Double Bass Thumb Position methods

[Felessan]

I've noticed that people with "hitchhikers" thumb can do this closed technique very easily. My thumb doesn't bend backwards at all; it just goes straight and stops. In order to do a closed position, I need to bring my arm over the bass a little more so my hand is more perpendicular to the string (keeping the hand-forearm line straight... wrist should be flexible but straight!)

My palm is never "closed." If I closed my thumb muscle under my palm like David does, my thumb would be under my palm.... which could be useful sometimes: if I am playing a G# with my thumb on the G string and want to hit D on the D string without shifting.

I've never had any problems with thumb strength, just pain on the side of my thumb when I started thumb position. It's fine now, and I have a callous just behind the nail on the side of my thumb.

It would be neat to discuss the differences between thumb types: hitchhikers, non-hitchhikers, and others?

-Trevor

 

[David Potts]

It's just with the palm "closed" I have much more strength (rigidity?). The large thumb muscle tightens but the length of thumb remains outside the palm.Test the idea with your other hand. The only drawback might be slower manouverability because of "locking" a muscle?

Trouble is we don't all have the same size and shape of hands ,and lengths of fingers, and we each have to find the best individual solution.