What are some lesser-known bassguitar techniques?

[Just go for it]

What are some lesser-known bassguitar techniques that can elevate a bassist's playing to the next level?

Over the years I know and use the most familiar playing techniques and sometimes I use them all interchangeably: Fingerstyle, Slap and Pop, Using a Pick, Tapping, Palm Muting, Harmonics, Slides and Glissandos, Double Stops, Walking Bass and Raking. (no Makita for me ;-)

Am I missing anything?

 

[Nashrakh]

I've never seen them done much on EBG, but sweeps maybe. Some would debate their usefulness, but you specifically asked about niche techniques...

 

[knumbskull]

Plucking with the pad of your thumb is sometimes used by reggae bassists for a warm, rounded sound with very little attack.

Tony Levin used to have custom drumsticks attached to his fingers for a slap-type sound.

Bryan Beller (i think) has a fast fingerstyle picking technique for very fast 16th notes where he wiggles his finger basically like a pick.

 

[bholder]

I do an odd version of "slapping" where I finger chord shapes then use my right hand to slap all the strings down with open palm and fingers - an actual "slap" with the whole hand, not the thumb. Does that qualify?

 

[Gorn]

I lean way back on my couch with my bass on my fat stomach and absentmindedly fiddle with the strings while I watch tv. This technique might not be that uncommon though.

 

[FatStringer52]

 

[bholder]

Bryan Beller (i think) has a fast fingerstyle picking technique for very fast 16th notes where he wiggles his finger basically like a pick.

When I want to "pick play" but don't have one, I hold my index fingertip between my thumb and middle finger, and pick with the nail, back and forth, just like a real pick.

 

[Klangfarbe]

William Murderface of DEATHKLOK has quite an interesting technique that he uses to play his solo.

However since this is a family friendly forum, i don't dare to post it here. (Can be found easily on Youtube).

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Teeth. Just like Jimi.

 

[ToneMonkey]

Muting adjacent strings. It really cleans up a mix. Shocking to me that some really high profile players don’t do that very well.

 

[N4860]

You could experiment with Geddy Lee's picking technique. He often uses one finger plucking normally and then uses his nail on the upstroke kind if thing.

 

[trevcda]

William Murderface, Dethklok's bassist, has a unique style featured in his live soloing that I'd recommend passing on!

 

[Medicine Man]

William Murderface of DEATHKLOK has quite an interesting technique that he uses to play his solo.

However since this is a family friendly forum, i don't dare to post it here. (Can be found easily on Youtube).

I was gonna come post the murderface video, but you are probably ethnically right about not doing it!

 

[yberwaffe]

I heard rumours about a technique called practice, but I don't know what it means.
It might just be an internet troll trolling.

 

[g-dude]

You could experiment with Geddy Lee's picking technique. He often uses one finger plucking normally and then uses his nail on the upstroke kind if thing.

I didn’t realize he did that. Sort of arrived there on my own at times.

 

[g-dude]

I was gonna come post the murderface video, but you are probably ethnically right about not doing it!

That typo almost caused me to do a spit take.

 

[N4860]

I didn’t realize he did that. Sort of arrived there on my own at times.

Ya, I'm not sure when he started doing that. Maybe late 80's/early 90's I'm guessing? You can really hear a change in his bass lines once he started doing it all of the time.

This tune is a good example of that 16th note technique:

 

[Rib 13]

Artificial Harmonics. Im listing separate as they are a different technique than True Harmonics......similar to a pick harmonic: Quickly pluck the string and mute with thumb side. You can also pluck and mute with pinky to go across the strings like 80s hair metal guitar players...You can do stuff like the ZZ Top LaGrange guitar solo going up and down one string if you want...I do a few artificial harmonics in this vid starting about 3:24 (cued a little before for context) for anyone that isnt familiar with them

 

[hieronymous]

I played my bass with a roast beef submarine sandwich once - not particularly useful unless you have a song called "Roast Beef," which we did!

 

[Rib 13]

You could experiment with Geddy Lee's picking technique. He often uses one finger plucking normally and then uses his nail on the upstroke kind if thing.

Chuck Rainey and others do this too......I thought it was something I invented in the 90s out of boredom playing in a 5-Night a week hotel houseband ...boy, was I wrong lol