The standard right-hand technique for playing bass guitar nowadays is plucking the strings using the first and second fingers alternately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thumb plucking<\/strong>, however, has always been used as well. If you’re learning the bass, you may be wondering whether thumb-style technique is acceptable or if it’s a bad habit to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using your thumb for plucking the bass produces a different sound compared to 2-finger plucking – a fat, big, boomy, upright bass-like tone particularly well-suited for Folk, Country, Latin, and Reggae bass sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The warm and thick tone<\/strong> results from using the fat and wide plucking surface of the thumb, in a mostly downward motion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Using the thumb is the best way to get the fattest <\/strong>tone from your bass for certain music styles. The thumb is also used as part of slapping and fingerstyle techniques, which add wealth to the range of sounds that can be achieved on a bass guitar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See also: How to get a punchy bass tone<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thumb plucking was historically the original technique on the electric bass in the 50s and 60s. Early bass guitars actually had a finger rest (aka “tug bar” or “thumb tug”) below the strings on the pick guard for anchoring the fingers while plucking with the thumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many bassists mix in thumb and other fingers for plucking<\/strong> – thumb for the low strings, fingers for the higher ones – to add different dynamics to a song. This is typically in combination with palm dampening as in root reggae music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See also: Table of Contents<\/p>\n
How to dial in a great dub bass tone<\/a>
Best bass guitar for reggae<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n