Gotta say... I've really warmed up to "pick playing"

[Philbiker]

I think this may be more at home in the "Technique" section. I played with a pick exclusively for many years; it caused a repetitive stress injury (Tendinitis) in my wrist. I now play with fingers mostly, but still rock the pick occasionally if it works better for the song.

[lowphatbass]

Here's a fine example of pick playing-
http://r4---sn-jvhj5nu-a5me.c.youtub...s_redirect=yes

[ethanbowen666]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

I think this may be more at home in the "Technique" section. I played with a pick exclusively for many years; it caused a repetitive stress injury (Tendinitis) in my wrist. I now play with fingers mostly, but still rock the pick occasionally if it works better for the song.

I guess it could have, I was hoping we would be talkin more about tone and 70's awesome prog then technique.

[ethanbowen666]

Originally Posted by lowphatbass

Here's a fine example of pick playing-
http://r4---sn-jvhj5nu-a5me.c.youtub...s_redirect=yes

Not diggin it too much. I think it would sound better with fingers.... ->IMO<-

[Chico16]

Interesting... I usually only use a pick when I'm writing a song in my room. I use the pick ONLY to simulate the guitar riff/plucking tempo. Other than that I'm a finger man all the way!

[jaxom]

I can't play with a pick to save my life!!!!

[zachoff]

I've been playing w/ a pick for a while now and I dig it. If I didn't sing I'd probably play w/ fingers, but for some reason I have an easier time singing and keeping time w/ a pick.

[stepswork4me]

Here ya go....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On6bE0hDeXM

[lowphatbass]

Originally Posted by ethanbowen666

Not diggin it too much. I think it would sound better with fingers.... ->IMO<-

I guess having heard the song(complete band) so many times what stands out to me is how well the attack cuts into the mix. It's also an incredibly well written line of course, IMO.

[NOT]

There's a time and place for every style.

I started out playing with a pick and grew into playing fingerstyle. I still play with a pick most of the time. But when playing among one or two acoustic guitarists, I use my fingers. In a live setting, using a pick really comes in handy when cutting thru loud guitars.

[EagleMoon]

I started with a pick and the Carol Kaye books. Had to teach myself fingerstyle and now can play either way, but I still prefer the sound of a bass with a pick.

[two fingers]

I used to feel the same way. These days I can pluck, pick, tap, slap, etc. There's no excuse for just not allowing any technique to be at your fingertips. Learn them all and use them well. I still mostly use fingers even today, but I will do whatever the song or mix calls for.

[bigchiefbc]

As a bass player who is primarily a pick player (not because I can't play fingers, but because I just love the sound of a pick on rounds), I find that I still get looked down on by a lot of bassists from other bands that we gig with. They don't say anything to my face, I but I can definitely see it in their faces when we're soundchecking. It used to really bother me, but now that I've played enough gigs with that type of bassist, I've realized that I like my tone better than 99% of them (and can pretty much play circles around most of them anyways), so screw 'em.

[MEKer]

Originally Posted by ethanbowen666

Thanks!!!

Though I didn't say I "hated" bass players that used a pick I hate when they use one. I would still hate to see someone using a pick not for the tone but the playability and therefor limiting themselves as a player

That's why I always frowned on it because I felt that they where limiting them selves (particularly in metal where I don't really feel it's necessary to use a pick). But that's another topic of discussion. We're talking about what pickin bass sounds good on!
70s prog

Not sure where you are going with your comments above. So why would you "hate" someone because they like the playability AND TONE of a pick 100% (for them) over that of fingers. Its a personal choice. Not sure I'd "hate" someone for that. As to having the hate include tonal remarks? You can get any tone you want when you are proficient with pick technique and know your equipment and tone shaping capabilities. Please do not hate someone because YOU think they are limiting themselves. Just maybe they are perfectly happy with the pick and playing extremely well and making a living better than you or I will ever make. In fact, the word "hate" has no place in any of this. Its a very strong word that should be applied to a lot more serious things than someone's choice of playing technique.

Turn it around---should a dedicated pick player "hate" a finger player for the same reasons you seem to apply against pickers?

And there is no genre that either style is banned from performing and performing very well.
A good picker will sound good on anything. A good finger player will sound good on anything. Bringing up Carol Kaye again---all those Motown tunes you may think are only fit for finger play ala James Jamerson---well, she did those with a pick.

Enjoy your expansion of technique, but beware of being snobbish, judgmental or close-minded. A look at bassist history should show you how foolish that is. Just sayin', so don't take offense. Just trying to inject a little reason here.

Now again---play, play,play!
Cheers

[Diesel Kilgore]

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

As a bass player who is primarily a pick player (not because I can't play fingers, but because I just love the sound of a pick on rounds), I find that I still get looked down on by a lot of bassists from other bands that we gig with. They don't say anything to my face, I but I can definitely see it in their faces when we're soundchecking. It used to really bother me, but now that I've played enough gigs with that type of bassist, I've realized that I like my tone better than 99% of them (and can pretty much play circles around most of them anyways), so screw 'em.

You have the right attitude towards that kind of mess. Especially because I know what its like to on the bully side jeering you.

I picked up a pick and tryed, cant do it, some of my favorite bassists play with picks. I am sure I could do it with practice but I definitely understand what humbled me and all of my past thoughts. The pick!

But at the same time I also began to realize what else I am limited to. I cant slap or pop, I basically play a 1-2-3 left hand because I never trained my pinky....etc....I am happy with my ability at this point. At earlier stages of said ability I was in the snob crowd. I cant stand that attitude anymore. I guess we all grow up and regret our failings.

[Mike M.]

A looooong time ago during my bar band days I used a pick for about half the songs we played. If it fit's the song, then why not?

Sad to say but I'm not as good with a pick these days but I am trying to put it to use again. The last time I played at church I used a pick in one of the songs and one of the other bass players told me it sounded really good.

[pickles]

I like all techniques but I gotta say on the gig with sweat and fatigue and wierd acoustics in play, I really enjoy pick style. At home rarely grab a pick.

[Ric5]

Allen Woody playing bass with a pick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htUaHGpCAtg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3OwLV4s6PY

Nuff said!!

[MEKer]

Screaming good stuff--Gov't Mule. Just plain fun. And the guitarist so much seems like a mix of Duane Allman and Toy Caldwell to me. Have to dig'em!!! And the bass--------haha---Gibson! Thanks for the link, Ric5.

[RadioactiveGuy4]

I use Jim Dunlop JazzIII XXL picks to help me get a great grind sound from my MP Jazz bass. I have no prob playing with fingers and I will switch styles during the same song to get the right sound needed to fit the part but man do I love a grinding bass tone with a bit of overdrive. Add some chords into that and I'm a happy bass player!