Help with technique

[aemberson]

Basically I've been playing bass for about 5 years because a mate of mine needed a bassist. I was an average chord basher guitar player before so always used a pick. Have been trying to move away from always using a pick as I feel that it is restricting my speed to play better and more complicated riffs. Here lies the issue. In comparison to using a pick I can't get a decent level of volume when I play anything except the E string using just my fingers! Feel like a complete prat!! Any tips and anything would be a great help. Cheers

[mcgraham]

Just turn your amp up. You can get a lot more output at a given volume level with a pick than you can with your fingers, so just turn up to compensate... it is the [i]electric [/i]bass after all!

[aemberson]

[quote name='mcgraham' post='1196987' date='Apr 12 2011, 04:24 PM']Just turn your amp up. You can get a lot more output at a given volume level with a pick than you can with your fingers, so just turn up to compensate... it is the [i]electric [/i]bass after all![/quote]
True...
Just strange that the bottom E string I can get a good punchy sound, but the other 3 strings I can't seem to get the same attack

[razze06]

[quote name='aemberson' post='1196992' date='Apr 12 2011, 04:27 PM']True...
Just strange that the bottom E string I can get a good punchy sound, but the other 3 strings I can't seem to get the same attack[/quote]

It's probably to do with how you pluck your strings. If you tend to pluck them by effectively bending them towards the body of the bass and then releasing, you're likely to impart more force on the lowest string. Your index/middle fingers can travel a lot further, as there are no obstacles (strings) to stop them. On the other strings, you'll have to change the movement, producing less vibrations.

Try anchoring your thumb on the pickup or somewhere similar, and plucking from there. You could get a more consistent movement across the strings.

Someone with more knowledge will be along shortly, I hope...

[aemberson]

[quote name='razze06' post='1197000' date='Apr 12 2011, 04:35 PM']It's probably to do with how you pluck your strings. If you tend to pluck them by effectively bending them towards the body of the bass and then releasing, you're likely to impart more force on the lowest string. Your index/middle fingers can travel a lot further, as there are no obstacles (strings) to stop them. On the other strings, you'll have to change the movement, producing less vibrations.

Try anchoring your thumb on the pickup or somewhere similar, and plucking from there. You could get a more consistent movement across the strings.

Someone with more knowledge will be along shortly, I hope...[/quote]

Thanks. I'll give that a try.


Anyone else feel free to add any tips or anything.

Ta

[BigRedX]

There's nothing wrong with using a pick. As a versatile bassist you should explore all the available techniques for getting a usable sound out of your instrument. It's best to use the technique which produces the most appropriate sound for the song, rather than because a song is easier to play with that technique at the expense of tone. Also nothing wrong with turning your amp up to compensate for different plucking methods.

[aemberson]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1197021' date='Apr 12 2011, 04:52 PM']There's nothing wrong with using a pick. As a versatile bassist you should explore all the available techniques for getting a usable sound out of your instrument. It's best to use the technique which produces the most appropriate sound for the song, rather than because a song is easier to play with that technique at the expense of tone. Also nothing wrong with turning your amp up to compensate for different plucking methods.[/quote]

I totally agree. Unfortunately it is too easy for me to use a pick. I Just think I need to start learning how to play using my fingers to be a better bassist and be more versatile.

Edited April 12, 2011 by aemberson

[KevB]

This really takes me back. I recall when I first set out to teach myself the basics and got a couple of books out of the libray. Page one was all about practising just basic plucking of each string with the importance of mastering an even response on each string and with either index or middle finger. Tedious as hell at the time but invaluable for a complete starter.

[51m0n]

OK the pickup 'listens' most effectively in a plane that is perpendicular to the body.

In order to make the string vibration generate as much output as possible you need to pluck such that you cause the string to vibrate in that plane.

It is not necessary (or in many cases even a good idea - esp with ERB) to anchor the thumb on a pickup, that will hamper you long term, either you have to relearn with the moving anchor/thumb (where the thumb on the plucking hand moves up a string as you pick the next string) or you learn floating technique (the thumb rests against the lower strings but is not positively anchored on it).

You need to stop worrying about plucking hard enough, this is not going to get you a good tone and decent speed with fingers.

Instead pluck lighter and more efficiently, bending your plucking fingers at each joint rather than keeping them remotely straight. This will encourage your plucking finger to pluck in the right plane.

Lastly rather than thinking of plucking you should be pulling your fingertip through the string, the dynamic control comes from the stiffness of the last joint closest to the fingertip as much as anything else when you get this down.

Just how I do it really, many others will have their own take, probably the finest exponent of high speed fingerstyle antics I've seen on this forum is URB, he uses a ramp to facilitate some of the more advanced techniques he uses, but what he doesn't know about efficient fingerstyle isn't really worth worrying about at this point....

