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Unruly pinkie

#64
Rocktometrist said:
By that logic, why have talkbass at all? There is probably some video on youtube that covers just about every topic discussed on here ever. This forum would suck if the response to every comment or question was to quit wasting our time and go look it up on youtube.

Don't listen to the "back in my day; get off my lawn" crowd, OP. Makes perfect sense to get feedback from the teachers and players who participate here on talkbass, rather than go it alone on youtube!
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By the logic " in a perfect world " the OP will get replies from all the great teachers and players here on TB ! or maybe not! there's alot of great teachers/musicians on here but Theres also alot that think they know what they are talking about and helping but in reality could be making it worse!
Have any doubts ? just go back and read some of the hideous replies the OP has gotten so far! Not all ,but alot! not that you won't find any idiots on YouTube but on YouTube youll find people like Scott devine/ not to mention all the greats out there that have Iinstructional videos like victor wooten/ luis jonhson/ even the great Jaco pastorious has an Iintructional video out there!
back in the day we didn't have all those greats a mouse click away or TB for that matter ! today we do,
why not take advantage of it! Just my opinion :)
 
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#65
Impetus man said:
I learned the trick while playing lead guitar as my primary instrument. Why would it work for 6 strings and not 4, Mr. Master? Also, please don't lecture me about JPJ.....I saw him play live with Them Crooked Vultures and he DID use his left thumb to fret. I was in the 5th row. Thank you and have a nice day! :)
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So you're a failed guitarist who took bad 6-string technique and applied it to bass? Double doof! To the extent it makes any sense on guitar, it's because you're trying to fret chords over 6 strings with only 4 fingers. On bass, where you're usually playing single note lines or the occasional double-stops/triple-stops, why would you ever use your thumb? In every context I can think of, from economy of motion, to speed, to hand health, it makes no sense. Frankly, it's just a bad idea all the way around. If you do it, you should stop.

Also, I'm not buying your story about JPJ. I might buy that he uses his left thumb to mute the e-string, but fret notes? Unlikely! If you have any proof (interview, etc.), I'd be fascinated to see it.
 
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#66
madbass6 said:
By the logic " in a perfect world " the OP will get replies from all the great teachers and players here on TB ! or maybe not! there's alot of great teachers/musicians on here but Theres also alot that think they know what they are talking about and helping but in reality could be making it worse!
Have any doubts ? just go back and read some of the hideous replies the OP has gotten so far! Not all ,but alot! not that you won't find any idiots on YouTube but on YouTube youll find people like Scott devine/ not to mention all the greats out there that have Iinstructional videos like victor wooten/ luis jonhson/ even the great Jaco pastorious has an Iintructional video out there!
back in the day we didn't have all those greats a mouse click away or TB for that matter ! today we do,
why not take advantage of it! Just my opinion :)
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Totally agree with you--youtube videos AND interactive feedback from real players is the best of all worlds. (Goodness knows I've watched hundreds of hours of instructional videos on youtube about everything from playing bass to hanging drywall). The internet truly is a wondrous thing--but as you point out, using critical thinking skills is crucial to weed out nonsense from valuable information. As you also point out, this thread has its share of nonsense! :woot:
 
#68
Impetus man said:
Well, I saw with my own eyes, and it's a primary reason that I admire the man. As far as proving it to you....I'm working on it....I'll get right back to you. ZZZZzzzzzzzz.
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Well, pretty cool you could see the details of his pinky from the 5th row. Sucks that your hand is crippled, but at least you have bionic eyes!

For what its worth, I did a quick internet search to back up your claim, just because I'm interested in this kind of thing. I found nothing that would corroborate that JPJ uses that technique (and it is bizarre enough that it would surely warrant a mention somewhere). If you're interested in actually learning how to play bass, there are a lot of instructional videos linked in this very thread. Spoiler alert: not a single one of them will come within 100 miles of the techniques you recommend.
 
#69
Rocktometrist said:
you're trying to fret chords over 6 strings with only 4 fingers
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Ever play complex bass chords with a broken fret pinkie? Squire, Pastorius, or even McCartney? You're right...I'm a failed guitarist (and also a mediocre bass player). I'm not sure you're in a position to tell anyone what they have to do.

I do agree with many other posts.....Scott Devine on U-tube is very good. Just ignore me, as well as @Rocktometrist, and go check out Devine's lessons.
 
#70
Impetus man said:
Ever play complex bass chords with a broken fret pinkie? Squire, Pastorius, or even McCartney? You're right...I'm a failed guitarist (and also a mediocre bass player). I'm not sure you're in a position to tell anyone what they have to do.

