anaxcrosswords Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 What an odd thing to be thinking about, but thinking about it I am. Just been blasting through a few songs and noticed that I vary between thumb on the back of the fretboard and thumb sticking out above the E string. Can’t say that one feels more comfortable than the other, nor does one seem to point towards better technique or playing speed. And yet… I have this strange image of the hidden thumb looking somehow more ‘professional’, and that the sticky-up version somehow isn’t. Damn strange thing to think… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 (edited) Go to 4:50 [media]http://youtu.be/NsDbh0buYHE[/media] Edited April 23, 2015 by JapanAxe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anaxcrosswords Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 I agree completely with what he says regarding the thumb. Strange this is that when I [i]do [/i]allow the thumb to be where it shouldn't be it doesn't feel awkward - I just have this odd feeling that it looks somehow wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Thanks for posting this, I've seen many of Scott's video lessons but not this one. Very helpful. Scott Devine is a beacon of the bass conmunity, he truly is making bassists better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1429832709' post='2755495'] Thanks for posting this, I've seen many of Scott's video lessons but not this one. Very helpful. Scott Devine is a beacon of the bass conmunity, he truly is making bassists better. [/quote] +1. I use his free Tube videos and they help a lot, thinking of subscribing to he paid for lessons. I'm 60 but it's never too late to learn and the old dogs, new tricks is bollocks. I'm learning to speak Thai at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Scott's video is really good. My bass teacher taught me to position my hands like that right from lesson 1, so luckily I've never got into any 'bad habits' in that way. I don't think I could actually play with my thumb over the fretboard even if I tried to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='seashell' timestamp='1429860019' post='2755550'] Scott's video is really good. My bass teacher taught me to position my hands like that right from lesson 1, so luckily I've never got into any 'bad habits' in that way. I don't think I could actually play with my thumb over the fretboard even if I tried to. [/quote] I'm the same, it just doesn't feel right. However it turns out I can play with an ovenglove on (drunken bet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1429860236' post='2755553'] I'm the same, it just doesn't feel right. However it turns out I can play with an ovenglove on (drunken bet) [/quote] Having said that... I've just had a look at my own Facebook profile pic, and you can see a bit of thumb rising over the fretboard! Oops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeystrange Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I think I sometimes play with my thumb over the top. I think. I know that I sometimes play with my little finger behind the neck though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 The neck on my Wal is so wide and flat that bringing my thumb over the top isn't really possible... feels very comfortable though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dincz Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Playing on the first few frets, I find it impossible to keep the thumb behind the neck without holding the bass differently. It does give extra damping possibilities however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) As is often said when discussing technique...nothing is written in stone. It is neither a cardinal sin or "bad" technique to have the thumb peeping over the top of the neck at times. Granted, it is not a very efficient way of playing, but if a song requires you to only play within a small area of the neck, i.e. little or no moving up and down the neck, then I dont see any reason to be hung for treason for having it peep over. Here is a clip worth checking out : [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM-rkoy2H8I"]https://www.youtube....h?v=OM-rkoy2H8I[/url] Edited April 24, 2015 by Coilte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Many reasons not to show the thumb in my view, but if you think you don't have a problem playing, then it would probably take up too much time to 'fix'.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Well I've seen Larry Graham ( to name but one) hang his thumb over the top of the neck and I'm not telling him he's wrong! I agree nothing is set in stone technique-wise. Where there is a rule, there are alway exceptions - people who shouldn't be able to play like that, but somehow can, and often brilliantly. I do think that with some things, there is a limit - maybe a time comes (or even just a lick or phrase) when you have no choice but to (for example) tuck that thumb back in (even if only momentarily). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I find some songs are just too physically demanding on the fretting hand to keep my thumb behind the neck. Often feels like I need to hang onto the neck to make it to the end. Undoubtedly bad technique but it is what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 This guy seems to have done OK for himself...and look at his thumb. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFcsEtFIKA BTW, I am not making a case for the thumb over the neck technique. I am merely trying to make the point that nothing is written in stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='dincz' timestamp='1429862318' post='2755589'] It does give extra damping possibilities however. [/quote] Thinking about it I do this when playing guitar... when playing chords on the top 5 strings (A or C etc) I often bring my thumb over as an extra line of defence against over zelous strumming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Yeah, Hendrix was a chief exponent of the ol' choke technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 When I have to play something technical I use proper technique. Thumb halfway down neck, wide stretch etc. When I'm slumming it playing simple lines I just have my hand comfortable, thumb anywhere don't bother with correct technique. Keep it relaxed. Each to their own! But it's what works for you, if the notes get played right that's all that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Depending on the set and choice of songs i've seen me put thumb over the edge of the E but more to give my hand a break from thumb normally along the back of the neck. No reason why you cant vary it to suit what you are doing. I've also seen some bassists fret the E string with their thumb. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1429826604' post='2755449'] Go to 4:50 [media]http://youtu.be/NsDbh0buYHE[/media] [/quote] That really is excellent advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 [quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1429955487' post='2756623'] That really is excellent advice. [/quote] Indeed - Mr. Devine is required viewing IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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