Having issues with fingure plucking, could use some advice!

[Crimson Wolfcat]

Ok so i am relativly new to playing bass, only have a year or so in, and ive never had a actual teacher. I kinda always learned from myself. Making moves in directions to get the sound that I want. Well as you can guess that hit a snag, because I hadnt properly learned any fundamentals.

And so now im trying to get in on that and fill the viod in my style. So to do so I switched from playing with a pick to fingure plucking, and you would guess it. Im having a really hard time with it. Almost every time I pluck the string it makes this almost twang sound. Like if someone where plucking with a metal pick. And I cant seem to figure out how to stop myself from doing it. Also I have a hard time avoiding hitting the humbucker pick ups with my strings. Now I realize im just digging into the string to much, and I cant seem to help it because I kinda dont have alot of feeling in my hands, I had an electrical "accident" that made it so most of my hands are numb, this includes my fingure tips. but does anyone have any advice to correct these issues?

A little look into my style. I play metal, and I really only play that. So im all about fast and hard. I have my 4 string set up for drop b. And I love a lot of crunch to my sound. And also I practice daily around 2 to 5 hours.

Id be greatful for any advice!

 

[raventepes]

It sounds like you're just plain digging in too hard. It really doesn't take all that much to play your strings. Try a lighter touch.

If it wasn't completely obvious from my avatar, I'm a metalhead. I, unlike many metal players play with my fingers, and RARELY use a pick. If I need a brighter attack, that's what control knobs are for on my basses and amp. Or move my playing to closer to the bridge.

 

[ambient space]

First, I'm very sorry to hear about your hands, as these are the two most important pieces of gear any musician can own and the fact that your not letting it get in your way shows that your going to do just fine. Second, like raventepes said it sounds like your just digging too hard. Try a lighter touch and maybe turn your amp up a little bit. Also, while your practicing at home, play some slow mellow music to try and develop a technique and control for your plucking hand. SMALL STEPS FIRST. Myself I play a SUB Ray 4 and put a thumb rest above the low E string about half way between the pickup and the bottom of the neck to help stabilise my plucking hand. I to use to play with a pick and switched to finger playing (got sick and tired of looking for and/or dropping picks). There is a learning curve to doing this but given time and your obvious determination and dedication you'll be just fine. One other thing I noticed when I played and got a metallic sound on the high strings it was my fingernails, if they happened to be a little too long and the way I played, the nail would hit the string and make a high pitched and tinny sound. Just something else to check as it always come back to technique. Hope this helps

 

[Crimson Wolfcat]

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[lz4005]

Fingernails could be the reason for that sound, but also look at how you're plucking. You want to pluck across the strings, not up and down. If you're pulling up or down on the strings it can give a tinny sound from fret buzz and also make them more likely to hit the pickups.