Your favorite techniques

[Dechristianize]

Hail. Anybody use any kind of technique not normally taught, like using a weird finger on the right hand? I'll sometimes include my ring finger in my right hand technique to make a quick triplet, or keep up with my guitarists' speed-picking( He's a maniac at that). I got this idea from Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse, you guys should definitely check out his works. I dare you to learn one of his tabs. On this one song, I forget the name, he's actually holding three different frets on three different strings while tapping with three different fingers on a 5 string Ibanez. This mofo has some skill. Anyone else have some unusual techniques they like to use?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Sometimes I curl the thumb of my left hand over the top of the neck to fret the E string....at the first 3 or so frets. I do it subconsciously if playing slow root notes.

Weird hey

.

 

[JB1]

+1 Gav - I do that too.

 

[skabassist13]

when playing slap i sometimes flick the strings. in the awakening by les claypool theres a F5 chord on the d string, ill actually flick it instead of brushing it like les does or popping it.

 

[Evil_Ernie_Ball]

when playing slap i sometimes flick the strings. in the awakening by les claypool theres a F5 chord on the d string, ill actually flick it instead of brushing it like les does or popping it.

yeah Kinda a Flamenco style on bass combined with slap & pop
I'm doing that too (trying that is! No realy It sounds ok )
Also I'm practicing double tap technique.. you can realy make it sound like a piano I think
Always have been in love with sounds that not realy sound like bass played on the Bassguitar
Harmonics (Victor Wooten style)... hm thats a different story!

 

[skabassist13]

yeah its kinda like that, but not just a flamenco thing. its literally a flick. like holding my finger against my thumb like i want to flick someones ear flick. its very weird and my bass teacher thinks it is to. but it makes me special so its cool.

 

[lowstrung]

Some times when the mood hits me , I will put on my banjo picks and go after it scruggs style. Makes my guitar player nuts.

 

[spectorbassguy]

When I want a low rumbling sound like at the beginning of some praise and worship stuff, I "drum" with my first two fingers on the low B string way down by the bridge - it makes it easy to control the volume that way.

Also during a drum intro or break when the kick drum needs to be huge I'll double it by hitting and damping the low B in time with the kick. Gotta be careful not to hit on any harmonics though.

 

[coldtrain]

For some cool Flamenco (rasgueado) technique, check out Abe Laboriel.

Lately I've been experimenting with double-stop false harmonics. Up high it sorta simulates a slide guitar tone, but not quite. I have yet to use it in an actual song or solo though...

 

[JB1]

Sometimes to emphasise a note I'll 'slap' the adjacent open string.

(i.e. playing an E on the A string, then following with a slap of the E string).

I also might play some kinda chord as emphasis (i.e. play 7th fret on A, then 'flick' 9th on G & D).

 

[shaver]

i like to bend the notes over at the head stock like old stanely clarke did, its actualy a harp method. some times when i play with three fingers with my right hand, i can also pluck the strings with the back of my fingers when i go back to reset, making it sound like 6 even hits. i also try to do the slap double thub thing that marcus does, its hard

 

[TSanders]

My technique is simple and I cant believe how many bassists (especially young ones) dont use it. Its far out there so be ready. Play with the kick drum.