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drummer wants me to use a pick

It's interesting how few people seem to trust their bandmates. The guys I play with are always giving positive reinforcement and constructive advice. Everything from which instrument to use, to amp settings, to effects, to which notes to play. If the guitarist has too much bass in his EQ, or I think the drummer is coming in too early, I tell them my opinion. We all trust each other, so there's no ego problems.
 
always been a finger player, as i get more control of each string...picks tend to cramp my thumb a bit and takes a bit for me getting use to..but u could let your nails grow a bit or change your tone....just try it for awhile till you really get the feel for it..but yeh my first response would be to hand him a box of q-tips and stfu...lol.jokingly of course:D
 
I like pick, pluck, finger, tap, strum, thump, and slap. A pick is a crutch. Drumsticks are a crutch. Lol. Musically speaking on guitar and bass. A fingers player is more talent than a pick player.. Lol.. Historically speaking.. That'll put a crutch in wheels of his argument.
 
I was told early on in learning to play both pick and finger equally well, as they have distinct applications. I am glad that I listened to that advice, as I pick alot for certain rock songs and pluck for blues and other different music styles. I have better control with fingers, but really love the feeling of picking on some heavy rocking songs. I would hate to give up either approach.
 
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I mainly use fingers, but if someone asked to try a pick, I wouldn't hesitate.
And if you had never used a pick before you would be missing all the 8th adn 16th notes as well as dropping your pick on the floor.

Had exactly the opposite happen to me. When I started playing in 1965, I used a pick. In about 1968 a new drummer in our group encouraged me to try using two fingers instead. He didn't rag on it really but did encourage me to give it a try. I did and it took a bit but pretty soon I was no longer using a pick. I can still use one if needed because it's like riding a bike - you don't forget how. You may need to practice a bit to get back to speed, but you don't forget.

Like any skill it needs some development. Don't expect to easily transfer your finger plucking ability over to playing with a pick. If you've never used one and think you can easily and automatically switch, you're in for a rude awakening.
 
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So our drummer keeps pushing me to use a pick. Implying I'll be better if I use a pick. I keep telling him it has nothing to do with skill level and I always preferred using fingers... His reasoning is when he plays bass he uses a pick and he "sounds better than me" so I should use a pick.... Any way I can dumb it down for him?
Tell the drummer to use brushes.
 
I played guitar for years and switched to bass mid way through high school. Bass players I liked used their fingers so I went that way but usually I can use a pick as an alternative. Recently though we decided to play "I Saw Her Standing There" - since McCartney used a pick on early Beatles albums I decided to do likewise. The song is at 160 bpm and I was surprised to find I couldn't play it with a pick whereas with fingers it was a piece of cake.
 
It can be hard to give, or accept, suggestions among bandmates. There has to be a high level of trust among bandmates to pull it off constructively, or a suggestion may sound like a put down. A good drummer will know when to use soft mallets, brushes, or hands on percussion if the song needs it. As bass players, I would hope that we don't limit ourselves to either finger or pick camps. I primarily used pick in my rock cover band, but some songs required I used fingers. Whatever serves the song and makes the band sound better was our goal.
 
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So our drummer keeps pushing me to use a pick. Implying I'll be better if I use a pick. I keep telling him it has nothing to do with skill level and I always preferred using fingers... His reasoning is when he plays bass he uses a pick and he "sounds better than me" so I should use a pick.... Any way I can dumb it down for him?
Tell him you will use a pick if he will play with brushes.;)
 
IMHO and IME there are times when a pick is appropriate and when I sense that I use a pick. Those in my band will often tell me they prefer it when I do use a pick but they don't have to play my bass lines. Some are just easier to play fingerstyle and it's often material that benefits from a less sharp attack. Since I've played bass about 50 years longer than they have I get to choose. :spit: :roflmao:
 
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Maybe it's because he's right but he likes you and wants to keep you around? If he's that skilled, maybe it might not be a bad idea to listen to him and be hyper critical of yourself in order to get better. Use this as an opportunity to discover what he likes about your pick playing more and get better using fingers.
He is either skilled or an egotistical moron. If a drummer is skilled enough to tell a bassist how to play, then the moron...I meant the drummer, needs to play the bass. In any case he needs to shut up.
 
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He is either skilled or an egotistical moron. If a drummer is skilled enough to tell a bassist how to play, then the moron...I meant the drummer, needs to play the bass. In any case he needs to shut up.
Ya, I guess it would suck to possibly learn something from a drummer. Much better to shut yourself off to it and not even entertain the thought of improving.
 
So our drummer keeps pushing me to use a pick. Implying I'll be better if I use a pick. I keep telling him it has nothing to do with skill level and I always preferred using fingers... His reasoning is when he plays bass he uses a pick and he "sounds better than me" so I should use a pick.... Any way I can dumb it down for him?
I have never used a pick either, fingers definately easier, better
 
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And if you had never used a pick before you would be missing all the 8th adn 16th notes as well as dropping your pick on the floor.

Had exactly the opposite happen to me. When I started playing in 1965, I used a pick. In about 1968 a new drummer in our group encouraged me to try using two fingers instead. He didn't rag on it really but did encourage me to give it a try. I did and it took a bit but pretty soon I was no longer using a pick. I can still use one if needed because it's like riding a bike - you don't forget how. You may need to practice a bit to get back to speed, but you don't forget.

Like any skill it needs some development. Don't expect to easily transfer your finger plucking ability over to playing with a pick. If you've never used one and think you can easily and automatically switch, you're in for a rude awakening.
I look at it more of learning opportunity and hopefully your bandmates understand the transition just like how you were encouraged to learn using fingers.
 
So our drummer keeps pushing me to use a pick. Implying I'll be better if I use a pick. I keep telling him it has nothing to do with skill level and I always preferred using fingers... His reasoning is when he plays bass he uses a pick and he "sounds better than me" so I should use a pick.... Any way I can dumb it down for him?
Tell him to play with brushes ‘cos you think he sounds better that way. Really, if the band wants a pick player they should get one. If they want you they should shut up and let you play how you play. You don’t hire someone for what you think you can turn them into. You hire them for what they are.
 
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Say to your drummer try to play River People whith a pick so if he can you will try to use the pick
Been serious the pick is one more tool it’s cool to get new ability’s in your playing
 

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