Pick grinding noise

auburn_district · #1 07-16-2011, 02:43 PM

I started playing bass a couple years ago with fingerstyle only. After I picked up guitar, I began using pick style with bass too, but I just can't figure out how to hold the pick for bass. It just doesn't translate from guitar over to bass. Because of thicker strings there is a terrible grinding/scratching noise from the pick going across the strings.

The pick is always at a 45 degree angle to the string. The only way I can make the pick hit "flat" against the string and eliminate the noise is to sit down and have the bottom of the bass between my knees, EXTREMELY awkward playing position that will never work for legitimate playing, let alone live shows.

Help me out someone, what am I doing wrong?

bolophonic · #2 07-16-2011, 02:45 PM

I don't know, man.

auburn_district · #3 07-16-2011, 02:47 PM

I can hold the pick between thumb and index finger like if you put the two fingers together to make a circle...if that makes any sense.

The noise goes away but this looks really sloppy, and I know its considered bad technique. Also it completely ruins my timing and makes me sporadically miss strings for some reason.

bolophonic · #4 07-16-2011, 02:50 PM

I would just ditch the pick if it doesn't work out.

auburn_district · #5 07-16-2011, 02:54 PM

Um no.

The pick produces a completely different sound. Most rock and punk bands (my influences) from the 90s and 2000s use pick style. Ditching it is not an option. I just need someone who uses a pick to explain how to do it. I've googled and googled and nobody has a clear breakdown of this.

Floyd Eye · #6 07-16-2011, 02:56 PM

Only use the very tip of the pick. Don't try to hold the pick at a perpendicular angle to the strings. It's pretty much exactly how you would use a pick on a regular guitar. Practice, you'll get it worked out.

Possibly you have too much treble going on. Mids are your friend.

auburn_district · #7 07-16-2011, 02:59 PM

Very well. Would you recommend that I "choke up" on the pick more than for I would for guitar, or shall I focus more on an accurate strike? I use standard dunlop picks - the extra large bass picks just don't seem for me.

5StringFool · #8 07-16-2011, 03:02 PM

How thick is the pick you are using?

vivifiction · #9 07-16-2011, 03:04 PM

I use dunlop picks- either .88 or 1.14 depending on my mood. i hold the pick between my thumb and my index/middle finger, near the bridge. just practice and you'll get it. It's not too hard. You just can't really do the big, broad motions of strumming a guitar- you're going for one string here. The motion is much more of a rotation of your wrist than an extension of your elbow.

cataract · #10 07-16-2011, 03:06 PM

It's not hard to hit the string in a straight up and down fashion.
I suppose if you're used to picking at an angle, like anything else- it will take some practice to get used to doing it differently.

The cool thing about playing with a pick is the variety of different tones you can get from your instrument by simply adjusting the angle of attack + picking closer or further away from the bridge or neck.
Endless possibilities!

Also, pick choice is key. I've grown accustomed to Dunlop Delrin .96mm..
They have a smooth finish that sort of slicks right off the string when played straight..
But I can get the grind by biting in at any sort of angle.

Explore your options! Don't limit yourself!!

Hutzbordello · #11 07-16-2011, 03:08 PM

i hold the pick like

the pick on the middle joint of my pointer finger and my thumb on top of that. not delicate like a guitar pick holding but like really gripping it hard.

auburn_district · #12 07-16-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hutzbordello

i hold the pick like

the pick on the middle joint of my pointer finger and my thumb on top of that. not delicate like a guitar pick holding but like really gripping it hard.

Yes this is exactly how I roll too. I think some of the other guys saying to focus on only using the tip of the pick have the right idea.

Thanks for all the speedy responses.

5StringFool · #13 07-16-2011, 03:44 PM

Thickness is very important as well. Thinner picks have a brighter tone and a lot of "bite" to them. The thicker they get the more bottom end and thump you'll get out of them. I play with picks a lot and have used everything from about .75mm-2.0mm and much prefer the feel, action, and sound of the thicker picks. My current favorite is a Dunlop Gator Grip 2.0mm. There is zero give with this pick and you can play lightly, let the pick do all the work and get some good 'round" tones from it, or dig in and get dirtier... lots of dynamic range with that one.

I have a sample 3.0mm acrylic pick on the way and am very interested to see how this one behaves. I have also tried some 3.0mm hard rubber picks and they have a good tone, but imo lack the punch of their sturdier cousins.

mpdd · #14 07-16-2011, 03:48 PM

the only picks i use that i have been 100 percent happy with are the yellow tortex tri picks from dunlop, but other people might think they suck

anonymous122511 · #15 07-16-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auburn_district

Yes this is exactly how I roll too. I think some of the other guys saying to focus on only using the tip of the pick have the right idea.

Have you tried holding it with a more relaxed grip? Not loose, relaxed. If you're holding it too tight you're probably using way more energy than you need to and that may be contributing to the grinding sound you're getting.

jabsys · #16 07-16-2011, 04:59 PM

I hold the pick between the pads of my first finger and thumb, I play with the bass slung slow and having the pick on top of the index finger makes it impossible to hit the strings straight.

pig · #17 07-16-2011, 05:14 PM

Not sure if this will help but try and play with the neck level to the floor which is how I play when picking or not. That way your strings will be level and you should be able to pick without the grinding noise. It will make you reach further when playing anything low on the neck but my long arms have no trouble with this so if you have long arms too that should help you out.

genericusername · #18 07-16-2011, 05:25 PM

I've got this problem too. I kinda solved it by playing closer to the bridge and faster (if that makes sense), but I still get a bit of that pickslide-type noise.

cataract · #19 07-16-2011, 09:24 PM

I can't play my bass all too well if I've got my strap too low.
You gotta find the personal sweet spot for playing well / looking cool.

Hutzbordello · #20 07-16-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auburn_district

Yes this is exactly how I roll too. I think some of the other guys saying to focus on only using the tip of the pick have the right idea.

Thanks for all the speedy responses.

sweet!! yea dude the less surface area of the pick on the strings will make it that much easier for it to move "through" the string and be able to be brought back up for alternate picking.