Right Hand Technique for 4-string, 5-String and 6-String Bass

[@charliecarrot]

Janek, I really appreciate your videos lately - you've been covering topics that are approachable for bassists of all levels, but you're maintaining your high standard of quality AND continuing to offer your unique perspective and insights on each topic.

[@aaronl7669]

a few things i noticed: you're one of these guys with a freakishly flexible thumb. look how much it is able to bend. mine looks straight no matter how hard i try to curve it. this means that i don't have as good of an anchor point. i still do anchor, but when i play the G string on a 5-string, my thumb is kind of more the floating variety with a light anchor point. also, it was weird getting used to holding my thumb against the B string when switching from 4-string to 5-string. On a 4-string you can just anchor on the E and A strings and be good. On a 5-string you have to hold the top part of your thumb against the B string, which feels weird at first. This also forced me to pull my arm off of the top of the bass a lot of the time. To get used to this you have to build up your shoulder strength/stamina. I stretch my shoulder, especially if it starts barking at me when I'm playing and it helps a lot with not needing to rest it on the top of the bass. True floating thumb guys don't really rest on the bass at all from what I've seen and they don't really anchor. They just slide the entire thumb along the strings up and down.

[@Dr-ZeeD]

This was such a nice, detailed but concise overview over your technique. It seems as if you recording yourself so much really helped you be aware of what exactly it is you are doing. Some content creators seem to reiterate the usual recommendations found more or less all over the internet, but when you actually watch them perform they divert quite a bit from what they recommend. I don't see that with you. What a testament to constantly work on the basics and build from a solid foundation. Highly appreciated! Looking forward to more content of yours 🙂

[@adamleeds1]

Hi Janek, I've been playing a four-string bass for a long time and never felt the need to move my thumb down to the D string while playing the G string, as my thumb made enough contact to mute the E string. Additionally, I had developed a method of muting the D string with my little finger. Recently, I bought a 5-string bass and have been frustrated for a couple of months because the low B would occasionally ring while I was playing the higher strings. I assumed it was due to my hands being too small to make full contact with the E string, so I purchased a fret wrap to try and fix it. This video has fixed everything! Changing the angle of my thumb and wrist has allowed me to fully mute my 5-string with ease. Thanks for your generosity and great free content, and keep up the good work!

[@billylikitsakosmusic6367]

Thanks, Janek, for this video. Muting the strings you're not playing is one of the greatest problems we must solve on the electric bass. Thank you for graciously presenting solutions here.

[@SeidellNorbel]

Just tried the elevated left knee with my 6 string and doing some hymn runs for tomorrow and right away both my wrists were looser and it gives me an easier reach across all strings. Not using it for tomorrow because my muscle memory was all thrown off, but something I will be incorporated into daily practice. Thanks for this!

[@urbanprimitive]

Super inspiring! This is a welcome reminder that the first "effect" we use as bass players is picking hand technique. I sat down and tried combining this with the Gary Willis ring-finger-up technique - my brain was *not* ready for how much information it was getting! I can already tell that this is going to unlock a lot of possibilities in my playing.

[@vagabond7883]

Great advice and great demonstration of your proposed techniques. I'm a 73 year old male and learning the bass. The most difficult challenge is being able to produce a perfectly clean note. Your video has now made me re-think my playing posture and plucking technique. Thank you!

[@Vincent_Roy]

I used to play my 6 strings with my thumb floating over the strings. It's been a long time since I had a bass teacher, and I recently decided to take a few lessons to help me with a technique I was trying to learn. The teacher immediately noticed that I was not anchoring my thumb and resting my forearm on the body of the bass. I would never have thought about working on this if I had not met this teacher. It really helped me getting better with some things I struggled with. I also noticed that it was easier to achor the thumb on my bass with a wider strings spacing. My main bass has a very narrow spacing (14mm), so I came back to my old bass (16,5mm) for the moment, until I really get this technique sorted out.

[@wallace_nelson]

Great video. Appreciate you sharing. One to watch a couple times.

[@waynematthews8165]

A great video Janek! I’ve played on the left knee for many years after watching the Gary Willis instructional video during the late 90s. I’m guessing your left knee playing is due to your classical guitar background? Your statement about the term ‘floating thumb’ was interesting. I would call it ‘floating’ because the thumb for me never rests on the pickup. Regarding the raised left knee, I’ve invested in a drum stool that allows me to rest my left leg on one of the tripod feet. It’s nice not to see a fret wrap, which I consider cop out unless you’re tapping. Once again, a great video.

[@cud981]

Great video, very detailed.I would certainlty appreciate a similar detailed look at your picking techniques.I am a seated left knee player ,puts your joints in natural positions.

[@johnjensen2495]

Thanks Janek! I started doing this a couple months ago because I felt I had more control. Glad to see I am in the right track.

[@AmosEstes]

Dude thank you, I had just been working on this and getting frustrated I couldn’t execute what I heard in my head. This helped out man! Cheers 👍

[@landonh3535]

Doing a lot of studio work I’m pretty obsessed with muting, especially extended range basses. I have used the “floating thumb “ most of the time but it never feels natural to me and sometimes I lose the position when playing large intervals anyway. Been looking to fix this. Love your idea of anchoring the thumb, it’s just simpler and I can probably get it into my muscle memory pretty fast. This is a great video that newer players should really prioritize,imo. Get the right muscle memory early on.

[@anthonydonofrio3266]

As always, your instructions and passion for music is infectious. I’ve become more polished and my endurance for playing has gone up with a similar technique. Sometimes, I’ll put a small stool or wooden block under my left foot to raise my leg in a more comfortable position too. Thanks again and Happy Easter buddy!! Blessings.

[@jaimitojoe7747]

This was about the right hand, but just changing the bass to the left foot on an elevated surface removed my pain from my fretting hand. Thanks, it’s great to learn the right way as a noob. Will rewatch this several times.

Back in music college I did suffer from strin in my right and left hand. However I found your videos and changed my right hand technique. It took a good month or so to get used to, but boy was it worth it.

[@jogmog589]

Hey Janek! Would be up for doing a stand alone video on that gorgeous 6 string? Looks and sounds incredible I’d love to see all of its details!

[@janekgwizdala]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3bIgGisistgn6ssi=jrsydCoXZ6awCw-J

[@barendtromp]

Janek, could you make a video on how you balance the bass on your left leg? Do you use a foot stool to raise the left leg? I also studied classical guitar, but because a bass has a much thinner body it's harder to balance it than a classical guitar because there is no support of the belly. Especially if you don't want to a a strap. Would appreciate it if you could elaborate on that. Thanks, Barend

[@har234908234]

Always thankful to Janek for... legitimizing my technique! ;)

[@bogusolszewski3629]

Thanks Janek. I've change my right hand technique because you. The results are unbelievable good! Greatings from Poland.

[@Bassic778]

Excellent!!!! This is exactly what I need to GRADUALLY incorporate into my practice routine!!! Thank you sooooo much for posting this video!!!

[@joachimmahoudeaux8619]

In fact as a righty like you I’m both knees: for anything jazz I use the left knee with a foot stool too, but for soul funk with slap, it’s more convenient for me to switch to the regular right knee posture. Anyways, it’s ALWAYS flat wrist with floating thumb most of the time, I ended up with a cramp in my right arm in a 2 sets/3 hours blues gig, yep… only blues. So I worked hard for 6 months or so to get the flat wrist floating thumb technique spot on and natural. Worth the effort, everything got better, my stamina, my technique, my sound, my precision when having to speed up my solo on bop gigs. Anchored or floating thumb, I use both, anchored for octaves (disco funk blues), I think that mixing muting techniques while keeping a flat wrist at the same time is valuable.

[@BOONERBOYO]

tempted with picking the bass up again after many, many years. was barely a noob then and there's so much to learn.

[@bradami1234]

I play five string primarily. I use my pinky to mute up and down and set my thumb on b or pickup . But i will give this a try for sure.. truly enjoy the content.. thank you Janek..

