chilievans Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) When I play suppose I have a medium to hard right hand technique but recently I've been thinking that if I use a gentler touch I'll be able to play with a lower action and therefore play faster and smoother. Am I right in my thinking or am I just talking nonsense again and need to practice more on my speed Edited February 21, 2011 by chilievans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 You're not talking nonsense. If you play lighter you can increase both your speed and your stamina as you are using less energy. I play pretty hard with my right hand,but if I have to play fast for long,I have no choice but to lighten up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 And if you play lighter it always gives the option of digging in for effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I have always played light and often suffered for it with output and chasing sounds. Now I have basses and an amp with headroom I find it a real plus as I save my hands, don't break strings unless they are defective..IMO.. and there is so much variation I can get from the touch. Whether it is faster, I am not sure, but it is less tiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 When playing metal riffs I play very hard and achieve a tone somewhere in between a slap and a plectrum. If soloing, tapping, playing fills or doing legato and slides, or playing high up the neck, I use a slightly lighter touch in order to get less buzz, play faster cleaner, and to get less of a 'clank' when it isn't wanted. This does necessitate the use of compression though! But it works for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayPH Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I think I need to play MUCH softer. I am hammering it and I don't think there's any need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarket2 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 The real point is you need to have dynamics in your playing... there is little point saying that you just play hard or soft. Perhaps if you're permanently digging in then it would be worth lightening up a bit so as you can accent notes or passages when you need to. Importantly it is worth remembering that even though its an electric instrument the bass has acoustic properties... so when you dig in you actually change your tone slightly. Therefore a control of your right hand is really important as this change in tone sounds great when you're accenting but not great in a softer passage. Variety is the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I play with dynamics... I either play hard or REALLY f***ing HARD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1345327902' post='1776417'] I play with dynamics... I either play hard or REALLY f***ing HARD [/quote] +1! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1298328785' post='1136476'] And if you play lighter it always gives the option of digging in for effect. [/quote] What ET says and has been mentioned by some others. Surely its about having both a light touch and the ability to dig in when needed? (or hard and really hard! ). Different tools for different jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayPH Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1345327902' post='1776417'] I play with dynamics... I either play hard or REALLY f***ing HARD [/quote] haha like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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