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

[73jbass]

A simple search would give you plenty of answers.No need to post the same question in 5 different threads.

[Projectile]

Originally Posted by 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

Yes, tons. I'm amazed that you have never seen a bassist use a pick. It's quite common actually. A couple of companies make picks that are designed for bass, but most bassists just use regular heavy guitar picks. Generally you want to use a fairly thick/stiff pick. How thick is up to you. Around 1mm is a good place to start.

[Hyper-sloth]

Originally Posted by 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

Paul McCartney anyone? Also Sting played one quite a bit, Anthony Jackson has made much stellar music with a pick. Chris Squire of Yes. I use one about 20% of the time. If your sound is too "clicky" for the church, try a felt pick or a leather one. I like a thick stiff pick myself; I look for the clicky sound when I go for a pick.

[CosmicRay]

Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead uses a pick, and so did the late Berry Oakley of the Allman Bros.
Both amazing bassists!
There is also a felt type of pick out there....but me, I pluck 'em

[funkmangriff]

wahay! you've been promoted! congratulations!

if ur comfortable with the pick u got then keep using it, not sure if they make picks especially for bass, ive never looked, i just use a Dava pick from the guitar shop that i sometimes use.