Playing with a pick

TheLowDownOne · Sea Monkey Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 13 Location: USA

It must be the guitar player in me but I use a pick when I play bass. A few people have told me its wrong to use a pick..even a guy who I wanted to give me bass lessons. i find I can lock in with the drummer better and get a beter rhythm going that if I use my fingers..Is it wrong to use a pick???

Grant · Sea Monkey Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 14

It isn't wrong at all, while I don't use one myself, they can give a pretty cool sound.

Grant

bcf717 · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject:

Lots of bassists use a pick. Most notably Paul McCartney. Perhaps the teacher wants you to be more versatile. There is a difference in sound between the pick and the fingers. But as far as wrong. No.
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-Ryco · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:38 pm Post subject:

playing with a pick is a GREAT thing to do! Especially helpful for recording! Wish i could but the dang things spin around in my fingers and i end up using weird sides -- or just dropping 'em. Nice sharp attack. I would however encourage you to learn finger style and thumb slap. It's just some more colors for your musical paint box. peace
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jskline · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:24 pm Post subject: Use of a pick on a bass

It's not wrong...

It's just "different". It produces a different sound. Guitar players will use different techniques to produce unusual tonal qualities, et al.

Old style country music predominantly used picks on the electric basses which gave a sound similar to plucking of an upright (since on upright's, your usually down near the bridge).

It's just a different sound. Done it myself from time to time. Listen to some old Patsey Cline songs and you'll hear it a lot there.

Cheers

Liquid-Tension · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:07 am Post subject:

I dont, but you can get the same sound with the top of your nail, so why bother!? Razz

-Ryco · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:07 am Post subject:

Mkuk0 · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:

Wow Ryco, welcome back!
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Ankhanu · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:10 am Post subject:

Yup, nothing wrong with a pick if that's the sound you're after and it lets you play the instrument. Like the others, I would encourage experimenting with finger techniques as well, if only to expand what's open to you.

While I'm primarily a finger style man, I use a pick from time to time (Jim Dunlop Big Stubby 2.0mm mostly) for chording, sharp attack and strumming songs. It depends on the style as to what's going to work best.

gramthebassist · Newbie Alert Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 4

Try studying some of the older Guns N' Roses material (ie) "Sweet Child o' Mine". Their bassist (Duff Mckagan) plays with a pick too and has alot of differant creative fills to include into the music. He likes to use the pick to give his playing a "punch". (ie) the song "You Could Be Mine" by Guns N' Roses...

^ There's just something to think about.

beglobal · Newbie Alert Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

I dont know if its right or wrong... but my brother also uses a pick and he plays bass and guitar sience he was 10!!! Razz

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peterbright · Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:16 am Post subject:

Practice both ways. Also try the felt pick if you haven't yet.

bazzanderson · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:52 am Post subject:

I've ALWAYS been a fingerstyle metal, punk and alt bass player BUT I'm starting to realize that slower to mid tempo songs (for me) sound better when I use a pick (big stubby - dunlop). Faster songs...I'm always better and more precise with my fingers but it's the exact opposite for slower songs....always more precise and accurate with a pick. You'd think it'd be the other way around....oh well.

-Ryco · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:13 am Post subject: Question:

I've tried playing with a pick, but they always end up spinning around so I'm playing on the wrong edges. Evntually I end up dropping them out of frustration. How do you keep picks from rolling around between thumb and finger(s)?
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Blikeng · Newbie Alert Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 4

I've used a pick since I started at the age of 11, and now after 5 years of experience I'd say you should play whatever suits you the most. I'm way more comfortable playing with a pick than with my fingers. And I also like the sound of it better Wink