Floyd Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Who uses a floating thumb technique rather than anchoring it on a pickup? I've been working on "We've gotta get out of this place" and I couldn't get it muted really clean so I've switched to a floating thumb. I'm picking it up ok and I think I'm playing quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I alternate between the two depending on what I'm playing. I do have a Thumb rest on my bass, but it's just for show 'cause i find that it's not in a comfortable position for me. Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Floating thumb. I first tried it as a result of Stuart Clayton's 'Crash Course' book. Now I do it without thinking. In fact my teacher remarked on it at my last lesson - said I was doing it quite naturally. I find the floating thumb does help with the muting as I'm a bit sh*t at left hand muting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Deeeefinitely the floating thumb. No other reason than I find it makes more sense (to me) when playing finger style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 (edited) When this question was last asked, I was firmly anchored... or at least so I thought! When I actually started to pay more attention to what I was doing, I realised that my thumb did indeed float from time to time. Strangely, I now find that it has a tendency to float more and more... But for that heavier touch when I dig in (which is pretty often!) it goes back to it's home anchorage. I'm happy either way. Edited September 27, 2012 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sté Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Floating here too. This technic added to the ramp was my right hand revolution ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Mostly thumb-on-pickup for me. I've watched some video tutorials on the floating thumb technique and can understand its merits, but although I practice it occasionally I still automatically revert to thumb-on-pickup in the heat of the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Depends what you are trying to do..some you want to have achored, some you can't. But does it matter...? you do what you do and you work it out. People don't have to be led down certains paths all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldG Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Floating. Been floating so long it feels wierd to anchor.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looper Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Anchored, but it's just habit. Even had to put a thumb rest on my acoustic as it felt wrong having nowhere to anchor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1348731568' post='1817358'] But does it matter...? [/quote] Well...yes it could do, if you are prone to wrist injuries due to having it bent most of the time. Granted, lots of people play with a bent wrist and get away without problems, but others find that they experience carpel tunnel type problems, so the FT is ideal in this case. I use FT all of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 My thumb tends to rest on the pup or on the E string (if I'm playing on the D or G) a lot of the time. It spends just as much time floating about , or more accurately pratting about in some silly show off pose or other. I don't 'need' to anchor to play OK , if that's the question being asked. I'm not really bothered where it goes. My left hand is allergic to staying on the neck when I play open strings so moves off and waves about - holds mic stands - throws even more ridiculous posy shapes etc etc. Even for an odd couple of notes. Insecurity I suppose , thinking that the punters will think I'm 'pretending'. Silly because they generally wouldn't know - or care - if I was playing it with my ear lobes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krysh Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 floating all the time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 My thumb anchors my pick, otherwise I drop it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 (edited) its sort of anchored but floats around position wise depending where im plucking the sting for whatever tonal nuance i wish to achieve (my tone pot tends to stay fully open in fact it might well as not be there at all) and then occasionally my thumb will come away from its anchor completely but mostly for various [b][i][font=georgia,serif]ppp[/font][/i][/b] soft tones otherwise it is anchored on the top of either pickup or sometimes on the top edge of the very end of the fretboard edit - i tried anchoring my thumb with a pick the other day but it almost dislocated itself in horror!! Edited September 27, 2012 by steve-bbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Floating, I can't mute at all when I keep my thumb on the pickup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1348731568' post='1817358'] But does it matter...? People don't have to be led down certains paths all the time. [/quote] It's an interesting question, and if someone wants to know the answer - then yes, it does matter. Nobody is leading anyone down any paths here - just asking a question! Nobody has to answer if they don't want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Floating for me to, well most of the time, if I'm playing a tune with lots of 8th notes on the E string say I might rest my thumb on the B string or the top of the pick-up, I'm in the camp of what works best for you is right, this can change from song to song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I use floating anchor. I move my thumb depending on which string I'm playing. Works well for me. Muting the strings with your right hand is a technique that came in long after the end of the 60's. We've Got To Get Out Of This Place wasn't played muted by Chas Chandler as he used a pick. It was probably recorded with foam under the strings which is why it can sound muted. I have played this song in the covers band and it sounds fine without muting. [font=Arial][size=2] [/size][/font] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1348735376' post='1817410'] I use floating anchor. I move my thumb depending on which string I'm playing. Works well for me. Muting the strings with your right hand is a technique that came in long after the end of the 60's. We've Got To Get Out Of This Place [b]wasn't played muted[/b] by Chas Chandler [b]as he used a pick[/b]. [/quote] I mute [i]and[/i] use a pick loads, its how you get that 60s flatwound sound with roundwounds on innit? I like to rest my thumb on the pickup or the end of the neck some of the time, depends on what you're playing doesn't it? its a different sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Floating mainly since I started playing a 5 string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I'm with Dr Dave. Most of the time my thumb is floating, but it will anchor onto a pickup or the E string without me even thinking about it to suit what I'm playing. It's hard to play slap with your thimb anchored though! Maybe a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Anchored for me, purely out of habit. I really need to learn to use a floating thumb as my muting is shoddy at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Muting is totally where its at.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share Posted September 27, 2012 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1348735376' post='1817410'] I use floating anchor. I move my thumb depending on which string I'm playing. Works well for me. Muting the strings with your right hand is a technique that came in long after the end of the 60's. We've Got To Get Out Of This Place wasn't played muted by Chas Chandler as he used a pick. It was probably recorded with foam under the strings which is why it can sound muted. I have played this song in the covers band and it sounds fine without muting. [/quote] I've got this (and others) for an audition and I'm just a bit bothered about the first few bars when it's the bass and not much else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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