I should use a pick more often

[Spent]

Hardly ever use a pick, even on covers that used them, unless absolutely necessary. Until I saw this...

 

[zontar]

Use one if the song is better with it--I mostly play with my fingers, but I will also use a pick and the thumb or some combination if the song is better with it.

I find some rhythms are easier to play with a pick, some with one finger, others with two and some with the thumb in there as well.
But I mostly use the thumb for arpeggios or actual full on chords.

 

[mpdd]

i use a pick every once in a while, i'm surprised at how nice it sounds with the L2000, then i forget about it again, oh well

 

[Jools4001]

When I started to play some 40+ years ago, I used to play with both pick and fingers...but I used to lose so many picks that I often used to arrive at a rehearsal or gig without any, so I was forced to use fingers. After a while I got adept with fingers and forgot how to use a pick properly - to the point where pocks felt really clumsy to me and I just couldn't play anywhere near as well with a pick in my hand.

Strangely though, many of my favourite tones come from pick players and some of the songs our band covers definitely sound better with the pick. So for the last couple of weeks I've used a pick exclusively when I'm practising and it's surprising how quickly it comes back. I'm still faster, more subtle and expressive with fingerstyle but I'm about 80% there...I just want to get back to 50/50 so that I can play equally with both and use whatever the song shouts for.

 

[A.K.]

I play pretty much exclusively with a pick and always have, even though lots of my heroes (Geezer, Jack Bruce, Gary Thain) aren't pick guys.

I have read posts by some guys here on TB who claim that they won't even listen to bassists who use picks. They are missing out on some truly great players . . .

 

[Korladis]

I play pretty much exclusively with a pick and always have, even though lots of my heroes (Geezer, Jack Bruce, Gary Thain) aren't pick guys.

I have read posts by some guys here on TB who claim that they won't even listen to bassists who use picks. They are missing out on some truly great players . . .

What? Won't even listen to them? Who says that? That is ridiculous. How very self-limiting.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Wow that is an awesome collaboration! Ellefson and Bello should write a whole album together. I play finger style probably 90% of the time on bass, but I also play guitar so/

 

[Metalstevey]

Geeez, like both of them and their bands but they seem to be trying to turn their basses into guitars on that video, I'll stick with me fingers thanks!

 

[thebreakman]

When I do covers of a player that uses a pick, I use a pick. When I do covers of a player that uses his fingers, I use my fingers. I can't say which I like better because they are different. It really depends on my mood.

 

[A.K.]

What? Won't even listen to them? Who says that? That is ridiculous. How very self-limiting.

I agree. There are master players on both sides of the pick aisle.

 

[Muddslide]

I just always went with what felt and sounded best for the specific song. I'd say back when I was gigging regularly I used a pick maybe 25% of the time, now I use one a lot more often and I'm digging it. I feel no shame whatsoever.

 

[A.K.]

You can use your fingers for pretty much anything. Ask Jeff Berlin. You can also use a pick for pretty much anything, too. Ask Carol Kaye.

Saying you don't like a player because that person does or does not use a pick is like saying you won't listen to Charlie Watts' drumming because he uses traditional grip.

 

[10cc]

I used a pick always from about 85-96 then went without it until 2010 when I was in the studio. I used it about 10 out of 13 tracks. Then in 2012 went back in the studio and didn't see a need for it on that particular album. I'll use one here and there in tracking but never live. I'm not against them at all. Green Tortex

 

[Jeff Bonny]