floating thumb techniqe

[spindizzy]

I think I answered this "where to put my thumb when playing the low E or B" in a previous thread someplace. Here is the usual disclaimer prior to my answering; Todd is the instructor and is often clearer in his explanations than I am so for definitive instruction BUY HIS DVDs and INSTRUCTIONALS (you won't be disappointed).

When I am playing the B (I play a seven) my thumb tends to float now just above usually swinging fairly free with my arm generally pearch against the top edge of my bass body. When I first adopted the technique (back in the dark ages) I had the same problem you folks are expressing. Back then I would often pearch on a pickup or rest my thumb against the body of the bass just above the B. Over time however, as my hands adjusted to FT and strengthened as I learned to strike harder without the support of a fixed anchor, I eventually and quite unconsiously stopped doing either and the thumb has floated free ever since.

The secret is playing the style as fully as possible but not letting some of the small stuff hang you up. I am a "if it works use it" kind of guy so even though I was only hitting maybe 75% percent of the value FT brought at first I plunged ahead modifying certain aspects of the technique to fix specific problems. Over time the organic nature of the technique will allow you to develop better and better ways to use it and your hand strength will improve sufficiently that you most likely will stop feeling the need to anchor.

I would also post this question in Todd's forum as I am sure he can give you additional insights you might find helpful.

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I think I answered this "where to put my thumb when playing the low E or B" in a previous thread someplace. Here is the usual disclaimer prior to my answering; Todd is the instructor and is often clearer in his explanations than I am so for definitive instruction BUY HIS DVDs and INSTRUCTIONALS (you won't be disappointed).

When I am playing the B (I play a seven) my thumb tends to float now just above usually swinging fairly free with my arm generally pearch against the top edge of my bass body. When I first adopted the technique (back in the dark ages) I had the same problem you folks are expressing. Back then I would often pearch on a pickup or rest my thumb against the body of the bass just above the B. Over time however, as my hands adjusted to FT and strengthened as I learned to strike harder without the support of a fixed anchor, I eventually and quite unconsiously stopped doing either and the thumb has floated free ever since.

The secret is playing the style as fully as possible but not letting some of the small stuff hang you up. I am a "if it works use it" kind of guy so even though I was only hitting maybe 75% percent of the value FT brought at first I plunged ahead modifying certain aspects of the technique to fix specific problems. Over time the organic nature of the technique will allow you to develop better and better ways to use it and your hand strength will improve sufficiently that you most likely will stop feeling the need to anchor.

I would also post this question in Todd's forum as I am sure he can give you additional insights you might find helpful.

+1 to all dat!

I have quickly come to the point of not achoring when playing the E on my four. It feels the most natural. The only thing I am still experimenting with right now is whether to rest the arm on the top edge of the bass or not.

I also think that is GREAT advice on not letting the little things get in the way while adopting the technique in general. You don't have to make the conversion all at once. That would be really frustrating and could be self-defeating.

And I plan on ordering Todd's video very soon!

 

[Sean Ormiston]

To you wide eyed learners (I am one who made it this far into the thread:

YEAH.

Floating Thumb. I've been playing three years and a revolution just happened to me at 4am with this thread, and indeed, particularly Todd's instructional video with youtube.

I find that this floating thumb thing's benefits go way beyond muting. First, it encourage a light touch which - as Gary Willis points out - often results in a bigger and fatter sound. These are electric instruments! You can play soft and still blow roofs.

Second, I've always had a problem where faster 16th notes on the D or G string would be...eh...iffy. This technique keeps your hand relaxed as it travels to the higher strings, allowing you to exert the same measured control on them. I'll be hopping all over the strings now, with dead accuracy.

Learn it kids!

- Sean Ormiston
"Infinite boiling softens the stone."

 

[danieltorre91]

I started using the floating thumb technique after 2-3 months of starting to play. I was unaware that it was an important technique back then...hehe. I had small hands so I had to reach the lower strings with a bit of effort. I was also used to the height of the thumb and the plucking fingers as I pluck the E and A strings, so I applied it to the higher strings, using the A string as a thumb rest. This thread has helped me more with this technique...thanks..hehe

 

[Blunt]

Its amazing when such a simple technique can change a view of the vertical and horizontal views of this instrument. Even a limited floating thumb is better then that stupid thumb stuck on a pickup or whatever.
This should be standard for all new bass players learning the instrument. But is it no. We want bass players coming through to replace us old farts OK. We want them to be better and more efficient do we not.
We do not want them to suffer hand a wrist injuries.