[@sword5420]

This is a great tip that I wish I'd heard earlier in my bass playing journey. Do you find the left knee playing position difficult with a jazz bass? I mainly play a jazz bass, and I've always found the body shape too big to sit comfortably with it on my left knee.

[@janekgwizdala]

The left leg position efficiency is definitely different for different basses. I’ve gotten so used to the position that it doesn’t phase me as much when I switch instruments, but it took a while for every bass to work this way. Slow and steady wins the race.

[@hahabass]

I watch this brilliant tutorage and I think, 'I don't listen to enough of JG's music!'

[@oliplaysbass]

Thanks janek. I’ve been playing around 20 years and had a whole load of techniques, never had an injury but have always been very conscious of bent wrists on both hands. I’m trying to adopt a lighter touch with floating thumb lately to try and increase my stamina/speed . By floating thumb I’m more where the side of my thumb is resting on the strings to mute when not playing but not necessarily anchoring it. Think I’m seeing some progress as you know it takes a while before it starts to become natural.

[@glennhm8142]

It took me about a month by practising using the right leg position, and about two months with my muting technique. Thank you for all your awesome videos Janek. Would there be any chance on your next gig/tour that you could record a live video of your trio playing live.

[@janekgwizdala]

I have some footage of the trio ready to be edited and mixed, and there are many plans over the next two years to record and film live albums.

[@noyd4172]

Been away from the bass for a while and I need to brush up on this in particular. Maybe it's a good time to reset and try a different, healthier posture.

[@leerobinson6448]

Thanks for the great video, haven't been playing for long but have been using more of a "hanging wrist" technique. Going to work towards a technique more akin to your suggestion as I am noticing so discomfort in my hand and wrist when I play. It's probably a sign to adjust before it becomes something serious.

[@stephencshapiro]

Double Reverse P. Incredibly underrated setup. ❤

[@stayalwaysobjective]

...and what about the first 5-6 frets? You didn't touched them with the left leg position :) The floating thumb is a really good technique 👍🏻

[@EgonSpenglersTwinkie]

This is what I noticed as well. I find it incredibly uncomfortable on my fretting wrist when I play on my left leg. Much worse than any pain I've ever had in my picking wrist. I guess if you only ever play in the upper register, it's not much of an issue?

[@stayalwaysobjective]

@@EgonSpenglersTwinkie there are some "virtuoso-style" bass players, like the bassist in the video, who are using just the upper register :) ...it's a matter of taste, but I don't like it :)

[@janekgwizdala]

I just finished a show on the first night of a tour here on the East Coast. 90 minute show, played mostly in the lower register of the instrument. Sat down the whole gig, used the exact same technique in this video.

[@janekgwizdala]

Except I don't just use the upper register of the bass. I'd probably be homeless if that were the case. It's easier to show you the upper register in the video, that's all. The technique stays the same throughout the entire neck. I cover the entire neck in this video, also with the same technique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epWmqH9to9CZjNE

[@EgonSpenglersTwinkie]

@@janekgwizdala With all due respect Janek, that video that you linked shows you hitting the lower a register note maybe 6 times in that entire video, and the other 99.99% of the notes you're playing are in still in the middle/upper registers. I'm not going to presume to tell you that your technique is wrong, because you are clearly leagues better than I will likely ever be. My original comment wasn't meant to disparage you or your playing. It was just an observation. You're a player who lives in the middle/upper section of the fretboard, and there is nothing wrong with that, especially for someone who often uses a 5 and 6 string basses. For people like myself who may not have as big of a wingspan as you and predominately plays a 4 string, this technique is likely more damaging to the wrists. That was really all I meant. No disrespect intended.

[@mark-stefaniw]

Please do a follow-up video explaining that with your RH technique is supinated and uses the right (outside) part of the fingers, and is basically opposite that of upright bass where your hand is pronated to use the left (inside) part of the fingers. Does that make sense?

[@JorgeGarcia-ej3vy]

Such a great video. I know you dont typically play with a pick but how can we mute effectively when using a pick? I find I end up trying to do some weird palm mute thing

[@Bazzguit]

Hey Janek, nice video, any chances on getting a left hand technique video?

