groucho Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 I have been playing fingerstyle forever(25yrs) use a pick only "on demand"...Lately I have come to notice while practicing - that when my fingers come off the string after sounding the note, they slap into the next up string and make a most unmusical "fwappp" unless I reeeally articulate carefully...did I just get sloppy in my old age or is that an artifact common to finger playing and I somehow never noticed it? if it ain't broke don't fix it... unless you need the overtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Is this audible while amplified? I've noticed that I hear certain "extra noise" when I'm playing my bass when it's not plugged in that are completely unaudible when playing through an amp... maybe it's just this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_dont_fret Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Yeah, I've noticed that too, but only unplugged. Plugged in, I've hardly ever got notes ringing without my asking them to. If you hear ringing, then I've just raked the strings for a cool effect. But no fwaapp sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jode Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 I notice that although I hear those 'fwaps' in the room, I rarely notice them on a recording. Nature of the beast, I suppose. "I had to have something, and it wasn't there. I couldn't go down the street and buy it, so I built it." Les Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Your fingers should land on the next string after you play a string. Classical guitarists would call that a "rest stroke". They also use "free strokes" where you don't hit the next string, but that's a little too delicate for bass playing. What it sounds like amplified is really what counts. There are all kinds of little noises, buzzes, etc. that don't make it through the amp and speakers into the room. Without seeing you, it's hard to tell, but try playing a little less hard and see what happens. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 In thinking about this I think Jeremy's suggestion (play a bit lighter) sounds good. One thing I notice about active basses is that they can be quite hot. this combined with you playing over the pickup may exacerbate the problem. I have my first active bass, and it has a finger ramp. I notice that when my fingers come thru the string, the ramp helps take some of the impact, though I still hit the next string (a key to my muting technique ). When I play hard over the pickup, the same thing happens, but it makes noise (both the PUP and the next string). I do it on purpose at times.... Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groucho Posted February 1, 2003 Author Share Posted February 1, 2003 Thanks to all for the responses! Definitely not pickup related as I hear it totally acoustic and on both my active and passive basses. I think it is mostly just an accumulated "bad habit" of playing harder than necessary Funny how it got past me till it got to this point... Could also be my trying to compensate for my "plectrum fingers" as they were both damaged in a lawnmower accident this past summer They look fine, but feel very different from the inside out than they used to (if that makes any sense)the first bone of the index finger was broken and the top of the middle finger was splayed open (eeewww!)Neither can take much pressure on the tips now so I may be "riding to the side" of my fingers instinctively Maybe it IS time to pick up the pick if it ain't broke don't fix it... unless you need the overtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattC Posted February 2, 2003 Share Posted February 2, 2003 I think you just answered your question. I'd suggest playing as much as comfortble to get back to the "zone." I'd also suggest for us fingerstyle players, anyway, that playing a little softer can be a good thing. I seem to get a better tone with a softer touch than with a rigid, forceful touch that I know some players use. I use this philosophy: let the amp make volume and the instrument make sound. If you need more volume, then turn up and save your fingers. Dynamics are a different story, however, I still recommend a delicate touch for the best tone. ...think funky thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davich Posted February 2, 2003 Share Posted February 2, 2003 It can be a string issue or your bass setup. By the way most radical things is if you cannot getaway, why don't make it musical, make it sound percussive - then you got yourself a new technique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzbass Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 I would sugest striking some notes and just watch what your right hand is doing. one-note-at-a-time. Do your fingers "hit" the string and then unintentionaly move another string? try this perhaps: instead of "hitting" the strings with your fingers, think of it as shooting an arrow-by pushing the string down twards the body of the bass(pulling the bow) and letting it shoot straight up(firing the arrow). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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