Learn The Floating Thumb Technique on Electric Bass
Lesson objective:
I will teach the floating thumb technique on electric bass to help with fluent plucking and string muting. This lesson can be taught to a variety of different levels and can be adjusted to the student’s previous experience on the electric bass.
Age of student this lesson is intended for: 13+
Playing experience this lesson is intended for: Low intermediate - Advanced
Materials (provided during lesson): Audio recording and sheet music/tablature of one or more of the songs listed below
Repertoire for practicing this technique:
Easy: When You Come Around by Green Day
Intermediate: Chameleon by Herbie Hancock
Advanced: Face First by Tribal Tech
Warm up:
-Finger tapping; tap each finger of each hand to your thumb without moving your thumb
-Wrist circles; loosens up the wrists
-Caterpillar warmup; gets the fretting hand and fingers flowing smoothly on the fret board
Lesson timeline for 45-min lesson (always subject to change):
5min: Warm up / refresher from previous lesson
5min: Demonstration / background information of this technique being used
15min: Learn the technique and becoming comfortable changing strings with the floating thumb
15min: Learn one of the given songs and apply floating thumb technique to the bass part
5min: Recap, and discuss what to practice at home during the week