If there’s one thing players consistently overlook in thumb position, it’s elbow height. It sounds almost too simple, but getting this right can transform how fluidly and effortlessly you play up the neck.
The Problem: The Elbow Is Too Low
When I watch players work in thumb position, the most common issue I see is a low elbow. Some players even rest the side of their bass against their arm like an armrest, which isn’t doing your instrument any favors, and it’s definitely not doing your technique any favors either.
When the elbow drops, the hand has to reach for the string rather than coming naturally over the fingerboard. That reaching creates tension, reduces leverage, and makes it significantly harder to press the string down cleanly.
The Fix: Raise the Elbow, Relax the Shoulder
By lifting the elbow, the hand can come around and over the fingerboard in a much more natural curve. From that position, your fingers have real leverage as they’re pressing down into the string rather than straining toward it.
One important caveat: raising the elbow doesn’t mean tensing the shoulder. It’s extremely common to raise one and accidentally raise the other. Keep your shoulder relaxed so the weight of your arm stays connected to the string. That weight is doing useful work for you.
It’s also worth noting that elbow height isn’t fixed; it shifts depending on which string you’re on. The lower the string, the higher the elbow needs to be. Staying aware of that adjustment as you move between strings is a big part of playing comfortably in thumb position.
The Clarke Thumb Drill
One of my favorite ways to work on this is the Clark thumb drill. Originally a trumpet exercise written by Herbert Clark, it’s been cheerfully borrowed by bass players (as we do), and it translates beautifully to thumb position work.
What makes it particularly useful for this concept is that it crosses three strings, which means you’re constantly making those small elbow-height adjustments. You can also transpose it — start the same exercise on the A string instead of the D string, for example, to get the same technical benefits on the lower strings.
As with anything, start slowly and use a metronome. Working at a deliberate tempo gives you the space to focus on what your elbow is doing, notice how the hand feels when it’s positioned correctly, and build the habit properly before increasing the tempo.
Where to Get the Exercise
I’ve put together a free thumb position technique packet that includes the Clark thumb drill along with a few other exercises.
The more you integrate this elbow awareness into your playing, the more thumb position will start to feel fluid and tension-free. Good luck, and I’ll see you next time!
For more of Lauren’s insights, visit her Technique Tuesday series and sign up for the Double Bass HQ newsletter to have the series delivered to your inbox each week.
