Thumb + Finger Picking

[RicoDirenzo]

I, a long time ago, originally learned to play bass by thumb picking via a blues bassist who was not into finger picking. So I primarily thumb pick and finger pick alternatively. I finger pick when I want more midrange expression vs the very deep bass presentation I get with my thumb. Anyone else a "thumb picker" like me?

 

[TOOL460002]

I don't use the thumb alone the way you described, but I am a big fan of switching to a thumb and index combination, kind of like how you would finger pick on a guitar. It's also a good transition into the thumb and index sweeping technique, but I've been doing it the less complex way for years. I'm not sure what the impetus was, but having thumb strength like that is incredibly helpful. The more dexterity and strength you develop in your hands and fingers, the more doors you open up.

To echo 99% of the replies in this forum: it's not wrong if it feels and sounds good to you.

 

[pianoandbass]

I use my thumb all the time, though almost exclusively on my low E. The tone is obviously different because of where it is relative to the fingers, it's shape and because it hits the string differently. I find it tends to give a softer fatter sound, though my Slinkys seem to have enough character of their own to add that it doesn't just fizzle out.

 

[Hopper]

Yes, thumb and two fingers here too. We should start a club!

 

[bThumper38]

I'm a full-time thumb+index picker

 

[vanscoy]

Sting plays this way most of the time nowadays. You can really see it on YouTube with the last Police tour.


Here he uses both techniques http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGkY1AcOYrs&feature=related

 

[superfunk47]

It's what I revert to - It's most comfortable to me. Sometimes when I groove I play a more standard fingerstyle, but the flamenco thing gets a lot of my playing time.

 

[PRUNEFACE]

I do waht I call "semi-floating thumb" where I rest my thumb on the upper two strings (E & A) and use my index, middle, and ring on the lower two strings while using my thumb on those upper two... It's kind of weird.

 

[Paul "Pablo" Gr]

Just beginning, and playing around to Berklee BG. I have been introduced to the nearly double work load of muteing plucked/fretted pitches..so much so that slows me down. I'm useing my four fingers right hand, trying not to fall into thumbing everything. Guess this is a standard "Dues" to be paid working on your touch.. help for monkeys..
After reading all the replies I:
Use whats confortable..thumb + index +middle
work out the muting sympathetic noise without stumbling over right and wrong
Thanks

 

[wicked_child]

depends on what im playing. i use it a lot for those ventures sounding surf songs.

 

[Hopper]

Here's how I play:

 

[sdurborow]

I transitioned from the 6-string guitar (finger-style acoustic) and the thumb + index method was the most comfortable for me to play bass. I played this way exclusively for a few years. However, I could not achieve a good balanced-tone and attack. As PianoandBass stated above, “it tends to give a softer fatter sound”, so I moved to the two finger method (index + middle). I still can’t play all runs as fast as I could using my thumb + index, but I’m getting there.

 

[otis_thick]

I, a long time ago, originally learned to play bass by thumb picking via a blues bassist who was not into finger picking. So I primarily thumb pick and finger pick alternatively. I finger pick when I want more midrange expression vs the very deep bass presentation I get with my thumb. Anyone else a "thumb picker" like me?

Yep but I mainly use my forfinger nail and my thumb like I am holding a pick...drink your milk!

 

[GrindYourMind]

T I M R

 

[bigblondeafro87]

Meh I think I can get just as much fatness with mah fingahs, without losing any dexterity or muting capabilities. Pluck close to the bridge with the outside edge of my fingers for a more grindy, stingray-type tone and closer or over the neck (depending on the song) and more with the tip of the fingers for a fat, yet defined sound.

 

[Gawd]

I use all of my fingers. But yeah, sometimes I just use my thumb (usually while muting with my palm) to get that deep boomy tone.

 

[Arpeggiator]

i find i get more fatness with the thumb, its great in acoustic situations i find, the flamenco thing (thumb and 3 fingers) i use when there are extended chordal or tapped arrangments. tapping in that hand position feels most natural to me. the fingers deffiantly give more midrangy sounds probably due to the callouses, i like to mix up all the techniques i have learned, i dont play a set type of finger playing, i will play with 1,2,3, gallop, alternate, fingernails etc... i just use whatever technique i find most comfortable and what brings the best tone to the situation.

 

[NortyFiner]

I have done a little adaptation of "Carter scratch" or "walking bass" guitar picking to bass, using my thumb on the low strings and my fingers on the high...

 

[Hopper]

another example of combined thumb and finger playing

 

[Dmanlamius]

Oh yea man, I use it a lot. I feel it gives me nice and quick access to notes, and just feels a little more comfortable. I guess the same effect can be gained by using fingers alone, but it just feels a little more uncomfortable...

I use it most when I'm playing more ambient stuff like this: