pick just downstroke?

therex · #1 10-06-2007, 10:53 AM

well i noticed some songs are too fast to pick just downstroke like some nofx and blink 182`s songs
i am able to pick it just dowstroke but is very difficult to keep it for long time and it makes difficult to sing
so should just alternate pick(it works fine for me) or practice as hell the downstrokes(i been trying to get that speed and be able to sing but is just too uncomfortable)

sumarasing is worth to pick fast dowstroke or just play alternate?

the_fooj · #2 10-06-2007, 11:05 AM

I don't see why you wouldn't want to go with the alternating technique. Especially since it's more economical, and for you, easier too.

Audiophage · #3 10-06-2007, 11:11 AM

alternating picking is really the way to go for speed and efficiency. Anyone that says it doesn't sound good hasn't practiced enough.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #4 10-06-2007, 11:51 PM

Click here.

JimmyM · #5 10-07-2007, 01:07 AM

I used to be an all-downstrokes pick player. But after a while, it got very damaging to my hand. So I learned Carol Kaye's style of pick playing, and my hand never hurts at all now. All downstrokes will lead to major problems with your hand eventually. You may be able to do it while you're young, but if you do it for any length of time, it's eventually going to wear you down.

Deacon_Blues · #6 10-07-2007, 04:16 AM

On guitar, downstrokes sound better and more distinct, at least when playing "power chords", but I think the sound difference on bass is not as significant. I think it's more a question of polishing the picking technique as audiophage pointed out.

Audiophage · #7 10-07-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Click here.

Wow, he had obviously already lost a lot of his hearing by that time if he seriously thought that he was getting the same sound with a pick as he was when fingering close to the bridge.

MammaryVest · #8 10-07-2007, 11:02 AM

I think when you can, it does sound a little better to do all downstrokes. However, for those bands you mentioned (Blink 182 NOFX) the alternate picking sound is kind of their style. Both ways have their own unique sound, so I guess you should keep that in mind when deciding how to play a specific song.

Ben Rolston · #9 10-07-2007, 05:25 PM

Strangely enough the Jazz Bassist, Steve Swallow, uses almost all upstrokes!

Asa Samuel · #10 10-07-2007, 05:41 PM

i dont get it when people talk about the 'alternate picking technique' i just thought that was the way you picked.

anyone who just uses down picking doesnt really know what the hell he's doing IMO

PilbaraBass · #11 10-07-2007, 05:51 PM

I just started using pick a little on bass...and for me all downstrokes is easier and definitely sounds punchier at present...but it doesn't fit into the whole "conservation of motion" philosophy that I aspire to...so, hence, I AM working on alternate picking...

I'm 42, and my hands and fingers are probably not as nimble as when I first picked up the bass when I was 24...but I certainly can play a whole lot better, because I know how to use them better...