Different Bass Techniques

Hi,

Like to share some techniques of playing the bass guitar.

1. Finger plucking - The common plucking method is the 2 - fingers plucking style. Alternate between your index finger and middle finger. Some people use 3- 4 fingers too (John Myung).
Rock musicians will fancy this style and some metal players use a pick instead.

2. Thumb method - You can just use the thumb only to play ( Anthony Jackson), you can do thumb down and up like a pick motion (Larry Graham, Victor Wooten) or you can snap the string with your thumb (abraham laboriel). Some musicians when first learn to play bass will use alot of their thumb as if plucking acoustic guitar.

3. Slap and pop - This is a techniques that draw non bassist to learn bass as it produce a percussist sound and make the bass sound more funk. This technique was created because the inventor (larry graham) did not have a drummer and he have to double up to provide the bass and snare drum using his bass guitar when he was doing a show with his mum.
Stanley clarke brought this technique into jazz . To provide a more funky sound, apply ghost note (muted note). Some of the famous slappers are Louis Johnson, Marcus Miller, Flea, Stu Hamm and more...

4. Thump - This is a cool technique that Louis Johnson and Abraham Laboriel execute it very well.
You are suppose to strike your fingers accurately on the string and also make use of your palm to create a percussist feel. Using your left hand to mute the other strings that are not strike.

5. Strum - Most guitarist know how to strum. Guess what.. we bassist can strum too, but not our main role so we let the 6 strings boys do it. You can try to strum power chords (root + 5th) on the bottom strings and hear how it sound. Listen to Stanley Clarke's School Day.

6. Tapping - This technique can be easily executed, but yet with much speed and skill can be very complicated. Using both your fingers to tap on the fretboard. You can tap out a chord (root + 3rd + 5th) and let it ring.. Same idea as playing the piano. Very beautiful. Listen to Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten and Stu Hamm and etc.. This technique came from the guitar.

7. Harmonics - There are natural harmonics found on the 5th 7th and 12th fret of the bass/guitar. Lightly touch the string and pluck it. You can hear the reasonance or vibration of the sound coming out. Beautiful right? Listen to Jaco pastorius (portrait of tracy), Victor wooten(norwegian woods) and etc

8. eBow - I never tried this before and this is mostly used by electric guitarist (Jars of Clay). The sound produce is quite unique though. Using magnetic field and held near the vibrating strings. Can create a wiammmm sound. Check out Michael Manring.

There are many other techniques like palm through, left hand slap, thumb down up pluck, and etc. But guess the above are the common techniques used.

Fast is not everything but play in time. :) A techniques can sound very cool but if cannot apply to make music, it is just a technique.

Cheers,

Ben