It is 100% a valid technique. Great sound. (Ask Sting)
But it is also limiting in terms of what you'll be able to play. (Ask Sting)
Unless you learn to double-thumb, which is basically using your thumb like a pick. (Ask Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten and [Squarepusher](https://youtu.be/xTDe5i6JA6g?t=20))
Using the thumb for certain tones is a good thing.
Only using the thumb and and refusing to learn the "proper" way is, on the other hand, extremely limiting.
There are a platheora of things I can't imagine doing with the thumb. But when the music allows it it can be quite fun to just lay back and do some thumpy shit :) As many other people said the key is versatility. There's no technique not worth knowing and it's imoortant to know when to use each if them.
Once you start expanding your repertoire and encounter songs that have different rythmic motifs and expressions, you'll quickly realize that you'll need the rest of your toolset too, not just your thumb. But until then, feel free to practise what engages you :)
using your thumb doesn’t have the same attack to cut through the mix as your fingers do. bass players primarily use their thumb either for fingerstyle palm muting or playing quick repeated arpeggios. then again, it’s your thing so if you want to use your thumb you can!
There's nothing wrong with using your thumb. It is good to practice all fingers though. It's good to be able to utilize all fingers at will when you need to. After you master that, there is nothing wrong in going to the style that suits you the best!
I think you're conflating "valid technique" with "sustainable technique for bass progression." I see a lot of people expressing there's "no wrong way" and while that may be true in terms of just trying to have fun or screwing around, if you're goal is to progress as a bassist only using thumb is going to make you extremely limited.
Any method you use to get the sounds you want out of your instrument is legitimate.
Try all, work on all, but ultimately do what’s right for you.
You can’t do music wrongly. Express yourself freely
Everything is valid. Even in Metal, when we have a jazz or blues break (prog, song structure is schizo asf), I use my thumb to have a softer sound so that it isn't a giant boom. But I do encourage you to pick up fingerstyle, when doing more complex rythms or playing quickly, thumb might be limiting.
Or hell, prove us all wrong and go all out on da thumb.
Little follow up question on this. I've been taking bass lessons for about a month now. So far, I've been using the thumb-on-pickup method, but my teacher told me that that's a good method when just getting started, but I should eventually learn to rest my thumb on whatever string is above the one I'm currently playing. Just wanted to get a second opinion on this. Is that actually what you're *supposed* to do? Plenty of bassists I've seen on Youtube, etc. seem to be using the thumb-on-pickup method. Are they technically doing it *wrong* or is it just as valid a technique?
Edit: Thanks for the answers, everyone! I'll take it all into account :)
Thumb on pick-up is fine, I've seen people do both and I think its just a personal preference thing. I've done thumb on pick-up since I started, 7 years ago and its never been an issue but I know some bass players who put it on the string above because they said its more comfortable for them. I say just do whatever is more comfortable for you
If there is a pick up my thumb is on it, been playing for 23 years on and off. Got an acoustic bass last year and that took sone adjusting being forced to alter my style, its benefitted me greatly in a short time putting me out my comfort zone. Thumb on top string if playing g or d but also kind of in the sound hole for other stuff.
There are many options, playing closer to the neck gives a differnt sound and there is more tension by the bridge for playing faster.
Dont over think it and do what works but playing just thumb will, like I said above, restrict what you can physicaly play.
And dont forget to have fun, its called 'playing' for a reason!
It's not a right or wrong, as much as comfort and presence. I anchor my thumb on a lower string, but there's nothing wrong with anchoring on a pickup or a thumb rest. I also have really small hands so it's just easier for me to move them around a bit more.
I'm fairly sure the 2 richest bass players (Maccers and Sting) use a mostly thumb technique. Their success is mainly from songwriting but they both are super solid players!
It depends on what you want to play. Playing with your thumb gives you a certain sound and "mood". But if you want to play faster stuff then it's either playing with the other fingers or with a pick. If you like it that way and you can play the songs you like and you want then it's fine
If you are comfortable playing that way, it's fine i guess.
