Playing Knights of Cydonia with a pick

[Travisx2112]

Hey guys, got a question for ya. I found the bass track to Knights of Cydonia by Muse on YouTube (see here ) Chris uses a pick in the beginning and middle of the song. I really like the galloping triplets thing, but I cant play it that fast. I've tried playing with my pick not so exposed, which might help a bit, I don't know. I can play it though, but just not that fast. Any tips?
My pick by the way is a purple planet waves pick, 1.09mm (.043")

Thanks!

[SpaceDementia]

I find it to be easier to actually just play it fingerstyle, rather than the triplet picking. You'll acheive the same effect, it just wont sound as gritty as it would with the plectrum.

[Travisx2112]

Originally Posted by SpaceDementia

I find it to be easier to actually just play it fingerstyle, rather than the triplet picking. You'll acheive the same effect, it just wont sound as gritty as it would with the plectrum.

I do find it easier to play with fingers, which I do do, but I would still like to be able to play it with a pick.

[markblasco]

The key to that style fast is to play it down up down, down up down, etc. It is just like playing straight eighth notes, but every second note you hit the string again on the upswing.

Try with a lighter pick to get less resistance from the strings (it will also help to even out the volume if your playing is inconsistent)

[Travisx2112]

I'll try it with a lighter pick later once I get home, and I'll update you guys on how it goes

[Travisx2112]

Well, I tried a lighter pick (it says Grover Allman M on the back....?) Quite a bit faster and smoother, but still not fast enough.

[lethargytartare]

When I've seen guys try to get faster and faster with a pick, they seemed to go for more rigid and smaller pics -- think jazz stubbies and the like. Basically a very small, unyielding tip. I find that lighter ones just end up costing you output/volume.

But in the end, it's going to be a matter of finding the striking pattern (e.g. d-u-d d-u-d as mentioned earlier) and then practice -- there's no silver bullet to playing fast -- there are refinements, but you still need the rote repitition to build the fast-twitch muscles and the accuracy to play faster and faster.

When I can't play fast enough to play along with a particular song, I take out beats and notes, and just try to hit those in time, then add them back in as I get faster and more in synch with the song.

cheers!

ltt