Thumb position

[Supafly]

When I pluck my bass strings, i need to have my thumb anchored on something, or else its just too awkward. On my old Ibanez, I anchored my thumb on the base of the neck and plucked. Now I play a P-bass, and the base of the neck feels too far up, but the pick-ups feel too far back. Help, please?

[PaulyWally]

I anchor my thumb on the low string (E/B). Although I never did pay attention to where my thumb is when I'm playing the low string. Guess I'll have to pay attention tonight when I get home and practice.

[SA Rios]

I do the same; anchor on the low E on my Sterling. When playing o the low E, I anchor on the pickup, but on a stingray/sterling the pickup in in a great location to anchor onto.

[B-Bottom]

I usually play my sterling by anchoring my thumb on the neck for the more complex things. I'll rest my thumb on the pickup for the easier stuff. Although I've been playing more complex things while anchoring onto the pick up as of late.

 

You'll get used to one or the other. It just takes time

[adouglas2001]

I've always been in the habit of putting my thumb one string below the string I'm playing. Sounds odd, but it works for me. When I see pictures of myself playing, it almost looks like I'm using a pick.

 

By not anchoring in one specific spot on the bass, I can move my hand up and down the string easily to change tone.

 

From time to time I'll stretch my hand without changing thumb position, for example to play an octave accent note.

 

For a P bass, you could always install a thumb rest in your favorite spot. Once upon a time they all came that way.

[bassplayer7770]

On my 5-string, if I'm playing any string other than the B my thumb is usually anchored on the string just above the string I'm plucking. In other words, if I'm plucking on the A, my thumb will be anchored on the E. When I'm plucking on the B I typically have my thumb anchored on a pickup, on the body, or on the edge of the fingerboard depending on what tone I'm after (usually the neck pickup).

 

http://www.adamnitti.com/bass_player_02.shtml

[Kaesh]

 

Originally posted by Supafly When I pluck my bass strings, i need to have my thumb anchored on something, or else its just too awkward. On my old Ibanez, I anchored my thumb on the base of the neck and plucked. Now I play a P-bass, and the base of the neck feels too far up, but the pick-ups feel too far back. Help, please?

 

Try the edge of the pickguard.

[bassplayer7770]

 

Originally posted by Kaesh Try the edge of the pickguard.

 

 

Yeah, if you use your thumb as an immovable anchor, it's either the edge of the pickguard or install a thumbrest...

[kannibul]

Usually on her left buttcheek...

 

Oh, wait, you're talking about something else...

[Reverend179]

I anchor my thumb against the top of the bass, where the binding would be if I had binding. Either that, or right against the neck where the fingerboard meets the body.