Right hand technique for bass - Vlog

[@giorgimiqaberidze7146]

This is very good technique. I am beginner and found this now. it is more comfortable and ergonomic style. Thanks a lot

[@eduardoaquino3556]

Hi Janek, I would suggest instead of the splitscreen, having the main shot always on and showing the right hand when it's needed on a little rectangle (maybe a little smaller than 1/4th of the screen) , probably to the lower left. And also, like the other guys mentioned before, let the right hand camera show your plucking fingers better. Keep up the good work!

[@crawfordwdow]

+1

[@micheleazzu]

This is a great video, I love your work Janek, I've been following you for years! I just wanted to point one thing: unfortunately using the C-shape on the left hand, with the thumb between the fingers, causes many bass players actually to bend the wrist extensively. This, for example, happens for me, and I'm speaking for experience as I had to stop playing for a whole year, years ago, due to tendinitis. So, I think you may agree as you perfectly said the main concern is to not bend your wrist. For many people this is actually achieved by placing the thumb a little behinfd the index, and not between 1st and 2nd. But as I can see the C-shape works perfectly for you, it we are different people with different shapes and dimension and genetics. Keep up the good work!

[@michellemonettemusic]

Hey Janek! Showing your right hand technique is for sure helpful. It's amazing how often the right hand gets ignored, but it is so important. I definitely preferred the front view, as there was a better view of your fingers, while still getting a good shot of your wrist. Someone else in the comments mentioned having a picture-in-picture view with the shot of the right hand being off in a corner, and I totally agree with that idea. I would much rather have a larger view of the main shot while still being able to see what's happening with the right hand. You could always make adjustments based on the specific topic you are discussing, giving a larger shot of the right hand instead when that would be of benefit. I would love to hear you discuss technique more and would love to have insight into any strategies you may have for helping develop relaxation while playing. I have had issues where I play with too much pressure and tension for years and I have finally started addressing that over the last month or so. I have been refining my technique and focusing on being more relaxed when I play and now am no longer having problems with my left wrist that have plagued me off and on for the last two or so years.

[@DojoOfCool]

Ones of guitar players I've like they dedicated a guitar to filming. They would have a camera on the headstock pointing down the neck so the depending on height of camera they can shoot either rigth or left hand shots. Then another camera behind the bridge to get right hand shots, but on guitar there is more body to mount to behind the bridge. So maybe you can come up with a clamp-on camera to get those angles on your bass.

[@stevenzielinski432]

I like the second camera. I also like the idea of a split screen with a close up and a full shot of you playing. It would give people a great detailed view of a close up combined with the overall view.

[@scottyshepardthesmoothdeep3081]

Hey I am just starting on trying to learn how to play the bass guitar, and that is very helpful and very simple to understand, so many people are on KZbin showing how to do stuff, and I gained nothing at all, cause, they are above my level on playing, and they don't know how to make it very simple for a beginner, thanks.

[@crawfordwdow]

I have missed the soundtracks. Glad to have them back

[@nephilymbass1]

I think a go pro on the headstock shows me more detail on players technique because i can see details hidden by the top of the hands. You can often catch a bit of the thumb creeping up behind the neck as well and you can see if the right wrist is straight.

[@eliwesterveld]

I think it really depends on what you think is important in that particular lesson. If technique is an important focus point of the lessen it can be very helpful to show different angles.

[@billkirbymusic]

Like the right hand view! Totally agree with the foot stool. It would be cool to have an option of half view (side by side)but it would be nice to be able to turn it off and switch views depending on what the watcher wants to see.

[@ryanwalters2680]

Hey Janek...I just love your playing...I have been playing bass for like centuries..self taught..as we don't have schools for bass or a proper bass teacher..I have all your bass video's..I hope to be one of your students soon

[@Squares1960]

This is a great idea ! I just did an open air gig today , yes it was sunny in England over a bank holiday weekend, and the sun cast rather an unflattering shadow of my right wrist really bent over so I would really relish some blogs / lessons on how to improve my right hand technique! Split screen side by side would be better! Thanks man love the blog!

[@louismenard1018]

Janek you're actually the only bassist I've ever seen using this "straight wrist" technique, everyone else is doing the bent thing. It is really nice though, very very relaxed and natural. The different angle changes the sound slightly in a nice way. But WARNING : the switch from standard technique to this one will cause painful calluses !

[@MarcoH72]

Your right hand technique seems to be influenced by classical guitar technique which is very different from what I see from most bass players. It clearly works well for you. I'm guilty of bending at the wrist with my right had which has caused problems for me. I have tried your right hand technique, but I find it very difficult to change after playing one way for so long.

[@markfretless]

Try switching cameras with full screen shots of both and then a split screen with both camera angles in it. You could adjust appropriately according to the complexity of the exercise/ technique(s) being demonstrated. Best Wishes and Warm Regards :)

[@wirecaster]

I probably prefer a camera position for right hand techniques at the same height, but from the opposite angle that you can look at the tips of your fingers while playing. Now that part is hidden behind the back of your right hand most of the time.

