I love the percussive sound of John Entwistle's "typewriter" technique. You don't see very many people using it. But then, you don't see very many John Entwistles, either.
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What are some lesser-known bassguitar techniques?
- Thread starter Just go for it
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Thumb technique is what Leo originally envisioned. That is why there was a tug bar below the strings. It was a resting point for your fingers while you played with your thumb.
Here's a fun one - three finger saltando sextuplets. These are 16ths at around 210 bpm.
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Norwood Fisher has “the fan” technique. It’s a thumb-pinky slap technique that generates some crazy percussive tones. There was a great Warwick YT on it but I can’t seem to find it.
I’ve been trying (not successfully yet) to put a thumb pick on my thumb to switch back and forth between finger and picking sounds. I’d guess it isn’t possible with slap… but I’m not good at that anyway. I thought it might be interesting to mix those sounds.
I also find the bluegrass 6 string fingerpicking technique intriguing. The one where they put their pinky down as a pivot point under the strings. It’s similar to what’s discussed previously, but still a bit different.
Also searching “flamenco bass guitar” on YouTube is a fun trip.
I also find the bluegrass 6 string fingerpicking technique intriguing. The one where they put their pinky down as a pivot point under the strings. It’s similar to what’s discussed previously, but still a bit different.
Also searching “flamenco bass guitar” on YouTube is a fun trip.
That works well for me. I use a pick sometimes, but this method gives me more control and the ability to quickly switch back to other styles of playing without fussing with a guitar pick. When I do use a pick, I like to use a hard rubber one - gives a nice attack without being too harsh.
I don't recall seeing any bassists sweeping with a pick, although I suppose there are people doing it.
I've occasionally seen it done with thumb for downstroke sweep. Upstroke "sweep" with fingers, a.k.a. "rake" is just standard descending line fingerstyle plucking for a lot of folks.
Thumb-based sweep makes sense if covering five or six strings on basses that have that many, but I don't really see the point on a four-string bass where you can just use thumb and fingers on separate strings, classical guitar style.
I consider it more of a party trick than a technique, but there are a few parts in our songs where I put my hands over the bass like a piano and do hammer ons/pull offs... it sounds good, and looks kinda cool on stage.
I sweep with a pick on bass from time to time. Usually just a power chord type formation.
Artificial octave down: pluck 12 frets below the fret you're playing.
If you are playing the 3rd fret on the E string, pluck it on the 15th fret with the fleshy part of your right hand. Occasional technique, but very cool! Especially if you can pull it off for entire bass lines.
Credit: I learned that from Guy Bernfeld; and he said that he learned it from Michael League.
If you are playing the 3rd fret on the E string, pluck it on the 15th fret with the fleshy part of your right hand. Occasional technique, but very cool! Especially if you can pull it off for entire bass lines.
Credit: I learned that from Guy Bernfeld; and he said that he learned it from Michael League.
Great example of what has been talked about here all ready. Just one old thing not mentioned.
MR H brings a great deal of presence to the stage. I would really like to know how this old and much respected skill is done.
Any ideas on how you feel presence is shaped please let me know.
MR H brings a great deal of presence to the stage. I would really like to know how this old and much respected skill is done.
Any ideas on how you feel presence is shaped please let me know.
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Sweeping.
Commonly used on guitar.
But Adam Nitti does it well.
Commonly used on guitar.
But Adam Nitti does it well.
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Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of "metal sweeps" than the commonly used raking, though I guess from a technical perspective they are quite similar, with speed and fluidity of long phrases being a distinction.
Slapping with thumb and index.
It's like Fieldy from korn but Toshiya pushed the technique and sound to a next level IMO.
Not that common of a technique.
It's like Fieldy from korn but Toshiya pushed the technique and sound to a next level IMO.
Not that common of a technique.
Excuse my ignorance, but something I dont really see done is throwing? your hand across the strings. Only people ive seen do it is Les Claypool and Kello Gonzalez.
Heres what I mean:
I sometimes use this on downbeats of songs, while playing a power chord, or just to really accentuate a note.
Heres what I mean:
I sometimes use this on downbeats of songs, while playing a power chord, or just to really accentuate a note.
That's a Flamenco technique called "Rasgueado"
Do any of you use rasgueado?
Stanley Clarke borrowed it and used it on his hit "School Days"
that’s really common. It’s called strumming. Rasguado is different because it involves four right hand fingers including pinky. So the guy in the video is just strumming no rasguado.
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I guess thats right, but I still do/did rasguado from time to time without knowing its name.