[@ShoesMagoo]

Thanks for another great Saturday morning lesson. Even though I'm already aware of the content that you covered, I still gained deeper insight into the concepts. I was personally never introduced to muting when I began playing and instinctively learned to use my fretting hand to do most of the work and my picking hand to cover the other areas. When I was introduced to picking-hand thumb muting it opened up a whole new level of play. It was shown to me as the 'floating' technique, and it has become so ingrained in my playing that I have to make a conscious and awkward effort to not use it. My thumb doesn't float way off to the side, but rather sticks pretty closely to my index finger. As you describe the anchoring technique to be of greater value for you and floating to be clumsy and less useful, I submit that having hitchhiker's thumb potentially plays a big role in that difference. I have zero hitchhiker's thumb and find the anchoring technique to be barely doable and significantly less efficient than floating. I can do a 'halfway-between' technique where I anchor very slightly while floating, but find it very difficult to anchor with the kind of firmness and precision that you demonstrate here. The laws of the YT comments section will no doubt dictate that there will be at least someone who chimes in to contradict me, and so be it, but my personal experience is that having a straight thumb means that full-on anchoring as shown here is an impractical technique which is best improved via floating. Cheers!

[@janekgwizdala]

Personal experience and preference far outweighs any advice from a strange (me) you might get on the internet. I throw this stuff out there based on my own experience, and whatever people connect with is great. Whatever people disagree with is sort of a waste of their time in doing so. Instead of nay saying in a comment on KZbin they could have been practicing or contributing to the world positively somewhere else... Good luck!

[@jkndrkn]

Over time and with practice I built a thumb-based muting technique very similar to what Janek uses. This enabled me to finally start learning how to play the six-string bass without having open strings ring all over the place. At first it felt very uncomfortable to play the high G and C strings and to string-skip. After a few weeks and definitely after 2-3 months it felt very natural and fluid. It wasn't something that came intuitively. Definitely had to woodshed in order to build the necessary muscle memory. I found that without securely anchoring the thumb I would occasionally let a string ring out or even touch a string too lightly and have the string ring out as a harmonic.

[@jkndrkn]

The key for me to develop the muting technique was to practice the thumb placement separately from plucking. I first placed the thumb and looked at my right hand and felt the strings under my thumb. Then I would pluck and listen for any ringing. This helped me build the necessary muscle memory and adapt the technique to basses with different numbers of strings and string spacings.

[@ShoesMagoo]

@@janekgwizdalaNo nay saying was intended, sir. I simply wished to express my observation, sharing my personal experience, that pick-hand thumb-muting may need to be approached slightly differently for those with vs without distal hyperextensibility of the thumb. The technique and its usefulness remain essentially the same and only change slightly based on corresponding differences in anatomy. My goal in sharing this difference (not disagreement) with this community is not to detract from your advice, but rather to add to it a caveat so that viewers who encounter difficulty with anchoring (as I have) are aware of a slightly modified approach that may be more conducive to their particular morphology. This detail could easily be overlooked, especially since your playing is so polished.

[@janekgwizdala]

@@ShoesMagoo I didn't meant to imply you were the nay sayer! It was when you referenced the laws of KZbin comments dictating someone would inevitably chime in and contradict you that I was referring to. Those people, if they have the time to contradict for no reason, would be better served working on something meaningful than being an anonymous keyboard warrior.

[@Barry101er]

Good ideas here!

[@MickemeMicken]

Great video! ❤I haven’t been playing the bass for very long, but while putting it on the left knee put my right hand in a better position, it feels a bit awkward for the left hand in the lowest register. I have to experiment with it for awhile I guess.

