From fingers to a pick

[mattattack187]

And that attack!! Oh the attack, I love it.

Saw an interview with Jason Newsted a while back where he was talking about how he started playing bass with a pick because he played without an amp so he would really attack the bass to hear himself playing along to his records. "And that is the key word 'Attack'."

 

[rtslinger]

Mine was a similar issue, but I was a pick player for many years starting at 11 when I got my first electric bass. Switching to fingerstyle later on in life late 30's was a big challenge, even though I started on upright bass they are two different animals. I now on occasions, decide to play an entire show with a pick, but having to practice for 3 hours before a show, before I'm comfortable enough to use it live

 

[Salicete]

I've always used both pick and finger-style playing interchangeably, based on what the music calls for. I feel I am equally skilled at both methods, though I use a pick much less often.


Most of the pick work I do is for anything that requires a quick, sharp, defined sound, with lots of attack (as noted perviously) , and less thump.


Having learned both ways form the start, I never felt one was more difficult than the other. Whichever you prefer, being proficient at both it is a good skillset to have, and just makes you more versatile.

 

[stringtapper]

I've always used both pick and finger-style playing interchangeably, based on what the music calls for. I feel I am equally skilled at both methods, though I use a pick much less often.


Most of the pick work I do is for anything that requires a quick, sharp, defined sound, with lots of attack (as noted perviously) , and less thump.


Having learned both ways form the start, I never felt one was more difficult than the other. Whichever you prefer, being proficient at both it is a good skillset to have, and just makes you more versatile.

Pretty much the same here. I'd say my finger technique is better than my pick technique just because I tend to use fingers more.

Taking up guitar recently has helped a lot with my pick technique. Working on alternate picking has been doing my head in a bit, but I think it's worth it.

 

[Doner Designs]

I like rubber picks for giving my fingers a break but really struggle with muting. I just don't practice enough with the pick.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Like others, I played with a pick and finger style from the gate, and the skill set remains like falling off a bike.

Agree it's quite effective at adding edge to bass lines.

 

[Jakeman]

I've been playing with a pick and Pbass for 20 years - I actually find fingerstyle to be pretty limiting in comparison (for me!! Do what works for you!!). For some exceptional pick playing, maybe delve into the jam world a bit. Dave Schools, Mike Gordon and Phil Lesh are all masters of the pick.

 

[ShadowImage]

I found that a thumb pick it a great bridge between finger style and picking. Also lets you switch between the two mid song.

 

[QweziRider]

but do any other players who primarily play finger style have similar issues translating over to a pick?

I do. I've been almost exclusively a finger player since '81. This past year I joined a show that has some songs which, if done faithfully to the originals, really need a pick (even though nobody told me I had to). It's kind of fun to destroy and recreate my playing by learning something new.

 

[mikeyjm2]

Learning to play with a pick is very worthwhile IMO. I play maybe ~25% with a pick. I started out learning both as a yoot and glad I did now. Some songs I play now just don't sound right unless picked.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I play with a pick, but seldom. Sometimes the song will call for a brighter tone, or if I am just continually hitting 8th or 16th notes.

 

[Carl Hillman]

I'll keep practicing but do any other players who primarily play finger style have similar issues translating over to a pick?

Not left hand issues.

Most of difficulty for me playing pick is in the right hand. I have to practice consistent up/down alternation and string crossing more.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I had a lot of trouble holding onto the pick when I first tried it, so I got some of the giant triangular Fender picks. Once I got comfortable with them, I worked my way down in pick size to Fender standard size, usually mediums, the heavies fight me a little. That sense of disconnection between you and the strings eventually disappears, now I'm actually better with a pick than fingerstyle.

 

[jamro217]

I was a guitarist before taking up the bass. I can't play guitar without a pick. When I decided to tackle the bass, it wasn't going to be from that same mindset, it was a new instrument entirely and would be approached as such. That meant learning how to play fingerstyle. I've occasionally tried to play bass with a pick (especially the 4003) but it feels unnatural. Now the guitar and bass truly are distinct instruments.

 

[johnson79]

I've played mainly with a pick, but after carpal tunnel surgery find I play with my fingers a lot more.
I definitely prefer the tone with a pick. I did just recently buy some of the Tortex triangles and I really like them. More area to grip, and it's basically 3 picks in one since you can use all 3 points.

 

[keith1r]

Start by doing only upstrokes. Your wrist will be moving the same way it would when you play finger style

 

[7bridges]

I would think that many guitarists-turned-bassists would have a relatively easy time using a pick. I find that my timing is much better with a pick, partly from adopting a strumming type style (almost as if I were playing rhythm guitar). I use a fairly light pick, so it is not at all about the attack. By contrast, I've notice that some players (such as McCartney) have a very tightly controlled movement of their picking hand. And some (such as Will Lee) seem to use only upstrokes. The bottom line is to relax and find what works for you.

 

[Scott Lynch]

To add my $.02 And echo what many have said:

I played bass exclusively fingerstyle for years before learning to pick. That said, I picked up guitar along the way and did a bit of strumming and lead practice before attempting to transition my pick technique to bass. Even with the practice on guitar, getting used to the wide string spacing has been and still occasionally is a pain. The tradeoff of getting the attack and edge of a pick for certain songs has been worth it though.

The other big thing I had to get used to was muting - I find myself using the side of my right palm for lower strings rather than floating thumb. This also has taken time for me to develop.

 

[baileyboy]

Naturally, any new technique is going to feel alien at first. Carol Kaye is one of the most iconic pick players. In the link below (see tips numbers 26 & 27) she gives advice on how to use a pick and at the same time, avoid potential injury problems.
The Official Carol Kaye Web Site

I studied the Carol Kaye method for picking. One of the reasons for her method is because bass strings are heavier gauge than guitar strings. Picking puts a tremendous amount of stress on the fingers if you choose to hold a pick as a guitarist would. This method will protect against repetitive/stress-type injuries that can occur from other methods.

 

[consectaneus]

If I ever commit to learning I'd want to emulate Bobby Vega's technique more than Carol Kaye.

I wonder if people who associate Carol with Pet Sounds and '60s pop are aware of how funky she was in her own right?


I think the pick not only has an effect on the sound, but by its physical nature affects the way you play, and even musical (note and rhythmic) choices. You may have been transferring things you have played fingerstyle over to the pick and finding it tricky for that reason. IMO, some things just lend themselves better to one style than the other. Not to say the pick is limited, though.