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Really frusturated...

M

Mitchhelpmeplez

Aug 29, 2007
23
0
#1
Hey all, im new to the board and also,new to bass. I have been playing guitar for 6 years now and bass for about 1. Going from guitar to bass has been challenging. The techniques i learned on guitar keep wanting to come out when im using bass. I just wanted to know the proper ways to "pluck" the strings. I know you are supposed to use your first and second finger, but from guitar i keep using my thumb, and it works, but i want to be proper. Can i continue to use my thumb or should i switch?
 
#4
well, there's no real "right or wrong" way to play it. if the thumb technique works for you, then alright!! but... as bassists, we strive more often for the right technique for the song. that means if a song needs to be played with a pick, we man up and use the pick. if it needs fingers, we dig in with the fore and middle finger. if it needs the thumb... you get the idea. so it depends on what sound you have in your head, and what the song needs. i would suggest learning to use your fingers, but you don't have to.


quick tip for learning to use your fingers... get an amp!! turn it up really loud, and start plucking. this will keep you from plucking too hard, and help you develop a softer attack.
 
#5
I learned to play with my thumb and still do.

In the long run it has made it so I can use all five fingers to help out with stamina and the tumb gives a much warmer attack than the index and middle fingers do.

Do what fits you best,it is all about you, not what's right...


...now if you are trying to attackthe string with your toes I'd say somehting different...lol
 
#6
Thanks for the tips so far, im probably going to take some right hand technique lessons. Just to clarify a little more, i actually rest my ring finger and pinky under the first pickup, then a make sort of a C shape with my thumb and first finger, and i pluck that way with my thumb at first finger. It works well for me but i will also learn the other way.
 
#7
Many people play with their index and middle fingers (the two finger method). But as said before, there is no real correct way to play. James Jamerson used his index finger only. Others played with just their thumbs, still others use all four fingers on their hand. Do whatever is comfortable for you. Don't worry if it's "correct" or not.
 
#8
from a practicality standpoint, a thumb rest above the E string makes learing the index and middle finger approach pretty easy. On many basses one of the pickups will suffice.

that anchored thumb, index & middle technique is a really useful one to have down. There are others for sure - but that one is pivotal IMO.

I regularly run through the modes from F# through B or maybe D. 1/4 notes -1 note per finger, then 1/8th notes - 1 note, both fingers - double plucking in other words, then 1/8th notes, triplet feel alternating the leading finger.

It's a nice picking dexterity exercise.

After that it's a string pattern. Ascending and then descending through the scales with alternating 3rds as in

C-E-D-F-E-G-F-A-G-B-C with each 3rd played on the next string up when ascending, alternating fingers.

Not real musical sounding but a nice dexterirty builder. When 3rd's are dialed, there's 6th's & 7th's etc ...

Hope that's helpful.
 
#9
I use my index and ring (3rd) finger. I learned this technique from Garry Goodman, and it makes a lot of sense. Both of these fingers are basically the same length, so you can keep your wrist and fingers straighter than you can when using the index and middle fingers. I find that it gives me a lot more speed, consistency, and uniformity to my attack with less hand and wrist strain.
 
#10
Is it ok to rest my thumb on the very end of the fret board just above the first pick up. My thumb doesn't want to stay on the pickup when i put it there. I have a 25 fret bass so the fret board comes back pretty far onto the bass. I have an LTD B - 50, kinda sucks but its all i have.
 
#11
I saw an interesting comment somewhere, that when Leo Fender popularized the electric bass, it attracted players from both the guitar and upright bass worlds. These different populations transported the techniques they were accustomed to - upright bassists brought their fingers, and guitarists brought their picks. Both of these approaches remain very common, and most bassists (according to polls here and elsewhere) tend to use both methods as required.
 
#15
I would suggest learning to pluck with the index and middle fingers and remember to always alternate them so you develop fluid and efficient motion.

But I don't suggest you try to get rid on the thumb technique as it can be useful - like when muting to get upright-like tones... for jazzy/latin type lines.

So learn the basic 1-2 plucking technique but don't stop there - one of the best thing about bass is the various ways you can use your hands to get different effects.
 
#16
Mitchhelpmeplez said:
I just wanted to know the proper ways to "pluck" the strings.
Click to expand...
Welcome Mitch,
Best advice I can give you is this, get a qualified and professional teacher.
You will cut the learning curve by so much.... it's a no brainer. You will also prevent physical injury. Improper technique can cause really long and painful hand injuries, trust me you do not want to go through this. While I can write a short explanation of correct technique, you really need to see what it looks like and have a teacher critique and correct you as you try and learn and emulate proper technique.

This is probably not the answer you wanted to hear but it's really the right advice.
 
#18
Mitchhelpmeplez said:
Hey im looking for anything, i was probably going to go with a teacher anyway so this recommendation definitely pushed me to go forth and get one. Thanks everyone, peace.
Click to expand...

Sounds like an excellent plan!!! Just listen to what the teacher says and do your best to break your habits. I also started on guitar and had a laundry list of things to fix. I kinda resisted and dragged my feet at first, but it was the greatest thing to happen to my playing.
 
#20

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