Resting thumb on pickup

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:30 pm

I know all that you listed besides "Quest for Fire". Yeah, the first 5 albums are amazing. I learned almost all of Killers (I need to learn two more). The constant movement is what gets me tired. Two finger trips are a pain, but can be done, and the movement in "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Losfer Words" is hard. But I LOVE playing those songs. Well "Gengis Kahn" is tough too.

Steve is a nice change from Geddy. More fun.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:32 pm

I think everything is more fun than something you're bored of. When Iron Maiden gets boring, the next bassist will be "more fun". The key is variety. Really.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:45 pm

True. It's just the whole "What should I learn next?" question. Maybe Metallica with Cliff? hehe. I still warm up with Rush tunes most of the time though.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 9:05 pm

I rest my thumb on the pickguard, like Jason does in his picture.

Regarding Steve Harris, don't limit yourself to only the early Iron Maiden stuff, it is all great. And don't think that only prog rock is challenging; sometimes slower stuff is harder to execute successfully.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 5:26 am

Metallica covers are the majority of what we play....and I'm somewhat bored with it. It brings a crowd though and we are finally working on originals to liven things up.

Anyway....there are plenty of interesting and fun Metallica songs to choose from. Some songs are certainly a work-out but nothing is too difficult.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:00 am

I personally only prefer Metallica from And Justice for All, and back. I favor the Burton Metallica output. I really like Jason too but the band IMO did not let him shine thru.

I would say Orion and Disposable Heroes are my favorite tunes.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:03 am

I use anything and everything for a rest. My thumbs always jumping around some where. I use it to mute my E alot. I use the bridge pickup sometimes the bridge surrounding thing. And depending on what im playing I may use the Neck the Neck pu or the pickguard. I move my thumb as much in a song as i do anything else haha.

What do you guys mean by floating thumb?

Nate you still learning everything by yourself and just from ear? I need to really work and step up my ear training.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:42 am

That means that you do not anchor the thumb to some part of the bass. Doing so actually creates tension in the hand. If the thumb is left to "float", your plucking hand will be more relaxed, and you can drag it over the strings to act as a mute to prevent unwanted sounds from the unplayed lower strings.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:46 am

"Orion" is an amazing song. It's a pity Burton died. I imagine there was still plenty more up his sleeve in regards to bass playing . . . and he was a hell of a lot better than 99% of the metal bassists out there today, who all seem to think they should never play anywhere but on the B and E strings, and that they should always play exactly the same rhythm as the kickdrum, just to make sure you can't hear them.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:53 pm

Okay then im a floater... Haha. I never thought much about it man. It just came natural to me. Never tought about it at all. I moved it to mute and I moved it so it be easier to whatever im playing or when im playing. Never thought much about it.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:51 pm

Good thing you play like that. You are not dependent on an anchor point this way.