All you pick users...

5string5fingers · #1 11-17-2010, 06:28 AM

Lend me your skills!

I've been a finger player ever since I started playing bass. Rarely have I used a pick,unless I'm screwing around. If I use it during band practice,half way through the song I toss it and go back to my fingers. I've got alternate picking down,but overall I just feel clumsy with one,and I'm not as nimble(string skipping) as I am with my fingers.

I use fingers 80% of the time because that's how I started and how I'm most comfortable. But I want to improve,expand my horizions,and to do that, I MUST break through my comfort zone and force myself to use a pick. Many of my favorite bass players use picks.

So what I ask from you are tips,tricks,practices,and any advice you can give to help me progress,and get better with a pick.

jgroh · #2 11-17-2010, 06:34 AM

I did the exact opposite, I played with a pick for 22 years exclusively and then when I got my fretless, I wanted to be able to use my fingers just as well. As corny as it sounds, there was no magic formula for me other than to just start using it.

Play all the songs you already know but only with a pick. It may be awful at first but just keep playing. Get the Bass Fitness book if you dont have it already and run through all those exercises using only a pick. I almost went back to all pick several times because I couldnt play as fast or as smooth with my fingers, but just keep doing it. Im so glad I did and now I am probably 90% a finger player!

5string5fingers · #3 11-17-2010, 06:37 AM

Yea thats another problem I have is playing smoothly.

dj150888 · #4 11-17-2010, 07:33 AM

Unfortunately, much like when you were learning with fingers, theres no magic trick. Practice, concentrate on getting an even attack at first, you can work on your dynamics more when you have the control to play evenly.

Don't be tempted to start too fast, playing super-fast will just cover up poor timing and such.

hdracer · #5 11-17-2010, 07:39 AM

What pick's are you using? I went through about 15 diferent types & brands untill I found what worked for me. Big Stubby 2.0 are my fav with the 1.0 for real fast stuff. The right pick makes a lot of difference

HeadyVan Halen · #6 11-17-2010, 07:45 AM

Practice on bass.
Then
Practice on girlfriend.

VinKreepo · #7 11-17-2010, 07:53 AM

Practice RHCP songs with a pick... his lines range from simple to complex and have lotsa string jumps.

jgroh · #8 11-17-2010, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadyVan Halen

Practice on bass.
Then
Practice on girlfriend.

+1:

Mr. Mig · #9 11-17-2010, 07:56 AM

I can play with either fingers or pick. I practice with both. I'll my practice with fingers then run some routines with a pick.

rockstarbassist · #10 11-17-2010, 07:59 AM

Lots of pop/punk has pick use, as well as metal. I learned from two of the rock masters in Newsted and Rex, so that pretty much covers a lot of the spectrum.
Or just learn your favorite tunes that you already know with a pick. I will say that having too thick of a pick can hamper beginners, and a good starting point is either the green .88 or blue 1.00 Dunlop Tortex picks. I used the .88s for years, tried the 1.00s a while, and now back to the .88s. I accidentally got a set of the 1.14s and woof- way too much!

snaverb · #11 11-17-2010, 08:08 AM

Best way to learn to use a pick is just play with one. Practice with one until you feel comfortable. Also, you have to adjust your right hand ( assuming your right handed ) technique. When i play with fingers my right hand is in a different position than when I play with a pick.

I use Dunlop .88 picks, the green ones. My favs

Vakmere · #12 11-17-2010, 08:18 AM

I could never figure out how to use a pick on my bass. The handle makes it awkward and the steel causes dents.

5string5fingers · #13 11-17-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

What pick's are you using? I went through about 15 diferent types & brands untill I found what worked for me. Big Stubby 2.0 are my fav with the 1.0 for real fast stuff. The right pick makes a lot of difference

Dunlop tortex .88 mm and 1.0

5string5fingers · #14 11-17-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

Lots of pop/punk has pick use, as well as metal. I learned from two of the rock masters in Newsted and Rex, so that pretty much covers a lot of the spectrum.
Or just learn your favorite tunes that you already know with a pick. I will say that having too thick of a pick can hamper beginners, and a good starting point is either the green .88 or blue 1.00 Dunlop Tortex picks. I used the .88s for years, tried the 1.00s a while, and now back to the .88s. I accidentally got a set of the 1.14s and woof- way too much!

Yep I got a 1.14 I use some times when I want more power. .88s are for faster stuff,and 1.0 are regular. Newsted and Inez are my top 2.