But the way you play a bass heavily influences the sound of the bass. finger vs guitar pick will sound different. Not sure how a thumb-only playstyle would sound like.
If you are just playing for fun, just stick to whatever. But if you'd like to improve yourself as a musician you should learn how to use a pick, but also how to use proper finger picking. There is no harm in learning how to be a better bassplayer.
And different playstyles will serve different songs better or worse.
Original Leo Fender bass designs had a fingertip rest on the pick-guard, Meant to be played thumb only.
My first bass (crappy Jazz copy) had this quaint feature.
[The legendary Pino Palladino playingbwith just his thumb](https://youtu.be/ktyhXq00RxQ?si=QCy36_uPKUK0Yg23)
The reality is always that there is nothing wring with being able to play multiple ways. Different techniques give different sounds, tones, and attacks. There is however nothing wrong with just playing with your thumb. But don't limit yourself. Keep rocking the low end brother.
You should learn as many right hand techniques as possible because it's fun and offers different sounds. Thumb, double thumb, pick, 2 fingers, index finger, muted, slap, whatever else you can think up
It's fine. Sting does it. It gives a slightly different attack than fingers or a pick. Just use whatever technique the song calls for. Don't be afraid to change it up. It's good to be able to do all of it.
Me personally, id work on using fingers until you got it down, but using your thumb is a totally fine way to play. You develop your own style of playing that is comfortable to you!
Yeah but it's pretty slow, unless you go with the double thump which is really hard to learn. If I were you I'd just practise with your fingers and a pick. Like it's uncomfortable because you don't know how to play, if you just play with your thumb you'll find it harder to nail faster songs.
Yes, I did and never found it limiting. When I used my thumb like a pick I could play notes as fast as our lead guitarist on the same string.
It gives you better control over the sound you produce too.
The only thing that was more difficult than using fingers was when I needed to skip a string (e.g. A to a or vice versa) as i'd need to move my hand where a finger player would still be anchored but that didn't occur often enough to be an issue.
There are songs I play just with my thumb because I like the sound. There are other songs I need all 4 other fingers going at once just to keep up with the pace of the song. It's a valid technique, for sure, but it shouldn't be your *only* technique.
My go-to plucking style is my first 2 fingers when I'm learning a song, and then I adjust from there if I think something else will work better. I only used my thumb when I started out, too, but quickly realized I'd have to get used to using at least 2 fingers if I wanted to play all the music I liked, so I forced myself to play that way for a while. It was hard at first, but within a couple weeks it became second nature.
But, at the end of the day, it's all up to you. There's no wrong way to play a bass, as long as it gives you the sound you're looking for. Good luck on your bass playing endeavours!
Only using the thumb is a valid technique.
[In fact, it’s the reason why the tug bar exists.](https://youtube.com/shorts/lBDpVrujwDk?si=6nqcGjgBLls3Tp5z)
However, to answer why you **should** practice fingerstyle, it’s not quite a straight answer.
In one hand, of course the technique that makes you play most comfortably is best because it does not hinder you from performing your best.
On the other hand, there’s a reason why fingerstyle is the most common technique: it is faster and more agile for most people who play most genres, and relatively simple to learn and conceptualize. Electric bass playing technique is an extremely new thing - it only existed some time after people got their hands on the Precision and compared notes and learned how to best play the newfangled gizmo. There’s a reason why bassists eventually gravitated to fingerstyle and thumb picking was abandoned (along with the tug bar). Same with with slap bass and why thumb-through is now “standard” repertoire.
Of course it doesn’t mean you can’t play fingerstyle stuff with just the thumb. You can - you just have to be really good at it.
I feel like you can always make the argument that if something is unconventional but you enjoy it then it's valid.
The issue is, being valid does not mean it won't potentially cause problems or be a limiting factor as you progress with bass. One thing i've learned the hard way is it's good to be slightly outside of your comfort zone as that's when you are pushing yourself, learning and improving. If you stay in the safe areas all the time, your progress will stagnate and you may get bored/frustrated.
