Plucking Technique

[JRA]

XcgsdV : use any technique which gets you by. learn other techniques to expand your repertoire when your 'get-me-by' technique is limiting for what you play. if it's never limiting = you win! good luck!


no rules.

 

[7dollarbologna]

If that's what's natural to you - I say go for it!

 

[ThumbBum]

Nothing wrong with using your thumb to pluck, but, if you can learn to pluck with just your fingers, that frees up your thumb for muting the unplayed strings.

This is false and incorrect. I play the way he does and I mute the unplayed strings with my pointer, index and pinky and meat of my rhythm hand; I mix it up as needed. I can also use my thumb in conjunction with my other fingers to make playing octaves seamless ie double thumb with fingers added. Futhermore, I can use my thumb like a plectrum and its lighting fast. Point being no style is better than the other, its about practicing and adapting to your prefered style and the tone you wish to achieve. Simple as that.

 

[Element Zero]

Remco Hendrix is one of the funkiest guys around and he uses his thumb to pluck (not slap) constantly. Check out this video for a peek into his technique:

Beat me to it

 

[Nickweissmusic]

Alright, so I started playing bass a just a while ago, after coming from ukulele. I tried to find someone else who asked a similar question to this one, but I couldn't. Basically, I pluck with 3 fingers, my index, middle, and thumb, using the thumb only when I need to jump down to either the A or E string for just one or two notes. I was wondering if this is alright, or if I should break the happen now. If it matters for any reason, I play left-handed

I'm a pro uker too, definitely get where you're coming from. That's a fine approach, many great players use it. As long as your notes are consistent (ie, no major unintentional difference in volume or timbre between fingers/thumb) you're in good shape. That said, the act of playing a traditional fingerstyle bass note is a bit different than the act of playing an ukulele note. Whereas on the uke, you are often attacking the string with a brushing, light fingertip or nail attack, on bass, the most controlled notes are generated from beginning with your finger on the string and pulling the pad of your finger across the string. There is of course overlap in techniques and plenty of exceptions to what I'm saying, my point is the most traditional right hand techniques for each instrument are mechanically a bit different.


Personally my thumb tends to sound a bit more "mellow" than my other fingers (makes sense, the pad on my thumb is larger and softer), so if I'm playing a bassline that requires a bit of attack, l use my first and second fingers. But if it's something that needs finesse or soft attack, I'll definitely use my thumb, even throw in some ring finger when needed.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Alright, so I started playing bass a just a while ago, after coming from ukulele. I tried to find someone else who asked a similar question to this one, but I couldn't. Basically, I pluck with 3 fingers, my index, middle, and thumb, using the thumb only when I need to jump down to either the A or E string for just one or two notes. I was wondering if this is alright, or if I should break the happen now. If it matters for any reason, I play left-handed

I use my thumb sometimes. But, it gives a different tone, so I choose wisely. But, there are no rules to technique. Only principles that emphasize efficiency. Everybody plays differently. If it sounds good and works for you, keep it up.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I'll do the occasional thumb pluck if I want a different kind of embellishment because it's a looser "woolier" tone than my fingertips. It does seem to be a bit of a hassle to mute it afterwards though if I continue playing onto a lower string so I tend to leave it for the last note so I can let it ring a bit for effect. As you gain proficiency you'll be able to skip strings up and down just as quickly with the conventional fingertips. Playing a lot of octaves will help both of your hands immensely.

 

[Waytootrue]

Its a sound thing mostly. The thumb will sound less thumpy so I only use the three finger technique when I'm playing high and light.

 

[40Hz]

When it comes to "proper" bass technique, it's more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules.

 

[JeffC23]

I'm a lefty also. It makes no difference in how you play (being left handed). I would agree with the others saying to learn different techniques. It helps in playing different styles of music and you get different tones. For example if I'm playing a fifties type song I either use my thumb or play closer to the neck pickup to get a warmer tone.

 

[Korladis]

Alright, so I started playing bass a just a while ago, after coming from ukulele. I tried to find someone else who asked a similar question to this one, but I couldn't. Basically, I pluck with 3 fingers, my index, middle, and thumb, using the thumb only when I need to jump down to either the A or E string for just one or two notes. I was wondering if this is alright, or if I should break the happen now. If it matters for any reason, I play left-handed

There's no real "rule." If something is comfortable for you and not leaving you with any muscle/tendon pain/soreness, then it's fine. In bass playing, you'll see all kinds of variations on plucking hand technique.

 

[TuneSalad666]

If it works for you then there isn't a problem.

I mainly use the tip and nail of my index finger supported by my thumb as you would hold a pick for a pick like pickless technique, but I also use pick, traditional 2 finger finger plucking technique, from time to time including my thumb, and classical acoustic guitar finger plucking technique.

I would advise you to learn how to use as many plucking techniques as possible, but for now if what you do works for what you are playing it will be perfectly fine.