Picking spped, need help...

[avalon_bassist]

Sorry if there has already been topics on this. couldn't find any.

My problem is that the songfs I can learn right now are being limited because I can't pick that fast, especially on any string other than the E string. Even on the E string it doesn't sound as good as when I just pick downwards and on the higher strings I usually seem to miss them quite often.

Are there any paticular techniques to help this or is it simply a case of keep practicing until you get faster?

Thanks.

[meev992]

search function, time machine, and metronome, in that order.

[metalbass66]

practice, everyday. you'll get faster.

[SmittyG]

Start very, VERY slowly and pick nothing but up strokes for 10 minutes on each string. Do this for a week. Then, very slowly, alternate down and up strokes focusing to make the up notes sound just like the down notes. Again, 10 minutes per string; do this for a week. Next, pick a song you like, with a very easy, repetitive bass line. Play the song with all down strokes; then with all up strokes; then with alternating strokes. Once you can do it with this song, pick a harder/faster one and do it all again. By this point, your picking should be a lot more even. Good luck.

[cowsgomoo]

you'll develop speed and consistency with practice, but you also need to make sure your picking technique is good, that your bass is a comfortable height, that you're using picks that feel and sound good etc...

really concentrate on good quality motion, hand position, arm, wrist & finger movements, how tightly you hold the pick, the angle you pick the strings, how far along the string you pick, how you ANCHOR your right hand to the bass (my ring finger and pinky rest on the top strings, muting and anchoring at the same time).. there are lots of threads on good picking technique.. have a read and learn from the guys who are good at it (there are various ways to play well with a pick)

then take that info and practice... don't bother with a metronome... jam along to music you love instead... well, do that 75% of the time, and metronome the other 25%

find some drummer resources and see how they alternate their sticks and accent notes, and translate that into pick upstrokes & downstrokes... there's no reason why the majority of what you play shouldn't be alternately picked, provided your technique is consistent, but being able to switch around like drum paradiddles makes crossing strings easy

[MEKer]

All the above replies are good advice. Couple other things fun to practice are simple 2 note chords where you pick it down to accent the lower note and pick it up to accent the higher note. You get a very different feel to the same simple chord. Pick choice (already pointed out) will be important if speed is your thing. The tip of the pick needs to be able to bend some and slip around a string to hit another string. Too soft a pick and you get no bite on anything, too hard a pick and you have to actually move the pick and fingers holding it off the string and place onto another string--it will slow you down a bit IME. For me a Dunlop .73mm gray nylon meets that need. If you really want to stiffen it for some reason during a song you tighten your hold on it, almost shoveling it. With practice becomes second nature and you'll fnd you can actually manipulate the pick and its attack easily. In the end--practice, practice more and have fun with it. Below are a couple of songs I have on soundclick: 1 slow one with chording all picked in downstroke and the rest is alternating. The fast song is alternate picking the whole way through.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music