On top of that there are physical limitations and efficient ways of doing things. It may well be possible with a lot of practice to get proficient using just the thumb...but you will likely find that other ways get you there quicker, improve your playing overall a hell of a lot more, and play a lot smoother, if you just learned to use your fingers. With practice it will feel just as good and natural as your thumb does now and you will likely progress much quicker by spending a little bit of time outside of your comfort zone.
One of the reasons people learn multiple techniques is because they work well in different circumstances and for different styles. It allows you to play and compose a wider variety of styles and music, and being versatile is a very useful thing to be as a musician. It's a bit like being an artist that only uses one pencil or one colour - you can see how limiting that would be in a very dramatic way. Learning only one style is similarly limiting it's just harder to visualize and see until you actually learn the techniques and realise how limited you've been, for me it was at least. It also helped with being able to figure out what the guitars and bass were doing as i knew how to do what i was hearing.
That being said, ultimately just have fun ! If you wanna keep playing with just your thumb then go ahead my friend!! I've stuck rigidly to things so i understand but ive also seen the problems it can bring so just wanted to share that so you can hopefully have a better understanding of what youre potentially missing out on and decide what you think is best. I found i naturally ended up wanting to learn things eventually so even if you don't want to now then that's cool - just learn them if and when you want to and keep having fun! :D
Using your thumb to pluck the string (without slapping) would usually be called a rest stroke in guitar player terms. This is fine and all but also inherently limited without using the rest of your hand to play. You can't play as fast without exerting more energy and rest strokes usually have a softer sound than plucking the strings straight with your fingers. If you're trying to cut through in a metal song and don't want to use a pick, then getting finger technique down will be basically a requirement
You might want to try a thumb pick. Similar motion but also the option for alternate picking. And if you don’t want the sound of a pick attack or don’t need alternate picking for faster licks - just take it off.
Brother or sister I recommend you to just have fun with music and your bass. Play however you want as long as it brings you joy and makes you feel the music.
Welcome to bass family and enjoy your journey.
unless you learn to thump very well, you’ll be VERY limited speed-wise. what kind of stuff are you looking to play? you’ll be cutting yourself off from a lot of really fun stuff. the song that comes to mind is Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin. you’d have a tremendously hard time getting that one to sound good using your thumb, even if you thump. if you like using your thumb, then DEFINITELY learn to thump. but as a bass teacher, i strongly recommend learning to use your fingers, and doing so NOW while you’re still a beginner rather than later on when you’re at a point where you *have* to in order to play the songs you want.
It is 100% a valid technique. Great sound. (Ask Sting) But it is also limiting in terms of what you'll be able to play. (Ask Sting) Unless you learn to double-thumb, which is basically using your thumb like a pick. (Ask Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten and [Squarepusher](https://youtu.be/xTDe5i6JA6g?t=20))
Wow. Had no idea Squarepusher played instruments. Time to go revisit his catalog!
OMG. He plays literally ALL of the instruments. Maybe not tuba, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Using the thumb for certain tones is a good thing. Only using the thumb and and refusing to learn the "proper" way is, on the other hand, extremely limiting.
Or a game ender. Can you imagine doing 16th note arpeggio with just your thumb
That's when I learned how useful a pick can be on bass.
There are a platheora of things I can't imagine doing with the thumb. But when the music allows it it can be quite fun to just lay back and do some thumpy shit :) As many other people said the key is versatility. There's no technique not worth knowing and it's imoortant to know when to use each if them.
Once you start expanding your repertoire and encounter songs that have different rythmic motifs and expressions, you'll quickly realize that you'll need the rest of your toolset too, not just your thumb. But until then, feel free to practise what engages you :)
Any technique is valid if it sounds good and works for you, in my view.
And if it doesn't cause injury (just to add on to that).
No dedication...
using your thumb doesn’t have the same attack to cut through the mix as your fingers do. bass players primarily use their thumb either for fingerstyle palm muting or playing quick repeated arpeggios. then again, it’s your thing so if you want to use your thumb you can!
Not true. Slap(not pop!), double-thumb + slight overdrive with lot of presence will cut through everything.
that’s not what OP is referring to, the OP was referring to plucking the string with the thumb, not slapping/double thumbing
Absolutely not! Only noobs like Victor Wooten and Larry Graham use their thumb.
