Why guitar/bass-ists play close to the bridge?Music

[AlexGTV]

One thing that immediately separates experienced from beginner guitar/bass-ist is the position of the right hand, which is close to the bridge and to the neck respectively?

Why do you think that is so? I can't help but notice. My style also, 6 years playing.

 

[Camaroyenko]

A little bit more "crisp" of a sound.

 

[Danoff]

Harmonics. You can control the harmonics much better from there.

 

[AlexGTV]

Harmonics. You can control the harmonics much better from there.

What about Slash? He seldom plays harmonics.

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

Also, quick palm mutes. 👍

A lot of guitarists don't though, as the sound can be a little too bright.

 

[Slash]

Depends on the song I'm playing, but usually the sound is cripsier and makes for easy harmonics. Sometimes less string noise too.

 

[Danoff]

What about Slash? He seldom plays harmonics.

He's playing closer to the bridge too (may not hendrix I guess)... Best place for harmonics (in my experience) is right around the pickup at the base of the fingerboard or maybe between that and the middle pickup. Obviously there are harmonics all over the place, but the ones I use the most are near the fingerboard.

Also, playing close to the fingerboard probably offers a tapping advantage.

 

[Tom]

I've been playing guitar for 8 years and I play closer to the bridge, it's a natural hand position for myself and it doesn't put so much strain on my wrist.

 

[Bigbazz]

I don't think there is any truth to this, you play where it is needed for the sound you're searching for, the harmonics you want to emphasize in your chords/lead playing and based on what is naturally more comfortable.

With the bridge and neck being the opposite extremes in terms of sound and comfort for playing, its much more likely that you will gravitate towards one of them rather than staying in the middle, depending on what you're playing. But, I've been playing just over 11 years now, its not unusual for me to be in a relaxed position with my picking hand nearer the bridge but the actual picking taking place closer to the middle pickup, which is what Slash and Steve Vai are both doing in the above pictures.

 

[Danoff]

I've been playing just over 11 years now, its not unusual for me to be in a relaxed position with my picking hand nearer the bridge but the actual picking taking place closer to the middle pickup, which is what Slash and Steve Vai are both doing in the above pictures.

The meat of your palm near the bridge is the best place to muffle the strings without running into the prospect accidentally pushing them into the pickups. If you do a lot of muffling with your right hand, I can see gravitating toward the bridge (but I don't like to pick there because the notes aren't as full).

I just realized that I might pick near the neck because I use the whammy for vibrato a lot and you have better control with your hand near the end of the whammy....

Anyway, different strokes I guess. I was trying to show with the photos that lots of fantastic guitarists pick pick up near the fingerboard too.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I place my right hand just in front of the middle pick-up, but only just. I find the tension spot-on for me personally in the area. If I use the tremolo I'm forced to play at the neck pick-up because of the whammy bar. Which is why if I'd ever get a custom made Strat, it'd come with a shorter whammy bar. I pretty much play at the exact same position as David Gilmour:

I don't mute my strings or play harmonics at the bridge, just at the same position I usually play in. It's purely about personal comfort and style.