Is Flea using a pick?

[Muss]

Is Flea using a pick?
if so, in what songs?
I was listening to californiacation today (it's been a while since the last time I heard that one, what a classic!) and then " Parallel Universe" came up...
and I listned carefilly but still wasn't sure...
please enlighten me

 

[Speedy Claxton]

it's always a possibility but then again, it's not that hard to play finger style.

 

[jsingles]

parallel universe

also some songs on stadium arcadium

(flea often states he wants to be proficient in all forms of playing, including picking)

 

[idoru]

+1, that song is definitely picked. Saw them live a few years ago and was very happy to see that not even Flea can get that even a tone, at that tempo, with fingerstyle

c-

 

[chaunceytoben]

parallel universe he does.
this is the place he does.
dont forget me he does.
snow he does (at least for some parts).
pretty sure he uses a pick on Fortune Faded, not 100% sure tho.

umm thats all i can think of right now.

 

[clayton]

He plays with a pick on some songs. In their Live From Slane Castle you can see him playing witha pick on Venice Queen, Zephyr Song and Parallel Universe.

 

[Che]

the chorus during snow, most definitely. i've seen him looking around for his pick during that part of the song..guess it wasn't where it usually is.

i used to think parallel universe was fingerpicking, but im also glad to see it isnt haha.

 

[JBass1]

parallel universe he does.
this is the place he does.
dont forget me he does.
snow he does (at least for some parts).
pretty sure he uses a pick on Fortune Faded, not 100% sure tho.

umm thats all i can think of right now.

yes to all these

any song with bass chords or double-stops in it he usually has a pick

fortune faded he has a pick
bunker hill (a b-side)
zephyr song

and he's as good as you'd expect him to be....even live he's flawless...Parallel Universe is pretty damn hard to play at that tempo for that long without missing a note

 

[Bottom Feeder]

He used a pick???!!!

To some that would mean he's not a REAL bassist. Lol.

 

[MammaryVest]

+1, that song is definitely picked. Saw them live a few years ago and was very happy to see that not even Flea can get that even a tone, at that tempo, with fingerstyle

c-

Believe it or not, most people play with a pick because they WANT to sound like they are playing with a pick. Not just because they can't play it with their fingers. Also, if there exists a person who can play Parallel Universe with their fingers, it's Flea. (for proof) check out the super even finger style tone on "C'mon Girl".

 

[Basshole]

Believe it or not, most people play with a pick because they WANT to sound like they are playing with a pick. Not just because they can't play it with their fingers.

Yeah, that mindset I could never understand.

I play with fingers, pick, thumb, and even "typewriter" style like Entwistle. It really depends on what sound I want. Hell, I used to sometimes even take solos with a drumstick (long time ago).

Experiment.

I also play up at the neck, down at the bridge...now, add picking, fingers and slap to these options (although you can't easily slap at the far extreme of the bridge, there is more than one slapping technique and position than just one) and you have MANY different tones and textures at your command....all before you even change pickups or touch tone controls or EQ.

It's like being a painter, and having more colors to choose from.

Experiment. Expand your tonal palette.

 

[Mayers]

well flea play with a pick for that particular song , I have it on one DVD.

But seriously it is very easy song even with fingerstyle this shouldn't be difficult.

 

[JBass1]

Believe it or not, most people play with a pick because they WANT to sound like they are playing with a pick. Not just because they can't play it with their fingers. Also, if there exists a person who can play Parallel Universe with their fingers, it's Flea. (for proof) check out the super even finger style tone on "C'mon Girl".

yea they played C'mon Girl when i saw them live (Philidelphia Wachovia Center, October '06) it was nice

 

[aws]

He used a pick a fair bit on the By The Way album, I'm pretty sure. At the very least, Don't Forget Me, Zephyr Song, Venice Queen. But it wouldn't suprise me if it were most apart from By The Way, Can't Stop and Throw Away Your Television.

And yeah, as mentioned, the chorus on Snow, and Parallel Universe.

 

[MurvintheWalrus]

Yeah like previously said, Don't Forget me, Snow Chorus ( in most live performances, but not always, some times he Les's it up) Most Double stops he does except Hey, on Stadium Arcadium

 

[MurvintheWalrus]

AWS: On throw away, he uses really loud, effecrted finger Check the song out again

 

[Muss]

sweet.
thanks for the info

 

[Vic Winters]

Can't Stop is slap and By The Way is hard finger playing.

 

[TAOspeedwagon]

that's what i figured, especially on parallel universe

flea is human after all

 

[aws]

AWS: On throw away, he uses really loud, effecrted finger Check the song out again

I think you misread what I wrote? I know he uses his fingers on throw away, I meant he might have used a pick on all the BTW album apart from the title track, Can't Stop and Throw Away.