Who uses the right hand thumb for plucking?

[earlofmar11]

I recently came to the bass after many years of playing guitar. As I have had a classical guitar training, I am used to using all right hand fingers except the little finger for plucking. It seems that on the bass, this is not so common. Does anyone use the thumb when plucking (not slapping)?

 

[PlungerModerno]

Hells yeah! check it out:
Good enough for ed? definately woth trying. I also use thumb for that soft warm sound, which can be a little trying, to play legato for more than a few bars with my fingertips... especially with muting.

I need more practice. But the thumb is right there... if you want to, use it all the time.
Leverage the muscle memory you have from fingerstyle guitar... And play that bass!

 

[Gaius46]

I recently came to the bass after many years of playing guitar. As I have had a classical guitar training, I am used to using all right hand fingers except the little finger for plucking. It seems that on the bass, this is not so common. Does anyone use the thumb when plucking (not slapping)?

I do and as well and for the same reason though I usually only use it on the B and sometimes the E strings.

 

[PhantomApex]

Can't say I've ever tried that.

 

[FretlessMainly]

I will occasionally use the side of my thumb (not like guitar fingerpicking where you use more of the thumb tip). This is how Leo Fender envisioned the electric bass would be played; hence the tug bar under the G string on the older basses.

 

[JaamE]

I do, but maybe also from having learned fingerpicking on guitar. Although on guitar i st ill try and use just my thumb and first two fingers like i do on the bass. But yeah, some songs i play with the side of my thumb, and some with my fingers. ::shrug::

 

[MrDOS]

I've been doing this for more than 25 years. Folks used to make fun of my "improper" technique years ago, but I think it adds some flexibility.

 

[bushwhacker]

I use my thumb almost exclusively, and have since 1968, and use the tug bars on my P and J just as Leo intended. I used to use the Pick more, but never really liked the sound and only use my fingers when I have to play something faster, but I just love the tone I get with my thumb.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I do use my thumb with my other 2 fingers, kind of like a banjo roll technique, I only use it for solo bass, it is not my normal style by any means.

 

[Jay2U]

I rarely use the thumb for plucking, as it does the opposite: muting.

 

[TNCreature]

When I am playing broken/arpegiated chords. Or when I am plucking the e and g strings simutaneously. Sounds and feels nice.

 

[mbeall]

You are not alone.

 

[oniman7]

when playing across multiple strings, yes.

It's hard in a rock band setting, as I pluck hard and I can't get the same volume level out of my thumb. I use a thumb pick sometimes though.

 

[chuck3]

I go with the claw - thumb, index finger and middle finger. You have to practice a little to get the same tonality out of the thumb as the fingers, but that's how I do it. Born out of playing folk guitar many years ago, but it works for me.

p.s. That's for bass guitar. Upright bass bears no resemblance to the above.

 

[oniman7]

I also grow my thumbnail out. It extends probably 1/2 or 3/4 inch past the nail bed. I use this when playing arpeggiated triads or chords fast on bass or classical guitar... PIM style. There's only one song where I play IMA instead.

 

[Russell L]

I use my thumb in conjunction with palm muting the strings for an upright sound. It really works well.

 

[Ric5]

Who uses the right hand thumb for plucking?

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That is actually the first method I was taught back in the 60s.

I use it very rarely ... the tone from that method has very little attack.

 

[FretlessMainly]

True, but it's rounder than a beach ball and much heavier.

Sometimes I'll also use this on double bass and it just makes the wood smile and vibrate.

 

[mntngrown]

This guy has a little experience.
Not afraid to use the thumb when called for.

 

[kr0n]

I recently came to the bass after many years of playing guitar. As I have had a classical guitar training, I am used to using all right hand fingers except the little finger for plucking. It seems that on the bass, this is not so common. Does anyone use the thumb when plucking (not slapping)?

It's awesome for some melodic 3-4 string awesomeness. With proper LH technique you can get quite creative.