Thumb or Pick?

[Dr. Cheese]

Having a little fun on Friday.

 

[woodyng2]

Both sound great, although that bassline does seem to be more of a thumber!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Both sound great, although that bassline does seem to be more of a thumber!

My wife were coming home from shopping when 777-9311 came on the radio. When I came inside, I picked up my Tagima Jazz and started played the line (my best approximation of one of Prince’s most idiosyncratic bass and drum parts possible.)

 

[FilterFunk]

Thumb. I think that bass line is meant to stand out.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Thumb. I think that bass line is meant to stand out.

I know, but the pick can get a thumb sort of vibe if one is aggressive.

 

[Guitalia]

Any question on TalkBass that includes the word thumb, and I immediately think of Fred Thomas. He played thumb style exclusively, I believe. Always sounded great. That's him on Hot Pants, which includes the immortal line, "Hot pants . . . . make you sure of yourself!" (And, just as good, "You walk just like you got the only lovin' left!")

 

[Guitalia]

I know, but the pick can get a thumb sort of vibe if one is aggressive.

True. Same goes for finger playing, maybe. In Jack Bruce's autobiography, Composing Myself, he describes meeting James Jamerson when he visited the Motown studios during a Cream tour. He and Jamerson were tickled to discover that they used the same playing technique, plucking aggressively with the forefinger. MIght be explained by the fact that they both started as upright players.