trying to use pick... argghh

[Loempiaketzer]

im trying to use the pick.... to play punk...

when i play, i dont get a-ritmic hit on my strings.

its like this
x--x----x--x----x--x----x--x----

and needs to be like this *constant*
x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

*the "X" is when i hit the string.

also.... my bass is flying all over the place because i put my wrist on it and go up and down and cant supress the motion of the bass going forth and back.

2 main problems...

and a litle problem... i get too much "pick" on the string... hitting it too "thick" but when i try to just hit it i mis it a lot of the time...

i hate it..

can some1 or somebody PLZ tell me a few quick tips that can help a lot? im dieing here

ps. i only have this problem when standing. i dont play sitting down

[Granville]

Anchor your hand in the same way a guitar muted on your brige but keep it back,be wary of cramp thou.Try some different gauge picks althou obviously too thin and you'll lose the punkyness[possibly].

Make sure you have plenty of midrange.

Are you doing all downstrokes of alternate picking?

If you alternate pick and play punk God will probably kill you? ;-)

[Sneckumhaw]

Originally Posted by Granville

If you alternate pick and play punk God will probably kill you? ;-)

The day of reckoning is upon me!

Seriously, guy. These are really bad issues. It sounds to me like you're probably not holding the plectrum correctly. How are you holding it?

[Sneckumhaw]

Another note. If you're any good with your fingers, who says you can't play punk that way? It's all about whatever's comfortable. People go on and on about why you should or shouldn't play with a pick, but the only reason that trumps everything else is how it feels to the bassist. It doesn't sound like the pick feels especially good for you.

If you feel you must use a pick, playing from the elbow, strumming inaccurately is the worst thing for the problems you're experiencing. It sounds like that may in fact be at the source of your difficulties.

[ducknturtle]

Playing with a pick is more difficult than some people think and takes practice to master. It also uses arm muscles differently than finger style. Most beginners play too hard and this may be part of your problem. Only practice will help.

[j-bass-kreep]

Use the smallest amount of wrist motion to pluck , and I don't look cool while playing so I can't help you with the bass moving around thing .

[Loempiaketzer]

well... i saw a vid on youtube about bassing *from another forum* about placing of hands and such and it helped

now i can go "quite fast" with my fingers.
i turned up my amp a bit so i didnt need to pluck that hard, so i can go faster with same tone.
and my hand placing wasn't that much off with finger using so that was cool too

about using a plectrum... i only have 2 thicknesses...a medium and a heavy... should i buy all ranged plectrums just to try? or at least borrow some? would that make much difference.

I would like to learn how to play with a plectrum so that i can play that if i want too....

and would the heigth of my bass make much difference? *its hanging quite low now* (i have an extenden shoulderstrap .. but ive seen bassist with a lower hanging bass than me playing with plectrum on stage... and they rocked too... so that shouldnt be a prob right?)

I'll just keep practicing.... should be fine i gues...

and yes... i alternate with plectrum.... and if god wants to punish me... he better bring his boxing gloves to the party