Playing Snow RHCP finger style

[PopaWoody]

Hey fellow TB'ers! Just finishing up the process of addding another song to the setlist. Snow from RHCP has sections in the chorus that are root/fifth chords in a simple B - C# progression. It sounds really good the way flea plays it, other players have said play that with a pick. Here lies the problem....I can't play with a pick to save my a$h.

I am working out a technique that applies my thumb to the A string to mute while my 1/2 fingers attack both D/G strings at the same time. Only issue with this is the G string tends to ring louder than the D. As I am hitting the string first and just glancing off the D. This makes the live with band sound thinner than I would like it to feel.

How would you other players attempt this...especially those in my shoes, the ones that despise playing with a pick. Learn to play it with a pick? Some other attack technique?

[Rickett Customs]

Doesn't sound like a pick to me...

YouTube - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) (Guitar+Bass Master Track)

[chokeslam512]

You could pluck the root with thumb/index finger (whatever you want) and then rake your finger nails over the fifths, That's how I do the bridge part in sould to squeeze.

[PopaWoody]

Originally Posted by Rickett Customs

Doesn't sound like a pick to me...

YouTube - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) (Guitar+Bass Master Track)

I didn't think it 'sounded' like a pick. That advice was given by another non TB bass player. There is a part that sounds like it sounds like he is strumming with up and down strokes.

I can get a sound pretty close to the flea groove, just looking for some other possible ways to attack the strings.

[oldcatfish]

I play that song...and though I can use a pick, I prefer not to.
What I do is sort of strum it with my index finger for the downstrokes, and my thumb on the upstrokes.

I didn't invent the technique. I am also a guitar player, and this is is a common way for acoustic fingerstyle and flamenco guitarists to strum. You can probably find a video on youtube if you search around.

[zephyr_words]

You could be playing the part wrong and that's why it sounds empty to your ears.
This is the chorus, sounds perfect with the master track...the X's aren't all ghost notes I just didn't want to tab everything out. It's easy to get the "strum" feel though.

G|-11-x-x-xx-x-xx-|----------------|-13-x-x-xx-x-xx-|-13-x-x-xx-x-xx-|
D|--9-x-x-xx-x-xx-|-11-x-x-xx-x-xx-|-11-x-x-xx-x-xx-|-11-x-x-xx-x-xx-|
A|----------------|--9-x-x-xx-x-xx-|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|

G|-11-x-x-xx-x-x-x11|-11-x-x-xx-x-x-x-|
D|--9-x-x-xx-x-x-x8-|--8-x-x-xx-x-x-x-|
A|------------------|------------------|
E|------------------|------------------|

G|-13-x-x-xx-x-xx-|-13-x-x-xx-x-xx-|
D|-11-x-x-xx-x-xx-|-11-x-x-xx-x-xx-|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|

Other things to try:
The easiest way to get each note to sound exactly the same is to use both your index and middle finger to pluck at the same time. Use the index for the high note and then the middle for the low note

Or, the way I play it, roll your finger over the top of the top note and then make the next string or the body of the bass or pickup that is past the low note the target.

[zephyr_words]

Oh, and Flea does play this song with a pick live. I don't think that really matters though.

[Sheepmaster]

Download Guitar Pro!!! It helps allot!!

[MattyH]

I've seen this song played live about 8 times. He uses a pick in the chorus. I was even at both of the shows used in the music video.

[Jason P Bass]

Originally Posted by MattyH

I've seen this song played live about 8 times. He uses a pick in the chorus. I was even at both of the shows used in the music video.

I was at his house when he wrote the song and even made a few suggestions, like using a pick in the chorus.

See 3:30
YouTube - Red Hot Chili Peppers "Snow (Hey O)" live at Fuse

Just like I told him to do when I was hanging out at his house helping him write the song.


When I covered this song, I did not use a pick. Real bass players use their fingers. That's right, Flea, I set you up for this years ago. BURN!