Pick technique/intonation

[yamark]

I don't know if this should go in setup, but there are no problems when I play fiingerstyle.

When playing with a pick, i notice just about every note I play ends up sharp. When I play with my fingers, every note is dead on up and down the neck.

I am using a 1.0mm pick. Lo-Riders. I've also tried different strings such as TI flats, Nickel and chrome D'Addario.

Any suggestions?

[yamark]

I should mention, if I hold the note, it seems like it gets back to being in tune. So basically, its just sharp on the attack.

[Winnb]

You can quickly bend a note out of pitch by banging the string with a pick. But it may also be your left hand (or whichever fingering hand you use) causing the problem.

I've noticed when I play with a pick that my fingers (on my left hand) mash the strings harder because the attack of the pick from my right hand is heavier. That can also bend the string out of pitch if I also push up or down a little too much with my left hand.

Confused? Good. :-) I think you get what I'm saying, despite my poor attempt at explaining it.

[hdracer]

Are you tuning your bass using a pick?

[subexpression]

I suggest using a good tuner and finding out what pick attack works best and keeps the string from over modulating.

When a string vibrates too much, it goes slightly sharp.
Try turning up the amp volume and picking lighter.

I'm both a bass and guitar player. I play with a pick on guitar and to deal with this I developed lighter picking attack. To get a gritty sound, I change the pick angle. Instead of "flat picking", I angle the pick so that the edge scrapes against the string.

On bass, there's no correct way. I've seen some bass players successfully use both flat picking and angle picking. With angle picking, you will get a scraping sound if you're using round wound strings.

My advice: develop lighter picking attack and don't clamp onto the pick like someone is going to steal it from you. Grip it gently and let it move around in your fingers like some kind of spring-mounted thing...without dropping it of course. This should help remedy the notes going slightly sharp.

[yamark]

Originally Posted by subexpression

My advice: develop lighter picking attack and don't clamp onto the pick like someone is going to steal it from you. Grip it gently and let it move around in your fingers like some kind of spring-mounted thing...without dropping it of course. This should help remedy the notes going slightly sharp.

This was my guess as to my problem. I don't think anyone or anything could get the pick out of my hand. And I hit pretty hard. I'll experiment tomorrow with a lighter pick touch.

I am primarily a finger player but we have some new stuff that really sounds fantastic with a pick. I don't want to have to retune when switching between fingers and pick during a gig.

I think you nailed it.

[brndn123]

notes tend to sharpen if you press too hard on your frets. Maybe you just need to take it down a notch lol

[subexpression]

Originally Posted by yamark

This was my guess as to my problem. I don't think anyone or anything could get the pick out of my hand. And I hit pretty hard. I'll experiment tomorrow with a lighter pick touch.

I am primarily a finger player but we have some new stuff that really sounds fantastic with a pick. I don't want to have to retune when switching between fingers and pick during a gig.

I think you nailed it.

Awesome! I want to experiment with bass picking too. In fact, I just grabbed one of my guitar picks and ran through some guitar licks on the bass...it really economizes cross-string notes like with sweeping. Plus, there's a sound that a pick gives you that you just can't get with fingers!

[maturanesa]

Originally Posted by yamark

I don't know if this should go in setup, but there are no problems when I play fiingerstyle.

When playing with a pick, i notice just about every note I play ends up sharp. When I play with my fingers, every note is dead on up and down the neck.

I am using a 1.0mm pick. Lo-Riders. I've also tried different strings such as TI flats, Nickel and chrome D'Addario.

Any suggestions?

Going sharp and then comeback to the original pitch is the natural movement of the string. The harder your attack is, the sharper and more time to comeback. One benefit of a light touch is a more "in tune" overall sound.