I saw this guy's right hand technique (TIMR - classical guitar style) and realized we are all doing it wrong. Jk, not really ... but sort if, yeah.
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What caused you to change your technique?
- Thread starter darwin-bass
- Start date
I experimented with various techniques before, like “floating thumb,” and the like. I’d just end up unconsciously reverting to the bent-wrist when digging in. I just accepted that it’s how I play. Nobody has died from it, though.
+1.
Same here. Studied Steve Bailey (3 finger IMR) and then Abe Laboriel (TIMR aka PIMA).
For slap I’ve taken pieces from Flea, Stu Hamm, Abe Laboriel and Louis Johnson.
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Adopting TI Jazz flats forced me to move to a "pluck lightly and turn up" approach to my playing. Not specifically to let the amp do the work, but to allow the responsiveness of the strings to show through. How I plucked made such a huge difference that it definitely put more of my tone "in the fingers"
I never had any bad habits, but I would ALWAYS pluck only above the bridge pickup on a Jazz to get a tighter, more compressed sound.
After about 30 years of playing in this position, I started listening to some of the isolated bass tracks from 70s groups. Roger Glover's sound on Space Truckin was so loose, almost sloppy, like the strings are hitting the fretboard. So, I started playing between the neck and neck pickup to get a more aggressive tone. It opened up a whole new world of sounds for me.
After about 30 years of playing in this position, I started listening to some of the isolated bass tracks from 70s groups. Roger Glover's sound on Space Truckin was so loose, almost sloppy, like the strings are hitting the fretboard. So, I started playing between the neck and neck pickup to get a more aggressive tone. It opened up a whole new world of sounds for me.
First time adopting a Precision Bass as my main bass. With the chrome covers. Before that, all I had really known was fretless basses (and a Musicmaster very rarely). The classic P made for a big change to my playing techniques. Enjoyed the change, and it was definitely for the better.
Listening to recorded practice caused me to learn how to mute my strings. I use the floating thumb and my left hand.
I only use two strumming fingers, but I learned how to speed them up in order to play "Flash of the Blade" - Iron Maiden and "Ride the Lightning" - Metallica.
I only use two strumming fingers, but I learned how to speed them up in order to play "Flash of the Blade" - Iron Maiden and "Ride the Lightning" - Metallica.
Buying a new bass and rig to soothe the lockdown boredom. Prior to this, I used active 5 stringers and leaned heavily on the balance knob to shape the tone. Turns out all you have to do is alter the hand position over one pickup for the same effect. Even though muting should be easier, the harmonics of the VMT ring out requiring more concentration on technique.
Going from 250 to 900 watts exposes the deficient approach while also opening up new avenues. I find myself using those harmonics on purpose, thumping and popping because it sounds like it's supposed to instead of weak and tinny. No stomp boxes or batteries, just plug and play. Prior to this purchase, I used Youtube to jam along with songs. I still do but also listen to various bass instructors to play with more variety and control. "With great power comes great responsibility!"
Going from 250 to 900 watts exposes the deficient approach while also opening up new avenues. I find myself using those harmonics on purpose, thumping and popping because it sounds like it's supposed to instead of weak and tinny. No stomp boxes or batteries, just plug and play. Prior to this purchase, I used Youtube to jam along with songs. I still do but also listen to various bass instructors to play with more variety and control. "With great power comes great responsibility!"
I started with two finger plucking, and pick use, playing just bass music on bass. Now I use all five digits on my plucking hand. It comes from trying to play music intended for other instruments, having to play multiple parts at once and learning to play other instruments and using the agility gained by doing so.
Moving to fretless really kicked me into gear. It made me really listen to my own playing much more critically, and I discovered as a side-effect that I was also listening to my bandmates a lot more intently than I ever had before. I know "listening" is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of "technique" -- I always thought of "technique" as something I'm doing with my hands on or to the bass. But fretless helped me improve on what I'm doing with my ears.
