Pantera prep.

[gregorygo4]

Hey, I just got invited to play in Pantera cover band next semester and I haven't played metal in probably 4 years, luckily I have the Summer to build my chops up a bit.
Do you guys/gals have any tips that might help get my fingers (no plectrum) shape for this gig? Or any tips for playing any Pantera tunes in general?

Much appreciated,
Gregorygo4

[MrBorisSpider]

Originally Posted by gregorygo4

Hey, I just got invited to play in Pantera cover band next semester and I haven't played metal in probably 4 years, luckily I have the Summer to build my chops up a bit.
Do you guys/gals have any tips that might help get my fingers (no plectrum) shape for this gig? Or any tips for playing any Pantera tunes in general?

Much appreciated,
Gregorygo4

My tip is to grab a dunlop tortex 1mm pick and work up your pickstyle. A big part of Rex's tone and playing is the pick. He doesn't play w/o one.

[Pete C]

My band covered a few Pantera songs, and I did pretty well by wailing on the strings with the tips of my fingers. I also cut the mids a little bit and dialed in a bit more bass, but then again I wasn't really going for his exact tone.

[MrBorisSpider]

To any players who will never grab a pick I say:

A) I don't care if you suck right now. So did I a couple months ago. Remember when you first picked up your bass? You sucked then like me because it's a new skill. You CAN learn it.

or.

B) Stop being so elitist and thinking 'picks are for pussies' and 'real bassists don't use picks'. Two words: Anthony Jackson. Why does a great session man use a pick? He plays R&B and other stuff like that. Pickstyle seems to be the total antithesis of that. Except he makes it work, so stop being an idiot. Play both ways.

[gregorygo4]

I have nothing against people who use picks. Personally, I just have a lot of trouble using them, even when I mess with guitars. I just want to build up my fingers because I feel more comfortable with them, and although I might not have Rex's tone, I at least, want to do his parts justice.

I guess I'm being a bit stubborn, but it feels completely unnatural to me to have something between the strings and fingers. I appreciate the feedback though, thanks!

[milljo]

Slide into the note. Also, don't pick every note. I pretty much learned to play on Pantera and it's part of my style now. Actually, I'm trying to work that out of my playing since it doesn't work as well for other music.

[svenbass]

Originally Posted by gregorygo4

I have nothing against people who use picks. Personally, I just have a lot of trouble using them, even when I mess with guitars. I just want to build up my fingers because I feel more comfortable with them, and although I might not have Rex's tone, I at least, want to do his parts justice.

I guess I'm being a bit stubborn, but it feels completely unnatural to me to have something between the strings and fingers. I appreciate the feedback though, thanks!

I'd go with the approach you're most comfortable with. You can mimic a pick sound just as easy as a Anthony Jackson can play R&B with a pick. Using your fingers isn't elitist, nor does it make you an idiot, as the previous troll suggested ... it's the way you play.

I played in a speed metal band for a few years and my tone was very pick-like. I used my fingertips, getting a little fingernail in there, in conjunction with the EQ on the the amps (I split signal into a bass rig, and a Marshall guitar rig) to get the tone I needed. We were a trio so I had a lot of turf to cover, especially when the guitar was soloing.

To build your chops, try practicing some rhythms out of a drum rudiment book with a metronome at various tempos. Emphasize accuracy first, then speed. Playing fast is easy, keeping it clean and precise is the hard part. Good luck!!

[Pete C]

To any players who will never grab a pick I say:

A) I don't care if you suck right now. So did I a couple months ago. Remember when you first picked up your bass? You sucked then like me because it's a new skill. You CAN learn it.

or.

B) Stop being so elitist and thinking 'picks are for pussies' and 'real bassists don't use picks'. Two words: Anthony Jackson. Why does a great session man use a pick? He plays R&B and other stuff like that. Pickstyle seems to be the total antithesis of that. Except he makes it work, so stop being an idiot. Play both ways.

I am going to assume this was directed towards me.

