Using A Pick!

[seanm]

Originally Posted by wyliee

Take a look at the attached image. It represents just a small selection of picks I have at hand. All are slightly different in composition and offer slightly different sounds. Add palm muting and you get more sounds. They are (from top right): Nylon .60MM, Brass pick, hard rubber pick, stainless steel, Heavy Jazz III pick, official Carol Kaye pick, copper pick.

Oh man, dosen't the loonie destroy the strings?

[wyliee]

Originally Posted by seanm

Oh man, dosen't the loonie destroy the strings?

Nah. I just put that there for a size reference. <grin> I wondered how quickly someone would comment on it!

[oldfclefer]

Originally Posted by Cerpin Taxt

This is one of the most brilliant things I've ever heard anyone say on this board.

As far as pick playing goes... anyone who says pick playing is "inferior" to fingerstyle obviously has a lot to learn about the bass. The pick is one of many ways to generate sounds from the insturment. It's just not a matter of better or worse. If you want to be a truly versitile player you need to be able to create a wide array of tones and colors; some of which may or may not require the use of a pick.

To some people, skill with a pick is not required. To others, myself included, it's a valuble and worthwhile skill that allows of the creation sounds that would otherwise be impossible.

CT
Your post basically captures what I've been saying in my posts. I'm limited to some degree by playing "other-handed," and I do use fingers for some easy things, but my talent has limitation. I've learned those limitations by trying everything, and I've settled on what I can do relatively well which is playing with a pick. I feel greatly hampered by these limitations and that's why I not only recommend learning fingerstyle first, I recommend learning to play a left handed instrument if you're a lefty.
All the digits on your hand are fingers. Popping with a thumb and tapping on the neck are part of the technique, but I'm suggesting that beginners learn the basic two finger style of plucking first and expand from there to include the ring finger, the pinky, thumb, tapping and even a pick.
That's not to say that you can't support yourself as a bassist using a pick. Obviously you can, but if your intension is to become the best bassist that you can become, I'd recommend learning fingerstyle first.
I wouldn't trade the great experiences I've had as a bassist. I still play today and enjoy myself immensely. I can even approximate my fingerstyle heroes' chops with a pick, but if I had a do over.......

[Bushfire]

I like the attack I get from a pick, but I've found that (being in a rock band) I can't move around on stage enough with a pick. Dunno why, but yeah, I'll play with either. Just depends on how I'm feeling.

[Tash]

I actually tried a pick at rehersal this afternoon. I am mostly a fingerstyle player because that is just what feels most comfortable for me, but I like the tones you can get out of a pick and thought it might sound cool in my band.

We ran through 3 songs before one of my guiltarists told me to switch back because "You sound way cooler with your fingers." And he was right. While the tone I was getting was just fine I don't play as fluently and naturally with a pick, and it showed.

Some people can play perfectly fine with a pick, I am not one of them.

[phxlbrmpf]

I, being an ex-pick hater, also did a full rehearsal with a pick the other day and I must say I really liked how it sounded and felt. Even though I had the feeling I sounded sort of crappy when I tried to bust out some funky lines alone, particularly when picking on the B string, the tone I got was just right for our heavier songs.
Strangely enough, playing with the other guys made the crappiness go away, which is nice, as this is how most people are going to hear me play.

I used a Fender medium plastic pick (I like the percussive snap I get with it) and the darn thing snapped after half an hour!

Well, at least broken picks are less trouble as the blisters you get when you don't gig/rehearse regularly and play fingerstyle too hard.

[CaptainWally]

Originally Posted by oldfclefer

How does this diminish into oneupsmanship? Is this a forum that is based on semantics rather than substance?
I said "I believe finger style is the best method for playing bass." I do believe that.
I don't play with fingers too much. I mostly play with a pick. I'm good enough, but not great.
I recommend to those who are learning bass to master fingerstyle first.
My bass playing heroes all play fingerstyle.
My definition of a virtuoso is a player is one who can not only master any piece of music on his/her instrument, but takes that instrument to musical places its never been before.
I've never heard of those who have been mentioned in this thread. Not to say they're not good or even great. They're just not that well known as accomplished bassists. If they do what a virtuoso does, I'm sure they'll be recognized, but for now, I know of no pick playing bass virtuosos.
Twist my words if you like, I tried to make it simple enough for most to understand.

Well, hey, no "oneupsmanship" intended. I just said it was a loaded couple of statements meaning they contained a lot of unspoken implications.

I think it's good you went back and talked about why you think finger style is the way to go. I respectfully disagree - I don't think there is a best method and it doesn't matter to me what others players are doing.

[Rusty Chainsaw]

A few more names for the "pick virtuosos" list (they are out there!):

Colin Hodgkinson - the inspiration for Stanley Clarke and many others who play chordal pieces on the bass. A pick player who picked an old Precision and who can still play rings around many of today's virtuosos.

Hellmut Hattler - German pick virtuoso. You've never heard rhythms like what this guy can produce with his unusual pick technique. Incredible speed too and some of the most outrageous solos you'll ever hear. Go listen to Kraan.

Andy West - One of the best bassists out there, period. An innovator in the use of ERBs, and awesome tone to boot. His playing on the Dregs albums rules.

There's also the aforementioned Carol Kaye, Chris Squire, Steve Swallow, Tony Levin (sometimes), and so on. These people are as virtuosic as Vic, Jaco, et al in their own way.

I play about 75% fingerstyle, but I love the sound of a pick in the right situation - the sound and articulation of a pick simply can't be achieved with fingers or any other technique. Just another awesome sound you can pull out of the bass.

Russ

[The Mock Turtle Regulator]

Marcus Miller was using a pick (with palm-muting) for a bit at his clinic at Soundcontrol today.
it's worth having chops in all styles.

[Jonki]

pick doesnt feel naturally to me, i cant feel the strings, i need stringcontact on both hands

but hey, its up to you whats feel naturally for you.

[protoz]

Picks are for wussies

I really could care less if a bassist uses a pick but I'll never use one personally because I like to be able to feel the string and I think I have more control over how the string will sound when I pluck it.

Pick is useful if you really want a nice bitey sound but I like more rumble so finger-style works better for me.

[Steve Harris Is]

I just started playing a week ago and although I TRIED to play guitar like 10 years ago, I don't think that had anything to do with me deciding to go the pick route initially. It's simply a matter of comfort. I DO NOT feel like I am going to progress quickly using fingers, and although I am willing to be ultra patient learning this instrument, as I am also hoping to play heavier rock/metal with a band at some point, why not use what most of those dudes do? A pick!

Of course, being a Steve Harris worshipper I am also longing for the day when I can bust out mad triplets with blazing fingers but I think, unlike Uncle Cleffy here, I am going to go the reverse route and move to fingers later. If time goes on and some a**wipe dares come to me after a set and gives me some line about "Dude, only p*ssies use a pick on Bass" well then they're going to see my very un-p*ssy like response using bare hands.

Play your bass. Use a f**King set of oven mits and a spatula if it sounds good and screw those who think it's meant to only be played one way...