My First 5 String...Right Hand Question

[TwoRivers]

Quick question. Without thinking about it, I've been anchoring my right thumb in the position shown in the picture when playing the higher strings on my new (first) 5 string. I move my thumb to the top of the jazz pickup to play the B string. Just wondering if this is normal, or if it's considered to be a bad habit that I should nip in the but now. On my 4 strings I usually stay anchored on the top of the pickup, E string, or A string. Not sure why...but my thumb just sort of naturally goes behind the string on this bass. It feels really solid and comfortable.

 

[FunkHead]

That's How I always did it but I stay on top of the string not slid underneath it. I would work on straightening your wrist though. Per Rufus Reid Evolving Bassist, I always try to keep my wrist straight and "Floating". It keeps the groove going. Hope that make sense.

 

[TwoRivers]

Thanks. Ya, wrist is usually much straighter. I had to get into an extremely awkward position to take that picture. Was just trying to capture the thumb slid behind the B string

 

[wcnewby]

Not the image I wanted to put in... but it is a picture of the lightwave Classica... it is a semi hollow body with the sound hole in the perfect place for anchoring your thumb.

 

[FunkHead]

Thanks. Ya, wrist is usually much straighter. I had to get into an extremely awkward position to take that picture. Was just trying to capture the thumb slid behind the B string

You will eventually not even think about it. It gets to where it's just a natural movement back & forth from the B string to the top of the Pickup. Kind of like how you just know where the light switch is in the dark.

 

[Zootsuitbass]

You do the same on a 4..

 

[FunkHead]

Also, I think the word Anchor conjures up an image of being "Locked" into that spot. It's really not like that. Your thumb really should not be exuding a bunch of force in that spot. Just kind of a reference point. When you are playing a show and not even thinking about it your thumb is more of a feather light witness point than an "anchor"

 

[TwoRivers]

Thanks for the responses guys. When I realized I was putting my thumb behind the strings, rather than on top of the strings, on the front side, I just wondered if I was getting into a bad habbit. What I'm basically getting out of this is - if it's comfortable and natural for you, then use it. I notice I do tend to jump to the front side and rest my thumb on the A string when playing the D and G strings. These are all movements I make without really thinking much about it. So far I'm loving having the option to hit some low 5ths Planning to gig on a 5 for the first time this weekend. Thanks again for the responses!

 

[FunkHead]

Thanks for the responses guys. When I realized I was putting my thumb behind the strings, rather than on top of the strings, on the front side, I just wondered if I was getting into a bad habbit. What I'm basically getting out of this is - if it's comfortable and natural for you, then use it. I notice I do tend to jump to the front side and rest my thumb on the A string when playing the D and G strings. These are all movements I make without really thinking much about it. So far I'm loving having the option to hit some low 5ths Planning to gig on a 5 for the first time this weekend. Thanks again for the responses!

You got it made brother. Just enjoy yourself as far as this is concerned. There's really no wrong/right way unless you are causing yourself pain.

 

[therhodeo]

Thanks for the responses guys. When I realized I was putting my thumb behind the strings, rather than on top of the strings, on the front side, I just wondered if I was getting into a bad habbit. What I'm basically getting out of this is - if it's comfortable and natural for you, then use it. I notice I do tend to jump to the front side and rest my thumb on the A string when playing the D and G strings. These are all movements I make without really thinking much about it. So far I'm loving having the option to hit some low 5ths Planning to gig on a 5 for the first time this weekend. Thanks again for the responses!

To me that jump seems like it would be extremely inefficient. Just to my thinking you should be able to play a scale from low B to high G or C in one fluid motion and not string string string move thumb string string. How would you ever play an octave on the A and G or play a line that requires jumping from the E to G string? I was lucky that when I started I learned floating thumb. Now after years of doing it I don't know how guys can play never moving their thumb from the pickup or a thumbrest or worse, the top of the body.

 

[Icculus]

Floating thumb feels really awkward at first, but even I've managed to pick it up pretty fast after the initial awkwardness. You get used to it quick and an add your own variation. I can't see how the thumb under the string is efficient for anyone, but if it works for you, it can't be a bad technique.

 

[TwoRivers]

I've tried the floating thumb technique, but end up going back to what I'm more familiar with. I'll be honest, I haven't given it 100%, or enough time to really stick. I certainly see and understand the benefit of it though, in theory. I think I'll give it an honest go and see if I can adjust. It might mean not playing at 100% for a few gigs, but hopefully it will pay off in the long run! Thanks for reminding me of this

 

[two fingers]

That is similar to what I do. Only my thumb rests more on top of the B string rather than behind it. And I move over to the top of the pickup while playing on the B. All of my basses get a worn spot right there where I slide my thumb from one position to another. I haven't had any of my current basses long enough to have worn through the paint yet but every one I have owned before these has done it.

 

[Icculus]

I've tried the floating thumb technique, but end up going back to what I'm more familiar with. I'll be honest, I haven't given it 100%, or enough time to really stick. I certainly see and understand the benefit of it though, in theory. I think I'll give it an honest go and see if I can adjust. It might mean not playing at 100% for a few gigs, but hopefully it will pay off in the long run! Thanks for reminding me of this

The thing they don't tell you about the floating thumb technique is that you can totally do it your own way. This means anchoring your thumb vs just resting it against the string. Or choosing to have your thumb pointing more towards the neck or more towards the ground. Or keeping your thumb one string above the one your plucking or two strings above. Get the idea?

Truthfully, I've only been doing it for a week and I don't really "practice it" in any way… I just try to be more conscious of it while I'm playing. You might catch yourself not doing it, and then you can just make an adjustment, but the adjustment should be comfortable and feel somewhat natural. If you have to force it, you'll probably start to revert back no matter how much you practice.

 

[Icculus]

FWIW, keeping your thumb two strings above the one your plucking is easier for people like you and I who seem to want to anchor our thumbs. It makes for an easier transition, and there's really no need to move your thumb lower for every string since your index/middle fingers will mute the string above it (ie, you are plucking the G, your plucking fingers are resting on and muting the D after you pluck, the tip of your thumb is just resting on or against the A, and the shaft of your thumb is muting the E (and B if you have a 5 string).

 

[Lownote38]

Quick question. Without thinking about it, I've been anchoring my right thumb in the position shown in the picture when playing the higher strings on my new (first) 5 string. I move my thumb to the top of the jazz pickup to play the B string. Just wondering if this is normal, or if it's considered to be a bad habit that I should nip in the but now. On my 4 strings I usually stay anchored on the top of the pickup, E string, or A string. Not sure why...but my thumb just sort of naturally goes behind the string on this bass. It feels really solid and comfortable.

View attachment 377230

I'd be worried about injuring my thumb with it in that position! I find that I have better dexterity if my thumb is resting on a pick up, or nothing rather than behind a string. It seems that would limit your movement on the higher strings.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

That look awkward, I think it is better to put it on a pickup, on a string or floating ( my personal faborite since it won't ever lead to any wierd wrist bending like all the other could do )

 

[therhodeo]

Another perk to learning floating thumb is that I normally play 4 or 5 and recently tried out a Conklin 7 in a store and other than it being a big stretch for my fretting hand, my right hand had no adjustments to make.