Well why is this not basically the first technique that a contemporary bass player learns.

For Gods sake this should be gospel and I am an athiest.

 

[spindizzy]

I think you will get an amen from Todd Johnson, Gary Willis and myself. Not sure if you will get it from the un-believers though.

Spin

 

[rudedogg]

I , having what i thought is poor technique, always float my thumb. I have been trying desperately to practice anchoring my thumb on the neck PUP to improve my playing. W hen gigging, i always revert back to my SLOPPY floating thumb, it increases speed and helps mute. I guess i wont bother anymore with playing as i should!!! LOL

John

 

[spindizzy]

rudedog - Welcome brother. This is one way to go from "bad technique" to "good" in a single post read. I think those who prefer to anchor should but to say that floating is bad technique is of course silly. IMHO there is no such thing as bad technique (other than those techniques that lead to some sort of physical injury) just different and if you find value and are able to express yourself in a way that makes you feel productive musically then go for it.

I strongly believe in FT and have played that way for most of my playing life. Like many I simply thought I was unusual and chalked it up to being a little unique. I never knew Willis or others were also playing this way until I discovered Talk Bass and saw Todd Johnson's stuff.

Nice to know that there are others around to validate a technique you find valuable but if you are moving forward and feel that your way is producing what you want then stick with it and ignore those who would "backseat" play your bass.

Spin

 

[RWM22]

Whoa, I didn't know this was an actualy technique. I'm self taught and I've always done this. I'm trying now to keep my thumb on my pickup no matter what string I'm playing and it's really hard for me to get used to. But I'm getting there

 

[spindizzy]

Well I would suggest you stop planting your thumb on the pickup immediately and return to the light.

 

[le-gasp]

i used todd johnsons video on floating thumb and its a great technique, but the little soreness in my shoulder is more then a little and its really while im playing and it becomes almost unbearable, am i doing something wrong or what?

 

[gjooro]

i used todd johnsons video on floating thumb and its a great technique, but the little soreness in my shoulder is more then a little and its really while im playing and it becomes almost unbearable, am i doing something wrong or what?

well no.. you just got to have those muscles to support your arm. start weightlifting or sth

 

[le-gasp]

well no.. you just got to have those muscles to support your arm. start weightlifting or sth

that makes sense, im glad its not my technique and that im just weak haha

 

[le-gasp]

oh another thing, im having trouible keeping my other shoulder relaxed while i play, is there sort of thing i can do to keep that shoulder relaxed, thanks

 

[professor_bills]

Try drinking more beer during your jams.....works for me

 

[WayneS]

I believe I'm a better player now that I don't anchor my thumb on the pickup.

I'm the same... I dont anchor my thumb at all. It just kinda hangs there. I never really paid attention to it. I tried anchoring my thumb and it just made me curl my hand. I have big hands I guess.

 

[dvh]

After over 20 years of playing with my thumb stuck on the pickup I tried the floating thumb technique after reading about it here on TB.

It has definitely made me a better player. More quick and accurate. I tried the old technique for the heck of it and found it doesn't even feel comfortable anymore.

(Sounds like a paid endorsement. Wish it was!)

 

[Gawd]

I find when I use this technique it makes it harder to pluck as fluidly. my fingers hook under the string accidently.. maybe I'm going about this wrong?

I also find it hard to get power into my sound with it, I play in a metal band, and I need to have a big sound for it, but this gives me a very light sound that I don't really like.

 

[dvh]

Sounds like your really dig in. Yeah, the technique doesn't really work if you play like that. A variation is the moveable anchor: just anchor your thumb on the string above the one your plucking (e.g. if your plucking the D string your thimb will be on the A string, etc). I use that technique a lot when I'm digging in harder. I'm really getting into the "increase the volume play softer" school of thought, though. Doesn't work for everyone or every situation.

 

[Belgand]

Hmm... I just started and have been self-teaching myself so I'm a bit critical of myself in trying not to develop bad habits. I'd like to be able to take lessons specifically to help identify these potential problems and cut them off before they start to take hold, but money is pretty tight at the moment.

Anyhow, for me what feels natural is definitely to not anchor the thumb to anything. It just sort of hangs off into space with occasional muting, though I'm still trying to get the hang of muting.

Then again, for me I also notice myself naturally using my ring finger to pluck along with alternating middle and index. Probably something I ought to nip in the bud, but, at the same time, it seems like it might add flexibility so I don't want to train myself so harshly away from it that it starts feeling awkward if I later realize that it would help.