5 Top Tips to Make Thumb Position Technique Easier!

[@rk-sb8dm]

Just getting back to playing bass after 30 years. Watching all kinds of videos and this one is great. It is also the first one I've seen with the French bow which is what I plan to use. I began my musical career playing cello about 70 years ago.

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

That's great to hear! Thanks for your kind words and good luck with all of your practice.

[@milanlee4770]

Sorry to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost my account password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me

[@adendominic542]

@Milan Lee Instablaster =)

[@milanlee4770]

@Aden Dominic i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@milanlee4770]

@Aden Dominic It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D

[@christ74]

I'm a cellist but that still helped! Thank you

[@renzogordillo2380]

same here!

[@chrollium6111]

Same!

[@ladyconan]

Hahaha, same ^^

[@JayLohMoosic]

Omg thanks for this Lauren! Really appreciate how actionable this is! Will practice on my own and get it to a decent level before checkingout your course! Merry Christmas all!

[@GANoel43]

Very well explained in great detail. I wish I had a teacher like you when I began to learn how to play acoustic bass 60 years ago. As an old pro player. I commend you for your greatness. Thank you.

[@benedikuto_]

Perfect timing! In my last bass lesson I learned the thumb position, so your tips were really helpful to practice at home! Thank you so much for this video!

[@Smoph04]

as a cellist starting Haydn, this is so helpful

[@MrDaraghkinch]

Regarding bow placement, it helps to understand that the natural harmonics, present on the vibrating string, shift towards the bridge in proportion to the amount that we shorten the string with our left hand. So the bow must shift proportionally too. A bow held in a good position for playing an open string, will excite harmonics when the left hand is in thumb position. This is the cause of the squeaking, to which Lauren refers.

[@Musicman914]

Fantastic tutorial thank you so much , will get stuck into these points right away.

[@billmottinger7246]

Thank you Lauren. I'm still on shaky ground on thumb position, but your Five Tips are reassuring, so I'll charge ahead! Thanks again.

[@philviral]

Keeping an emery board at the practice station is an incredible tip.

[@dlivelyb]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@wayneartist]

What a beautiful bass

[@5BBassist4Christ]

Something I've been struggling with lately is back fatigue from playing in thumb position (especially when using the 2nd-5th harmonics) I asked my teacher if there was a better way to hold my poster to spare my back from strain, and he didn't really have any tips. Got any advice for the back? That might be a good topic in general with transporting such a large instrument.

[@lukerussell2203]

Kenton Park might be a lil late but a lot of people tend to lean over the bass and end up getting back pain. I tend to basically put the bass at a more horizontal angle and let it lean into you

[@Kenyaprince]

@@lukerussell2203 You also may want to raise the peg setting so as you let the bass lean into you it's position relative to your body is higher and you don't lean over to reach the upper register of the finger board. John Clayton has a video on just this subject. Hope it helps.

[@johnhelman1990]

thank you Lauren.

[@prograven4844]

cool tip.. steve bailey apply this technique on electric bass

[@MegaFclef]

Great instruction and she has commanding and big awesome hands 🤚

[@tanchwa3740]

So what is the pattern for which finger to use for thumb position? I’m kind of unclear about why you’re using the fingers you are and shifting when you are.

[@dougbassman1698]

As a beginner who is learning on a EUB not an acoustic, would these 5 tips still apply or would they need to be adjusted to suit the instrument?

[@CounterfeitDragon]

There should not be any difference, as long as you're learning on a good quality EUB. I've found that many cheaper EUBs are often not ergonomically sound and require (mal)adaption from the player, forcing you to distort your posture. Any bass that stands on it's own on an adjustable tripod should be fine, though so far I've had the best experience with NS Design basses. Also, you might want to borrow an acoustic upright for while and/or take some lessons on one, to get a feel for how they handle and be able to apply that to your electric.

[@dougbassman1698]

Thanks! I am using an NS Design. I find that with the instrument being fixed, it's easier to maintain a constant arm and shoulder position. I have considered an acoustic, When i played at the music store I found to be a little awkward by comparison. body size vs no body of EUB. I am trying to find a teacher! online is great ! I just need someone in person to visually guide me. Thanks again!

[@Bobsmyuncle]

Maybe a dumb question; where can you find the fretboard dot stickers? I suppose any circular dot stickers could do... Those look nice though :)

[@DiscoverDoubleBass]

These are inlays made of ebony which were fitted professionally. I've seen folks using stickers, or pencil marks.

[@peterblake3000]

all about finger tips

[@stevonico]

What you describe as a 'distorted' hand shape is actually just Rabbath 4th position

[@MrDanSchulte]

Nice tips

[@luciadisotto2225]

I wish you were cellist. I would totally love learning cello watching your videos ;-)

[@kontrafuss]

Great advice!

[@mariusfourie4642]

another fantastic tutorial

[@aw8079]

👍

[@themusiccovenant]

Bass goddess

[@kungfuviolist7284]

fingertip pushups help your fingers be stronger

[@jjesse18]

Que gracia tiene tener marcadas las notas ?

[@santicruz4012]

Por qué no tenerlas? Como profesionales queremos siempre el mejor resultado, si tener marcadas las notas ayuda a alcanzar nuestra meta, entonces no le veo el problema

[@coyoteboy7935]

You know, I dont think my nails can get that short.