[@elambassist]

great stuff ! thanks for the knowledge

[@dustyaudio]

I got my first multi scale bass and oh boy I did not think about my muting technique needing an overhaul for it 😅

[@DaveH8905]

Janek, I can’t seem to figure out the palm muting thing. I have experimented with palm pressure, and placement, and no matter what I do, I barely get any sound out of the bass when playing. I don’t understand how to palm mute and still get such a full sound. If I try that, the bass is entirely muted. What am I doing wrong? 😂

[@callmejs]

This video (and the other last week "Sight reading for Bass") couldn't be coming out at a better time as I'm rekindling with the instrument after a long hiatus. Clear, concise, well produced video presenting your picking hand approach, all clearly explained with the associated rationale and benefits. Can't ask for more... I will certainly give those a slow and patient try out! How do you handle muting on descending runs, fretting hand taking care of business? For fast octave lines between two non-adjacent strings (à la funk or disco), what would be your approach with your thumb anchoring? Thanks for putting out such great content!

[@janekgwizdala]

Descending lines rely a little more on the fretting had to pick up the slack on the higher strings. With more intervalic leaps like octaves, I still employ basically the same shape on the picking hand, unless the tempo is incredibly high in which case the strings simply don't have time to ring between notes.

[@jupiterjupi9940]

Classic bass playing position works best for people primary using the "CASH REGISTERS" like Justin Raines, but it is a bit hard to play solo on high note registers

[@manfredoliveras3196]

Excellent content. Just asking, more than obvious I guess you play seated for the comfort, hands positions etc. any other reasons why?

[@janekgwizdala]

Economy of movement and less stress on the body are the two main factors. I also quit playing as a sideman on tour with pop and commercial acts many years ago, so from an image standpoint I'm not required to do anything I don't want to do. It's also important to point out that I don't sit 100% of the time when I play onstage, it's more that I stand 0% of the time when I practice at home. Having said that, it's a rare photo to find of me standing and playing on shows these days...

[@manfredoliveras3196]

@@janekgwizdala Thanks for your insight, very appreciated. Really learn from your KZbin lessons. Been playing for 30 years and when I saw you seated with the bass like a classical guitar was an eye opener in terms of playing position. Thanks for your time.

[@joannalewis5279]

I do this and rest strokes and I'm not sure which is better because different people say different things. Right now I'm using rest strokes resting on the B but I was using floating thumb.

[@liamburke1436]

Thanks for making this! Have you tried using a cushion on your left leg?

[@janekgwizdala]

Never tried that. Might be a bit unstable for my liking…? Would have to check it out

[@liamburke1436]

Cool! I’d be curious to see if you like it. You inspired me to start playing this way! But I prefer having my hips level playing for a long time. Ended up finding some supports designed for classical guitar on Amazon that have worked well! Still playing around with it. Thanks for the reply!

[@jkndrkn]

@@janekgwizdala I have seen classical guitarists use a special bracket or riser on their left leg so that they don't have to elevate their left leg. I imagine that for some people this slightly asymmetric seating posture could cause hip / back issues.

[@jonathanwilson642]

I struggle with this technique. I think because my thumb does not bend back at all. So I can never get comfortable placing it on the strings. I usually just keep my finger on the bottom string. Been trying to stretch myself by learning new techniques but this one is difficult. Do you have thoughts for people with weird thumbs like me?

[@Dax_Smith]

Great lesson and technique focus. Does your bass sit at the same place with and without a strap? When you have the strap on and sit, does your bass rest on your knee? Seems like I've seen videos of you sitting using a strap, maybe that's when you don't have a foot rest? Thanks.

[@janekgwizdala]

The strap does very little of the support. I use the strap when I'm out on a gig and don't have the same foot stall as at home. I always find something similar, but sometimes it's not adjustable and the strap needs to take some of the workload.

[@Mcsixstrings]

More technic video please janek

[@Bass_Baer_Extraordinaire]

I noticed that when you are talking about your thumb resting on the string below what you’re playing, when you are going through the chromatic thing at the beginning, your thumb actually floats when playing the E string instead of landing on the pickup. Is that something just subconscious that you do? I have tried to use the floating thumb more as kind of a dragging mute as I go up the strings instead of just the string below, just curious if that’s something you do as well

[@janekgwizdala]

I’m actually anchoring the thumb on the pickup, just not the tip of it. More the meaty part of the side of the thumb. It does look like it’s floating, but it is anchored.

