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Is it considered bad technique to clank?
- Thread starter BusyFingers
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- technique
This is an interesting observation which leads me to another question: Where does clank come from? Is it purely a product of right hand fervor, or could the left hand eliminate it if possible?
- Jun 6, 2012
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- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
I don't know if it's "clank" or not but I do incorporate a certain degree of percussive playing in my "style". I play a lot of different genres in my band and I do feel it is fitting in most of them. John Entwistle and Ryan Martinie's percussive playing are kind of what I'm talking about. I quite like it.
Completely agree with this one, everything that you can't control is a bad habit that influences your playing.
It's like strings sustain noise, or like when players use a lot of ghost notes, not because is the groove or the music scenario that requires it but, because they need a "tempo support" to their playing, something is missing and, what will happen if they have to play the exactly same line without ghost notes? That's the real challenge.
If you need more help please let me know.
Cheers.
If it sounds good and right for the music, and it's consistent, then it's fine. If it sounds bad or inappropriate for the music, or is inconsistent, then no. Basically, if you can do it on purpose at will, then it's just another tool like a pick, slapping, etc. If you can't control it, then it's not good technique.
My opinion is that the only thing you need to consider is whether the song sounds better with the clank or without. Whether or not a theoretical bassist in the audience will think poorly of you is not a big deal.
The exception, of course, is if you are a hired gun and the bandleader doesn't want the clank, then you might have to back off even if you think it sounds right.
The exception, of course, is if you are a hired gun and the bandleader doesn't want the clank, then you might have to back off even if you think it sounds right.
Technically, I don't think Squire was a clanker, he played with a pick and a biamp setup with distortion. Now Geddy? That dude is a Clankasaurus Rex!Ask fans of Chris Squire or Gaddy Lee.
One of THE best responses I've ever read on TB, and I've been here a LONG time!
Well done. (*polite and quiet golf clap*)
As already said, if you need your bass to sound clanky it is not only good technique, but also kind of mandatory to make it clank.
If you want a clean tone without any clank noises, it would be a result of bad technique or a bad setup.
If you want a clean tone without any clank noises, it would be a result of bad technique or a bad setup.
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I play Rickenbackers and they can be pretty clanky. My observations:
The neck pickup height is important on this bass, as the pickup cover is steel and is close to the fingerboard, where the string vibrates a lot. If the string hits the pickup cover, the clank can hurt your ears. That's what I call 'pickup clank'. Setup plays a big part in 'clank management'.
Then, there's 'fret clank'. It's less harsh and more controllable. I've found that certain spots on the necks of my basses are more and less sensitive to 'fret clank'. My Fireglo Rick action is set up low, because I like a bit of 'fret buzz' (as did Chris Squire, I think). The E string - 6th fret on my Fireglo Rick is notoriously sensitive to 'fret clank'. My Mapleglo Rick is setup with higher action, so I can play it on the same spot with the same force and get no fret clank. After a while, I've gotten to know where on the fingerboard to back off and where I can dig in harder. I don't really think about it, it's just instinct, now. I prefer 'buzz' to 'clank' and enjoy blending the two, which makes a kind of 'rattle', lol. It's hard to describe, but I know it when it makes me smile.
Like all things in music, I guess it's all a matter of personal taste. It's a nice feeling to get it the way that you want it, though.
Just my 2¢.
The neck pickup height is important on this bass, as the pickup cover is steel and is close to the fingerboard, where the string vibrates a lot. If the string hits the pickup cover, the clank can hurt your ears. That's what I call 'pickup clank'. Setup plays a big part in 'clank management'.
Then, there's 'fret clank'. It's less harsh and more controllable. I've found that certain spots on the necks of my basses are more and less sensitive to 'fret clank'. My Fireglo Rick action is set up low, because I like a bit of 'fret buzz' (as did Chris Squire, I think). The E string - 6th fret on my Fireglo Rick is notoriously sensitive to 'fret clank'. My Mapleglo Rick is setup with higher action, so I can play it on the same spot with the same force and get no fret clank. After a while, I've gotten to know where on the fingerboard to back off and where I can dig in harder. I don't really think about it, it's just instinct, now. I prefer 'buzz' to 'clank' and enjoy blending the two, which makes a kind of 'rattle', lol. It's hard to describe, but I know it when it makes me smile.
Like all things in music, I guess it's all a matter of personal taste. It's a nice feeling to get it the way that you want it, though.Just my 2¢.