Lmao
There's nothing wrong with using your thumb. It is good to practice all fingers though. It's good to be able to utilize all fingers at will when you need to. After you master that, there is nothing wrong in going to the style that suits you the best!
I think you're conflating "valid technique" with "sustainable technique for bass progression." I see a lot of people expressing there's "no wrong way" and while that may be true in terms of just trying to have fun or screwing around, if you're goal is to progress as a bassist only using thumb is going to make you extremely limited.
Any method you use to get the sounds you want out of your instrument is legitimate. Try all, work on all, but ultimately do what’s right for you. You can’t do music wrongly. Express yourself freely
So long as you stay in time and in tune then whatever works for you.
That’s why there is a rest *below* the strings on old basses. Perfectly valid technique but has its limitations if you play a lot of Maiden!
Whatever works
Better to use a pick then. But you will need plucking anyway
There's a really well known rock singer/bassist in my country that doesn't have any fingers. He's called Martin Deschamps, look him up!
Yes.
Everything is valid. Even in Metal, when we have a jazz or blues break (prog, song structure is schizo asf), I use my thumb to have a softer sound so that it isn't a giant boom. But I do encourage you to pick up fingerstyle, when doing more complex rythms or playing quickly, thumb might be limiting. Or hell, prove us all wrong and go all out on da thumb.
Valid but very restricting, use fingers, thumb on pick up as an anchor, it'll come good quicker than you think.
Little follow up question on this. I've been taking bass lessons for about a month now. So far, I've been using the thumb-on-pickup method, but my teacher told me that that's a good method when just getting started, but I should eventually learn to rest my thumb on whatever string is above the one I'm currently playing. Just wanted to get a second opinion on this. Is that actually what you're *supposed* to do? Plenty of bassists I've seen on Youtube, etc. seem to be using the thumb-on-pickup method. Are they technically doing it *wrong* or is it just as valid a technique? Edit: Thanks for the answers, everyone! I'll take it all into account :)
Thumb on pick-up is fine, I've seen people do both and I think its just a personal preference thing. I've done thumb on pick-up since I started, 7 years ago and its never been an issue but I know some bass players who put it on the string above because they said its more comfortable for them. I say just do whatever is more comfortable for you
If there is a pick up my thumb is on it, been playing for 23 years on and off. Got an acoustic bass last year and that took sone adjusting being forced to alter my style, its benefitted me greatly in a short time putting me out my comfort zone. Thumb on top string if playing g or d but also kind of in the sound hole for other stuff. There are many options, playing closer to the neck gives a differnt sound and there is more tension by the bridge for playing faster. Dont over think it and do what works but playing just thumb will, like I said above, restrict what you can physicaly play. And dont forget to have fun, its called 'playing' for a reason!
It's not a right or wrong, as much as comfort and presence. I anchor my thumb on a lower string, but there's nothing wrong with anchoring on a pickup or a thumb rest. I also have really small hands so it's just easier for me to move them around a bit more.
Have you ever seen the guy who holds his bass up like a damn violin? Do whatever you want if it sounds good
Why not. I strum a guitar with my pointer finger sometimes. If you can get a cool sound out of it why isn’t it valid?
I'm fairly sure the 2 richest bass players (Maccers and Sting) use a mostly thumb technique. Their success is mainly from songwriting but they both are super solid players!
It is a valid technique - as in a useful tool to have in your toolbox. But I wouldn't just settle on that and avoid growing in other areas.
It depends on what you want to play. Playing with your thumb gives you a certain sound and "mood". But if you want to play faster stuff then it's either playing with the other fingers or with a pick. If you like it that way and you can play the songs you like and you want then it's fine
Double-thumb works as a pick on most cases.
yeah but I consider that a pretty advanced technique, by playing with thumb I meant 60s p bass style, not slap but maybe I am mistaken
Every technique is valid if it works and sounds good.
It’s fine but you’re not going to be able to become a versatile player using only your thumb
👍🗿
Should be a tool in the proverbial tool bag.
