Alternate Picking?

[dontpoll]

I heard it's best to just use downstrokes when using a pick with a bass..but alternate picking allows so much more speed? Is there any reason why you're not supposed to use it?

[Jeff Martinez]

Being able to effectively pick in both directions is far more useful than down-picking alone. Suggesting that down-picking is better is like saying that a finger-style player should only use their index finger to pluck.

[dontpoll]

Originally Posted by Jeff Martinez

Being able to effectively pick in both directions is far more useful than down-picking alone. Suggesting that down-picking is better is like saying that a finger-style player should only use their index finger to pluck.

That's what I thought, but I read somewhere downstrokes only produces better tone or something.

I primarily play guitar, so I'm so used to alternate picking, it seems foolish NOT to use it.

[clanner]

it doesn't really make a difference.

[Poop-Loops]

It's what crappy players say. The goal is to develope the up and down stroke to be the same tone.

[Salicete]

Downstrokes on a guitar (six string, not a bass) , especially when playing chords, does make for a substantially fatter sound. If you are playing single notes, then it will have little, if no effect in your bass sound.

If you are chording on your bass, it will make for a fatter sound.

There are great bass players who use either and or both styles. I prefer my the sound my Precision produces when played with a pick; I prefer my Jazz played finger style.

The point is, which produces the sound that you like?

[Suckbird]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

It's what crappy players say.

that's what i thought too...

[charic]

Seemed awkward at first but soon got used to it. I play alternate most of the time now. Unless im playing in 3/4 in which case it seems easier to play all downstrokes and get emphasis on the 1st beat.

Its seems logical to play alternate style as its more energy efficient. And i seem to get pretty much the same sound hitting the string either way. As we hear loads here, practice makes perfect

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by dontpoll

I heard it's best to just use downstrokes when using a pick with a bass..but alternate picking allows so much more speed? Is there any reason why you're not supposed to use it?

during your musical life, if anyone ever tells you you're not supposed to do something (unless it involves submerging your amp head in a bath while you play), you'll be well advised to have a huge pinch of salt ready

artists don't respect the words 'not supposed to'

whoever told you it's best to use all downstrokes was probably a metal bass player.. where you often need to have every single note sounding inhumanly even... but even James Hetfield doesn't use all downstrokes in something like the 16ths in 'Battery' or 'Damage Inc'... so why should his bass player? try playing all downstrokes on the bass on those songs and see how far you get

for other types of music, alternate picking will often sound great... in fact for a lot of music, all downstrokes can sound too stiff... use your ear and decide.. and practice BOTH

[Poop-Loops]

Originally Posted by cowsgomoo

whoever told you it's best to use all downstrokes was probably a metal bass player.. where you often need to have every single note sounding inhumanly even... but even James Hetfield doesn't use all downstrokes in something like the 16ths in 'Battery' or 'Damage Inc'... so why should his bass player? try playing all downstrokes on the bass on those songs and see how far you get

I was about to say, good luck playing Damage Inc. or Master of Puppets with all down strokes.

I was thinking it would be a player from slower music like blues or soft rock or something. I can't imagine a metal player keeping up using only down strokes.

[DavidRavenMoon]

I always alternate... although I often start on an up-pick. Sometimes down strokes gets the tone you want. You have to know when to switch!

If it seems awkward, just keep practicing it... it becomes second nature.

And use a heavy pick! You waste too much energy on thin picks, and the pick flexing makes you waste movement. By the time the note sounds you could have hit two! it also lets you relax your wrist for more speed.

When I play with my fingers I usually use one finger until I need to use more. If just sounds more even. Whereas you can, and should, work on getting your up and down pick strokes to sound the same, I can't do much for the fact that my index and middle fingers are not the same length!

Just as I often start on an up pick, I also usually start with my middle finger...

[Pierced Soul]

I cant see why you wouldnt use alternate strokes for all styles. there's no real reason you cant get the same sound or tone going up and down, and yes alternate picking allows you to go heaps faster

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

It's what crappy players say. The goal is to develope the up and down stroke to be the same tone.

+1

There's nothing wrong with upstrokes, just with bassists who can't play them right. The idea of playing with only downstrokes is like a drummer playing with one stick to sound more even. Good drummers, of course, practice for hours to make their left and right hands sound the same. As should pickers with our up- and downstrokes.