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Great Bassists with "BAD" Technique

#21
To me, the key is to be at least aware of different techniques. If you run into a problem with speed and dexterity, have a clue that unwrapping your thumb from around the neck will help. If you run into a problem with uniform tone and volume on those pumping eighth notes, have a clue that plucking with just one finger will help.
It's all about keeping your eyes and ears open to all different kinds of players and techniques, and building your own personal array of approaches.
Also, people (like teachers) who preach "traditional" methods aren't necessarily dictators. Hear what they have to say, and use what you need.
 
#23
I'm going to throw up John Entwistle... his fretting hand was usually his first and third fingers it looked like, this thumb would often come over the board, he was usually flipping the bird, to reach a farther fret he would just move his wrist so his third finger could reach a lot of the time, and during really quick passages his fingers would fly around off the board (looked like he didn't have his hand on it at all between notes)

That being said, I can't get enough of the guy.
 
#27
I almost forgot: apparently, Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth is an example of someone who didn't get away with bad technique, I've read that she has a bad case of CT and can hardly play any more these days, and if she does, she plays short scale. If you've ever seen her play, you can probably imagine why.

Not sure if she qualifies as a "great" bass player, though. Oh well, I still like Sonic Youth. :smug:
 
#28
phxlbrmpf said:
I almost forgot: apparently, Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth is an example of someone who didn't get away with bad technique, I've read that she has a bad case of CT and can hardly play any more these days, and if she does, she plays short scale. If you've ever seen her play, you can probably imagine why.

Not sure if she qualifies as a "great" bass player, though. Oh well, I still like Sonic Youth. :smug:
Click to expand...

I know Kim Deal's technique caused major problems, not surprised that's true of Gordon too.
 
#30
Some clarifiers:
Geddy's "one finger unless he has to use two" technique is also contingent on the fact that over recent years he's used a flamenco technique where when he's flailing with that one finger he's hitting on both up and down strokes.
For a stunning demonstration of the potential of this technique (all 5 fingers :eek:) check out Abe Laboriel's instructional videos.

John Entwistle, who often used a pick, and Chris Squire had/have as good a pick technique as any bassist I've ever seen. Both wore/wear their basses medium high. Lowriding does not lend itself to good pick technique.

Entwistle did not use a 1/3 fretting hand technique at all times. He was appearing to "flip the bird" when he would fret an octave (1/4 fingering) or a fifth (yes, 1/3 in this case).
 
#31
It's sad, and I'll admit I am soooo guilty of doing this as well, but people often times consider the skill of the player to be the extent of what their band plays or what is in their songs or the technique they use. But what I typically look for is someone who has a "unique" style or feeling in their playing. Playing at local teenie clubs, I can tell which kids got bass lessons, which ones learned from their guitarist, and which ones worked their a** off reading tabs, watching videos on youtube, playing over mp3s, and jamming along with other guys no matter what instrument they played.

The lesson kids are obvious...they tend to play too softly with little attack or dynamics to their playing, almost like they are afraid to play a string as if it will explode if they pluck it. Most of them spend half the time making sure their thumb isn't anchored to a pickup or string or w/e, and they rarely can take their eyes off the fretboard. They try too hard to look smooth and their sound ends up suffering because it sounds flaccid and weak. Obviously within reason, but I have much more respect for a bassist who goes out and doesn't mind messing up once or twice as long as he's putting on a good show and playing with his heart.

the ones taught by guitarists typically play with picks ONLY (no offense to the pickers out there, but I'm sure you guys can do more than just picking, these guys usually can't) and rarely drop past the E string, which is usually tuned down to D or C anyways. They will move from the 2nd fret on the E string to the 7th before they will think to just go to the 2nd fret on the A string. I typically feel bad for these guys because they have just gotten bad direction...at least a lot of these guys put some guts into their playing though, which I do applaud them on.

Not to sound arrogant but I'm 100% self taught and the 3rd example was pretty much how I learned. I will admit I have some issues with sloppiness and I'll be majoring in theory from now on in college, but most people can tell that I have logged some time into playing and can definitely hold my own in a band setting or on my own. But yeah, I anchor my thumb on my pickups all the time, I probably pluck harder than I should, my slaps can sometimes hit an extra string but at least I play with some gusto and power...I know some guys who just play one root note and octave with slap and do that through the whole song, never changing notes and playing like they are afraid of the strings.
 
#34
"Proper" technique is just a suggestion or a way to approach things. Obviously many players modify it to a point where they have a technique that works "for them". I say unless you are doing something that simply "does not " work or works "very poorly" don't worry about it.
 
#35
i think i throw proper technique out the window when i play live. i practice to play properly with all my fingers on my fretting hand but when i play live i get to nervous and have to use as few fingers as possible to keep from screwing up. i think i just need more practice and more gigs.
 
#36
Terry Funk said:
I could be completely off base here, and I'm sure someone in here will vehemently disagree, but I've always believed that the way your hand naturally feels most comfortable on your instrument (and this varies greatly from person to person) is the way you should play your instrument, and that the only "bad" technique is technique in which you will injure yourself. Anything else besides that, If you can make it work to your satisfaction, is proper technique for that particular player.
Click to expand...

I agree. My technique on electric is a little funky as I have spent most of my bass life as an upright player with no instruction on electric. The thing I am most cognizant of on electric is the injury factor.
 
#38
Amazing!
No offense but you've made my point. Geddy and Flea's technique grinds your gears. GEDDY AND FLEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guys, what's the criterion here? Hand geometry or MUSIC?
phxlbrmpf said:
I must say JPJ's technique always looked pretty great to me but then again, I haven't seen him play that often.

Anyway, for what it's worth, here's two players that sort of grind my gears:

Geddy Lee's right hand technique looks weird as hell to me, I really can't fathom how it could possibly work for him but apparently it does. Then there's Flea who never feels like using "a finger per fret" right hand technique, no matter where he plays on the neck. The only exception I've come across so far is that one ballad off their latest album whose bass line requires some hefty stretches.

By the way, every time I see Liam Wilson of Dillinger Escape Plan play, I'm always amazed at his textbook technique, even though their bass lines don't really require it, his left hand never seems to go "lazy". (This isn't to say I think their music is easy to play but their bass lines seem to be more about following the tricky rhythms rather than churning out scales and notes).
Click to expand...
 
#39
Why are people nagging on guys for not using one finger per fret in first position? That's quite a finger stretch. As a young bass player, I can totally understand why someone would use the 1-2-4 fingering system in the lower registers, mainly for comfort and consistency.
 
#40
+1 on Larry Graham.

Also his right hand tech would put many teachers to shame. You know, I had like 3 bass teachers, 2 of them relatively famous, and I had good technique then, but as time goes by, I stop thinking about proper playing position and do the gig.

I want people to have a good time at one of my shows, some one looking at my hands going his technique sucks...is not there to have fun.
 

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