[@oobeoobe]

I went from a 4 string to a 6 and had to change my rh technique to the floating thumb in front of the index and middle plucking fingers to effectively mute the low b and the e string. It was a bit awkward at first but it's a technique that I've found myself using on the 4 string without thinking about it now too. Its a better way to improve speed when crossing strings for sure. I've had a go using your rh style, Janek, with the thumb and plucking fingers kind of pinching togethe over the stings. You make the muting and articulation sound and look effortless. I struggle with not having hitchhiker thumb-ish and watching your rh you do make some use of that, so it doesn't translate so well for me. Having said that, I did use examples of your playing on other videos as a reference to changing from a 4 to a 6 string bass. As you say, I looked at how you play and took from it what felt right to me. I do think being able to palm mute with the rh and pluck with fingers and thumb is something I ought to learn how to be more comfortable with as it lends itself better to more dynamic playing. Ha! You make it look easy 😅 Great video on this, showing the varied ways of string muting, even the methods you don't use your self 👍

[@liamburke1436]

Also do you ever feel like your bass is trying to dive over your left leg in your seated position?

[@janekgwizdala]

Only with badly designed/awkward basses.

[@liamburke1436]

@@janekgwizdalagood to know! Appreciate it :)

[@SpLitSecondS_]

Спасибо Яник, было очень интересно!

[@Ansis99]

Nice! :) Thanks!

[@ArleyMcBlain]

what about the lowest notes? that looks like it must be a stretch, it looks like you’re mostly playing above the seventh fret…. maybe that’s most natural for your music?

[@janekgwizdala]

It doesn’t matter where you play on the neck, the concept for right hand muting stays the same.

[@grimtube]

You can reach all the lower notes even if the bass is shifted to the side between your legs. But as Janek mentions, find something that fits your body and playing, we're not all build the same.

[@ArleyMcBlain]

I just wonder if I would strain my left arm…. One way to find out, just try it for a couple hours!

[@grimtube]

@@ArleyMcBlain All depends on your reach and your technique, you don't want to play one finger per fret in that position, your arms need to have enough reach so that you're not straining them. Shoulders and elbow angle also play a role in avoiding injuries.

[@jkndrkn]

I have been super curious about your over-left-knee technique because I have right forearm pain. I have tried it with a couple basses but I find that the basses want to tip away from or toward my torso. one way or the other. How do you keep the bass vertically stable? Is it uncomfortable for your left hand to play by the nut for an extended period of time? Very grateful that you are addressing this topic because I have a hard time playing pain-free.

[@youtoobfarmer]

As he mentioned at the start of the video, he uses a foot stool to raise his left knee. The bottom of the bass appears to be resting on his torso, so that's enough to ensure that it stays in place.

[@janekgwizdala]

There are a few things you have to take into consideration. I'm raising my left leg on a foot stall, I'm often playing a shorter scale bass that is maybe 32 or 33 inches. I also have very well made and well balanced instruments with zero neck-dive no matter how I sit. When you couple all of those elements with perhaps a well adjusted and well fitted strap, you're going to find it way more comfortable.

[@jkndrkn]

@@janekgwizdalathank you for taking the time to respond. I plan to definitely check out shorter scale instruments. I have Serek MW2 due in the fall :]

[@mrventures]

I’ve heard the technique called ‘floating anchor’ or ‘moveable anchor’

[@eduluke2010]

Perfect timing, just past week I was checking your two older videos about right hand to avoid my Marcus angle style, tried to apply and to my surprise the adaptation was immediate. Now I just have to figure out how to deal with the tone difference. Feels more spongier with less attack than before, not sure if some callus still need to develop. Any tips on that?

[@janekgwizdala]

Calluses are a big part of the tone. I also like to make sure I have a ton of headroom with the amp so I’m not playing too hard and choking the sound.

[@eduluke2010]

@@janekgwizdala Perfect! Once again, thanks for this and everything else!

[@RCM-Bass]

What kind of left foot stand do you use?

[@janekgwizdala]

It changes pretty often. Sometimes I have a classical guitar footstalll because it folds flat and is easy to travel with. Right now at home I use a hard drive enclosure from 20 years ago that should be in a museum cos it’s the perfect height. It’s really just anything on hand at the end of the day.