AFRO · #15 11-18-2010, 07:29 PM

I am primarialy a fingers player, but I practice at least one day per week with a pick. (if not just for certain songs I like to play.) Im like "no matter what" approach. if I put it down, its for a sec..then back in my hand.

if you dont want to dedicate a day to it I would suggest this. play your warm up routine with it and maybe a song or two that are really enjoying at the time. (or something like some scales in the circle of fifths)

it helps to get a pick you like and is comfortable so try a lot. I have some that are shaped differently so I need to hold them in a certain manner and so on.

also find a thickness you like. the flimbsy guitar picks dont work well for me. my most used one is a 'Fender Hard' that is trianglular.. it has round-ish sides and like 45 degree points.. I would also suggest you challenge yourself to incorperate palm mutes with the meaty part of your hand.

but play songs you like in the begining, otherwise you may seem less intrested and not give it a honest try. if you keep it fun you will enjoy it more IMO.
and finally it will take time, but the more you do, the more you get used to it, and the better it sounds.. MAKE your self play and HAVE FUN and you will be fine bro.

Awkwardturtle! · #16 11-18-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFRO

I am primarialy a fingers player, but I practice at least one day per week with a pick. (if not just for certain songs I like to play.) Im like "no matter what" approach. if I put it down, its for a sec..then back in my hand.

if you dont want to dedicate a day to it I would suggest this. play your warm up routine with it and maybe a song or two that are really enjoying at the time. (or something like some scales in the circle of fifths)

it helps to get a pick you like and is comfortable so try a lot. I have some that are shaped differently so I need to hold them in a certain manner and so on.

also find a thickness you like. the flimbsy guitar picks dont work well for me. my most used one is a 'Fender Hard' that is trianglular.. it has round-ish sides and like 45 degree points.. I would also suggest you challenge yourself to incorperate palm mutes with the meaty part of your hand.

but play songs you like in the begining, otherwise you may seem less intrested and not give it a honest try. if you keep it fun you will enjoy it more IMO.
and finally it will take time, but the more you do, the more you get used to it, and the better it sounds.. MAKE your self play and HAVE FUN and you will be fine bro.

+ 1 on playing warm up routines with it, it helps a lot
Use whatever pick you want. I use fender heavy picks for everything and there amazing.

uhdinator · #17 11-18-2010, 08:27 PM

Heavy pick

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...cks?sku=110510

played guitar first so was use to it. Is punchier and can play faster with out all the notes mushing together. I like being able to do some palm muting as well like guitarist do. Can't do fingerstyle and palm mute.

I set guitar treble half way on guitar and adjust amp tone. Then if a do a balad where i use fingers for a smoother sound a just turn treble all the way up on guitar and turn it back down halfway when I switch back to pick.

somegeezer · #18 11-18-2010, 08:35 PM

I started with pick, moved to fingers... But now seem to be playing live a lot more with pick. I think it's mainly the styles of music I'm playing, but either way. Just takes practise.

trthorol · #19 11-18-2010, 09:03 PM

I am a pick player and definalty second uhdinator in saying getting the fender heavy triangle. It feels very natural on bass and is hard to drop. Id say just start using first on easy songs then move up and make a habit of using alternate up-down picking.

Raymeous · #20 11-18-2010, 09:29 PM

As a guitar player that uses a pick 90% of the time but plays bass with fingers almost 100% of the time I may have a few suggestions from the times I used to play a bass with a pick.

First off I found normal guitar picks always seemed to get knocked out of my fingers so I picked up a few extra heavy Claytons in that "rounded triangle" design. They are physically bigger than standard "tear drop" shaped picks so I was better able to hold on to the pick when hittin' the fat strings of a bass. The picks being made out of Tephlon have a non glossy/non-slippery finish and start to curve under your fingers from body heat making them less likely to go flying at the most inopportune times.

For a tighter sound, just like when finger picking, if you use the pick close to the bridge will get you a little brighter and tighter sound. This is the place you want to be for fast alternate picking as the strings don't flop around as much coming off the tailpiece as they do over the pick ups and keeps fast passages flowing smoothly.

Another thing, especially with distortion, is to use some palm muting technique. By placing the meaty heel of your picking hand lightly on the strings over the bridge you will deaden the sound a bit and mute the strings much like when playing percussive pop slap techniques. By doing this muting you will keep distorted parts from washing together as well as give your picking attack a much more defined beginning and end. Alternating between muted and unmuted picking will give you a lot of dynamics to play with as well. Try muting while alternate picking pedal notes (open E string) and releasing the mute during the "chords" of the song. This will make your chord changes stand out.

The other thing I find myself doing while on guitar or bass is hybrid picking using the pick between my thumb and index finger while my middle and ring finger pluck strings.

Have fun