Teaching beginners always forces me to confront my so-called comfort zone. It happens
to all of us: Once we feel like we’re beyond beginner status, we tend to take the
fundamental stuff for granted. I was teaching the student about fingerstyle pluckinghand
technique. I reinforced the alternating-finger concept, pointing out the importance
of a solid thumb-anchor. I had the student pluck a few notes with his thumb
free-floating, and then with the thumb anchored on the pickup (Fig. 1). The immediate
difference in strength and control is obvious.
The only problem with this, at least in terms of credibility, is that I don’t do it that
way. I think I did originally, but since those days my fingerstyle technique has evolved
significantly. Now, I tend to move my thumb to the next highest string from the one
I’m plucking (Fig. 2). If I’m plucking the bass’s lowest string (E or B, depending on
the bass), then most of the time I—egads—don’t anchor my thumb at all. I think I’m
at the point, strength-wise, where I can get away with this. My shifting thumb anchor
gives me a greater sense of control and helps me play quicker.
Either way, spend some time considering what your thumb is up to. When it comes
to plucking-hand technique, I don’t believe a doctrinaire approach works too well. Regardless,
try some other methods to see if they feel comfortable and help your plucking-hand
confidence.
