I listened to JimmyM and used S.A. for about two years. It did improve my speed and accuracy by forcing me to fix other improper techniques I had never noticed. Namely, the Jameson "hook" I was used to from starting on upright and not being comfortable with using my middle finger.
I have since moved back to raking, but only while descending from one string to the next, just like in the Scott Devine video mentioned previously. If you use S.A. for all other notes, at least for me, there is no difference in speed or accuracy while descending between either technique.
Also, if you utilize floating thumb, it is even more natural to rake while descending strings as the entire wrist/hand/fingers playing mechanism is repositioned to the lower string. While using floating thumb with S.A. it delays the shift of the wrist as you have to stay in position until finished playing all notes on that string.
What raking did for me was make me focus on time. That is the difference and why I can see strict S.A. making most players faster and more accurate. While playing contant 16ths using S.A. it is easier to maintain the pulse as each finger has its own beat. With raking, because the motion is so much more fluid and efficient, you have to be much more conscious of timing and touch, or the tendency will be to rush through the rake. A metronome is highly recommended while tuning this technique.
I believe for these reasons, learning both techniques is beneficial, but for feel and efficiency's sake, in my opinion raking is superior, especially while descending multiple strings. This is why it is utilized by almost every name in bassdom over S.A.
I have since moved back to raking, but only while descending from one string to the next, just like in the Scott Devine video mentioned previously. If you use S.A. for all other notes, at least for me, there is no difference in speed or accuracy while descending between either technique.
Also, if you utilize floating thumb, it is even more natural to rake while descending strings as the entire wrist/hand/fingers playing mechanism is repositioned to the lower string. While using floating thumb with S.A. it delays the shift of the wrist as you have to stay in position until finished playing all notes on that string.
What raking did for me was make me focus on time. That is the difference and why I can see strict S.A. making most players faster and more accurate. While playing contant 16ths using S.A. it is easier to maintain the pulse as each finger has its own beat. With raking, because the motion is so much more fluid and efficient, you have to be much more conscious of timing and touch, or the tendency will be to rush through the rake. A metronome is highly recommended while tuning this technique.
I believe for these reasons, learning both techniques is beneficial, but for feel and efficiency's sake, in my opinion raking is superior, especially while descending multiple strings. This is why it is utilized by almost every name in bassdom over S.A.
