Question regarding floating thumb techinque

[McHack]

My question isnt about the technique itself, as I use it & believe it. My question is, because you're thumb is in constant contact w/ your B or E strings, do you find that you wear them out alot faster than your thinner gauge strings?

This is just something I've noticed, but I'm killing my B-strings pretty fast these days, & the E usually follows a week or two later.

 

[spindizzy]

I haven't noticed any difference in string life from floating but I suppose I could understand the physics. My only recommendation would be to find a good form of string cleaner and a soft cotton rag and wipe down a bit more frequently. Honestly whether you are anchoring your thumb, floating it or using other parts of your right hand to mute it seems like the strings would wear the same. Interesting problem though so I promise that I will try and see if I can pick up a difference in the string wear (sound particularly) next time I change strings. You might want to ask Todd Johnson in his forum as he may have some input. Glad to hear you are using FT though as I believe it is one of the better tools in our tool box.

 

[tZer]

keep yo hands clean and wipe down the strings when you are done playing.

But no, I have not noticed my lower strings going dead quicker.

 

[2 Fingers McGee]

Same here.

 

[Alec W. Conway]

Solution:

Elixir Strings.

Coated with a thin layer of plastic. They sound great for ages.

And no, I'm not paid by Elixir Strings Co. to say this

They just really are worth it. They cost 2-3 times the price of normal strings but they last like 5 times longer, and all that time, they sound just like brand new strings.

 

[Elemetal]

I have one question. Why is floating thumb so good. I use the thumb on pickup deal but when I do floating thumb because I have tryed it I find my finger picking to be the same speed and I feel less secure. I was just wondering why the floating thumb is so good. If you can answer me I'd sure appreciate it.

 

[floopy]

My question is, because you're thumb is in constant contact w/ your B or E strings, do you find that you wear them out alot faster than your thinner gauge strings?

Just wondering how hard you press on the strings when you rest your thumb there. Maybe you're pressing harder than the rest of us, and that's why your strings wear out quicker?

 

[dlloyd]

I have one question. Why is floating thumb so good. I use the thumb on pickup deal but when I do floating thumb because I have tryed it I find my finger picking to be the same speed and I feel less secure. I was just wondering why the floating thumb is so good. If you can answer me I'd sure appreciate it.

It's an effective way to mute strings below where you're playing and it removes stretching differences between strings, adding consistency.

 

[McHack]

floopy - That's a possibility I considered mere seconds after I posted. And, now that I think about it, when playing a gig... I do get a distinct pressure groove on my resting thumb.

tZer - I do, in fact, I'm sort of nazi-rific about, washing up first to reduce body oils on the fingers. I'm normally pretty easy going when my teenage son wants to play one of my basses, but he knows he's gotta wash up first.

Alec - Yea, I've recently tried DR Black Beauties & I really like them thus far, & there doesnt seem to be any premature string fade.... yet. They've been holding up pretty well, so, we'll see...

 

[kherber]

I have one question. Why is floating thumb so good. I use the thumb on pickup deal but when I do floating thumb because I have tryed it I find my finger picking to be the same speed and I feel less secure. I was just wondering why the floating thumb is so good. If you can answer me I'd sure appreciate it.

I have several answers...

I originally went that direction because I was looking for a way to keep my E and A strings muted.

You keep the same hand position across the strings when you float, unlike an anchored position. More comfortable, more consistent

I think you can develop more power and articulation, as you can now use wrist and forearm muscles to pluck a note, instead of just finger muscles.

You free up your thumb for other duties. I use my thumb two or three different ways to play strings.

Doc

 

[tZer]

EDIT: Deleted previous post - all comments were covered and I just did not read them...

I have one question. Why is floating thumb so good. I use the thumb on pickup deal but when I do floating thumb because I have tryed it I find my finger picking to be the same speed and I feel less secure. I was just wondering why the floating thumb is so good. If you can answer me I'd sure appreciate it.

As for this one...

Why is floating thumb so good(?) - It is good for muting and controlling other unwanted string noise. It is also a way to get you touch more precise and less 'dependent' on physical anchors. This should permit easy transition from one bass to the next where pickups and other hardware are in different places that would otherwise throw you off due to you comfort with anchoring in a specific place.

...and I feel less secure. - If you practice the floating thumb technique for about a month the insecure feeling with go away. I (and many others who use the floating thumb technique) also use the 'movable anchor' and even 'anchor' every so often. Especially playing live where the energy of the moment propels you. But all in all, floating makes me feel a lot more fluid and a lot less rooted. I can switch gear from finger style to slap and back again very easily.

 

[Elemetal]

I see your point(s) but due to recent experimenting with it I think I'll rather stick with the anchoring. I feel I have lots of control with the anchoring and I manage to do all those things menchoned about the greatness of the floating thumb (muting, switching finger to slap style, switching basses and such). For switching basses with different anchoring positions I just adjust my wrist position it's not hard at all. In all thats mentioned I still acheive that from anchoring so I'm going to stick with it. Oh and Kherber I do also use my thumb for other duties aswell.

 

[WillBuckingham]

I see your point(s) but due to recent experimenting with it I think I'll rather stick with the anchoring. I feel I have lots of control with the anchoring and I manage to do all those things menchoned about the greatness of the floating thumb (muting, switching finger to slap style, switching basses and such). For switching basses with different anchoring positions I just adjust my wrist position it's not hard at all. In all thats mentioned I still acheive that from anchoring so I'm going to stick with it. Oh and Kherber I do also use my thumb for other duties aswell.

What do you use to mute the E and A strings when your playing the G string?

 

[Erick Lam]

I think you can develop more power and articulation, as you can now use wrist and forearm muscles to pluck a note, instead of just finger muscles.

There are no "finger muscles". The fingers are controlled by muscles in the forearms and attached by tendons travelling through a tunnel (hence infamous carpal tunnel syndrome). Bending the wrist like many thumb-anchored players do puts tension on the tendons limiting power transmission at best and causing injuries at worse.