I've been a finger player most of my bass playing life but the last couple I've been using a pick in a three piece band to open it up more. I like it and still play finger style depending on the song.
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Fingerstyle sounds terrible after playing with a pick!
- Thread starter taylor16
- Start date
The answer is a rubber pick... gives you the essence of fingerstyle with the speed and accuracy of a pick...
Yeah, it would be terrible if you tried a new technique and found that you liked it.
That index finger "pick" is exactly how i do it, too, when I want that effect instead of playing regular fingerstyle or thumb. I generally find I can put more physical force into the string with fingers, which have more mass than a pick. But there are things which sound snappier with a pick, and there are great players who use a pick that I could only dream of equaling. So it all does come down to individual choice or preference. "All roads lead to Rome ...".
Wes Montgomery talked about the pick vs. fingers (thumb) issue in an interview with Ralph Gleason. Wes sure made that thumb work for him, but still ...
You don't use a pick, do you?
No. That's one of my downfalls, too. In order to get a certain amount of speed you should use a pick, I think. A lot of cats say you don't have to play fast, but being able to play fast can cause you to phrase better. But I just didn't like the sound. I tried it for about two months. Didn't use the thumb at all. But after two months I.still couldn't use the pick, so I said I'd go ahead and use the thumb. But then I couldn't use the thumb either, so I asked myself which are you going to use? I liked the tone better with the thumb, but the technique better with the pick, but I couldn't have them both ...
Incidentally, the same reason I refuse to try heroin.
And just like heroin, getting addicted to the pick can end a bassists career.
Stick_Player
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Ric5
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Yes, but she is a woman
Who plays better than most men bass players
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
You are now a bass guitar player - no more an electric bassist.
Derp. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/famous-bassists-who-use-picks.854375/
Put down your Mom's computer and go back to playing tiddlywinks or whatever it is you do.
>OP if you were happy with your finger style tone before, then it just may be that your ears are getting "used" to the Pick tone. That would explain why some people "revert" back after 15 minutes or so. It could also be ear "Fatigue" which could possibly be remedied by turning the volume up a bit more for finger style and Visa/Versa.
Stick_Player
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Weak comeback. THIS might help you in the future.
Self-described bass guitar player:
You have a problem with that? Now, go away.
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If you are going to use one do it & don't be insecure about it, it will only sidetrack from your playing. I'm personally not a fan of the pick & find that it has a lot of limitations. Any sound you get with a pick can be done with your fingers, just attack the strings at different spots & angles, & maybe keep a little bit of a fingernail on your fingers. There are very few bass players that I like that play with a pick, cause most just play straight guitar on bass & that's not my thing, but each his own. If that's is your thing, go for it. Or if you want to play with a pick & still groove & be funky, listen to Glenn Hughes.
I've been a fingerstyle player since I started playing bass. It wasn't until I recently joined a pretty aggressive sounding band that I tried playing with a pick and actually got far better results (especially with overdrive) than with my fingers. I'm still a bit clunky with a pick since its still pretty unfamiliar territory but its definitely growing on me and I'm really enjoying my tone and what it achieves in the band mix.
In saying that, if I'm just noodling by myself in my garage I almost always go back to playing fingerstyle. Probably because I tend to play more melodic lines when I'm alone and fingers seem to achieve more sonically pleasing results.
In saying that, if I'm just noodling by myself in my garage I almost always go back to playing fingerstyle. Probably because I tend to play more melodic lines when I'm alone and fingers seem to achieve more sonically pleasing results.
This is true. Originally, I bought picks "designed for bass players"... NOT Good. Thick felt picks do not work for me. Then, I bought a variety pack, carbon fiber, nylon, tortex ranging in sizes from .88mm to 1mm or more. After some experimentation I'm favoring .88mm nylon because these are firm but flimsy enough to strum without getting stuck on a string. I also like the .88mm tortex. The tortex, like the nylon is .88mm. It is not as flimsy but it wears down. I've worn it down to almost a nub already.
As DavidEdenAria has stated, all picks do not respond or sound the same. The thicker ones are darker, the thinner ones are clanky. I'm using 40 - 95 gauge strings on my pbass (.88mm nylon pick), and 45 - 100 gauge strings on my jbass (.88mm tortex pick), and it doesn't work for me if I reverse picks to bass.
I will probably return to finger-style in the future whenever I tire of pick-style, but for now I'm really into using a pick totally unexpected, and I'm really digging it! Playing bass guitar for me is an experiment as well as an experience. I've always loved the instrument, as all of you do. I don't play in a band yet I have thousands of dollars tied up in equipment. I just love the sound of it, the look, the feel, everything about bass. I know you guys are just as passionate about bass as I am.
Geddy Lee said in 2112 - What is this strange thing that I've found. It has strings and it makes a sound.
Jimi Hendrix said in Manic Depression - Music, sweet music, I wish I could caress.
I just wanna play. pick, fingers, I"ll use my unit if have too. Just let me play.
