To pick or not to pick

5StringWolf · #1 05-08-2011, 01:28 PM

I am a dominantly finger style bass player, but i also like the sound when using a pick. But i have somewhat developed an aversion to playing with a pick. I've don it, and its fun and sounds cool, but ity feels as if i'm cheating. Does it make me any less of a bassist if i do?

Big chicken · #2 05-08-2011, 01:35 PM

No! many great bassist use a pick
Sting
Roger Waters
Chris Squire
Paul Mccartney
the ox
and many many more..

kreider204 · #3 05-08-2011, 01:36 PM

Learn both. How could having MORE techniques under your belt ever be a bad thing?

capnsandwich · #4 05-08-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreider204

Learn both. How could having MORE techniques under your belt ever be a bad thing?

+1

I also play primarily with my fingers but one of the projects I'm in now wants me to play with a pick. It's a stretch trying to get used to it but in the end, I'll be a better player. Versatility FTW!

And to anyone saying that real bassists play with their fingers ONLY, get your head out of you ***. There's nothing that P's me off more than a closed minded bassist.

5StringWolf · #5 05-08-2011, 01:43 PM

I used to have that mindset. But then i discovered Jason Newsted

5StringWolf · #6 05-08-2011, 01:44 PM

Is Picking very differant from fingering? I'm guessing there are things you can do with a pick, that you cannot do with your fingers.

capnsandwich · #7 05-08-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringWolf

Is Picking very differant from fingering? I'm guessing there are things you can do with a pick, that you cannot do with your fingers.

Yes, it's an entirely different beast. Usually with fingerstyle, you have 2+ fingers attacking the string in the same direction. You can also control the vibration of the strings a little easier by using the fingerstyle method. With a pick, or plectrum as some call it, you can attack the string from 2 different directions but I have found that it's a bit trickier trying to control the dynamics of my playing. It's just a learning curve I have to get. I used to play primarily with a pick when I first started, since I was a guitarist, but I also drank the arrogant Kool-Aid that other bassists were telling me about not being a "real bassist." I'm glad I learned fingerstyle but I'm not glad about how it was brought to my attention.

FretlessMainly · #8 05-08-2011, 10:07 PM

I play 100% fingerstyle and I attack the strings in both directions all the time. Whether it be playing like a fingerstyle guitar, strumming, or using my index fingernail as if it were a pick, I just don't see the need for a pick. But you know, everyone's different.

the byronic man · #9 05-08-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreider204

Learn both. How could having MORE techniques under your belt ever be a bad thing?

+1. knowledge is power.

edbass · #10 05-08-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreider204

Learn both. How could having MORE techniques under your belt ever be a bad thing?

+1
I'm comfortable with a pick or with my fingers, although after a set or two of using a pick exclusively I get some hand cramping.
But I attribute that mostly to age and lack of practice...
I find certain basses sound better with one or the other, and there is no question in my mind that there are tonal and attack differences that just can't be duplicated between the two.

LAPetrarca · #11 05-09-2011, 06:21 AM

Having ALL the right tools needed for the job in the tool box is NEVER a bad thing. After almost 40 years of being a pick-player, I decided to broaden my horizons and learn fingerstyle. In my case, knowing both styles has resulted in an increased demand for my services because of the versatility afforded me by knowing both methods.

AgIdoc · #12 05-09-2011, 12:36 PM

as others have stated, both are useful. I personally started out using a pick but slowly converted to fingerstyle. now i use 80-90% fingerstyle...but every once in awhile on a really fast bassline i'll pick it. its fun!

**Staccato** · #13 05-09-2011, 12:37 PM

It's good to have another technique in your array of tools. Go for it!

BigOldHarry · #14 05-09-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreider204

Learn both. How could having MORE techniques under your belt ever be a bad thing?

Agreed.

I know that my aversion to playing with a pick comes from the Olde Days, when so many guitarists picked up basses and said "behold, I'm a bassist" - and they, of course, played with a pick. When I was coming up, playing with a pick was thought to be a giveaway that you were just a frustrated guitar player.

I have used a pick now and again, but I'm 99.99% a finger & slap player now.

suraj · #15 05-09-2011, 01:05 PM

Bow it with a violin bow if you have to, your playing music, so whatever sounds better works. There are waay too many closed minded musicians that like to point out little things instead of looking at the larger picture and listening to the overall sound.

Stingray89 · #16 05-09-2011, 02:11 PM

I'm primarily a pick player with the current band I'm in now. I just need the attack that I achieve with a pick. But my previous bands I was primarily a finger-style player. Learn to play both styles because there is nothing wrong with having more tools in your arsenal of bass playing.

loinmute · #17 05-09-2011, 03:09 PM

When I am playing covers I will pick if the song calls for it. That's most all of Gn'R, Pantera, and Jason Newsted era Metallica.

Raymeous · #18 05-09-2011, 03:24 PM

It doesn't matter really.

I know there is a stigma among some bass players that playing with a pick somehow makes you an inferior player than those that use only their fingers to play. This is just kind of narrow minded and ignorant. There is a time and place for everything, whether it's using a pick, doing slap bass funk, low down groove, or two handed tapping, playing a 4 string or 6 string, fretted or fretless, active or passive.

Being able and willing to use whatever technique best serves the song is the ideal for me. So if you use your old school P bass for this song and then switch to your modern 6 string fretless for the next, shows me that you are paying attention to the overall task at hand which is to serve the song.

Ok I'll step down from my soap box now and let the next person take over.

s_mcsleazy · #19 05-09-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreider204

Learn both. How could having MORE techniques under your belt ever be a bad thing?

i was a pick player for years then i got into reggae and you cant really reggae with a pick. nowadays im 50/50

Steve Dixon · #20 05-09-2011, 04:34 PM

it's not just reasonably good famous rock star bass players who use picks... there are a few genuine monster players who use picks from time to time... try arguing that any of these guys aren't any less of a real bass player for wielding a pick:

Anthony Jackson
Steve Swallow
Scott Thunes
Hellmut Hattler

all top drawer musicians