[@GrooveRiderExpress]

But you also use your thumb to play, which is something I need to learn as well. If you play root, octave would that be thumb and middlefinger instead of index- and middlefinger....? 🤔

[@janekgwizdala]

There's no set rule for it, it's what it most comfortable for you. But more experimentation leads to more solutions.

[@jbhopper2827]

Great vid! I can never get comfortable on the left knee, mostly when I’m playing in the lower positions. My torso also twists while I’m playing this way. It looks very ergonomic when you do it, and seems very good for right hand technique (which I’ve had issues with). Do you think that the left knee style just doesn’t work for me? Or should I keep trying until it’s comfortable?

[@janekgwizdala]

It depends on a lot of things. Scale length is a big one of course. Huge difference between a regular 34 and the 32 I play more regularly. But the blue bass in this video is 34 so it’s definitely possible. Hadrien Feraud uses the same technique when sitting on a 34 for instance. Either way, it’s something you have to work towards slowly.

[@stuartanguish5111]

What are your thoughts on fret wraps for muting ?

[@janekgwizdala]

To be VERY blunt, and I'm on record as saying this for many years: Total bullshit. They're a crutch for people with poor muting technique. There are maybe two people on earth that I know of who could actually benefit from using them because their style is so unique. But the 1000's of players you see using them because they saw a well-produced ad, or one of their favorite bass players was talked into using them by a company? total waste of time, and a shortcut to avoid actually having to practice and be good at their instrument.

[@stuartanguish5111]

@@janekgwizdala I agree , just got my first five string so I’m deep diving muting

[@joannalewis5279]

I'm going to switch back to your approach unless I'm playing a really fast descending pattern across all strings

[@sherlock4791]

Idk if im a natural or what but i have my ring finger and pinky of plucking hand automatically muting different strings And i just realized it when i try it just now

[@KaltOhm]

Even though your right wrist is straight, your lower frets end up being quite far and your left wrist seem to bend quite a lot when playing on the lower registry of the instrument.

[@janekgwizdala]

There’s almost no pressure on the fretting hand and angling the instrument helps a lot when playing in the lower register. I’ve never experienced pain or injury using this technique.

[@davidgraham4915]

What about mostly pick players?

[@janekgwizdala]

It works great. I use a pick all the time and don't have to adjust my playing position at all.

[@soulfred]

Go!

[@danielelise7348]

Does your back ache at all sitting up like that, with it over your left knee?🤔

[@janekgwizdala]

No. But it took me a while to find the right balance.

[@OlettaLiano]

I have my bass strap adjusted so that my bass stays at the same place on my body no matter if I'm sitting or standing. That gives me one less thing to worry about.

[@welmoedprijs]

❤

[@einaraarnes1378]

How dosent your left legg fall asleep when you sitt like that? I gave it a shot, but i felt like my leg fell asleep

[@janekgwizdala]

Because I'm not putting any pressure on the instrument. There's no additional weight other than the bass, and I'm not 90lbs with zero muscle mass. I'm not saying that you are, but the only things I can think would cause your leg to go to sleep, besides a serious medical condition you're not aware of, would be incredible skinny legs or adding pressure to the bass somehow when you play it.

[@einaraarnes1378]

No medical condition. Got the muscle mass, probably putting pressure on the bass. I'll give it another shot. It was a dream for my left hand aka my plucking hand

[@michaelguse2467]

Janek, why do we see your beautiful F-bass so rarely... ????

[@janekgwizdala]

🤷‍♀️ It's tough to have more than one bass as your main bass. It's close in style to my Mattisson, but I prefer the Mattisson for my own music.

[@michaelguse2467]

@@janekgwizdala did you have to pay for the F bass?

[@janekgwizdala]

@@michaelguse2467 yes. I wanted to buy a bass because at the time I was trying to get out of the rat race of signature instruments, and didn’t want to have any expectations of content from a company.

[@polarbear3427]

I alway find the dinosaur hand very painfull to look at, so as flat as possible for me.