of the fretboard for a smoother sound. I also vary finger angle to affect the sound.
I also use my ring finger for picking, but only for fast passages. I have just about always used this technique without knowing it had a name.

 

[Roccomen]

The ideal is to have no anchore, as the name suggest, it will slow you down. At least not on your fingers, that is. A lot of us pivot on our arms, next to the elbow, and leave the whole hand free to mute unused strings. This gives you a cleaner sound and speed at the same time. I'll post a video explaining this.

 

[viking power]

The ideal is to have no anchore, as the name suggest, it will slow you down. At least not on your fingers, that is. A lot of us pivot on our arms, next to the elbow, and leave the whole hand free to mute unused strings. This gives you a cleaner sound and speed at the same time. I'll post a video explaining this.

Looking forward to seeing your video...

 

[vince a]

Do whatever you feel like doing . . . I use a floating thumb and fingers (all four), anchor on the end of the neck, a pickup. and either the B or E string . . . which method kinda evolves from the tone that I want want or the speed of my right hand fingering. The are no rules . . . and I don't care what others think of my playing . . . play to get the job done, not to impress others!