[@jonathanmilesbrown5232]

Apart from showing the straightness of your wrist I don't think the right hand (to you) close up camera was particularly helpful. I'd be more interested in a close up of your right hand from the view point of the straight on camera. That way I could see your plucking fingers. As it is I can't tell whether you play with two fingers a la Jaco or three a la Gary Willis. Either way, those two play(ed) perpendicular to the strings whereas you seem to have your fingers at an angle to the strings. Interestingly, said angle appears to be the opposite of what an upright player such as Niels P used. Does that change/invert the plucking "order"? Would be interesting to get Chelsea's take on that as a player of both.

[@maxlemesurier]

I agree , seeing the fingers of the right hand on the strings would be super.

[@AlecHewes]

Janek, I think a really useful thing to demonstrate would be how we as bass players can play grooves and basslines whilst maintaining a very straight wrist and not having to rely on anchorage with the thumb. Over the past few years I have noticed my right arm/wrist/hand begin to tire and fatigue and generally feel less responsive when I play, so I have been trying to adopt a better right hand technique one that maintains a straighter wrist and less anchorage with the thumb. I find this works nicely when I am playing soloistic melodic lines however when it comes to playing grooves and basslines, which is obviously 90% of what most bass players do, I find I have to use a degree of thumb anchorage which naturally leads to more bend in the wrist. So I think it could be really helpful if you could demonstrate a really great right hand technique playing something like a Micheal Jackson record or anything else like that with a really strong groove, perhaps using your P bass or your Mayones. Sorry for the long post! I also think the front on camera angle is best for the right hand! Many thanks!

[@RealKingChief]

I really like that 'front-on' angle at 6:07

[@calkel2]

How about a picture-in-picture view with the right hand camera confined to a corner?

[@PavelSemin]

Hi Janek! I have a question about your left hand position. When you resting your bass on left leg it gives more easy access to the highest positions, and on your videos most time you spending about 12 fret and above. But what's about first positions? It looks like farther and higher from you than in right leg position. Does it create more tension to play in low positions in that posture?

[@ajadrew]

I thought the rhand camera should be further to the right (your left)....to actually see what the fingers do? However, I don't think of your rhand barring the fact that it's a struggle to get up to those tempos using my traditional technique, alternate with some rakes...Interestingly though...your lhand tab on Ex 16, Melodic Minor Triplet Exercise made me think...To play your pattern you'd start with pinkie whereas I started with first... so I identified an area needing work, cheers..;-))

[@WilliamBodily]

I do like the second camera. I think it will be very useful. There have been times I have found myself wondering about playing more interesting patterns with the right hand while playing an arpeggiated chord. The thumb, index, middle finger and back down again is vanilla and can get quite boring. Being able to see your right hand, how you pluck patterns, mute strings, etc... will be very useful information. The view after the switch at 6:03 is much better. As far as how to display it, I like the picture in picture method. I would say swapping back and forth, (like you have been doing in this Vlog episode) as needed to give focus to the information you are trying to convey is good. I would let your decision to use which shot be dynamic. Maybe some videos won't need that shot at all. Maybe some videos it will be the main one used and you can pop out to the normal view every once in a while to talk when the focus of the conversation doesn't need to be there. A top down angle would be great too, especially to see how you manipulate and work with your pedals. That one is definitely a bit trickier to capture well. Trying to keep tripods and mounts out of other camera views gets more and more difficult the more you add. Not impossible, but definitely gets challenging. Overall though I like the additional angle! It looks great, the lighting is good and it's clear. Looking forward to seeing how you decide to use it. Thank you!

[@OMGPROWTF]

I think that secondary camera angle thing is a great idea. Maybe consider keeping the bass on the same leg for the duration of the shot though, seeing as how the angle you had the camera set up at worked a lot better when you had it on your right leg. That, or you could turn to the right slightly when placing it on your left leg.

[@matthieuhedir1153]

Hi Janek! I agree with the other guy, for me you should always have the main front camera on the right, and when you need it, use a separation on a verticale fashion. Personnaly I like more the last camera set up! Hope it can be usefull for the realisation of your amazing work 🤗

[@simonzauels]

Hey Janek, instead of using a footstool you could use a Dynarette Guitar Cushion. You´ll not get physical problems that can develop from foot stool use. For me it works perfect! Thank you very much for your Vlogs!

[@richardlyons7582]

Split screen left and right Janek

[@cyrilperon-dehghan9444]

Hey Janek! Cyril from Marseille^^ Great idea for the two/three cameras for the vlog. I think leaving the "montage"( cutting the rushes) is best if it's left to you. I think it will be better than a 2 or 3 screens during the whole time of the video. But it might be more work for you to do like this so... Do it as easy as possible for you! But the idea of having different angles is very nice. Great stuff as always (even if I don't play bass^^) thank you very much!

