Great players w/ terrible technique

[chump stain]

We are all using the wrong technique. Aren't we supposed to anchor our fingers on the finger rest, and pluck with our thumbs? That's how Mr. Fender designed it, so it must be the proper technique.

But really, I think the electric bass is too young to have technique nazis. I don't think there is a wrong way, unless it's causing injury.

 

[funkygroover694]

hehe i havent seen a bass with a finger rest in years.
louis johnson used to play like that though

 

[okcrum]

When Rod Hicks was playing an Ampeg fretless scrolltop in Paul Butterfield Band, his intonation was atrocious. But he was so funky it appeared not to matter.

 

[Vic Winters]

Jason newsted, a pick player who only used downstrokes, true, this is a time honored punk tradition, but it really restricted his playing and eventually made him tear his bicep.

Downstrokes don't tear biceps, trying to catch a falling SVT does.

 

[curbowkid]

I have terrible technique if you go by the book. But it works for me so I don't worry about it. Instead of hitting a string with my thumb and stoping on the next one, I bounce my thumb off of the string in like a wrist snap motion. Ive tried playing "correctly" and it makes me really sloppy and I lose a lot of the control I have with my own style. I also keep my palm on the strings 80 percent of the time to keep everything quiet when I'm slapping. I don't mute the strings with my fretting hand at all

 

[Mazatleco17]

imho Aston "familyman" barrett

 

[bluesdogblues]

Lots of Bill Clintons on this thread (he was master at answering his own question, not the one asked).

My answer: Paul McCartney. My all time favorite bass player. His technic is putting index finger to thumb (looks like he's holdin a pick) and uses the index finger nail on down strokes and thumb nail on up strokes. Not saying right/wrong or good/bad but if he was my student I would correct that.

I know I've seen him played without pick, but 'normally' Paul Mc Cartney does use pick, doesn't he?

 

[maturanesa]

Jamerson... Didnt he play with only one finger?

 

[scowboy]

How about Rocco? His right left hand is hardly what I'd call normal.

But dang what he is does still blows my mind.

 

[saxdragon]

This guy was always one to watch in my opinion.

‪Ten Years After - Live Bad Scene 70's‬‏ - YouTube

 

[UnfortunateTony]

Dusty Hill from ZZ Top. Doesn't really anchor his thumb in a normal way, and is moving his right hand constantly.

 

[Broomwinkle]

Geddy Lee- Also guilty of using just his index finger 90% of the time.

Geddy Lee does not have bad technique it is just unique and he uses his index and his middle alot I'm sorry but I don't see how that is correct when every rush video he hammers away with 2 fingers. The only time he uses his index finger for the majority is hammer ons what is understandable.

 

[Broomwinkle]

Downstrokes don't tear biceps, trying to catch a falling SVT does.

Agreed and the downstrokes weren't the reason for his shoulder that was a condition that developed due to him not being in mgood health for a while.

 

[Nev375]

Since I'm completely self taught, I'm sure I'm probably breaking most of the rules myself.

I'm more interested in a list of players with 100% proper technique.

 

[Duke21]

Take Geddy for example, he is by far my favorite bassist and he can really play, but as he has said himself, his technique isnt what most consider as great. Gets the job done so I guess it cant be all that bad. My first teacher was very strict about having good technique so I learned it from the get go. I'm glad I did. I watch Geddy play and even though I learned pretty much every Rush song there is, he physically plays it way different than I would (i.e. moving his hand around more than necessary, not alot of pinky use, the flamenco thing, etc). Then again, who am I to say?

Yes Geddy, one of my idols, but I've no idea how he can play so fast like he do! Watching him compares to somebody like Nathan East.... what a difference in technique!!! While East seems to play so soft and easy, Geddy is all about pure speed, energy and force. By the end of the day I don't care, I love to watch them both.

 

[Duke21]

I know I've seen him played without pick, but 'normally' Paul Mc Cartney does use pick, doesn't he?

Yes, mostly he uses a pick.

 

[baileyboy]

i find it really odd that people argue against education.

+1 Great point! Geddy, Jamerson, McCartney, etc. are all accomplished players that just so happen to not have textbook technique, and despite this, are great players. I would put them at the very high end of the "bell curve". But for the masses, the more education you have on any subject, bass included, the better.

 

[ggunn]

i find it really odd that people argue against education.

We don't need no edjuhkayshun...