I can play pick and finger style. I mostly played finger style until I recently injured my two playing fingers. So right now I'm pick only until the healing is well enough. This is going to be a setback but these things can and do happen. I'm just glad I'm able to have some experience with a few different styles. It can save you at times and I find muting is easier when I use a pick since I can rest my palm on the strings as needed.
Another trick I learned to conserve energy and effort is simply to turn my amp up louder. Initially, I practiced with my amp down low because I didn't want to be heard playing finger exercises, scales and other boring type noises. I found that my finger would get sore from doing this because I was "digging-in" all the time. Once I turned up my amp my fingers could relax more and let the amp do what it's supposed to do and make the volume instead of trying to create the volume by playing harder. Now my technique has improved and my fingers last much longer.
Another trick I learned to conserve energy and effort is simply to turn my amp up louder. Initially, I practiced with my amp down low because I didn't want to be heard playing finger exercises, scales and other boring type noises. I found that my finger would get sore from doing this because I was "digging-in" all the time. Once I turned up my amp my fingers could relax more and let the amp do what it's supposed to do and make the volume instead of trying to create the volume by playing harder. Now my technique has improved and my fingers last much longer.
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Right hand techniques- Alain Caron
Fretted technique- Alain Caron
Frettless technique- Alain Caron
Fretted technique- Alain Caron
Frettless technique- Alain Caron
I recorded myself once, many years ago.
It was a revelation. Sounded sloppy and dirty.
Since then, I record myself frequently and have improved greatly in two aspects I find fundamental in our instrument: time and muting technique. Playing accurate and cleanly.
- Sep 4, 2010
- 3,304
- 2,730
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
Really hearing myself play. Led to light touch, moving picking hand freely between bridge and fingerboard end as the music requires, and evenness between index and middle finger.
Time, tone and phrasing have improved noticeably.
Time, tone and phrasing have improved noticeably.
Listening to recordings of my playing. Stark naked truth and smacked in the face (ears) with it.
What caused you to change your technique?
i've altered technique over the years --- when i found (or was taught) something useful, as an advantage --- and i incorporated those things into my playing or 'toolbox'. but for the past several years (post-retirement) i've been trying to maintain some semblance of those things i learned/used for so many years...but: old body parts have become cumbersome on many levels in many ways. (normal degradation/diminution, i think, with a few added injuries for spice!) so i've all but thrown out the rule book and i'm now into a 'anything goes', last chapter(?) mentality: i'm constantly discovering new ways to cheat the rules in order to deliver a competent sounding part. so my "technique changes" are occurring now, as we speak. e.g., where raking was once avoided (i didn't need it) = now i'm a raking fool! more ghost notes, yada yada. i'm thoroughly committed to the idea that i may end up playing with my elbows and toes!
i record (tunes, with a band) regularly, and i'm happy to say that the playing still works on those recordings --- though it may not be pretty to watch! 
also: i've always played with a lighter touch, but these days it's so light, on certain tunes = i sometimes don't bother plucking at all.
TL;DR: age.
i've altered technique over the years --- when i found (or was taught) something useful, as an advantage --- and i incorporated those things into my playing or 'toolbox'. but for the past several years (post-retirement) i've been trying to maintain some semblance of those things i learned/used for so many years...but: old body parts have become cumbersome on many levels in many ways. (normal degradation/diminution, i think, with a few added injuries for spice!) so i've all but thrown out the rule book and i'm now into a 'anything goes', last chapter(?) mentality: i'm constantly discovering new ways to cheat the rules in order to deliver a competent sounding part. so my "technique changes" are occurring now, as we speak. e.g., where raking was once avoided (i didn't need it) = now i'm a raking fool! more ghost notes, yada yada. i'm thoroughly committed to the idea that i may end up playing with my elbows and toes!
i record (tunes, with a band) regularly, and i'm happy to say that the playing still works on those recordings --- though it may not be pretty to watch! also: i've always played with a lighter touch, but these days it's so light, on certain tunes = i sometimes don't bother plucking at all. TL;DR: age.
