Does anyone else find it difficult to play bass with a pick?

Sendaii · #1 05-17-2010, 01:16 PM

I do. Ever since I first played a bass, I have always used my fingers. When I use a pick, I can only play at around half the speed that I can using only my fingers, and I always find myself fumbling and sometimes missing the string completely. Just wondering if anyone else is like me

jaywa · #2 05-17-2010, 01:20 PM

I hate using a pick. I hate the sound my bass makes with it, and the damn pick is always slipping out of my fingers or rotating or some such. I have a hard time with ringing strings too cause I'm not muting like I would playing fingerstyle.

I'll use a pick if I'm covering a song that absolutely demands it, but if I can get away a whole night without it I'm happy as a clam.

Qvist · #3 05-17-2010, 01:23 PM

I love playing with a pick and I think it's easier

ausf · #4 05-17-2010, 01:23 PM

Yeah.

You need to practice, which I never seem willing to do (with a pick).

I find it easier to just put my index and thumb together and use my nail if I need to. I feel I have more control and I never play anything that needs the double stroke that I can't just do with two fingers near the bridge. I'm not saying there isn't music that needs it, just that I don't play it.

ClydeMcAllister · #5 05-17-2010, 01:24 PM

It takes practice, just like any other technique.

CostaBass · #6 05-17-2010, 01:29 PM

I like the sound of a pick, Gives it a little treble boost for some songs that I play. Indeed I do play slower and not as fast as I can with my fingers. But It's a good thing to learn.

I think Rick Savage from Def Leppard doesn't know how to play with his fingers.

N.F.A. · #7 05-17-2010, 01:37 PM

Just the opposite para mi. I am a pick player. It's real hard for me to do finger style stuff.

MatticusMania · #8 05-17-2010, 01:38 PM

I started playing with a pick when I picked up the bass. These days I use one about half the time.

jaywa · #9 05-17-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausf

I find it easier to just put my index and thumb together and use my nail if I need to.

I've been doing the exact same thing lately myself! Sounds better, feels much more comfortable to me, plus you never have to worry about losing picks or forgetting to bring them to a gig.

rocknrollbandit · #10 05-17-2010, 01:40 PM

I'm a picker

Spraeg · #11 05-17-2010, 01:44 PM

I started playing fingerstyle, and switched to picks when I joined a metal band and needed to play faster. It's easier to play faster with a pick when you're just starting, but like anything, it just takes practice. Nowdays, I switch off, for songs where I want to ring out more or need a slightly more treble-y tone, I use a pick, otherwise, I use my fingers.

jnuts1 · #12 05-17-2010, 01:49 PM

if i ever feel the need to suck hard i pick up a plec. it is a disaster every time. the only way i can hold on to it is if i use one of those big triangle picks.

Brubass · #13 05-17-2010, 01:54 PM

I started out playing finger style (first 30 years of playing) and just recently have been using a pick when my bandmates wanted me to come closer to the sound that Phil Lesh gets (we play a lot of GD covers). I also find I have to play slower, mostly because I haven't really mastered palm muting yet. I also "picked" up some Pickboy picks that have raised dots that give me a better grip so I don't drop them as my hands get sweaty.

jgroh · #14 05-17-2010, 01:55 PM

I played with a pick exclusively for a long time, and then a couple of years ago started working on finger style. Even though I learned with a pick, when I did mess around playing with my fingers, lots of things worked better for me (the feel, muting, etc). But I couldnt play fast so I mostly stuck to the pick when playing out.

I just made a decision that I would work on it and practice it and thats all it really comes down to.

Grateful · #15 05-17-2010, 01:55 PM

I can play tighter-spaced basses (15-16mm) with a pick if I have to, but I wildly prefer fingers on a 19mm.

ssbass · #16 05-17-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sendaii

I do. Ever since I first played a bass, I have always used my fingers. When I use a pick, I can only play at around half the speed that I can using only my fingers, and I always find myself fumbling and sometimes missing the string completely. Just wondering if anyone else is like me

+1 I mostly play with my fingers. I have a hard time holding onto a pick and not have it shifting around.

megadan · #17 05-17-2010, 02:31 PM

No, I'm the opposite... the faster something is the more likely I am to switch to a pick, or use my fingernail like a pick. I'm fine playing with my fingers, but I like having both options.

bassist4dalord · #18 05-17-2010, 02:32 PM

I do it sometimes for a different sound, but it's definitely more challenging for me than fingers. I assume this has to do with my lack of practice with a pick. To each their own; it's just another technique.

JAGGL3S · #19 05-17-2010, 02:33 PM

Pick and fingers have there ups and downs. personally i like the pick sound you get and fingerstyle. just practice

Dellers · #20 05-17-2010, 02:39 PM

I never actually play with a pick, but I don't find it very hard. For songs like Hysteria by Muse it would be a LOT easier using a pick, plus it makes it easier avoid problems with tendons and such in the right hand (I've had tendinitis twice, and while I won't get it again by playing bass in general, songs like Hysteria or What Is Hip by Tower Of Power could get me in trouble), plus it just won't be so tiring. I play some guitar too, and that's probably why I find it easy to use a pick even on bass, but as I said I never use it.