Where do you put your thumb?

[SteveXFR]

I've mostly played with a pick with the odd bit of finger style now and then but I should make efforts to improve my technique. 

I think my biggest issue is I generally leave my thumb on the pickup or maybe rest it on the A string when picking the D or G. 

What's your technique?

Edited December 21, 2022 by SteveXFR

[TheGreek]

Since turning to 5ers I've adopted the Floating Thumb technique - on 4 strings too.

[Stub Mandrel]

Generally floating thumb, i.e. muting if not playing the E.

 

But... because I learnt to fingerpick guitar before starting bass I sometimes use thumb and fingers to pick across the strings.

[TimR]

Depends on what tone I'm after. 

 

Usually neck pickup. But very occasionally bridge pickup or corner of neck.

[ped]

Slappa de baysszS

[ezbass]

Pickup cover or strategically placed thumb rest for E string and higher (I play 4 stringers), resting on the E string when playing A string and higher and, finally, resting on the A string when play the D and G strings. I’m not sure whether this counts as floating thumb or not.

[Stub Mandrel]

6 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Pickup cover or strategically placed thumb rest for E string and higher (I play 4 stringers), resting on the E string when playing A string and higher and, finally, resting on the A string when play the D and G strings. I’m not sure whether this counts as floating thumb or not.

 

That's what I mean by floating thumb.

[SamIAm]

Scott D has a video that I found interesting, I try for his self described hybrid technique ... but find it hard!

S'manth x

 

[BigAlonBass]

I must have big hands or flexible fingers or summat.  For 57 years, I've anchored my Thumb to the Pickup, and easily reach all the Strings. I've never bothered with the 'floating thumb' thing.

[Reggaebass]

I used to anchor on the pickups to play all strings until I switched to 5 string, when I started using the floating thumb thing, now I only play 4’s I rest on the string below automatically, basically the same as ez mentioned above 

[Hellzero]

Tried to put it in my nose, but it's too big.

[dougieb]

Use Fender Jazz Basses and use the neck pup cover as a rest. 

[ezbass]

31 minutes ago, BigAlonBass said:

I must have big hands or flexible fingers or summat.  For 57 years, I've anchored my Thumb to the Pickup, and easily reach all the Strings. I've never bothered with the 'floating thumb' thing.

I can make the stretches too, but I do it for muting purposes. My teacher, when I started playing bass, was very hot on muting.

[Paddy515]

Pluck the strings, either with the corner near the nail or near the joint. Occasionally use a pick for string striking for some songs, otherwise mostly my thumb.

[JapanAxe]

This:

 

 

[SteveXFR]

As I suspected, a few different techniques. 

I think I'll have to sit down and spend several hours with each practicing scales to see what feels right 

[bassbiscuits]

Thumb on top of P pickup most of the time, or if I’m going for a softer tone I put my thumb on the edge of the fretboard at the near end of the neck. 
Any other deviation from those two positions is largely unintentional.

 

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, BigAlonBass said:

I must have big hands or flexible fingers or summat.  For 57 years, I've anchored my Thumb to the Pickup, and easily reach all the Strings. I've never bothered with the 'floating thumb' thing.

 

Its more about muting than reach, I have big paws.

[Stub Mandrel]

Position... I tend to move position a lot. Over 17 fret for reggae tones. End of neck for gentle sounds. Neck pickup for modt stuff. Bridge Pickup for more aggressive sound. Right by bridge for honk.

[Saul Panzer]

Also in the floating thumb gang, I generally leave it more or less relaxed parallel to my index finger to mute the E and A.

If I'm doing something that just involves the E/A for long period of time I kind of half rest it on the P pickup region of my bass if I'm plucking in a position that allows it.

[TheGreek]

28 minutes ago, JapanAxe said:

This:

 

 

 

Good video..

 

Do you know if this is the Todd Johnson who owns several veillette citron basses?

[Guest]

Thumb mutes the E string, except when I'm playing it, gently resting on the body of the bass, alongside the pickup.

 

The two smaller fingers apparently mute the A and D strings when required, though I never told them to, and they go to pieces if I try watching them, it's all a mystery to me. I presume this is thanks to the same bit of my unconscious that moves my right foot up and down on the sustain pedal when I'm playing the piano.

[TheGreek]

9 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

 

Good video..

 

Do you know if this is the Todd Johnson who owns several veillette citron basses?

 

Todd is indeed the owner of several VC basses. He is @richeagle78 on Talkbass. 

[Stub Mandrel]

2 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said:

Thumb mutes the E string, except when I'm playing it, gently resting on the body of the bass, alongside the pickup.

 

The two smaller fingers apparently mute the A and D strings when required, though I never told them to, and they go to pieces if I try watching them, it's all a mystery to me. I presume this is thanks to the same bit of my unconscious that moves my right foot up and down on the sustain pedal when I'm playing the piano.

 

A bit like when you realise you are playing a relatively complex riff but not looking at the strings...  and it then goes to pieces!

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

A bit like when you realise you are playing a relatively complex riff but not looking at the strings...  and it then goes to pieces!

 

When I memorise a long piece of music, by the time it's all gone in I've really lost track of what the notes are, it's all just muscle memory. The mind is a strange and wonderful thing.