Playin with a pick!? Right or wrong!?

[Duckie]

Hey i useually just play my bass with my good ould fingers! and try the odd time to use a pick! But it doesnt feel right! Im i doing something wrong!? Or is it just a natural feeling!?

ALso any tips on playin with a pick!?

[SOA_bassist]

it takes time to get used to it. it felt very strange to me my first time but now i got no problem with a pick. just take your time and it will start feeling more normal.
and for tips, just practice chromatics with ust down strokes, then just up strokes, then with alternate picking.

[tZer]

I have the same problem/issue... since I don't play with a pick regularly, when I do it feels awkward. But like any technique, if you practice it regularly the same way you would practice a finger technique, you will refine it. So the same principles apply; try to get a good, solid tone with both the up and down stroke; work your scales making sure every note sounds good; work with the good old metronome... on and on... if you want any technique to be one that you can use at the drop of a hat, you need to hit the woodshed.

[FaithNoMan]

Originally Posted by tZer

I have the same problem/issue... since I don't play with a pick regularly, when I do it feels awkward. But like any technique, if you practice it regularly the same way you would practice a finger technique, you will refine it. So the same principles apply; try to get a good, solid tone with both the up and down stroke; work your scales making sure every note sounds good; work with the good old metronome... on and on... if you want any technique to be one that you can use at the drop of a hat, you need to hit the woodshed.

+1

[clockworkwar]

I am the reverse of you lot i am just getting to grips with my tech while playing with fingers, as i have picking with a pick down to a fine art! Its simple once you get used to it

[DaemonBass]

My first instrument was bass but I picked up guitar and was getting into playing some speed/thrash metal. I got Troy Stetina's speed method book and that's how I learned to use the pick, which was easily applied once I switched back to bass. As a consequence, I now have a lot more trouble playing as fast or accurately with my fingers than I do with a pick. Either way, it will feel uncomfortable at first just keep practicing you will improve.

[iamlowsound]

Pratice makes perfect, also when you are trying to play fast (build up speed first), put the pic at a slight angle so that you are not hitting the string flat. It is much easier to play fast like that. If you want to see what I mean look at how a guitarist holds the pic when they are shreading.

lowsound