Bassists have always been using their thumb to pluck the strings of their bass guitar as well. However, thumb plucking is generally slower and gives you a fast and thick sound that may be suitable for slower tempo songs. There’s nothing abnormal about playing your bass with your thumb.
Where should my thumb be when playing bass?
The thumb on your picking hand should be positioned on either the pickup or on the heaviest unplayed string when playing the bass. Alternatively, you can use the floating thumb technique to keep unplayed strings muted. The fretting hand thumb should feel relaxed and be kept behind the neck of the bass.
Are bassists good with their fingers?
Using Fingers to Play Bass
Usually, bass players report having more control when using their fingers, giving them a richer tonal variety, and beefier tone. In Addition, the popular slap technique used by many bassists can be easily implemented, if you don’t hold any pick between your fingers.
Can you play bass with fingernails?
You can play bass with long fingernails, but you must readjust your playing style. Most bassists recommend playing by fingerpicking.
What is a thumb bass?
Though a slight injury, “Bass Thumb” is not an accident. It results from repeatedly lifting bass with a wet thumb. Tiny partially detached pieces of skin are created by gripping the diminutive, cheese grater-like teeth of the bass’ lower jaw.
Why is thumb rest below strings?
When plucking the A,D or G strings you have the string below to rest on which gives control and accuracy, the thumb rest acts as a dummy string for the low E. This is great because it gives plucking consistency across all the strings and it tidies up things like three-finger galloping patterns on the low E.
Is it wrong to play bass with a pick?
Truthfully, there is no right or wrong way to play a bass guitar. There isn’t even a preferred way. Any method you use to get sound out of the thing—fingers, pick, thumb, those weird stick things Tony Levin uses, telekinesis, whatever—works just fine. It’s purely a matter of personal preference.
Do bassists tape their fingers?
FINGERING TAPE: To assist beginning bassists with correct finger placement, some bass teachers use thin strips of colored tape (e.g. 1/8″ graphic chart tape or pinstripe auto detailing tape) to mark where students should place their fingers on the bass fingerboard.
Do you need big hands to play bass?
Playing bass with small hands isn’t anything to be discouraged about or any reason not to play bass. Sure, naturally there will be challenges, but at the end of the practice sessions, it’s how you handle those challenges and how you choose to work through them.
Are basses guitars?
Often, you’ll hear a bass called a “bass guitar.” So, is a bass a guitar? While the bass is part of the guitar family, there are some clear differences between the two instruments. The term “bass guitar” originated as a way to differentiate the smaller, horizontal style of electric bass from its original stand-up form.
How do you stop bass thumb?
Bass have tiny needle-like teeth that they use to crush their prey. Upon catching a bass and unhooking, the proper way to assist the fish back to the water is to place your thumb in the fish’s mouth and hold its lower jaw. In most cases you will not feel the teeth right away.
What’s the thumb technique?
In music performance and education, thumb position, not a traditional position, is a string instrument playing technique used to facilitate playing in the upper register of the double bass, cello, and related instruments, such as the electric upright bass.
What fingers do you use to play bass guitar?
Most bass players use the right hand fingers to play the strings. Some Rock bass players prefer using a pick because it gives a crisper sound.
Why do bass guitars have pickup covers?
Stopping interference. The original purpose of pickup covers was to shield them from unwanted noise. By providing a shield for the pickups the cover was designed to stop the bass from humming as a result of outside interference. Early basses even had a ground wire connected to them for this purpose.
What are the bars on a bass guitar?
In a string instrument, the bass bar is a brace running from the foot of the neck to a position under the bridge, which bears much of the tension of the strings.
Is bass easier than guitar?
In a band environment, empathy for both instruments is really useful. But is it easier to play bass than guitar? Well, probably – less strings and no chords. Remember though that both will require mastering the basic building blocks of left/right hand coordination and rhythm, plus technique and scales.
Did paul mccartney always use a pick?
Yes he did. From Quora: “He’ll usually use just a typical Fender (the 351 style) heavy pick. As a Beatle, he’d use a heavier felt pick as well as a Bert Weedon brand “home base” shaped pick.
Do metal bassists use picks?
Most metal bassists play by plucking the strings with their fingers or by picking with a plectrum, often known as a pick. Using a pick can enable bassists to play rapid repeated notes and fast basslines, although some bassists, such as Steve Harris and Steve DiGiorgio, play such basslines without the use of a plectrum.
Should I pop my bass blister?
Blisters usually heal quickly once pressure has been relieved and should not be punctured unless they are painful enough to prevent you from using your hands or playing your instrument.
Does playing bass hurt your fingers?
The short answer is that yes, playing the bass guitar can hurt your fingers. If you are totally new to playing, you will find it painful, especially to start with. However, the pain isn’t unbearable for most people, and with a few tips to manage it you can usually deal with it.
How do bass prevent blisters?
Oh and the best way to prevent them is to just keep playing as much as possible and build up your calluses. You will still get blisters occasionally but they will become less frequent. You could also try flats or wraps.