how do you feel about picks?...

hoppusandriano · #1 03-09-2007, 05:28 PM

I've always heard that "real" bassists don't use picks. How do you feel about bassists and picks?

Sarbecue Boss · #2 03-09-2007, 06:09 PM

I feel like there are to many bassist and pick threads
If you choose to abstain from pick playing, or slapping/tapping/other technique, you are only limiting yourself

AmazingGracePlayer · #3 03-09-2007, 06:52 PM

I don't like picks because I don't know how to use them and can't get a good tone out of them. But that's just me...

BassGod · #4 03-09-2007, 06:55 PM

I don't play with a pick. But to say that "real" bassists don't use picks is just stupid. I know that Chris Squire, for one, could play circles around me, and he uses a pick.

Graeme

vindy500 · #5 03-09-2007, 07:04 PM

picks r cool

Thinkarogadum · #6 03-09-2007, 07:23 PM

I think that guys who play bass should be able to use both fingers and a pick. A pick is a tone shaping device, just like an effect. The sound you get from playing with a pick is completely different from the sound you get from using your fingers. Also, some songs just sound better played with a pick than fingers and vise versa. Using a pick doesn't make you any less of a bass player.

jenderfazz · #7 03-09-2007, 07:29 PM

I use them nearly all the time in my two bands. It's a must for my hardcore band and I like the tone I get in my alt/indie band.

Of course I used to play exclusively fingerstyle... so I can hold my own there, and I do play fingerstyle when I need to. It's as simple as dropping the pick.

Normally, I would say, "to each his own"... and I guess I'm saying that again. But I honestly feel that being exclusively fingerstyle/pickstyle and refusing to play the other way on whatever grounds is closed-minded. There are advantages and uses for either and it's very useful to master both. I think it's more of a matter of laziness... it's like starting to play all over again, as far as your right-hand is concerned. However, it's definitely paid off for me after a couple years of good practicing with it.

Foamy · #8 03-09-2007, 07:58 PM

I use them for a handful of songs, but for the tone. My fingerpicking is pretty good, but sometimes you need that attack. All depends on the song.

The Craw · #9 03-09-2007, 08:16 PM

When someone tells you that "real" bassists don't use picks, that tells you right away that you're dealing with a moron. It's useful to know that, because you can immediately disregard anything else he says about anything.

ric1312 · #10 03-09-2007, 08:18 PM

Pay no attention to my sig, it's just a joke. A lot of really good players use picks.

I myself just won't do it. When I play with a pick, just for practice, the strings are too metallic sounding for my taste. I like the tone of fingerstyle better. That and my fingers sweat a lot so inevetibly the pick is going to come out of my grip.

deaf pea · #11 03-09-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinkarogadum

I think that guys who play bass should be able to use both fingers and a pick. A pick is a tone shaping device, just like an effect. The sound you get from playing with a pick is completely different from the sound you get from using your fingers. Also, some songs just sound better played with a pick than fingers and vise versa. Using a pick doesn't make you any less of a bass player.

+1

I think that it's a good idea to have as many different playing techniques as possible available in order to really deliver an exceptional bass part in whatever situation . . . YMMV

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Craw

When someone tells you that "real" bassists don't use picks, that tells you right away that you're dealing with a moron. It's useful to know that, because you can immediately disregard anything else he says about anything.

+1000

CAPTAIN_AMAZING · #12 03-09-2007, 10:13 PM

i wuvz my pick then again i can use me fingers, its just easier for me to use a pick. the sound goes better with the music i play(metal) cause i gotz a weak right hand and its uber soft and i can play a ton faster with a pick thats obviously not the case for everyone but its fun to get into like 32 note mode(aka pick as fast and furiously as you can in a moderate speed song) when ur goofin around

Zappstorius · #13 03-10-2007, 12:17 AM

I, personally struggle in playing with a pick, but it's something I constantly work on. I am always trying different techniques, whether it be two fingerstyle, three fingerstyle, slap-pop, double slap, chorded stuff, chorded pop stuff etc. I don't care if you kick the bass, if it sounds cool keep doing it.

Atoz · #14 03-10-2007, 12:33 AM

Personally, I love picks. I get a lot of good looks at the basket that way.

Rakie · #15 03-10-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htotheh

I don't like picks because I don't know how to use them and can't get a good tone out of them. But that's just me...

Exactly how i am, welll i know how to use them, i play the guitar but i cant on the bass.

My problem exceeds beyond that tho... lots of great players use picks, but as soon as i see that i (in my mind) think "I bet they would sound better with out a pick" and for MY EARS when they have one song, or one phrase or chorus with no pick, by chance... it sounds 1000x better. but thats my personal taste in tone ;p

Rakie · #16 03-10-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

I, personally struggle in playing with a pick, but it's something I constantly work on. I am always trying different techniques, whether it be two fingerstyle, three fingerstyle, slap-pop, double slap, chorded stuff, chorded pop stuff etc. I don't care if you kick the bass, if it sounds cool keep doing it.

Thats what i need to do, i practice all that except picking... i need to MAKE it sound good to me, but im a stubborn bastard ;p

Dash Rantic · #17 03-10-2007, 10:37 AM

I tend to ignore anyone who tells me I shouldn't play with a pick.

That being said, I play fingerstyle most of the time, but sometimes for some songs you just need a pick. There's no getting around that--you just can't get that sound from fingers, sorry.

-Dash

whyseye · #18 03-10-2007, 10:51 AM

I much prefer fingerstyle, and kinda hated picks at first, but once I got a pick the right size for my fingers, and the right amount of bite vs. give, the pick has really started to grow on me.
There's not only the difference in sound, but also the difference that a "strummier" approach to rhythm brings. I'm not a guitarist, and that felt foreign to me at first - I've always taken a more upright jazz approach to playing electric bass, so that was a big light bulb for me.
...all that said - I still prefer fingerstyle 95 percent of the time.

SundanceChile · #19 03-10-2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dash Rantic

That being said, I play fingerstyle most of the time, but sometimes for some songs you just need a pick. There's no getting around that--you just can't get that sound from fingers, sorry.

Dunno about you, but I got a convincing pick sound from letting my finger nails grow out and playing fingerstyle.

Dash Rantic · #20 03-10-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessFreak

Dunno about you, but I got a convincing pick sound from letting my finger nails grow out and playing fingerstyle.

OK, I'll admit you have a point on my there. But still, for us nervous nail-biters out there, our only hope for a pick is a pick

Plus it's a nice thing to fall back on when the 'ol fingers get tired after extended periods of playing.

-Dash