I'll admit, I can't play pick style as well as finger-style and I have neglected it. There's a reason: I haven't felt the need to play with a pick. I have been able to get all the tonal versatility I want using different finger style techniques. That said, it is not your place to tell people that if they don't like using a pick they are an elitist. I liked the tone I got, my band liked my tone and the audience didn't seem to mind, so I did good in the end, despite being one of those "elitists" you speak of.

[MikeVQ]

Originally Posted by MrBorisSpider

My tip is to grab a dunlop tortex 1mm pick and work up your pickstyle. A big part of Rex's tone and playing is the pick. He doesn't play w/o one.

I'm almost certain that Dimebag(RIP) said in an interview once that Rex did play fingerstyle on some Pantera tunes, I specifically remember him mentioning Floods as one of them.

[MrBorisSpider]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I am going to assume this was directed towards me.

I'll admit, I can't play pick style as well as finger-style and I have neglected it. There's a reason: I haven't felt the need to play with a pick. I have been able to get all the tonal versatility I want using different finger style techniques. That said, it is not your place to tell people that if they don't like using a pick they are an elitist. I liked the tone I got, my band liked my tone and the audience didn't seem to mind, so I did good in the end, despite being one of those "elitists" you speak of.

No point in furthur argument. You know it all.

[Pete C]

Thanks bud.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by MrBorisSpider

My tip is to grab a dunlop tortex 1mm pick and work up your pickstyle. A big part of Rex's tone and playing is the pick. He doesn't play w/o one.

Originally Posted by MikeVQ

I'm almost certain that Dimebag(RIP) said in an interview once that Rex did play fingerstyle on some Pantera tunes, I specifically remember him mentioning Floods as one of them.

Yup, Rex mixes it up, in some vids, espically live, you can see him playing fingerstyle.

[MrBorisSpider]

You know, I didn't mean to come across like an idiot. Sorry for that. I'm just saying, I hate this prejudice against pickstyle. People who ****-talk it infuriate me to no end.

Picks sound like picks and fingernails don't. If you're gonna do a cover, do it right, you know? I wouldn't play 'Cowboys' without a pick. It just wouldn't sound right.

Anyway, I hope you lay down some sick groove like Rex. Good luck.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by MrBorisSpider

You know, I didn't mean to come across like an idiot. Sorry for that. I'm just saying, I hate this prejudice against pickstyle. People who ****-talk it infuriate me to no end.

I hate that kind of talk about anything bass relatd, espically brand.

Originally Posted by MrBorrisSpider

Picks sound like picks and fingernails don't. If you're gonna do a cover, do it right, you know? I wouldn't play 'Cowboys' without a pick. It just wouldn't sound right.

I always play Cowboys fingerstyle, no-one has ever said it dosn't sound right, in fact I usually get compliments.

OP, just make sure you play ith groove, other than that, whatever stlye you use, bass you play etc. will be fine.

[MikeVQ]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Yup, Rex mixes it up, in some vids, espically live, you can see him playing fingerstyle.

It amazes me that he can play floods with such a long strap.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by MikeVQ

It amazes me that he can play floods with such a long strap.

True, it amazes me that anyone can play down that low full stop. My back is hurtin' just thinkin' about it.

[MikeVQ]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

True, it amazes me that anyone can play down that low full stop. My back is hurtin' just thinkin' about it.

Not really an issue for a guy like Norwood Fisher I suppose, but that's a whole other topic.

[Audiophage]

Originally Posted by MikeVQ

Not really an issue for a guy like Norwood Fisher I suppose, but that's a whole other topic.

To be fair, Norwood Fisher isn't human. That's no dreadlock.

[Phantopeth]

One cannot simply play Rex Brown: one can only hope to contain him.

I would suggest doing all the typical finger exercises, and increasing speed to those comparable to the faster Pantera tunes. That and just playing along with their albums, I think Live: 101 Proof would be really good/a lot of fun for that.

Oh yea, and prepare to whip ***in' ***! Wear bandanas and smoke Marb Reds.

[Ripper91]

Rex Brown - in my opinion is one of the best bassists in metal. I really love his tone. Above all I would make sure you "Groove" listen to some tracks where Dimebag is soloing you can really hear how Rex's groove is holding it all together.