[mcnach]

[quote name='aemberson' post='1196972' date='Apr 12 2011, 04:13 PM']Basically I've been playing bass for about 5 years because a mate of mine needed a bassist. I was an average chord basher guitar player before so always used a pick. Have been trying to move away from always using a pick as I feel that it is restricting my speed to play better and more complicated riffs. Here lies the issue. In comparison to using a pick I can't get a decent level of volume when I play anything except the E string using just my fingers! Feel like a complete prat!! Any tips and anything would be a great help. Cheers[/quote]

different techniques may mean different volume at your amp/bass, you may need to adjust volume... although it's far better to adjust technique to sound even, but when you are new to a style it may not be so easy. However, it'll come with practice. I can be as gentle or as hard with fingers as I am with a pick, what varies is tha attack/tonality.
When I started slapping I needed a compressor to sound remotely ok. Eventually I can adjust the way I play so that when mixing styles it sounds alright together.

Just keep at it. Practice is the only thing that's needed. And what seems hard now... before you know it you will be there. If you practice regularly.

[xgsjx]

As a pick player, you should try double thumbing.

Instead of this being some porn related manouvre, it is effectively using your thumb as a pick.
Try it by resting your index finger on your thumb (as if holding a pick) to start with if needed & hopefully you'll start to get to use the other fingers as well.

I'm new to this technique, but finding it fun.

The secret to playing with fingers is just practice. All of a sudden it'll come to you & you'll wonder where the trouble came from.

[ThomBassmonkey]

What bass and amp (and EQ on both) are you using? Some basses (specifically Stingrays) are prone to lower volumes on the higher strings anyway, usually only G and D to some extent, but it could be a problem with the bass. Could also be something to do with the EQ on your amp. Also, what height do you play at, if you're over-reaching, you might not get the right angle to pick the higher strings with enough strength.

As others have suggested, try anchoring your thumb on the pickup. When you pick a string, you shouldn't be pushing directly towards the body, try about 45 degrees, on the higher strings you should be picking through the string so that your finger comes to rest on the string (tonally) below it.

Don't be afraid to do things like hike your strap right up while you learn, practice sitting down etc. It's better to get the technique right then adapt it to how you want to play rather than struggling to do it in an uncomfortable position.

It sounds like you should have a one off lesson to have an experienced player (get a proper bass lesson, not a guitarist that thinks he can teach bass) look at your technique and give you tips, there's only so much we can do on here without seeing you play.

[icastle]

[quote name='aemberson' post='1196972' date='Apr 12 2011, 04:13 PM']Basically I've been playing bass for about 5 years because a mate of mine needed a bassist. I was an average chord basher guitar player before so always used a pick. Have been trying to move away from always using a pick as I feel that it is restricting my speed to play better and more complicated riffs. Here lies the issue. In comparison to using a pick I can't get a decent level of volume when I play anything except the E string using just my fingers! Feel like a complete prat!! Any tips and anything would be a great help. Cheers[/quote]

It's just a practice thing.

As you get more used to relying on your fingers they'll get stronger and you'll become more confident/competent at hitting the string and getting a consistant note.

Try keeping it as simple as possible to begin with.

Start by just using your index finger until you can get a consistent attack and volume across all the strings.
Once you have got the hang of that then let your middle finger join in with the party.
Practice getting an equal attack and volume again and then try varying volume and attack so you can vary the sound without playing with knobs.
That's as far as many bass players bother going it seems.

If you want to go a step further then bring your third finger along and maybe the little finger as well and try practising runs whilst moving the 'hit point' up and down the string to accentuate particular phrases or notes.

EDIT: I am the worlds worst teacher so all I've done here is to try and describe, in words instead of visually, a way of getting a grip on finger playing.
There are no 'universally right' ways of doing it, but this would work for me if I had to relearn stuff.

Edited April 12, 2011 by icastle

[aemberson]

Thanks loads to all the replies. I got a Ashdown C210-500 combo and just very recently (Monday) purchased a new Ibanez btb770. (haven't used it yet), but myu bass i've been using was an ibanez GSR300. I would say my strap is pretty much in the middle to be honest. I know a few people who used to teach so I'm going to try and tap them up for a few lessons. Cheers for all your help people. Lots of practising ahead me thinks!!

[jontywisp]

Bob Babbitt (motown / soul great) often says the secret to his characteristic deep sweet tone is to pluck the strings gently (and evenly)
rather than trying to bash it out as you manage only for lower E

and all-time-great James Jamerson was apparently even gentler with his fingerstyle
(and only ever used one finger, despite laying down some of the most syncopated and nimble bass lines of all time!)

just take the time to find what sounds good with your own finger(s). If it sounds good, it IS good

[Mikeg]

Nice choice of gear there, BTB's are a personal favourite of mine
And with finger style its all practice as said above. Try experimenting with anchoring your thumb on a pick-up or using the floating technique. I'm in the oposite position too you, i'm confident with fingertyle and pants at using a pick.