Help with picking...

RogueWarrior74 · #1 04-22-2008, 09:24 AM

Ok so I played guitar for a number of years and was not very good. Well, I played rhythm ok but I could NEVER solo. I started playing in my late 20's lol.
I decided to switch to bass and played for a few years before money troubles forced me to sell everything. I found that I LOVED playing bass far more than I EVER did guitar!
Well I recently got a new bass...not the best but a decent ESP. I love metal (alot of prog, as well as thrash and some death) so naturally that's what I want to play. I use to use a pick playing bass since it was a more natural progression from guitar. I've been trying to start using finger picking and of course my questions are 1) what is the proper technique and 2) how do I build up speed? Mainly, should I alternate pick every single note I play just to form the habit or can I just use alternate picking on faster sections when I need it?
Sorry if this sounds rather ignorant but I'm pretty much starting fresh and I want to learn it correctly instead of wasting my time and having to go back and relearn it again as well as breaking my bad habits.

Thanks for any help!

ysand · #2 04-22-2008, 09:38 AM

There is no "right technique".
There is the technique that lets YOU to show your full potential

Others prefer the Gary Willis technique which means non-bending wrist!
Others prefer the Wooten/Myung technique that means bended wrist and hand rests on the body of the bass, while fingers are straight (Yeah, that's what i prefer too

)
There are also other techniques like Sheehan's 3 finger technique.
(I'm always talking about plain fingerstyle, no slapping or whatever)

See youtube videos of all these and try to mimic.
Using alternate finger plucking for me is very important not only in terms of speed but because it will give u more freedom when playing more complex basslines.

It would be good to start with a teacher but if that's not an option check youtube videos of the names i said. There are others too, that other TBers might suggest

jgroh · #3 04-22-2008, 09:45 AM

I have always played bass...with a pick. My first inclination is to tell you to just use the pick if you are comfortable with it. However, recently I picked up a fretless bass and the pick just doesnt sound right to me with it. So, I have been using my fingers with that and I am sort of in your same boat.

I have been just practicing the alternating index and middle finger running scales up and down. Alot of times I just sit with the bass watching TV just doing the 1 & 2 fingering up and down and across the strings. Its monotonous but really helps. Sometimes I like to mix in the ring finger as well in case I would do any faster runs or triplets. For me, its easier to go 3-2-1 on those faster parts (ring-middle-index) than the other way around.

I guess it all comes down to steady practice. Good luck.

And yes, there are no set "this is the only way to do it" rules. Start alternating your fingers and sooner or later you will find what works best for you. However, keep in mind that if you are already comfortable with the pick, no need to reinvent the wheel!

RogueWarrior74 · #4 04-22-2008, 09:59 AM

I do have one other question lol. How do I know if my string action is set too high? I mean it feels ok to me right now but I know that lowering it can make it easier to play. However, I don't want to go lowering it and end up screwing it up and then having to take it to a shop and get it looked at. I just don't have the time or money to do that...especially since buying the new bass broke my bank for now. I use standard strings and usually standard tuning, though I do use drop D or DGDG tuning depending on what I need.
So is there any reasonably easy way to tell if I could lower the action without getting crazy excess buzzing or should I just leave it at factory settings? Keep in mind I'm new at this, so if it sounds really stupid at least I have some excuse lol.

supablazed · #5 04-22-2008, 10:08 AM

the guy at my local shop is a guitar player but he set my action for me at no charge. it only take a few min. just adjust it till you like it and if it buzzes keep messin with it till you find a happy medium. if you are going to drop it down tuning i would set the action according to that being as it is the loosest your stings will be. Just my opinion though someone else may have better reply for you.

Elmo Oxygen · #6 04-22-2008, 10:08 AM

if you play metal (or anything fast) for extended periods of time, you'll find that keeping your wrist straight (i'm sure you already hang your bass low) will save you from massive fatigue and eventually carpel tunnel syndrome. you'll most likely also find that playing fast is easier when alternating (1-2, 1-2). to get your speed and endurance up (other than practicing) what i do is walk around, all the time, no matter what i'm doing "air-fingering". my girlfriend says i do it in my sleep, it's just habit now. use your pocket or belt loop as the pup (or fretboard), anchor that thumb and wear a hole in your jeans. also be sure to look up some hand/finger stretches to do before you play. feels silly, works miracles.
now, nothing says "metal" like a pick clicking against roundwounds, but having an accurate and fast fingerstyle sure comes in handy when you drop your pick into the abyss of screaming girls.

RogueWarrior74 · #7 04-22-2008, 10:35 AM

Thanks for all the info on picking guys, it's really helped alot!
As for the string action, well I called the ONLY music store around my area (I live in the boonies) and to adjust the action they charge like $30 and I have to leave my bass for crying out loud! That seems pointless since I may get it back and it ends up being basically the same. In my manual it gives a minimum height but since I don't have the proper 6" rule it says I need I'm clueless as to if I should screw with it or just leave it alone.
Any ideas on what I should do would be most appreciated. Thanks again for the help and for putting up with my ignorance lol.

jgroh · #8 04-22-2008, 11:56 AM

There is tons of info here on TB about setup...doing a quick search should turn up lots of info. One thing I can say if you are a noob to setup...if they aint a mile off the fretboard and seem ok (as you stated earlier), dont mess with it unless you have the time and patience to work your way out of it if something doesnt go right (I learned the hard way! Many, many...ahem...times)

JimmyM · #9 04-22-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogueWarrior74

Thanks for all the info on picking guys, it's really helped alot!
As for the string action, well I called the ONLY music store around my area (I live in the boonies) and to adjust the action they charge like $30 and I have to leave my bass for crying out loud! That seems pointless since I may get it back and it ends up being basically the same. In my manual it gives a minimum height but since I don't have the proper 6" rule it says I need I'm clueless as to if I should screw with it or just leave it alone.
Any ideas on what I should do would be most appreciated. Thanks again for the help and for putting up with my ignorance lol.

A 6 inch ruler can be bought at any hardware store for about $3. Don't let that be your excuse for not learning how to do a setup on your own. I think every bassist and guitarist should learn how to do it.