Re: Jacob's Questions thread!

**DavidM96** Sun Feb 27, 2011 2:15 am

ThreeLetterSyndrom wrote:
MetalJacob wrote:I seem to have a problem fingering fast and hard with my right hand.
That's what she said.

you read my mind lol!

**lololiet** Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:11 pm

You dirty sod....

Wink

**willba** Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:54 pm

We were all thinking it.

**MetalJacob** Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:36 pm

I think I've asked this before, but I still still don't get what to do. Mad

Oh yeah, just copying and pasting from my post on UG.

So when I learned to play bass, I was taught that the easiest way to play was to move your thumb to the current string above the one you are playing, so it's muted. This always worked out for me and it has for about 15 months. But lately I've realized that in order for me to get better, I can't do this all the time. I need to be able to play with my thumb resting on the E or pickups the whole time as I play all the other strings.

The problem is that when I do this, my fingers can't pull the strings hard enough and they also start to hit the other strings. Plus, I may be doing it wrong because it feels like I'm stretching hand bones (not finger) out of place when I do it.

So do you guys have any tips or videos or anything you could do to help me out? It'd be very appreciated! Smile

**DavidM96** Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:57 pm

I usually keep my thumb on the B string or the pickup but i dont have any trouble stretching to all the strings. could you put up a picture of what your doing? i dont quite understand from your description

**MetalJacob** Sat Apr 02, 2011 6:46 pm

I'll post a vid of what I'm asking. Unfortunately my sister to our camera to prom, so it probably won't be until late tonight. Razz

**Pippynip** Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:42 pm

I don't know if this'll be any help, but I'll put it up anyway...

**MetalJacob** Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:58 pm

Yes Pippy that's what I already do. In your video though, at around 0:45 is an example what I'm kind of trying to do. I see bassist play with their thumb on their lower string and playing the much higher strings. (like you did at 0:45)

Much appreciation for the video, makes describing things a whole lot easier.

**MetalJacob** Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:41 pm

I know, it's not at the best angle. Also, notice how I'm bending my B just to reach those other strings?

**DavidM96** Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:01 pm

hmmm....i have no idea, i have no problem doing that

**Pippynip** Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:26 pm

Tomorrow I'll make another video answering your questions using that exact angle so you can compare 'em.

**MetalJacob** Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:52 pm

Sweet!

**Nocturnal_Pulse** Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:23 pm

MetalJacob wrote:

I know, it's not at the best angle. Also, notice how I'm bending my B just to reach those other strings?

Hey jacob, didnt read allllllll the posts for this particular so the reply might be pointless. lol

I usually play by resting the thumb on the pickup and playing without flowting my thumb.

Do you want a video for that? I could try tomorrow with light if you want; I only play like that (i know Pip doesnt like it at all) so I could help kinda... (The only vid I have is one practicing along with GP to check my hand positions it's all shot from the front)

**MetalJacob** Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:38 pm

Sure! Anything would help. It's bugging the crap out of me that I can't get it right.

**Nocturnal_Pulse** Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:45 pm

MetalJacob wrote:Sure! Anything would help. It's bugging the crap out of me that I can't get it right.

Alrighty, I will charge my cam and tomorrow you will have a vid exclusively.
NOTE: I CAN'T play very fast yet, so it's up to you if it will be comfortable for you this technique.

Also, I have one vid on youtube that I shared with a friend of mine bassist to fix my out-of-rythm-chaotic galloping with 2 fingers.
I am pretty embarassed for this video but It might give you an idea of my walking hand (till tomorrow that I will have made your vid).

If you are interested give me your Tube username so you can view it too!

Cheers my friend.

**MetalJacob** Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:49 pm

Indeed, youtube username is TheocracyX.

**Nocturnal_Pulse** Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:55 pm

MetalJacob wrote:Indeed, youtube username is TheocracyX.

Okay its done, I think it will sent you an email!

**MetalJacob** Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:06 pm

Cools!

**Pippynip** Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:35 pm

Uh oh. I left the webcam all set up ready to make the video when I got back from eating dinner and when I came back it just showed a black screen. None of the settings would get it to show a picture. I'll try again tomorrow, hopefully it'll work then... Sorry man Sad

**Nocturnal_Pulse** Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:35 pm

Okay the vid is ready.

Ok, your power is on the thumb but the rest of the hand is very relaxed, like hanging. When you need to walk you only need to focus to your fingertips. The rest of the hand, all of your hand is relaxed! Also when you need to change the string you only move your wrist forward or backwards. Also in the vid (halfway somewhere) I show you that my E string doesnt bend as yours. That might be the diameter of your strings, mine could be thicker.

Sorry that I havent played anything but my camera is a handycam so I couldnt find an angle for that without holding it. But the point is on the right hand.

*PS: My hand was cold, so I couldnt play fast enough, but that's something that you will decide, if it's convinient for you or not.

I really hope I helped somehow, am not that experienced player but I feel I can help whenever I can, and thats my first attempt in this forum so I hope I helped.

Cheers!

**willba** Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:56 pm

Those strings sound/look like they need changing. Razz

**Nocturnal_Pulse** Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:58 pm

willba wrote:Those strings sound/look like they need changing.

Haha I know... But I am getting a new bass within this month so I wont pay 30 euros for Ernie Balls Razz

**MetalJacob** Wed Apr 06, 2011 11:02 pm

That video very much helped with getting my position straight. But I still don't get how anyone could play fast like this. Crying or Very sad

**Nocturnal_Pulse** Thu Apr 07, 2011 12:04 am

MetalJacob wrote: That video very much helped with getting my position straight. But I still don't get how anyone could play fast like this.

Hey buddy I am glad I helped.

Don't judge by me and my speed, really, my hands where cold.

This position is powerful if you gonna play guitar-fingerstyle basslines as "Pretty little Ditty" by red hot:

http://www.slappyto.net/Cours-Basse/Voir-Cours-Basse.aspx?id=46

Or "Seeman" by Rammstein:

Which both; you have to admit, are very fast if you consider the angle of the hand!

I believe that you should play equally both positions, this I showed you and this which you play with flowting thumb; I think they are both precious to know!

What do ya think?

**MetalJacob** Thu Apr 07, 2011 12:42 am

Indeed! That's what I've been hoping someone would say all along so I could come to this statement. You couldn't use to floating thumb technique in death metal, right? So there has to be a way to play fast like this.

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