Great video. It shows that while there is the text book technique, there are slight variations that work for each bassist. I heard that one of the reasons to lean into the strings, with your elbows up, is so if you extend your two plucking fingers, the lengths match in this position. In general, most middle fingers are longer and leaning into the strings makes the ends of the fingers aligned and allows even plucking and to play faster.
That is just brilliant Jeff and makes a lot of sense. There has to be a reason why we instinctively lean into the strings to play faster and this explanation seems very probable to me.
Much appreciated! Glad you liked the video, it was actually really fun to research and make. I also always learn something in the process of making a lesson.
Great video - love the comparison of all these legendary players - subtle variations making a different tones and efficiences. Yes please - more like this comparing the greats! I noticed two things throughout. Firstly they all had a fairly straight RH wrist, by a combination of angling the elbow and positioning the bass slightly above the hip - not too high, and not too low. And secondly I think they all used raking for speed across strings rather than strict alternate plucking. I've found this to also make faster passages a lot faster.
I have a couple of Meters cd box sets and some George Porter CDs . Used to play with a pick in my youth with more aggressive music. Now rarely play with a pick. Graham Maby, with Joe Jackson over the years, a particular favorite!
I think that while there is a standard approach to playing we as players are all a bit different. We all have standard equipment, 2 hands , 10 fingers (standard equipment but I know there are variations😂) but we all use them slightly different. An example is golf. There is no perfect swing. There is a basic approach but if you look at the greats they are all slightly different. All athletes are like that as well as all musicians. I like to see the difference as style😅. Great video Greg.
Totally agree Robert, I've always thought that it's about playing to your own strengths and learning when to and more importantly, when not to try to use standard approaches.
I haven't seen any footage of Alain Caron but Gary Willis does have an interesting technique which he's obviously developed to enable him to play as creatively as he does.
Never thought about it, how I pluck, just let my plucking fingernails grow in case I needed to get more percussive in certain sections of the songs. GREAT lessons for tips tho. I wish I had had these lessons when I was first learning....my own education was 80% instinct, playing with bands, and a smattering of notation basics. I love your and other TH-cam channels because they teach an old dog new tricks. Instinct can only carry one so far. It's like language. You can know the verbal language by ear, but it's also educative to understand the rules of syntax, and composition. I shut up now, except to say "thanks dude!"
Hey, glad you enjoyed it. I still also learn things all the time in 'retrospect' as I am a self-taught player. I learnt on feel and vibe and it's great to deconstruct all of this to see if I can make easy improvements as I'm teaching.
Interesting, but I observed much more reliance on anchoring thumb on bottom string. Anchoring on pick up of other part of bass IMO wastes a dampening thumb and involves more of a stretch. Plus I have observed some bassists seem unable to leave off anchoring thumb on pickup even when stretching over to G string.
Hi Chris, you do need to move your thumb off the E string when you are plucking it or you won’t get a sound! So moving the thumb onto the bass or pickup is an important part of the technique!
Brilliant video, very informative, thanks for producing and sharing
My pleasure Naill!
Great video. It shows that while there is the text book technique, there are slight variations that work for each bassist. I heard that one of the reasons to lean into the strings, with your elbows up, is so if you extend your two plucking fingers, the lengths match in this position. In general, most middle fingers are longer and leaning into the strings makes the ends of the fingers aligned and allows even plucking and to play faster.
That is just brilliant Jeff and makes a lot of sense. There has to be a reason why we instinctively lean into the strings to play faster and this explanation seems very probable to me.
awesome video Greg, a lot of work went into putting this together I'm sure! Thanks for putting it together, very informative.
Much appreciated! Glad you liked the video, it was actually really fun to research and make. I also always learn something in the process of making a lesson.
Great video - love the comparison of all these legendary players - subtle variations making a different tones and efficiences. Yes please - more like this comparing the greats! I noticed two things throughout. Firstly they all had a fairly straight RH wrist, by a combination of angling the elbow and positioning the bass slightly above the hip - not too high, and not too low. And secondly I think they all used raking for speed across strings rather than strict alternate plucking. I've found this to also make faster passages a lot faster.
Very good observations Phil. Really good point about raking which is absolutely necessary for certain faster bass lines.
I have a couple of Meters cd box sets and some George Porter CDs . Used to play with a pick in my youth with more aggressive music. Now rarely play with a pick. Graham Maby, with Joe Jackson over the years, a particular favorite!
Sounds great! I really like George Porter Jr.'s playing.
This was an excellent video, Greg!! Thorough analysis of all the players plucking hand. As always, your lessons are greatly appreciated.
Cheers Terry, glad you liked it.
I think that while there is a standard approach to playing we as players are all a bit different. We all have standard equipment, 2 hands , 10 fingers (standard equipment but I know there are variations😂) but we all use them slightly different. An example is golf. There is no perfect swing. There is a basic approach but if you look at the greats they are all slightly different. All athletes are like that as well as all musicians. I like to see the difference as style😅. Great video Greg.
Totally agree Robert, I've always thought that it's about playing to your own strengths and learning when to and more importantly, when not to try to use standard approaches.
plucking awesome man lol 🤙🤙👍👍
You know it! I did at one point wonder if I could make a thing on 'mother plucker' in the title but quickly decided against it! 😀
I think Gary Willis and Alain Caron also have very interesting plucking techniques
I haven't seen any footage of Alain Caron but Gary Willis does have an interesting technique which he's obviously developed to enable him to play as creatively as he does.
Still got to get my hand to operate properly. Working on that daily... Speed is my issue right now.
It will come in time Brad
Never thought about it, how I pluck, just let my plucking fingernails grow in case I needed to get more percussive in certain sections of the songs. GREAT lessons for tips tho. I wish I had had these lessons when I was first learning....my own education was 80% instinct, playing with bands, and a smattering of notation basics. I love your and other TH-cam channels because they teach an old dog new tricks. Instinct can only carry one so far. It's like language. You can know the verbal language by ear, but it's also educative to understand the rules of syntax, and composition. I shut up now, except to say "thanks dude!"
Hey, glad you enjoyed it. I still also learn things all the time in 'retrospect' as I am a self-taught player. I learnt on feel and vibe and it's great to deconstruct all of this to see if I can make easy improvements as I'm teaching.
Great video Greg what kind of amp are you playing wattage and size of speakers thanks again
Hi Elvin, for this video I'm just playing direct into the computer with no amp and no effects.
Hello again Greg sorry to bother you but I am curious about the amp and speakers you have in the background thanks again
Hey Elvin the amp is an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and the cabs are Aguilar DB1x15 (8ohms), DB2x10 (4ohms)
Nice rig Greg
@@elvinparker3367 cheers Elvin.
Interesting, but I observed much more reliance on anchoring thumb on bottom string. Anchoring on pick up of other part of bass IMO wastes a dampening thumb and involves more of a stretch. Plus I have observed some bassists seem unable to leave off anchoring thumb on pickup even when stretching over to G string.
Hi Chris, you do need to move your thumb off the E string when you are plucking it or you won’t get a sound! So moving the thumb onto the bass or pickup is an important part of the technique!
As predicted, this gave our vid chat group much to discuss 😂 At the end of the day, to your point, it’s what works for you.
Sounds like you had a good discussion! 😀