Let's Talk About Technique

[Fajah]

So our band got together last Tuesday night to rehearse for tonight's gig. We usually rifle through all the beginnings and endings of the tunes on our list first, leaving the rest of the evening dedicated to adding new arrangments to what we already play, and to work new material.

On one of the new tunes, our lead guitar player wanted to end on a three chord vamp which he will solo over, and wanted me to play sort of a funk/reggae/muted/sticatto kind of bass line over the changes. He kind of showed what he looking on his guitar, but it was late, I was tired, and couldn't quite follow what he wanted. He further went on to say that maybe I should use my thumb, or try stop time (step time...can't quite remember which one), or blah blah blah. I hate when he does this, but that's another matter. I'll eventually put something together, I always do, but it got me thinking about technique in general.

When I first got back into bass playing, I actually played with my thumb. Over time I switched to playing with my fingers. Slapping aside, what right/left hand techniques do you use (if any) when playing different genres of music?

[james on bass]

I'm all pretty much first 2 fingers for playing (mostly index). I try to incorporate my ring finger sometimes as well, but rarely. Sometimes I'll play quieter parts old-school with my thumb. I use a pick on 1 or 2 songs a night.

[Wheeman]

I walk with my index and middle fingers for most pieces. If the song needs more thump I switch over to the thumb to pop the strings, but not a full on slap-pop style. My pinky is used to mute the E string when it's not being played which also allows me to float my thumb a bit more.


Why are you letting the stinky lead guitarist tell you what to do? Your instrument's bigger then his, and not to forget much more important. :banana:

[Edutainment]

Your instrument's bigger then his

lmao I really like that logic.

[djdeacon]

I actually use my index and ring finger together a lot. Especially for playing alternating octaves (4th string/2nd string). Having played as long as I have, I've probably tried every approach at least once.

There's a bit of a mythology evolving now that in order to get a proper reggae sound, you need to play with the meat of the thumb (not the side) and mute the strings with the remaining fingers on your right hand. I've don't recall ever seeing Aston Barrett do this, or Robbie Shakespeare. You can achieve much of the same deep bass effect by turning down the tone control knob on the instrument, and damping with your left hand.

[zontar]

I'm more a dabbler on bass, but have played it for years.

I mostly use my first two fingers to play the strings & mostly I alternate them. But if I'm playing something really slow I sometimes just use my index fingers.
I sometimes throw in my third finger--I learned to use that taking classical lessons, and sometimes that works better.

On a few things I may use my thumb--but more for the tone difference in a down stroke vs an upstroke. It's subtle--but there's a difference.

On some faster stuff that's a pretty straightforward beat I've used a pick.

Never rule anything out.

[F.M.G.]

Well when I started playing I used my thumb. But I soon moved on to my fingers, but now I almost exclusively use a plectrum. I do vary it from time to time though, should I feel the need.

[Fajah]

To follow up, I'm mostly a finger player (index and middle). I do use my thumb for a softer tone and sometimes actually fingerpick depending on the tune. I prefer muting with my right hand although I can do it with both.

Why are you letting the stinky lead guitarist tell you what to do?

I've learned that sometimes us bass players have to serve as diplomats. Our lead guitar player can be picky as to a sound and/or arrangment he would like to capture and I respect that. But when he tries to "teach" me what to do, I usually cut him off and just ask him to send me a tune with the style or type of bass line he wants. I always come back to the next rehearsal with what he wants.