So like the thread title says...
I've played fingerstyle since forever. Actually when I first started playing bass in the early '80s I used a pick or a thumbpick for some songs, and then eventually just went fingerstyle and never thought about going back.
So in the last few years in my former country group and in my current blues band I lay back and try to keep a solid groove (P-bass w/ flats, fingerstyle, ...you know the drill).
But over the last few months our guitarist has had medical issues and hasn't been able to play. Two weeks ago at practice it was just me on bass, with our drummer and harp player. Okay, it's fun, but a little lackluster. Also need to mention our practices tend to attract the neighbors and often it can turn into an informal mini-block party and is usually a lot of fun if not too distracting.
So this past Friday I was determined to kick it up a notch, especially since I was informed there would be quite a few folks dropping by to hear us, and again no guitar player.
So what's a bass player to do? Well, I went to the music store and bought a pack of these...
and one of these...
and cranked the overdrive up a few notches on this...
...and proceeded to have an absolute BLAST!
The drummer was ecstatic...made a comment about not used to hearing a bass sound "like that". The energy was up, the harp player and myself played back and forth off each other, several folks that dropped by were dancing, and our setlist didn't seem to miss the guitar player "quite" so much.
Yes, it went well, until the local law enforcement showed up.
Oh well, it was about time to wrap up anyway.
So, what's the bottom line? Did my bass playing drastically change just because I was using a pick? Seems like it. I wonder if my "enough is enough" attitude was bound to mix things up regardless with or without a pick?
So, anyone else find their playing and/or attitude changes depending on whether they play fingerstyle or a pick?
All I know is that I will have discovered a new (old) tool and will keep a few picks close at hand, even when I do have a guitar player.
