" Let the amp do the job" right hand approach

[Derp]

Is barely touching the strings while turning up the amp the key to smooth tone? I have observed this in Christopher Wolstelnholme's playing a lot, especially in "time is running out".

 

[eadg57]

I believe that Gary Willis is also a proponent of this technique. You may find more at his site or in postings associated with him.

 

[SidMau]

Or do the John Entwistle approach - turn your amp up and hit the strings hard

 

[MoEllis]

It all depends on what you are going for. A smooth tone can come from that approach or even pulling a little harder. It comes down to your individual touch and bone tone.

 

[Slade N]

Im a big advocate of this technique...much less stressful on your hands = much longer playing life with less issues

its very easy to consistent with this technique, plus you have dynamics at you disposal if/when you need them...if you play maxed out all the timeyou only have one dynamic to go to and thats quieter/silence

 

[Adub311]

I think it really depends on the person. Personally, I play sloppy when I crank the amp and use light fingers. Playing heavily helps me keep a solid rhythm.

 

[kanonfodr]

I'm pretty heavy handed, but cranking my amp helps me be not too heavy handed for sure. Also, this does not equate to loud, as I push my pre-amp gain but set my master volume for whatever is the best for the band/gig.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Schmorgy]

Is barely touching the strings while turning up the amp the key to smooth tone? I have observed this in Christopher Wolstelnholme's playing a lot, especially in "time is running out".

To be fair, with the amount of effects that song is played through, he could smash the bass off of Matt Bellamy's face and it'd sound just as smooth. I believe his particular sound is through one or two Sovtek Big Muff pedals and an Akai Deep Impact synth (all of which are no longer made)

He indeed isn't a very harsh player and has a fairly light touch. But that "Smooth" sound is as much playing softly with lots of volume (not gain, don't mix the two up) as it is EQing it to be such, and how you articulate notes with your fretting hand and pluck with your other hand. Short steccato basslines will always seem less smooth than ones where you milk the notes for everything you can.

 

[Lownote38]

I have a very light touch and always need an amp with lots of headroom for that reason. I find that I am able to play faster if I play more lightly, and then if I need to get an extra few decibels out of my bass, I can play a little harder in louder sections of songs. Playing with a lighter touch also helps avoid fret and finger noise and allows me to set up my basses with "illegally" low action.

 

[mrbell321]

I like playing with a lighter touch, but my band mates just mentioned they'd like me to dig in more... dammit.

 

[Tanner5382]

Or do the John Entwistle approach - turn your amp up and hit the strings hard

Entwistle often played with a very light touch.

 

[Ric5]

I play softer and heavier to control volume level dynamics.

 

[marijn van gils]

I play softer and heavier to control volume level dynamics.

+1!

I set my volume to mix good with the band at its' loudest when I play at my heaviest, and play lighter when songs or passages require less volume. Usually they those require a smoother or less agressive tone too, so tone and volume go hand in hand with this.

 

[Ric5]

Progressive rock like King Crimson and some of blues artists will do whisper to scream dynamnics. Most bands don't go through that range but going up and down in volume in the song makes it a lot better.

I saw a Buddy Guy youtube video and he took a traditional overplayed song and put some life in it by literally doing whisper to scream dynamics. BB king is also a good one to watch for dynamics.

 

[pacojas]

I play softer and heavier to control volume level dynamics.

FTW!