What do I do with my right thumb?

Use the floating thumb technique. That's where you keep your thumb on the string right above where you're playing. If you're playing on the top strong (B or E) then rest it on one of the pickups. That's how I do it and it's perfect for me to get around.

 

+1, just checked and I indeed do this, feels great for me. For some reason, I just never thought about it before

 

A lot of bassists play on the pickup. Nothing wrong with that. But, you should work on the floating thumb technique, so that you can play up around the D & G string comfortably.

 

I agree with what capensandwhich said. I use the same technique and it hasn't hindered my playing. Ultimately you should do what's most comfortable for you as long as its in the realm of good technique....

 

Is it weird that I developed this without knowing it was a 'technique'?

 

Not at all. I did the same thing and then realized that's what it was called. Thank you talkbass!!!

 

I think you may be referring to the "Movable Anchor" technique here. The actual floating thumb technique does just that, i.e. floats. It does not rest on anything. Apart from being a safe healthy way to play ( because the wrist is not bent), it also mutes unwanted string noise.

Here is a clip demonstrating it :

Todd Johnson Bass Guitar : Floating thumb technique - YouTube

 

+100 on this method, best for muting an open A that tends to ring when playing notes on D & G strings. Check out Jaco's instructional DVD (with Jerry Jemmott) where he demonstrates this in detail.

Alphonso Johnson uses a similar 'barring' technique thats very effective for him, however I find this a little awkward since it limits mobility (perhaps just me).

 

What you're doing is fine, lots of bass players do that their whole careers because it's simple and it works.

The 'floating thumb' technique felt unnatural to me and I couldn't see any obvious benefits to playing that way.

 

I play a 5 string. I usually rest my thumb on a pickup when I'm playing the B and E strings and then move it to rest on other strings depending on which strings I'm playing. If I'm staying on the E and A for example, I'll rest my thumb on the B.
If I'm not resting on the string adjacent to the one I'm playing, I'm usually muting that inbetween string with my little finger.

 

I usually rest my thumb on the pickup as well, but I've noticed that I've started using the floating thumb technique with even realizing. It is surprisingly comfortable and practical. And I had no idea what it was until coming here, maybe I've started doing it subconsciously?

 

What about we who PLAY with our thumbs?

I can float betwixt thumb-playing and fingertips - so it's not so much a rule but what fits and feels good at the moment and for the musical style.

The rule is --- there IS no rule.

 

wrong verbage.. this is the movable anchor. Adam Nitti has a youtube of movable anchor you should check out. (not you Cap, the OP)

Adam Nitti's Moveable Anchor Technique - YouTube

This is what I was reffering to; and why I bought into the technique aswell..

if you play more than 4 stringer, you will (may I guess) need to adjust; muting w/moveable anchor and floating thumb are almost essential.. IMO of course. and too; it can be adapted for the 4 string players aswell. YMMV

AFRO

 

In response to the OP's original question:

What you are doing is not subjecting yourself to injury and is a completely viable technique that will likely not hinder your playing. So, you should not force yourself to change anything. Some folks here have suggested that you should learn the moveable anchor technique whereby you rest your thumb on the E or A string to play the higher strings.

Personally, I find that extremely uncomfortable (like having dinosaur arms - all cramped up) and I prefer a thumbrest about an inch or two above the E string or the top of a pickup as you use. I can easily reach all four, five or six strings on all of my basses comfortably. But you may not be built the same way.

What you need to figure out is whether you feel that anchoring on the pickup allows you comfortable and nimble access to all of the strings in a way that makes you feel convinced that your playing is not hindered by your technique. Only if you feel hindered by what you are doing should you change.

 

Sorry guys. that's just what I've always called it because that's what I was told it was called. Damn you talkbass!!! Damn all your lies!!!

 

LOL that one made me laugh!

just wanted to let you know you had been passing along mis-information..(as did fearceol) you know hind sight is 20/20!
now you maybe can work on that For REAL "Floating Thumb Tech"... I think you will find it a useful tool to add in addition to your 'M/Anchor' (and if not, my feelings wont be hurt.)

keep rawking monn!
"Damn all your lies!!!" LMAO..

 

+1 to the movable anchor technique for proper muting. Also you should move your right hand up and down the strings (toward/away from the bridge) because that is how you get different tones.

 

Do what works for you.

 

That's what floating thumb had always been, until somebody on TB decided it was actually a movable anchor and people just followed.
These terms are never used out of the forum anyway so it doesn't matter in any way.

It's worth noting that the so-called true floating thumb with no anchor gives most bassists who try to use it a lousy groove and poor dynamics.
It takes a lot of skill to move your fingers in the air with no physical pivot and keep a good rhythm.