Pick-less

[mikeypbass]

Anyone else here never or rarely use a pick? i don't like the sound of em, anyone with me here?

[PrimusNut]

I find picks awkward and I feel clumsy while using them, but the tone they give is just too good to give up. I use picks occasionally, although I am, for the most part, a fingerstyle player.

[Poop-Loops]

I'm used to playing guitar, so I need a bass with small string spacing (like a 5er or 6er) to play with a pick. If I play my 4 string with one I miss the strings most of the time.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

I'm a 99% fingerstyle player, but I don't hate picks. It's just that I haven't felt the necessity of getting used to them. Anyway, I've played Yes' "Roundabout" with a pick since to me that's a key component of the bassline/song. I feel the same about the solo bass riff played by Greg Lake in "Pictures At An Exhibition" and this groovy bass break.

[jacob_edwards91]

When I started playing I (stupidly) used a pick. After two or three months I decided to learn fingerstyle. I've used fingerstyle ever since then (I've been playing for two years). I tried using a pick today, and it felt extremely awkward and slow compared to fingerstyle.

[Cristo]

Can't use one, but I never tried too hard to learn. It just does not feel right. I have no use for it really.

Nothing against the people who do, but it is not for me. Plenty of great players and lines were played with a pick.

If any bandmates want me to use one they are out of luck! (or I am out of the band I guess)

[jenich CZ]

I think, that there´s nothing bad about using a pick...actually since I am also teachnig I found out interesting thing: People who can´t play with a pick have problem to slap. I guess its about loose wrist, wich is in slapping esential.

[tank49]

I use to be in a cover band and if the song required a pick or sounded like it needed a pick i would use one but I prefer to use my fingers.

The band I'm in now is more of an original act so I just use my fingers now.

[Pilgrim]

I've played for years, and I've never learned how to use a pick. It's not really needed for what I play, and my fingers get faster every year. Really good fingerstyle playing will get you through just about anything. If a passage is so fast that a pick is the only way to play it, then simplify it by dropping some notes.

[doctorjazz]

I don't really like it. The only time I've ever really used it is on a fretless with flats to get a more upright-like attack. Sounds crazy, but it seemed to work.

[Plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I've played for years, and I've never learned how to use a pick. It's not really needed for what I play, and my fingers get faster every year. Really good fingerstyle playing will get you through just about anything. If a passage is so fast that a pick is the only way to play it, then simplify it by dropping some notes.

I think this is a great approach.

I'm not anti pick, punk rock lines are heavy for the pick approach. I think many guitarist come to bass via the pick, and that is good. The more bassist, no matter what their background, the better.

Some purists don't like picks.

I liked the pick's sound and attributes. But I think people are really limited if they cannot use their fingers.

Rather than "either or" I'd suggest trying both.

It cannot be any harder for folks than learning double thumb or tapping etc.

Then you have another skill set to achieve your goals, which may never include funk, punk, pics etc.
Just another thing it your bass tool box

Tom

[JimmyM]

Here's how I feel about the situation:

I couldn't give a crap what other people do. I do what I do, whether it's with a pick or my fingers. Rather than being all proud of yourself and searching for support because you're such a great guy for not using a pick, maybe you should go listen to some of the great bassists like Carles Benavent and Steve Swallow who can blow away the average fingerstyle player with a pick.

[Sarbecue Boss]

My stand on the issue is that if you choose to avoid pick playing, all you're doing is limiting yourself

[Blackbird]

I don't use a pick, but din't hate it either. It is just anothe brush. You can choose to paint with it or not.

[mikeypbass]

Yeh its not like I dont like people who use them, its just i have to feel where the string is with my fingers, and call me crazy but I dont like the sound of em outside of hardcore metal and punk

[scotch]

I used to have the anti-pick mentality. As I gained more experience playing the bass, as well as became more familiar with the instruments history - I gave the pick more of a chance. It really can open up different possibilities in the pursuit of new sounds and different approaches to grooves.

Picks aren't just for "hardcore metal and punk". Check out Carole Kaye! From the Beach Boys to Stevie Wonder, she used a pick. Definitely not a punkster!
Or Paul McCartney.
Or Jerry Scheff.
Or Bobby Vega.
Or John Paul Jones
etc., etc.

It can be hard to get a nice organic feel with a pick after you've spent so much time working with your fingeres. I guess that's the point though. The effort will probably be rewarded, just like any other technique or concept.

[Plantbrain]

Ms Kaye came here recently for a bass clinic.
Very cool.

You might not know her, but you certainly know her work, she's been around forever.

Picking away........yea, she's not the type for a punk or metal band haha.........

Tom