Bass Guitar: Using a thumb?

[pitsburg_hippie]

Hi. Just recently I've been using my thumb to stroke the strings of my bass guitar instead of my pointer and middle finger. I find it much easier to play this way and I also like how it souds. Is playing with my thumb a bad idea that I will regret later on? Or is it an okay habit to get into?

[runebivrin]

I think www.talkbass.com is probably a better place to ask that question if you want replies.

However, I think it's a classic "whatever floats your boat" kind of question. If it works four you, it's OK. But personally, I find the tumb is too slow to be useful most of the time.

Rune

[wxn]

Yeah, nothing wrong with that. But I would suggest practising with I/M fingers too. I play with three fingers - ring finger included. But that doesn't mean I can't use my thumb or just one index finger.
You can always choose if you have multiple choices, you're in trouble if you don't.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally posted by pitsburg_hippie
Hi. Just recently I've been using my thumb to stroke the strings of my bass guitar instead of my pointer and middle finger. I find it much easier to play this way and I also like how it souds. Is playing with my thumb a bad idea that I will regret later on? Or is it an okay habit to get into?

Anything that works is fine, but using one thumb instead of two fingers (or more) means you can't play as fast.

My daughter usually uses index and middle fingers, and occasionally ring finger as well - it's rare she uses her little finger. If she uses her thumb it's probably only for slapping?.

[wxn]

Originally posted by Nigel Goodwin
If she uses her thumb it's probably only for slapping?.

Not necessarily, eg Larry Graham used his thumb to pluck. There are also some other uses like flamenco style etc.