I am relatively new to clawahmmer and progressing very well so far (in my opinion) : ) I am at about page 50 or so in Dan Levenson's manual.
I have read several threads trying to address this, but I want to make sure I getting to the reason I am not always getting a sound out of my 5th string. If I am playing slow and methodically I get good tone out of the 5th string. When bringing up the tempo I sort of lose any tone or sound out of my 5th string. I thinking this is entirely how I am using my thumb. I have watched several players use the thumb differently in my observations. I have seen people use the thumb relatively flat and it flexing a little on the up stroke, ringing out the 5th string. I have also seen the thumb with a slight arch to it. I imagine everyone have different thumb lengths too making this appear the way it does as well. Also I am sure individual techniques develop over time as well.
Anyway, Is this something that improves as you play more or is there something I need to address with this? Reading in Dan's book he says not worry about it for now but unless I am thinking about it I am not getting the sound consistently especially playing/striking on the 4th and 3rd string. Watching some videos of Dan's playing he seems to have a very light touch and a light arch to his thumb (hitting at about the 10 o'clock area of his thumb.) Others I have watch seem to have a creatively flat thumb and it flexes a bit as the thumb releases on the up-stroke.
anyway would like to hear some advice that I can apply. Work has been slow and I have been practicing for about 5 hours a day recently....
Rich