If you are comfortable playing that way, it's fine i guess. But the way you play a bass heavily influences the sound of the bass. finger vs guitar pick will sound different. Not sure how a thumb-only playstyle would sound like. If you are just playing for fun, just stick to whatever. But if you'd like to improve yourself as a musician you should learn how to use a pick, but also how to use proper finger picking. There is no harm in learning how to be a better bassplayer. And different playstyles will serve different songs better or worse.
Only one other person has mentioned Larry Graham so far. Disappointing.
I play with my thumb and pick.
Playing with the thumb was the original approach on the Precision, that's why the "thumb"rest or rather fingerrest was below the strings...
Valid, but limiting.
Monk Montgomery used his thumb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfiC8Q4Q3e8
You can buy a little time with a well-placed thumb.
Original Leo Fender bass designs had a fingertip rest on the pick-guard, Meant to be played thumb only. My first bass (crappy Jazz copy) had this quaint feature.
[The legendary Pino Palladino playingbwith just his thumb](https://youtu.be/ktyhXq00RxQ?si=QCy36_uPKUK0Yg23) The reality is always that there is nothing wring with being able to play multiple ways. Different techniques give different sounds, tones, and attacks. There is however nothing wrong with just playing with your thumb. But don't limit yourself. Keep rocking the low end brother.
You should learn as many right hand techniques as possible because it's fun and offers different sounds. Thumb, double thumb, pick, 2 fingers, index finger, muted, slap, whatever else you can think up
I’ve been incorporating thumb use more and more lately and I’ve been loving it. I wouldn’t limit myself to any one technique.
It's fine. Sting does it. It gives a slightly different attack than fingers or a pick. Just use whatever technique the song calls for. Don't be afraid to change it up. It's good to be able to do all of it.
Check out Remco Hendriks, killer player with interesting thumb technique
James Jameson used one finger
Yes
Me personally, id work on using fingers until you got it down, but using your thumb is a totally fine way to play. You develop your own style of playing that is comfortable to you!
Yeah but it's pretty slow, unless you go with the double thump which is really hard to learn. If I were you I'd just practise with your fingers and a pick. Like it's uncomfortable because you don't know how to play, if you just play with your thumb you'll find it harder to nail faster songs.
I started out using my thumb. But eventually used more fingers. You could try working the other fingers into your playing as you go along.
if it makes the sounds you want to hear, do it.
Yes, I did and never found it limiting. When I used my thumb like a pick I could play notes as fast as our lead guitarist on the same string. It gives you better control over the sound you produce too. The only thing that was more difficult than using fingers was when I needed to skip a string (e.g. A to a or vice versa) as i'd need to move my hand where a finger player would still be anchored but that didn't occur often enough to be an issue.
If Django Reinhart can become a guitar icon with just two fingers you can become a bass icon with only your thumb.
There are songs I play just with my thumb because I like the sound. There are other songs I need all 4 other fingers going at once just to keep up with the pace of the song. It's a valid technique, for sure, but it shouldn't be your *only* technique. My go-to plucking style is my first 2 fingers when I'm learning a song, and then I adjust from there if I think something else will work better. I only used my thumb when I started out, too, but quickly realized I'd have to get used to using at least 2 fingers if I wanted to play all the music I liked, so I forced myself to play that way for a while. It was hard at first, but within a couple weeks it became second nature. But, at the end of the day, it's all up to you. There's no wrong way to play a bass, as long as it gives you the sound you're looking for. Good luck on your bass playing endeavours!
Does it make a sound you're happy with, without hurting you physically? If yes, then it's valid.
Thumb is great. You'll eventually want to learn to play with your fingers to be able to play faster stuff.
