aceuggy Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) Was just reading the thread on whether to use a pick or your fingers. Well I like to use my fingers, but don't like the sound I produce. I'm not very good at it, so I use a pick, I'm not very good at that either TBO, but I prefer the sound I get. However, I recently tried using just my thumb and that produces a nice fat sound that I like. Is there any reason not to just use my thumb? Just edited to say that when I use my thumb it's not slapping, but just plucking. Edited January 8, 2009 by aceuggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I don't believe there are any hard and fast rules on how you play.... it's good to develop your own technique... If it works for you that's good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I sometimes find myself using my thumb for some slow songs or where I want more of a thud. I mainly use fingers but also use a pick on occasion, thumb and also slap certain things- not Mark King slap but more Larry Graham slap over the pickup rather than over the top frets. Sounds completely different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote name='aceuggy' post='373871' date='Jan 8 2009, 10:53 AM']Was just reading the thread on whether to use a pick or your fingers. Well I like to use my fingers, but don't like the sound I produce. I'm not very good at it, so I use a pick, I'm not very good at that either TBO, but I prefer the sound I get. However, I recently tried using just my thumb and that produces a nice fat sound that I like. Is there any reason not to just use my thumb? Just edited to say that when I use my thumb it's not slapping, but just plucking.[/quote] Good enough for Robbie Shakespeare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 You can achieve a lot by moving your right hand playing position between the bridge and the neck. Its a lot brighter when you pluck the strings near the bridge and a lot warmer as you move towards the neck (this applies to both fingers and pick). You will also need to change your eq when you put the pick down or pick it up as the whole chain of fingers/pick/eq/amp/speaker combination contributes to the overall sound. The secret is to experiment. Personally, I started on a pick because I was playing in HM bands but it quite quickly became apparant that the fingers option was more versatile. Its also one less thing to forget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I enjoy thumbing and palm muting at the same time. P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I used my thumb for the whole of the attached song I find it gives a real Dub sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galilee Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I doubt that you can play very fast with just your thumb though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILD FROG SHOT Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote name='Galilee' post='373989' date='Jan 8 2009, 01:24 PM']I doubt that you can play very fast with just your thumb though?[/quote] This was my thought exactly. I sometimes use my thumb with index finger to play adjacent strings similar to playing a Root and 5th chord but without the mud. I would like to see someone use thumb exclusively though without looking quite silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 It's one of the many techniques Sting uses. For my part, I find it easier to coordinate complicated bass passages and singing when I pick/strum with my thumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 To expand on my previous post...muting and double thumbing together give you a nice dubby/vintage'y sound and you can get a fair old speed out of it. Honestly, it's worth a go! Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote]It's one of the many techniques Sting uses[/quote] I feel like saying, "If Sting had gone through life relying solely on his bass playing to feed himself, he would have led a very hungry existence" but there are probably a few Sting fans here... so I won't [quote]Is there any reason not to just use my thumb?[/quote] None at all...but it's highly unlikely that you will become an accomplished player. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Just thought I would knock this up to show you what I am talking about. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote name='SteveK' post='374185' date='Jan 8 2009, 04:26 PM']I feel like saying, "If Sting had gone through life relying solely on his bass playing to feed himself, he would have led a very hungry existence" but there are probably a few Sting fans here... so I won't Steve[/quote] Very good.. I think he was hungry about 15 years ago..... That might be why Darryl Jones had to help him out for a while... Good song writer though. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote name='SteveK' post='374185' date='Jan 8 2009, 04:26 PM']None at all...but it's highly unlikely that you will become an accomplished player. Steve[/quote] [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAa2ktmWFc"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAa2ktmWFc[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote][url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAa2ktmWFc"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAa2ktmWFc[/url][/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alun Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote name='paul h' post='374196' date='Jan 8 2009, 04:35 PM']Just thought I would knock this up to show you what I am talking about. Paul.[/quote] Very nice Reminds me a bit of Bobby Vega's pick playing. Cheers Alun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 i often use my finger and thunm nails as though i was holding a pic but using the nail instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) The guy on this Gary Moore set does here - is he famous? (and I don't mean the fat git in the flashy coat) Wow! i got the embedded sceeeny thing to work! Edited January 8, 2009 by Paul S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Alun' post='374291' date='Jan 8 2009, 06:18 PM']Very nice Reminds me a bit of Bobby Vega's pick playing. Cheers Alun[/quote] Ta. That was pretty much the idea. I decided a while back that I would like a palm muted pick sound but with leaving a couple of fingers free for some plucking. Bit chuffed you noticed to be honest! Paul. EDIT. I realise it is like BV after talent bypass surgery. Edited January 8, 2009 by paul h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alun Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote name='paul h' post='374346' date='Jan 8 2009, 07:32 PM']Ta. That was pretty much the idea. I decided a while back that I would like a palm muted pick sound but with leaving a couple of fingers free for some plucking. Bit chuffed you noticed to be honest! Paul. EDIT. I realise it is like BV after talent bypass surgery.[/quote] It sounds great, I'm going to have to try it! Incidentally, speaking of Mr Vega there are some great recent clips on [url="http://www.bassplayer.tv"]http://www.bassplayer.tv[/url] ( go to BP Live 2008, then Clinics and scroll down ) if you haven't already seen them. Cheers Alun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 The reason old Fenders have tug bars below the strings, rather than thumb rests above was exactly so you could easily use your thumb to play. So think of it as going back to the roots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 [quote name='SteveK' post='374281' date='Jan 8 2009, 06:08 PM'][/quote] I'm not sure what that emoticon means. I'm guessing: ho hum! If so, I wouldn't agree that Robbie Shakespeare wasn't accomplished. Maybe no Victor Wooten, but surely one of the most individual and sought-after players of his time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agoulding Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 KY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Whoever mentioned Gary Moore's bass player - It's usually a guy called Andy Pile. Nice player as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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