• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Whats the most despised technique for bass? picking or slapping?

Whats the most despised technique for bass? picking or slapping?

  • Picking

    Votes: 13 44.8%
  • slapping

    Votes: 16 55.2%

  • Total voters
    29
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
A lot more of the bands I've seen lately use a pick compared to the number that use slap, but slap was never common in metal and punk (the vast majority of music I listen to) anyway. Speaking as a fashion whore, in my circles admitting you like slap bass is on a par with admitting you wear women's underwear - some kind of embarrassing perversion if you will.

Slap doesn't do much for me but I am always impressed with those that have the skills.
 
Even though it's proved itself as being a worthy addition to the ol' bag-o-tricks, picking gets left out like the ugly step-sister on picture day.

I like using a pick. I kinda like the cutting tone you get when using a pick, and how nice and clean-cut every picked note is. But... I'm picking up using more fingerstyle (I include slapping as a distant cousin) and it is sooo much more versatile. You can get sounds that range from nearly pick-ish, to nice full and rounded.

So, I guess I'm saying that picking is the more despised technique, because it's more of a transitional stepping stone for guitar to bass converts.

Although, slapping is soon to take the lead, because it's more of a fad-type thing (at least more-so than picking). And I notice that here lately, there have been a few threads against slapping. It will grow, and we will be back to the root-note playing that guitar players want. Maybe.
 
I HATE picking. I try on a few covers we do. I HATE that it FATIGUES my thumb prematurely since I rarely do it.

I HATE the slap technique used by Vic Wooten, because I might not ever be able to come close to it!

There, I hate them all! Hate none, better at some that others. Gotta keep your mind open to whatever comes your way. hating a technique is some sort of perverse ego-driven mental drool, that has NO PLACE in music. A technique works in a piece, or it dont. End of story.

Like I "hated" picking, but we do a Benetar tune, "Promises in teh Dark", I can keep the pulse of the tune better with a pick. Slightly, but its a picked tune to me.

I'm a slap happy bastid, I'll slap the National Anthem if ya let me, with dignity and repsect, I'm a Vet dammit!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts