Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How to play E string?
- Thread starter kattus
- Start date
Many different ways to use your thumb, but not resting it on a string is about letting the forearm rest against the bass rather then on it, or leaning on it. The floating thumb technique has a great sticky on the techniques section devoted to it.
String thickness is not such an issue as string tension, modern strings are wound around a core so the thickness is not always related to tension ( the string being stiff to support it's own weight...the core does that ) Since it is the underside of the string that makes contact all strings should have roughly the same gap to the fretboard, so no single string is any different to fret.....the underside of the strings roughly have the same gap to the fretboard.
Obviously you have to find a string that suits you, the same is with your thumb.
Check out the link
String thickness is not such an issue as string tension, modern strings are wound around a core so the thickness is not always related to tension ( the string being stiff to support it's own weight...the core does that ) Since it is the underside of the string that makes contact all strings should have roughly the same gap to the fretboard, so no single string is any different to fret.....the underside of the strings roughly have the same gap to the fretboard.
Obviously you have to find a string that suits you, the same is with your thumb.
Check out the link
If you try to play on the B string you will face the same problem.
as for the OP ...
let your thumb hang in the air until it can touch a string again or put your thumb again the pickup ( on top or the side like it is a lower height string ).
So don't play it
- keep it as a fancy thumbrest most of the time, and you can bring it into play only in passages where your technique doesn't rely on anchoring on the string below. If you don't like 'wasting' a string, and having the muting problems that come with having more strings, why not attach a long thumbrest made out of a dowel or something?
