Thumb technique question

[velvetkevorkian]

Hi folks,
I've been working on the Willis technique (thumb + 3 fingers) on and off for a while now, but when I do it for any extended period or at high speed I find I get a bit of pain towards the base of the thumb. For those of you who have been playing this way for a while, is this normal? Should the movement be coming from the base of the thumb, or somewhere else? I can't see any other way of doing it effectively.
Thanks
Kyle

[velvetkevorkian]

...Hello?

[ezbass]

I don't play bass this way myself, but I do play a fair bit of fingerstyle guitar. That pain doesn't sound particularly normal and could be a small strain. Rest it for a while (a week say) playing in a more conventional bass style, then go back and see if it is still sore. If it is, I'd seek some professional medical advice.

[Faithless]

Write it to Urb, he digs Willis' technique..

[urb]

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='820175' date='Apr 27 2010, 01:19 AM']Hi folks,
I've been working on the Willis technique (thumb + 3 fingers) on and off for a while now, but when I do it for any extended period or at high speed I find I get a bit of pain towards the base of the thumb. For those of you who have been playing this way for a while, is this normal? Should the movement be coming from the base of the thumb, or somewhere else? I can't see any other way of doing it effectively.
Thanks
Kyle[/quote]

Hey Kyle

All I can suggest is keeping your thumb quit rigid, and straight, like a good slap technique - I see from your avatar you have your bass quite low which could (in theory) mean your wrist might be at an angle that causes you some kind of pain - whatever it is you are doing wrong getting a pain means you are hurting yourself and should probably stop doing this style for any long periods of time. I know from having used this technique for a few years that if you do for more than 5 or 10 mins your muscles will feel tired - it's quite an intense technique - the softer you pluck the better, which means playing with a light touch and low action - the less resistance you have to deal with on the strings the better. Have a [b][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PigAe4VIMI"]look at this vid[/url][/b] I made a year or so ago and see if there's anything I'm doing that makes this a bit clearer. Just ask if you have any other questions.

Mike

[velvetkevorkian]

Thanks for the replies folks. I think what happened was actually due to my RH thumb being tense from playing a week's worth of double bass in a show- I'm a bit out of practice with the bow and that left my arm with a bit of tension. Been practising since and not had any problems.

Moral of the story- stay relaxed!

Cheers
Kyle