What am I doing wrong?

[SnuffdaCrimeDog]

Ok I usually play with my fingers I like the control I have and I really feel like I can control the tone of the note, but recently I've been using a pick because we(our band) have been incorporating some faster basslines into our routine. Whenever I play with a pick its sounds awful...I meen it sounds fine through the amp, but like I can here my bass buzzing like a mofo, Ive tried raising my action to make up for my sketchy picking technique, but it doesnt seem to matter it still buzzes. My necks fine that was the first thing a checked, but I can't seem to get my bass to not buzz when I play with a pick. Now I assume its me, so if someone who plays with a pick could give me some advice that be great. Or is it something to do with my bass? I have a Fender Jazz Bass, and it about a year old now. Strings are fairly new, but not that new so they have lost the new string sound, and like I said necks fine, but if there something else that could be causing it let me know please.

[jady]

You are probably hitting the strings harder with the pick than with your fingers causing a greater radius of movement for the string. this would cause noticable buzz.

Try picking softer and if the buzzing stops, pick softer or raise your strings a bit.

[SnuffdaCrimeDog]

I think picking softer maybe my only answer. I raised the strings pretty high, pretty much to the last point were it wasnt strenuous to push them down. Still buzzing. Like I said I started playing with my fingers so I am porbably going a little crazy with the pick. I think practice will eventually make perfect and sense the buzzing isnt affecting anyone but me, I guess Ill have to live with it for sometime.

[BaldBass]

you might also try a softer pick....I have used stiff felt picks in the past with good success.

[EricF]

1. Make sure you're fretting the notes directly behind the fret rather than square in the middle of the space between frets.
2. Attack the strings in a motion parallel with the body rather than plucking them towards or away from the body.
3. Practice, practice, practice until you can play cleanly - if thousands of people can do it, so can you.
4. Here's the big one...CONSULT A TEACHER!!

[SnuffdaCrimeDog]

Yea that may be a good one, I am playing parrallel with my body it sounds fine with my finger and then bad with a pick practice it really going to help and yea I will talk to my instructor I havent seen him in a while, but he wont mind if I drop by thanks for the help

[FaithNoMan]

I lowered the action, and tightened the truss rod a 'bit just so I can have more fretbuzz on my Ric and P-bass

Before this, I used to hate any fretbuzz whatsoever....until I realized just how much it is a part of the tone I was searching for.

I strongly suggest using your amp's power to get more volume, playing with a much lighter touch, and refining your technique...you'll be amazed at the benefits.

I promise.

[seekir]

How 'bout palm muting?