Sometimes I don't feel like a real bassist...

OkkultistBass · #1 10-01-2011, 04:07 AM

Because I rarely EVER play finger-style. Almost always with a pick. I hold my bass up high, and pick near the bridge and I think it works perfect for any style.
But then I watch all these demo videos, and these amazing bassist like Gerald Veasley, Marcus Miller, so on and so on, and I feel like less of a bassist because they never use a pick.
I've even caught myself playing Jazzy lines with a pick.

I'd like to get some others thoughts on this, hopefully I'm just over reacting.

HolmeBass · #2 10-01-2011, 04:11 AM

Ever check out Steve Swallow? Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it. If it sounds good, it is good.

kevteop · #3 10-01-2011, 04:46 AM

If it sounds good and your technique isn't getting in the way of what you want to play then it's fine, stop worrying about it.

GigJones · #4 10-01-2011, 04:51 AM

I’m a 100% finger-style player but some of my favorite sounding players play/played with a pick:
Peter Cetera, Chris Squire, Jeffery Hammond, Berry Oakley…

lowfreq33 · #5 10-01-2011, 06:24 AM

I can't play with a pick. Doesn't work for me. Oddly enough I'm halfway decent at guitar, I play that with a pick 3/4 of the time. Just doesn't feel right on bass.

Do what feels right. I promise you if you're playing what's right for the song no decent musician will care.

Remus_Redbone · #6 10-01-2011, 06:43 AM

If you can get the tone you want and hit the licks you want, it doesn't matter. I'm impressed by those who CAN play well with a pick, because I can't at all. I quit trying years ago. As said by another poster, some of my favorite players are pick users. Check out Mel Schacher with Grand Funk. If I could get that tone with a pick, I would try to learn how to play with a pick one more time......

**WoodyG3** · #7 10-01-2011, 07:10 AM

LOL. Sometimes I feel like I'm too limited because I don't ever play with a pick. I'm sure I could play faster things better with a pick, but I'm too lazy to really learn to play with a pick. I'm too lazy to learn how to slap, too.

Art Araya · #8 10-01-2011, 07:18 AM

Steve Swallow
Vega (can't recall his first name)

These are two quick names of REAL bassists who use picks.

I used to feel the same way so I switched to fingerstyle many years ago. I can now play both depending on what the song calls for. But don't fall for the "real bassists don't play with a pick" lie.

Zooberwerx · #9 10-01-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkkultistBass

Because I rarely EVER play finger-style. Almost always with a pick. I hold my bass up high, and pick near the bridge and I think it works perfect for any style.
But then I watch all these demo videos, and these amazing bassist like Gerald Veasley, Marcus Miller, so on and so on, and I feel like less of a bassist because they never use a pick.
I've even caught myself playing Jazzy lines with a pick.

I'd like to get some others thoughts on this, hopefully I'm just over reacting.

Poser...charlatan...blasphemer! J/K. I'd like to learn pick-style but I can never hold onto the blasted things for more than 5 seconds. OTOH, my fingers have never fallen off onto the floor in the middle of a tune. I have to admit some songs just sound better with a pick and flatwounds.

Riis

natw42 · #10 10-01-2011, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Araya

Steve Swallow
Vega (can't recall his first name)

These are two quick names of REAL bassists who use picks.

I used to feel the same way so I switched to fingerstyle many years ago. I can now play both depending on what the song calls for. But don't fall for the "real bassists don't play with a pick" lie.

Are you referring to the great Bobby Vega? Phenomenal player, both pick and fingers.

To the OP: If you play solid basslines with good tone, yer a bassist in my book. If it really bothers you a lot, start learning fingerstyle technique and have a leg up on me (and everyone else in this thread

) by being proficient on both.

sammyp · #11 10-01-2011, 03:00 PM

start practicing some simple stuff with your fingers maybe ....if you're feeling this way you might as well jump in.....i've been playing guitar all my life and i just can't get into using a pick on bass.....if i do, i feel exactly the same way you do!

i have nothing against the pick...man Carol Kaye is awesome ...it's just not for me!

AngryJohnny · #12 10-01-2011, 03:24 PM

I've been primarily a fingerstyle player for the bands I've been in over the years (mostly alternative/indie/hard rock acts), but at home messing around with my favorite speed/thrash metal riffs & runs I'm usually defaulting to a pick. It drives me batshit crazy sometimes that I haven't developed enough endurance and/or precision at this point to handle that style with fingers only, but honestly...Dark Tranquillity, Arch Enemy, The Haunted - every one of the bassists are pickers. Does it really matter? Probably not, except to the die-hard believers that picks are for guitarists only. I suppose I can accept the possibility "he used a pick sometimes" may be written on my tombstone if it means I was able to play what I wanted. In the meantime I'll keep the fingers in training.

Muzoid · #13 10-01-2011, 03:26 PM

You'll be happy to know, pick or fingers, if you play well, and with some drive, heart and soul.

I consider you a real bassist.

FaithNoMan · #14 10-01-2011, 03:42 PM

John Entwistle never considered himself a "proper" bassist as well.

"I've always considered myself a bass guitarist, emulating guitar players." His hero was a guitar player, and he was trying to get that tone, on bass.

I don't think he suffered too greatly for it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgfiW5XcOUw

My favorite part starts around 1:40.

Doctor Dirt · #15 10-01-2011, 03:45 PM

Man you gotta do both. Just start practicing just like anything else, in a years time you'll have your comfort zone and it will also broaden your knowledge not just your techniques! Doc

FaithNoMan · #16 10-01-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Dirt

Man you gotta do both. Just start practicing just like anything else, in a years time you'll have your comfort zone and it will also broaden your knowledge not just your techniques! Doc

No you don't.

I can play with my fingers but really couldn't care less if I couldn't.

Edit: But excellent advice on the practicing part=)

pietrocefa · #17 10-01-2011, 04:23 PM

Play upright (pro and worldwide)
for more than 30 years, then start to play bass guitar with pick.
That's my story!
Have fun, enjoy Your musicality.

SGD Lutherie · #18 10-01-2011, 05:24 PM

More pick players... Paul McCartney, Carol Kaye, Joe Osborn (listen to Bridge Over Trouble Water and tell me that ain't real bass playing!), and for a long time Anthony Jackson.

Bass guitar was made to be played with a pick (by guitarist), look at the finger rest under the strings, and the pickup covers to rest your picking hand on. But clearly upright players used their fingers, so they bright that to electric bass. And of course playing pizzicato on an upright is not the "normal" technique either!

I play either way depending on what I'm playing. But I played exclusively with a pick for about 20 years. I'm a real bass player.

DBH_Bass · #19 10-02-2011, 12:19 AM

I was never comfortable with a pick on bass. I played guitar for several years before jumping over to bass. Nowadays I still play guitar on occasion and I find myself forgetting how to even hold a pick.

I wouldn't worry that you play with it. Many bass players I know personally only play with a pick and they have some pretty nice chops. worry more about your left hand skill. who cares what the right hand is doing so long as she's doing right.

awakefie · #20 10-02-2011, 12:34 AM

I started with a pick. Played many years with one. I play with my fingers now.

I like fingers because of the feel. I was much faster and probably had a harder edge to my tone with a pick.

Real bass player, I don't know. One of my favorite bass lines is Roundabout by Yes. I'm pretty sure Chris Squire played with a pick on that one.

Roundabout - YouTube