Your Bass Playing Quirks

[Fat Rich]

Playing at the dusty end of the neck I have this annoying habit of tucking my little finger of my fretting hand under the fingerboard and only fretting with three fingers. I have to make an effort to stop myself doing it, and then when I'm not looking its gone again.

I have seen other players do it too but it annoys the hell out of me.

[lowdown]

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1321608082' post='1441050']

[/quote]

Sorry about that - but it had to be done.
You ain't getting off that easy.



Garry

[BassBus]

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1321557240' post='1440687']
I very cleverly play unconventional "surprise" notes...
[/quote]

That's quite normal. They're called accidentals.

[JellyKnees]

Apparently I wobble my knees when I play...hence the moniker. I've been subjected to skits by my mates about this for nearly 30 years, so now I simply embrace the fact...makes life much easier!

[Pete Academy]

Suck my bottom lip.

[yorick]

If the music is too loud on stage, it affects my balance, and i can be seen wandering/ falling off the side on a regular basis. I now where ear plugs

Edited November 18, 2011 by yorick

[spongebob]

When I use a pick, I have the other 3 fingers sticking out!

It enables me to incorporate a few bits of finger work alongside. Trouble is, I simply can't play a Jazz bass as I keep hitting the controls with those fingers.....and I have really tried not to!

[matski]

I hum whilst playing.

I never really noticed it until the first time I was recording bass in the control room of a studio - I wondered why the rest of the band were laughing at me.

I always thought my teeth were vibrating due to some odd frequencies coming from the amp...

[ead]

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1321557240' post='1440687']
I very cleverly play unconventional "surprise" notes, and sometimes play slightly off the beat too.......
[/quote]

Me too as a result of attending the Eric Morecambe school of bass.

How we laughed when I played a different song to the other three for a few bars...

[Paul S]

[quote name='matski' timestamp='1321615124' post='1441159']
I hum whilst playing.
[/quote]

Yes, I do this too. Quite loudly hum the bass part I am playing and have to retreat from the mike to stop it coming over the pa. Casual viewing of any video footage reveals that, in addition I nod my head, lower my jaw and hollow out my cheeks, tap my feet and generally fidget. In fact I look a complete prat. But it is all done without realising.

[paul torch]

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1321610422' post='1441082']
Playing at the dusty end of the neck I have this annoying habit of tucking my little finger of my fretting hand under the fingerboard and only fretting with three fingers. I have to make an effort to stop myself doing it, and then when I'm not looking its gone again.

I have seen other players do it too but it annoys the hell out of me.
[/quote]


I tend to do that all the time no matter where on the fretboard. It also annoys me but have never been able to break myself of the habit.

[martthebass]

[quote name='yorick' timestamp='1321612356' post='1441116']
If the music is too loud on stage, it affects my balance, and i can be seen wandering/ falling off the side on a regular basis. I now where ear plugs
[/quote]

Ditto.....and I used to live in Birmingham, must be a connection.

My main quirk is using my little finger far too much on my fretting hand, or is that just crappy, lazy technique?

[yorick]

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1321621460' post='1441282']
Ditto.....and I used to live in Birmingham, must be a connection.

My main quirk is using my little finger far too much on my fretting hand, or is that just crappy, lazy technique?
[/quote]

It must be "in the water"...............

[charic]

Ooo another one, when picking fast I occasionally grip the bottom string with my pinky almost like an anchor...

[JetKing]

Apparently I put on a 'sex face' when I'm playing in an intense live situation. I've also noticed I stand on one leg a lot.

[JellyKnees]

[quote name='JetKing' timestamp='1321632491' post='1441475']
Apparently I put on a 'sex face' when I'm playing in an intense live situation. I've also noticed I stand on one leg a lot.
[/quote]

As long as you don't make a sex noise too....

[algmusic]

I'm convinced the 'bass face' has a close correlationones er... 'bedroom' face .. regardless of if it's hard rock or a funky groove

[Twigman]

As I have got older and thus more portly, I have worn my bass lower and lower so that the top curve of my precision curves under my overhanging belly.....

A couple more years and I'll need new arms.

[Chris2112]

I love playing over the bridge and getting bright, burpy sounds. Most of my fingerstlye playing is done exclusively over the bridge pickup.

[LeftyBiskit]

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1321559800' post='1440729']
According to all the photographic evidence, when I'm playing a root and octave, my middle finger sticks right up straight and it looks like I'm deliberately giving everyone the "finger"
[/quote]

me too!
And my oddest quirk is I play in my socks or if it's hot, barefeet.
T

Edited November 18, 2011 by LeftyBiskit

[soopercrip]

Have absolutely no control of my little finger on the fretboard. Adapted to using 3, but I still try. Works normal any other time.
One day...
Andy

[lee4]

I nod my head to the music in a way that has been described as being not unlike a chicken pecking for corn.Couple that with a 'bass face'it's no wonder that I don't like my photo being taken.

[rOB]

[quote name='JetKing' timestamp='1321632491' post='1441475']
I've also noticed I stand on one leg a lot.
[/quote]

Yep, me too. Also twist my other leg round the back of my standing leg.

Not my bass playing but when I get excited at a gig my backing/duet vocals get very shouty. Need to get a handle on that.

Edited November 18, 2011 by rOB