Novice Question

[jackajesusfreak]

I'm 55 years old and have been playing 6 string acc and/or electric since I was 11 years old. About a month ago the praise band leader at our church asked me if I could play bass for the new band we started at our new campus. I accepted the challenge. Now, I've used a pick for 44 years and now I'm trying to learn how to play without one. My question is, does anyone use a pick to play bass, and if so, do they make a special pick for a bass? Sorry for the ignorance, but I'll never know if I don't ask. Thanks.
Jack

[janekbass]

great question, and I really wish I had an hour to answer it cos I really believe it deserves that amount of time.

firstly YES! many people use a pick with the bass. paul mcartney for instance.... and you should check out anything that Carol Kaye has ever played on. She was a guitar player and got asked to play bass at the last minute on a record date. so she did! and just used a pick. She ended up being one of the most legendary studio bass players of all time, and I was fortunate enough to play for her the ceremony for her lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles Last year. She's an incredible woman, and I'm sure there's some footage of her on youtube to check out her technique.

Picks for the bass tend to be a little heavier than guitar picks. but it's all personal choice. I love all kinds of picks with all kinds of basses. just try out a bunch of options until you get comfortable with something you like.

Good luck!!

Easy,

Janek

[jackajesusfreak]

Thanks Janek