[@_knitch]

Doesn't keeping the thumb between ring and middle finger cause you to bend your wrist in the low register?

[@DSchopz]

Do you have a course on a intensive right hand and left hand technique???

[@Alanoffer]

Jeez janek I haven't seen your blog for a while But the production values have gone wild .. brilliant .. when is the book

[@m9teo]

I think that the front view of the right hand is freekin sweet. i wouldnt like a split screen, i would like the right hand (or left hand) to pop up only when needed for didactic purposes, and for the rest of the video to be all about the master shot.

[@KenGrantMusic]

Hi Janek! - Right hand cam from your right side is not as helpful to me because your hand blocks our view of how the fingers strike the strings. Head-on or a shot from your left into your right hip may be more helpful. - I love the idea of an overhead cam on left hand because this is more like what we would see when we play our own instruments! - Split screen might be hard to see if watching on mobile but otherwise very cool. Thank you!

[@roddil777]

POV cam. so we can see the fingerboard from your POV. ...may be helpful for some things like chord shapes etc.

[@afinepress]

Do you find the bass slides out from you when you're on the left leg?

[@jakubgiernatowski2885]

In the era of super duper ultra high 8K i don't think it's necessery to cut fullscreen or split in half with the right hand close-up. Sure looks cool, you can save it for VBL or gear reviews and promos, while here where you are regarded not only as an educator, but also a vlogger, an artist etc. it's good to see all your expression. And as you stated yourself, music is not a meritocracy :P #TeamMasterAngle

[@takeonemusic5537]

maybe a good cam angle would be using two cams overhead close up from a bass players perspective!!???!

[@Brookzplayzmuzic]

what was the song playing at beginning

[@aligogusoglu4762]

Hi Janek, what about your string stripping For example g on g string to d on d string do you use same finger while changing string ( with 1 finger - 4th to 3rd string ) I hope i could clearly explain my question Thanks

[@patrickdubois7692]

I think the right hand split screen only when you are trying to show something specific, otherwise it is distracting (especially for an A.D.D. boy like myself ;)

[@stpete2608]

I think for right hand views, an overhead type view that's sort of your point of view would be good. Maybe split screen of that with the front view you have if you're doing specific right had videos.

[@miladbaygan10]

Hi Janek, do you change your right hand technique for playing funky groovy lines?I'm using floating thumb technique for 4 months, I'm practicing this technique everyday but when i play fast, sometimes my fingertips lock under the string. Any advise.

[@UnseeingWorm]

When playing with the bass on the left knee how do you not get tired in the shoulder when playing in the low register?

[@alonsomiranda2598]

Were did you got your case

[@vincent_auduc]

For the video set up, you have to pay attention on the lighting.

[@takeonemusic5537]

ref to 06.50 where u say traditional right hand is open to injury....well I've been playing like that for 30yrs and have no probs!!!personally, I prefer the traditional right-hand technique for bass as is much more comfy for me.....your technique is more like a classical guitar player which doesn't feel natural to me...each to their own as for left-hand technique, the classical positions much more important as regards to injury minimizing and I've had very few problems in my yrs of playing as I've always learned good tech​​hnique...i hope?!?!

[@bbulla]

With your bass on left knee I did not like #1. #2 was better but a bit more to you left would make your fingers more visible to the camera.

[@LegoAnimators77]

I think a third angle would be perfect as I didn't notice I was leaving thumb behind until today, also much prefer these 10 mins vlogs instead of 20/25

[@DSchopz]

6:58 how do fix that wrong technique?

[@channel.mp4260]

Nice bass drone to start the vid. Hehe

[@cameronlesley2428]

Hi janeck I appreciated the hand positioning tip as have been an ET play for a while and recently started getting pain in my right forearm and elbow forcing me to drop my bass significantly on my strap. Many thanks Cameron. Perhaps you could have a camera behind the neck capturing left hand position and you film your self doing grooves , solos , and chords and show the difference

[@vincent_auduc]

Classical guitar has a huge influence on your technique ! Even if I play a lot of classical guitar, I play bass with the same right hand technique as the majority of the bass players. Maybe I should try yours.

[@kindnick58]

JG!

[@takeonemusic5537]

please say centigrade

[@ulfgj]

the plucking hand cam should be the main shot just zoomed in

[@graulix5071]

Saludame plis

[@keithruddell1800]

uh oh no post last night!!! he's human!!!!!!!! HUMAN!!!! HE'S HUMAN!!!!! KNEE TOGGLE DANCE

[@keithruddell1800]

he posted one hour later. we love him.

[@matthieuhedir1153]

Hi Janek! I agree with the other guy, for me you should always have the main front camera on the right, and when you need it, use a separation on a verticale fashion. Personnaly I like more the last camera set up! Hope it can be usefull for the realisation of your amazing work 🤗