Guest MoJo Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 (edited) I've watched this clip loads of times [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SuCajiXZCFg&feature=related"]Jaco Modern Bass[/url] but only just noticed Jaco's thumb on his right hand (first seen at about 1 minute 36 seconds in). What the hell is going on there? Obviously years of finger playing had left him with a thumb bent like a boomerang. I can't watch the clip now without being drawn to that disfigured thumb Edited November 24, 2007 by bassman2790 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey D Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 He was double jointed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urb Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 I saw the title of this thread and thought it was about actually suffering pain, discomfort or agony for the sake of playing bass...I have just got back from a long day of recording - now even tho it was only three hours actual playing, I'm increasingly finding my old Thumb bass very heavy - not just to stand and play but to carry in its gig - my back is really sore (yes I know that's bad) and getting around London on the tube is a f-ing nightmare - and I had to take both my SWR combo and my bass with me on the tube - so I feel like even tho today was a great session and we got some good stuff down - I've been suffering! Can't wait till the Sei bass is ready - about a month tops now - it's going to be so light by comparison... oh well. In NO way am I likening myself to Jaco - but I have bendy thumbs too: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8VTLM1r4Ew"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8VTLM1r4Ew[/url] They are just naturally that way - I don't think they help with any kind of 'spacial' bass techniques - they just sit nicely for a little old floating thumb action. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasquez Rich Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 I bust both thumbs playing rugby in my younger years and got my right hand stood on by the ref in one game, his stud went between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals and now there's a big lump of gristle there which the tendon rubs over... I certainly do suffer for my art. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumbo Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 [quote name='Mikey D' post='93927' date='Nov 24 2007, 08:29 PM']He was double jointed! [/quote] That's actually the shadow puppet hand shape for 2 swans facing away from each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobius Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 [quote name='urb' post='93989' date='Nov 24 2007, 11:06 PM']I saw the title of this thread and thought it was about actually suffering pain, discomfort or agony for the sake of playing bass...I have just got back from a long day of recording - now even tho it was only three hours actual playing, I'm increasingly finding my old Thumb bass very heavy - not just to stand and play but to carry in its gig - my back is really sore (yes I know that's bad) and getting around London on the tube is a f-ing nightmare[/quote] Empathise with you there, did a 6 hour practice recently, was hard on my back and shoulders at the end. I think we're going for 4 hours next time, it was a bit too much even for the guitarists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugz Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 [quote name='urb' post='93989' date='Nov 24 2007, 11:06 PM']I saw the title of this thread and thought it was about actually suffering pain, discomfort or agony for the sake of playing bass..[/quote] I thought it was about choosing to be a musician. It's a career most struggle to survive through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul, the Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 I thought it was going to be about the mental issues and alienation of genius. -- I have a friend who is double-jointed. It really annoys me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowbo Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 One of my thumbs bends backwards like Jaco's but it's the wrong one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setekh Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 well, it seems someone has screwed up on the assembly line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_D Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Both my thumbs bend like that too. It has nothing to do with playing bass. Trust me I suck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussiephoenix Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 (edited) [quote name='Mikey D' post='93927' date='Nov 24 2007, 08:29 PM']He was double jointed! [/quote] hey! I thought I was the only one that can do that... never met anyone who could drop the thumb back at 90º or more like me. I'd be interested to know from other players with the same... uh... qualities what kind of position their thumb is in when they slap... cause I cant get my thumb straight like: so, I cant use that hand position... I slap with my thumb facing down as someone who'd wear their bass on their knees... Edited November 26, 2007 by Aussiephoenix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 [quote name='Aussiephoenix' post='94466' date='Nov 26 2007, 12:03 PM']so, I cant use that hand position... I slap with my thumb facing down as someone who'd wear their bass on their knees...[/quote] I have the same thumbs, and i'm in eactly the same situation! (we should get t-shirts) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cantdosleepy Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Humans are evolving thumbs that can't do slap technique to protect us from it. Remember: every time you play slap bass, Jesus sheds a tiny tear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I can wiggle my ears and play the bass with my Dad's teeth. He says they don't taste too good when he put's them back in tho'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 (edited) Actually the pain thing is a, err, pain. I get all sorts of aches and pains as I get older; shoulders aching, hands and arms sore etc. I don't get blisters but my finger tips do get sore when I play too intensely. I guess the problem relates to freelancing and doing some gigs that are a breeze and then, intermittently, doing a longer gig or one with harder, faster grooves or more solo space. Your body doesn't recover as quickly as you get older and things that hurt, hurt longer! What I do notice, however, is that, if its a good gig, musically satisfying/exciting etc, I get less pains. I wonder if its a posture thing? If I am bored/disatisfied, I slouch and the pains kick in. I'll have a think about that!! Carry on... Edited November 26, 2007 by bilbo230763 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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