Why Did You Choose Plectrum ?
 

Hi guys
I'm doing a dissertation on plectrum style players for my degree in Commercial Music and I wanted to find out from all you bassists who use a plectrum the reason as to why you chose to play with a pick. As little or as much detail as you would care to give.
Thanks
Jack

I play primarily precision basses and I just love the full, bright sound you can get with a pick. Also when I started playing a lot of the punk guys I idolized used picks and I sort of just picked it up along with their playing style. Some times certain music just sounds better picked

I like the "clacky" sound, and the bass sounds louder too ;P!

I chose a pick because my first teacher chose it for me! =)

I have since learned to use my fingers on 90% of the songs we play, but I still love the pick on certain ones. It gives a clean and clear tone that cuts through the mix.

I love how it makes my Thunderbird sound. And I really like how you can use your palm to mute the strings!

The strident, crisp tone. That trebley punch.
Also, my musical influences include many bassists who use picks:
Justin Chancellor - Tool
Jon Duke - John Mark McMillan
All Grunge bands
Most Stoner bands

The timbre/tone of a picked bass accommodates a certain sound.
I can't encapsulate the entire scope of what style sounds good with picked bass, but
typically tone-rich music where the guitar is distorted or very bright and the drums are solid and tight. It makes for a sound that "cuts".

*grabs popcorn*

For the punch and extra attack

Primarily this band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92TQI6cI7Nc

And just because I love the tone. A pick is great to achieve a really focused, punchy sound that, like has been said before, works especially well with a very "straight" drummer. I used to be a fingerstyle player but switched to pick because it worked MUCH better in the styles of music I play.

PUNK ROCK!

I started using one because Sir Paul used one and for rock the attack with a pick is the sound I'm looking for.

Love its sound for palm muted funk lines. Quicker attack.

I've learned pick and fingerstyle, and use what works best in a given situation.

Because I am not a "real" bassist. :hiding:


Sorry guys !!!


Could n't resist that one ! :D



OP, you are new to the forum so I'll explain. The silly statement "real bassists dont use a pick" has often been made by finger style players about pick players.

Is a "plectrum" a pick?

I think my idols Adam Clayton, Duff McKagan and the guy from Greenday use one...<s>

I primarily play fingerstyle for my own stuff, but I will experiment on some things and see what I like better. If it goes better with a pick, I use a pick.

Doing covers, I tend to stick to what the original player did. If I know a certain player uses a pick all the time, or did on a certain song, I use one too, just to stay closer to the tone and feel of the original.

When you use a pick on a punchy bass like Stingray, Wal or Precision, the attack will be SHARP~

I play mostly fingerstyle with a fair amount of fingernail, but keep a thumb pick on for certain things like fast double stops and octaves. I sand down the thumb pick until it barely sticks out past the thumb...kinda like a fingernail on the side of the thumb. Not sure if anyone else does this...i started doing it because I just couldn't get fast enough with fingers alone. Not that I am yet as fast as I would like....guess I can still dream.

I played guitar for a number of years, so when I picked up a bass, using a pick felt more natural to me. Now, I prefer the sharper attack of a pick and the ability to palm mute.

Mostly fingers now, started with a pick and felt limited, i do love the pick attack tho.