Going from pick to fingerstyle in the same song

[Parabolic Box]

Just tape some picks near where you pick, so you can grab it when you need it. If you need to switch quickly, drop the pick.


Or grow out your finger nails.

 

[Tenma4]

Since my departure from my last band, I have taken a few months to really get my pickstyle playing together. I tried the thumb pick thing, but those never seem to want to set at the correct angle on my thumb. For the definition in tone I'd love to be able to switch to pickstyle on the fly that easily. I may have to try two sided tape...

 

[tjbsilv]

I always cram a pick in the gap between my bridge pickup and the pickup ring (on the top side) where I can grab it quick if I need it. It goes in there far enough to where I don't accidentally knock it out when I'm fingering, but can still get at it when I need it.

TJ

 

[4Strings46]

I keep my pick sticking out from under the scratch gaurd on my Fender Jazz so I can grab it right away when I need it.
But you have to remove one screw for the gaurd closest to the neck.

 

[Spoek]

i did that with my old metal band, i just held the pick in my lips and grabbed it when i needed it again.

I've been trying this out with one of my bands songs as well, I use fingers for a sort of funk verse to get more of a 'pop' tone and pick for heavy, fast chorus parts. I can just about get the pick to and from my teeth in time but don't have the bottle to try it on stage!

 

[nysbob]

In the rare instance I go back and forth within a tune, I'm in and out the mouth.

I realize it's not the sanitary approach, but it's very quick and hasn't killed me yet.

 

[matrok]

You could try using a thumb pick. I first saw Mario Cipollina from Huey Lewis do this and thought it was a good idea. You can seamlessly alternate between pick and fingerstyle.

That's what I've been meaning to try, right now I just stick it in my mouth.

 

[jimmy rocket]

+1 to the wrap it in your pinky maneuver. Also, alternately lick it an' stick it to the body of your bass. Easy access, and surprisingly it pretty rarely falls off.

 

[LaBaleine]

Where should i keep the pick?

mmm I have an idea...

 

[chriscrob]

For me its in the mouth...i started on guitar and i've been sticking picks in my mouth for years.

The pickguard is a better idea if you have to sing and/or like dry picks.

 

[Scot]

As already mentioned by others, I keep my pick half way stuffed in between my pick guard and body. If I have to switch quickly during a song I palm the pick in my right (plucking) hand. This comes from guitar playing where the need to switch between pick and fingerstyles is more common, IMO. That said, I very rarely find the need to have to switch between pick and fingerstyle in the same song.

 

[Thor]

Learn how to play with your ring and middle fingers. Additionally, learn how to play with your pink as well. It will take a few months to get decent at it but, after a while, you shouldn't have any trouble playing mellower parts with these fingers. It's what I do and it works great (as a bonus, you now have one--or even two--extra fingers when you just play fingerstyle; as a second bonus... hybrid picking!).

fyi, hybrid picking is playing with a pick and your ring and middle fingers at the same time... guitarists have been doing it for years.

Ray Flacke is a master of this style of picking. He has a great
video from homespun tapes detailing his guitar style.
GREAT STUFF!

As already mentioned by others, I keep my pick half way stuffed in between my pick guard and body. If I have to switch quickly during a song I palm the pick in my right (plucking) hand. This comes from guitar playing where the need to switch between pick and fingerstyles is more common, IMO. That said, I very rarely find the need to have to switch between pick and fingerstyle in the same song.

That is what I used to do. I haven't used the pick much in
the last 5 years, but back when I was playing this bass, I
would load the pickguard with them. Whenever I needed to,
I just dropped it on the floor and picked them up later. Then
later I put on the little holder you see below, it just sticks
onto the body. You can put 5-6 picks there if you wanted.

 

[Ric5]

Hold the pick with your index finger and thumb. Then when you need to play fingerstyle use the other 3 fingers on that hand. It is a pretty easy trick to pick up on. Or learn to get an aggressive sound from fingerstyle. Study Geddy and Entwistle.

 

[MilesPrower]

What I do is place the pick in my palm and cover it with my pinky, ring finger, and middle finger, creating a sort of cage, and play with just the index finger James Jamerson style

 

[Jazz Ad]

I play 3 fingers most of the time.
When I have to alternate between pick and fingers, I keep holding the pick normally between my thumb and pointer and I play the line with my middle and ring fingers.

 

[BassManDan101]

I slot spare picks under the pick guard. Works well

But if you don't have a pick guard, mayebe buy one of the things beyondhairy suggested? Or between the strings above the nut?

 

[Alun]

A little bit of gaffa tape on the bottom horn of my bass. I often use left hand tapping while I switch too.

Cheers
Alun

 

[Tony In Philly]

Why not use a thumb pick? I use one all the time because I always want to switch back and forth.

 

[jenich CZ]

Why not use a thumb pick? I use one all the time because I always want to switch back and forth.

because having free four fingers is not the same thing like having five.

anyway just hold the pick in your mouth, thats why the lips are there...what the big deal?

 

[Tony In Philly]

because having free four fingers is not the same thing like having five.

anyway just hold the pick in your mouth, thats why the lips are there...what the big deal?

No s**t, Sherlock. But it certainly will solve his dilemma a lot faster than sticking a pick in your kisser. :scowl: