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Does anyone else find it difficult to play bass with a pick?

#82
I play finger style, it just seems more natural to me. However, on the occasions that I have tried the pick, and there have been plenty, it usually ends up on the other side of the room. :crying:
Not out of frustration or anger, just dodgy technique. I am determined one day to learn to use a pick, and I am also determined to learn how to slap, (although I cant stand it)
 
#83
I always play with my fingers too, but I'm comfortable using a pick when I have to. The only time I've needed to use one was at a gig when I had a really nasty blister on my finger tip. I accidentally tore it open and it hurt like hell to pluck with that finger, so I picked through 3/4 of the set. My bandmates were giving me funny looks, but at least they said it sounded good.
 
#84
I started off on guitar, so the pick feels pretty natural to me. But I've also spent a lot of time perfecting my right hand fingering technique so that feels pretty natural as well. It really just comes down to application. If I'm just generally messing around, then I'll probably use my fingers. It used to be that technique kept me from playing faster lines kept me from using my fingers because I couldn't play straight sixteenths very quickly, very evenly, for very long. But now I've practised long and hard for that ability and can keep up, but if I'm going to be playing fast punk or something similar, then I'm going to want to use a pick, because it just fits the sound better.

It's just all about what sound you need out of your toolbox to fit the part.
 
#85
When I started playing the bass I used to play with my fingers although I got blisters all the time, even with flatwound strings. Later on when I played in a band with two guitar players I realized that playing with a pick and roundwound strings enabled me to get a much punchier and cleaner sound. It's not exactly easy to play very fast notes with a pick, though. I use large, heavy Ibanez picks.
 
#86
I love playing shuffle and slightly swung rhythms with a pick because I think it's more natural to have that feel with moving my wrists than just alternating between fingers. I also tend to play flatwound and love the hollow sound that a pick makes that always seems to sit in the mix easily.

I usually pick by the neck to get a deep sound and don't find much trouble muting notes (I play five string mostly these days). I should also state that I'm also play lead guitar so picking single notes is pretty second nature for me. I also like palm muting at the bridge but I like it as an effect, not as a bread and butter.

I like medium gauge flatwound strings that are somewhat thicker than normal and provide good resistance. I use a very light pick, 0.6mm orange Tortex, and my touch is extremely light. As I said, I tend to pick by the neck because I find that to be the most comfortable place for me. I think all these things combine to make my pick sound be quite deep. I'm technically louder when I play with fingers, but I can always hear myself with a pick better.
 
#88
Dougie1316 said:
Finding the right pic is essential, I find if the pick is too heavy then my hand gets too tight but with thinner picks I can get a more consistent sound. Finding the balance between comfort and sound is essential.
Click to expand...

But thinner picks tend to break more often...obviously. I guess that depends on how hard to attack the strings. My hand also cramps up if I use a pick too often...I can't pick the other strings other than the E without hitting the other strings....gah...
 
#89
I started out with a pick when I switched from guitar in about '95. After a couple years I started playing fingerstyle, and now a pick feels extremely awkward. There definitely are times when Pick playing is called for.
 
#90
MovingPitchers said:
But thinner picks tend to break more often...obviously. I guess that depends on how hard to attack the strings. My hand also cramps up if I use a pick too often...I can't pick the other strings other than the E without hitting the other strings....gah...
Click to expand...

I use thinner picks on stuff that doesn't involve me thrashing the strings, such as The Beatles or some blues, plus I've never had a pick break either.

For such a long time I wanted to be able to play with a pick and I just couldn't get the technique but once you've found the right pick for your hand and what you like the sound of, it becomes much easier. It takes practice and I'm better with my fingers but if you stick with it and don't get frustrated, you'll get there eventually! It's handy as an alternative if anything.
 
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#91
Nope, save for some muscle issues I've been going through the past few years that is making it hard to grip a pick for long durations...but I'm working with Chiropractors on that too.
Never a bad thing to have a full quiver of techniques at the ready.
 
#93
What seems a little nonsensical to me is that a lot of pick players tend to wear the bass really low, which sets up really bad ergonomics for muting and tidy playing.

I play both finger style and with a pick.

Actually, finger-style allows a lower bass height because the wrist and fingers are pointing downward.

To pick efficiently, the wrist should be positioned more like it would be for slap. I use the same 'door knob' wrist motion as I would for slap, too. And that leaves my palm over the strings for muting.

Wearing the bass so low that you have to reach down with your palm above the strings is not going to make it easy to play with a pick.
 
#96
I've never really liked it. Did it for a bit playing in punk and metal bands years ago but quickly realized I was faster with my fingers and had a better feel for the music. Only time I really kept using a pick was for Tool type songs w slow punchy/melodic grooves. However, I would use thumb pics so I could go back to finger playing during the same song. I suppose I could practice but I just don't care for playing with it. Even though I enjoy the sound others can get with it.
 
#98
Finger style works in most situations, but it never hurts to have more tools. I'm trying now and then to practice with a pick but I have a hard time getting anywhere. It would be nice to have this option for some of the songs we play, but I'm just no good at it so far. I never played guitar so I don't have that to fall back on. I'm sure it's just a matter of putting in the necessary hours but I don't think I'll have the time or drive to do that.
 
#99
I switch about 60/40 in favour of fingers...
The pick can be an amazing tool in the right context. For hard rock and punk it's a great tone (IMO).

If you want to get good with a pick practice, that being said it's not needed to excel....
The pick is fun but the fingers are more versatile, I often just use my thumb if I want that style.
 
#100
I'm much faster with fingers than a pick, as I've never really learned to use one. I work on it intermittently because there are lines for which it's handy.

But in general, my right hand is as fast as my left. If it's too fast for me to play with my fingers, I probably can't play it with my left hand either. The exception would be stuff like Jack The Ripper where it's repetitive notes on one string or two strings close together.
 

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