Recently, I've learned that my technique is completely borked and it's time to start over. First of all, I barely have a muting system. All I've done was anchor on the E string. Second of all, the biggest problem is the way I pluck. I've been plucking wrong this entire time. I always thought that you pluck by (for lack of a better explanation) rotate your fingers while plucking the string on the downswing. After seeing many people bounce back to the lower string with each pluck, I thought something was fishy, so I consulted you guys. And apparently that's what I should have been doing this whole time. It feels a little awkward, I can't play fast... at all. Downward progressing songs are a cinch because my fingers are prepped to rake down, but songs progressing upward are a nightmare. I'm pretty much having to relearn everything now :/
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I think I'm going to have to rethink everything...
- Thread starter Tupac
- Start date
Anchoring on the E is a kind of muting system, you can practice a movable anchor alternating between the P/up, E string and A string depending on what you are playing. A lot of guys do that, check out Rocco Prestia's right hand tech, a lot of stamina involved in his style with a movable anchor. Also check out his flatter left hand shape for the muting tech, a lot of muting available with the left hand, bring it into play.
It is worth the time working on alternating, raking has its benefits and I do a lot of it but for certain stuff alternating comes into its own.
It is worth the time working on alternating, raking has its benefits and I do a lot of it but for certain stuff alternating comes into its own.
As long as you are committed to a substantial change, consider using a floating thumb....the thumb helps with the muting process especially as you go up the scale.
If it's any consolation, I just started taking lessons and my LH is so bad we haven't even talked about my RH yet......
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Sorry, but I have a hard time visualizing what you meant by this. Do you mean that before you did "free strokes", and that your fingers moved in counter-clockwise circle-like movements, but now you're letting your fingers land on the lower string and now they're are moving more like a pendulum?
With muting my thumb never leaves the pickup. When I'm playing with 2 fingers my ring finger rests on the string above to mute it. With three my leading finger tends to follow through and mute the string while the following fingers do their bit. If I'm looking to mute in terms of playin muted notes I'll use my left hand when playing with 3 fingers.
My thumb rests on the pickup when I'm playing primarily on the E and A strings, or on a small groove on the body of my bass, depending on how close to the bridge I wanna play. I rest my thumb on the E string when playing primarily on D and G. Everytime I play a note, my finger lands on the string above it, muting it. Eg., if I play a note on the D string, my finger lands on the A string afterwards, keeping it silent.
This basically takes care of almost all my muting needs. Anything more I can take care of with my left hand. The one general scenario where I'd have to do that is playing a line exclusively on the G string. I'd have my thumb on the E string, my picking fingers would mute the D string, but the A string could ring.
I don't know whether the way I do it is 'floating thumb' or 'movable anchor' or whatever; but it's the way I was taught, and I've never felt a need to change it.
This basically takes care of almost all my muting needs. Anything more I can take care of with my left hand. The one general scenario where I'd have to do that is playing a line exclusively on the G string. I'd have my thumb on the E string, my picking fingers would mute the D string, but the A string could ring.
I don't know whether the way I do it is 'floating thumb' or 'movable anchor' or whatever; but it's the way I was taught, and I've never felt a need to change it.
I have to admit Tupac, I don't understand your description either. Can you post a video of what you were doing that you now think is incorrect? Some great players (ie Tony Grey) play "free strokes", where their finger does NOT hit the string below. I use both free and rest strokes (mostly rest), as they give a somewhat different sound.
I say this because you may not have to rethink your playing. What you are/were doing might be just fine.
I say this because you may not have to rethink your playing. What you are/were doing might be just fine.
Thanks.
Part of our confusion may be coming from this statement:
The terms "higher" and "lower" should refer to the pitch of the note, not the orientation with the floor. Thus, the D and G strings are higher strings than the E and A strings because they are of higher pitch, even if they are lower to the ground.
So, how did you mean "lower" in the quote above?
The terms "higher" and "lower" should refer to the pitch of the note, not the orientation with the floor. Thus, the D and G strings are higher strings than the E and A strings because they are of higher pitch, even if they are lower to the ground.
So, how did you mean "lower" in the quote above?
