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Is it considered bad technique to clank?

I don't do metal anymore, and I've never watched an episode of Dethklok, but I'm really impressed with this guy's ability to teach. There are lots of gifted bass players out there, but not a lot of them really know how to teach.
You are missing out. That cartoon was super funny, although many of the jokes would go over the heads of non-metal people. Think of it as an updated version of Spinal Tap.
 
No effect or stylization can be considered "bad" if you're doing it intentionally - and you can control it.

Sometimes intentional "mistakes" can make a song.

(For the record, I don't care at all for clanking. But saying it's not my cuppa isn't the same thing as calling it poor technique. Something worth keeping in mind. Because half the arguments that break out here come down to differences in opinion over personal playing styles rather than actual substance.) :thumbsup::)
 
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I used to be a rabid Yes and Rush fan growing up in the 80's. I should check to see where they clank and how consistently they clanked, or if it just happened randomly because of the fury with which they were playing for the recording.
Chris didn't clank much at all, as he was primarily a pick player, Geddy used to clank a lot more,
but since he started using his 1 finger plucking method it seems a bit tighter and more controlled
IMHO
 
My two bits: clank can be a technique but more than likely its a result of bad habits starting in lazy practice. Ive noticed as ive gotten older that posture in both hands is so important to articulating tone and dynamics, but I never paid attention to either as a teenager. Ive since started using a limiter that smooths out a lot of the rough edges in my playing style. But developing a more controlled right hand is still essential to getting the best sound. And that goes for deliberate clanking too!

Look at the best agro bassists and you'll see that they all know when to let the thunder roll and when to hide behind the rhythm guitar player.

Tl;dr get a man that can do both!
 
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I like much of what I hear from Geddy Lee and Chris Squire, so I can see where clank could be used to good effect.

However, my tone goals, at this point, are for precision and good clean note formation; hence, clank for me is a sign that I'm pushing myself beyond my skill level and it's something that I avoid.
 
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