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

#102
jazzonlyjazz 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...
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That just sounds like a lack of technique and control than any problem with thinner picks. Never broken a pick, ever, guitar or bass, and as stated, I use a 0.6mm, which is like the second thinnest Tortex pick they make. Don't play so hard. Turn up at the amp and turn down at your hands. You can get a good pick tone by minimizing your pick action. If you pick harder, all you get is more fret and pick sound.
 
#103
honeyiscool said:
That just sounds like a lack of technique and control than any problem with thinner picks. Never broken a pick, ever, guitar or bass, and as stated, I use a 0.6mm, which is like the second thinnest Tortex pick they make. Don't play so hard. Turn up at the amp and turn down at your hands. You can get a good pick tone by minimizing your pick action. If you pick harder, all you get is more fret and pick sound.
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I know I used to use thin picks on guitar--and broke a lot--then I switched to thick picks and my techniqe and control improved dramatically--so it probably works both ways.
 
#104
I play about half the time with and half without a pick. I tried alot of different picks, finally settled on the tortex green ones. Surf tunes gotta have it. Listen to PET SOUNDS. Carole Kay would double her parts one with and one without , then Brian Wilson would compress the hell outa it. Way cool sound....
 
#105
i've been playing with a pick for maybe 18 months but not very seriously. i would love to be better especially for playing on short-scales where more attack is nice. i really like dunlop max-grip 1.14s. when it comes to recording i always go back to fingerstyle because it feels much better. ah maybe i'll get there with time but i think fingerstyle will always prevail much like my philosophy on slapping. all slap lines groove harder fingerstyle. i'm going to catch heat for this one!
 
#106
KeithPoker said:
i've been playing with a pick for maybe 18 months but not very seriously. i would love to be better especially for playing on short-scales where more attack is nice. i really like dunlop max-grip 1.14s. when it comes to recording i always go back to fingerstyle because it feels much better. ah maybe i'll get there with time but i think fingerstyle will always prevail much like my philosophy on slapping. all slap lines groove harder fingerstyle. i'm going to catch heat for this one!
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Oh, but I agree, what's missing from a lot of slap playing (here we go, I'll take some heat too) is dynamics which is key for the groove. Slap can be flat dynamics wise unless the player is really good, whereas with finger playing you can vary the dynamics more, add ghost notes etc. Not that it can't be done with good slap technique, I just don't hear it very often, people slap too hard. The same goes for a lot of pick playing too ... (rushing off to change into my asbestos clothes).
 
#109
I don't have much choice anymore... my work has caused, likely to be nerve damage in my middle "plucking" finger and its tight and sore to even make a fist.. so I've had to go into pick mode..... I find it A LOT easier to play through metal tunes with a pick, but things like Hendrix , Journey, MJ, Rage Against the Machine.. I struggle with a pick... the 2 picks I use are a "medium" fender and a massively thick 2.0mm Dunlop called "Big Stubby" =P
 
#110
I like using a variety of techniques depending on the song.

In my opinion, certain songs call for finger style. Others call for a pick. I don't think there's anything wrong with any approach. I enjoy playing slap as well, though I'm far from being skilled in it.

Sometimes I enjoy the brighter attack of a pick. Other times, I like using my fingers because I can throw in other flourishes (i.e.) tapping or adjusting a knob much more quickly than if I had a pick in my hand. I like having as many tools in my box as possible.

Having a pick can help if you're playing back to back shows and want to give your fingers a little bit of a rest.
 
#113
I have recently "dicovered" the pick myself. I always played fingerstyle, recently one of our songs called for a pick, i tried it and loved it.
I'm still a rookie on the pick, i still cannot play the harder stuff as i can with my fingers, but with enough pratice i'll get better.
 
#114
I had trouble with a pick when I first started out. Then I started learning some basic six string guitar stuff. Nothing fancy just chords, basic riffs, and stuff and that helped me learn how to utilize a pick much better. So when I went to apply it to bass it was much easier.
 
#118
Im a finger player. Use a pick for two songs thats it. And i find when i play a pick for those i have to turn volume down as it drowns out the guitars Our band prefers i play with fingers. My tone cuts thru great without a pick.
 

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