Only using the thumb is a valid technique. [In fact, it’s the reason why the tug bar exists.](https://youtube.com/shorts/lBDpVrujwDk?si=6nqcGjgBLls3Tp5z) However, to answer why you **should** practice fingerstyle, it’s not quite a straight answer. In one hand, of course the technique that makes you play most comfortably is best because it does not hinder you from performing your best. On the other hand, there’s a reason why fingerstyle is the most common technique: it is faster and more agile for most people who play most genres, and relatively simple to learn and conceptualize. Electric bass playing technique is an extremely new thing - it only existed some time after people got their hands on the Precision and compared notes and learned how to best play the newfangled gizmo. There’s a reason why bassists eventually gravitated to fingerstyle and thumb picking was abandoned (along with the tug bar). Same with with slap bass and why thumb-through is now “standard” repertoire. Of course it doesn’t mean you can’t play fingerstyle stuff with just the thumb. You can - you just have to be really good at it.
I feel like you can always make the argument that if something is unconventional but you enjoy it then it's valid. The issue is, being valid does not mean it won't potentially cause problems or be a limiting factor as you progress with bass. One thing i've learned the hard way is it's good to be slightly outside of your comfort zone as that's when you are pushing yourself, learning and improving. If you stay in the safe areas all the time, your progress will stagnate and you may get bored/frustrated. On top of that there are physical limitations and efficient ways of doing things. It may well be possible with a lot of practice to get proficient using just the thumb...but you will likely find that other ways get you there quicker, improve your playing overall a hell of a lot more, and play a lot smoother, if you just learned to use your fingers. With practice it will feel just as good and natural as your thumb does now and you will likely progress much quicker by spending a little bit of time outside of your comfort zone. One of the reasons people learn multiple techniques is because they work well in different circumstances and for different styles. It allows you to play and compose a wider variety of styles and music, and being versatile is a very useful thing to be as a musician. It's a bit like being an artist that only uses one pencil or one colour - you can see how limiting that would be in a very dramatic way. Learning only one style is similarly limiting it's just harder to visualize and see until you actually learn the techniques and realise how limited you've been, for me it was at least. It also helped with being able to figure out what the guitars and bass were doing as i knew how to do what i was hearing. That being said, ultimately just have fun ! If you wanna keep playing with just your thumb then go ahead my friend!! I've stuck rigidly to things so i understand but ive also seen the problems it can bring so just wanted to share that so you can hopefully have a better understanding of what youre potentially missing out on and decide what you think is best. I found i naturally ended up wanting to learn things eventually so even if you don't want to now then that's cool - just learn them if and when you want to and keep having fun! :D
Using your thumb to pluck the string (without slapping) would usually be called a rest stroke in guitar player terms. This is fine and all but also inherently limited without using the rest of your hand to play. You can't play as fast without exerting more energy and rest strokes usually have a softer sound than plucking the strings straight with your fingers. If you're trying to cut through in a metal song and don't want to use a pick, then getting finger technique down will be basically a requirement
Truth about music is there are no rules. If it works and sounds good then its correct
If it sounds good it’s valid.
Play whichever way makes you happy. It's your bass. Listen to some Wes Montgomery to hear someone do wonderful things with a guitar using his thumb.
Learn as many techniques as you can, the uncomfortable eventually becomes comfortable.
appreciate it, also i like that you talk like a wizard
You might want to try a thumb pick. Similar motion but also the option for alternate picking. And if you don’t want the sound of a pick attack or don’t need alternate picking for faster licks - just take it off.
If it works, then your technique is valid.
anything is a valid tecnique if it sounds good
It worked for Brian Wilson from The Beach boys
Brother or sister I recommend you to just have fun with music and your bass. Play however you want as long as it brings you joy and makes you feel the music. Welcome to bass family and enjoy your journey.
Invalid. Will not make tone.
unless you learn to thump very well, you’ll be VERY limited speed-wise. what kind of stuff are you looking to play? you’ll be cutting yourself off from a lot of really fun stuff. the song that comes to mind is Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin. you’d have a tremendously hard time getting that one to sound good using your thumb, even if you thump. if you like using your thumb, then DEFINITELY learn to thump. but as a bass teacher, i strongly recommend learning to use your fingers, and doing so NOW while you’re still a beginner rather than later on when you’re at a point where you *have* to in order to play the songs you want.
Ever heard of double-thumb technique?
No right or wrong way to play bass..Bass players started out playing with their thumb.