I do agree with many other posts.....Scott Devine on U-tube is very good. Just ignore me, as well as @Rocktometrist, and go check out Devine's lessons.
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You've got me dead to rights--I don't fret "complex bass chords" with a broken pinkie. I'm sure your posts on talkcripple get standing ovations.

Rocktometrist out.
 
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#71
Rocktometrist said:
pretty cool you could see the details of his pinky from the 5th row
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I attempt to sit close, on the bassist side of the stage, for this very reason. Quite frankly, I could not keep up with Les Claypool and his slapping and right-hand use of the thumb.....but yes, I usually pick up on things inside of row 10 in a small or medium-sized venue. JPJ fretted with his thumb on 3 songs, and muted on 2 of those and 2 others. Hey man, I don't have all the answers.....but I take issue with those who think they do.
 
#72
Rocktometrist said:
Totally agree with you--youtube videos AND interactive feedback from real players is the best of all worlds. (Goodness knows I've watched hundreds of hours of instructional videos on youtube about everything from playing bass to hanging drywall). The internet truly is a wondrous thing--but as you point out, using critical thinking skills is crucial to weed out nonsense from valuable information. As you also point out, this thread has its share of nonsense! :woot:
Click to expand...
Rocktometrist said:
So you're a failed guitarist who took bad 6-string technique and applied it to bass? Double doof! To the extent it makes any sense on guitar, it's because you're trying to fret chords over 6 strings with only 4 fingers. On bass, where you're usually playing single note lines or the occasional double-stops/triple-stops, why would you ever use your thumb? In every context I can think of, from economy of motion, to speed, to hand health, it makes no sense. Frankly, it's just a bad idea all the way around. If you do it, you should stop.

Also, I'm not buying your story about JPJ. I might buy that he uses his left thumb to mute the e-string, but fret notes? Unlikely! If you have any proof (interview, etc.), I'd be fascinated to see it.
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OP see what I mean !! not all great teachers /musicians always reply here! thank you impetus man for proving my point! OP you should check out scott devine on youtube !
 
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#74
To the OP: While just about everything mentioned here is excellent info, keep in mind that there is a symbiotic relationship with a bass - "You need to work for the bass" and "the bass needs to work for you"................. If you can play with your elbow and make music, theres nobody in the world can tell you "Youre Doing It Wrong"
$.02
 
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#76
Impetus man said:
When you start themabur path on Devine's tutorials, please don't hold it against him that he wears a glove on his left hand. He had a pretty significant injury. He might post on @talkcripple on occasion, but I still recommend him. ;)
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Hey sorry guys not to get of the topic here!
just a quick clarification on devine
he actually explains the whole glove thing on one of his videos! i beilieve it has to do with some kind of skin condition ! ( not sure) So before people start posting dumm coments like ,
how can he show proper hand technique with a prety significant hand injury ! please look into it first! but the guy defenetly knows his stuff!
On both technique and music theory!
ok, now back to topic in hand please ..
The infamous pinky!! lol.
 
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#77
I think that even from my first video it should be clear that I already watched a lot of youtube tutorials and tried to follow them. But no matter how good the tutorial is there always will be some missed details and that's why I decided to ask people. If some of you could develop a good technique without YT and TB - good for you. Still don't see any reason why should I avoid such convinient opportunities. Maybe this thread makes me look not very smart. I'll be ok with that if it will help me to improve my playing and save my health.

Thanks to those who actually try to help. Later I'll post more vids to show what is going on with my technique.
 
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#79
Anglerfish said:
I think that even from my first video it should be clear that I already watched a lot of youtube tutorials and tried to follow them. But no matter how good the tutorial is there always will be some missed details and that's why I decided to ask people. If some of you could develop a good technique without YT and TB - good for you. Still don't see any reason why should I avoid such convinient opportunities. Maybe this thread makes me look not very smart. I'll be ok with that if it will help me to improve my playing and save my health.

Thanks to those who actually try to help. Later I'll post more vids to show what is going on with my technique.
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Hey Anglerfish, sorry to hijack your thread with all the stupid. If you haven't checked out Scott Devine's lessons, I'd definitely recommend him. As others have stated, he has among the best bass instruction videos on the 'net (excellent information and an excellent teacher)!
 
#80
Anglerfish said:
Thanks to those who actually try to help
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Lots of people want to tell you what to do, but ultimately, it will be up to YOU to try different approaches (and basses and amps) and see what works for you. Me and the other old farts will take this behind the woodshed and beat the crap out of each other, but none of that should matter to you. Use your own filters, your instincts and intelligence, and go forth !! Best of luck !!
 

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