• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Is this bad pick techniques?

TheIndieKid

TheIndieKid

Feb 26, 2016
952
666
26
Birmingham, UK
#1
When I play my bass with a pick, I notice that my thumb knuckle catches on the strings sometimes and I've also noticed that when I transition from a higher string to a lower string (and back again in some cases), I strike the lower one with an upstroke. Is this bad technique?
 
#5
I don't know how to answer your question about the thumb knuckle without seeing what you're doing, but obviously something in your technique needs to be modified to prevent this. This shouldn't happen if you use a technique similar to Carol Kaye's (see link in previous post), in which all of the motion is a straight up-and-down motion in the wrist. Your hand should never rotate far enough to make your knuckle touch the strings.

As for upstrokes and downstrokes, there are several options. Some folks recommend strict alternation of downstrokes and upstrokes at all times (just as some recommend strict alternation of plucking fingers when playing fingerstyle). Others, including Carol Kaye, recommend using downstrokes on downbeats and upstrokes on upbeats. (I try to do this myself as much as possible, because I like the way my hand motion synchs with the groove -- like bobbing your head or tapping your foot.) Lots of folks use downstrokes-only, but that obviously makes it difficult to play very fast lines, so some folks downstrokes-only for slower lines and switch to alternation for faster ones.
 
#7
FWIW, my experience as a nearly full-time picker for (gah) 40 years:

- I start almost every sequence with an upstroke; then alternate if the sequence is rapid. I've noticed that Will Lee typically does the same thing when he picks, which makes me feel better.
- When playing primarily with upstrokes, your thumb naturally will rotate "out" (toward the audience). I will use the upper SIDE of the thumb, right above the knuckle, to mute strings--I have a pretty good callus there from doing it. So my thumb knuckle is aimed up, not at the strings--the side of it contacts the strings.
- I often anchor my ring finger on the G-string--so as I pick up, the tension of the string sort of pulls my hand back down for the following downstroke, without any need to rotate the wrist. Very economical motion, and I never have any cramping, RSI, or tendonitis issues with my picking hand.

You can kind of see the resulting "claw" look in my avatar pic. Works for me, but everyone is different.
 
#8
Rickengeezer said:
FWIW, my experience as a nearly full-time picker for (gah) 40 years:

- I start almost every sequence with an upstroke; then alternate if the sequence is rapid. I've noticed that Will Lee typically does the same thing when he picks, which makes me feel better.
Click to expand...
LOL! Will Lee has the most bizarre pick technique I've ever seen. He actually holds it at the tips of his two fingers and plays all upstrokes, like he's subbing the pick for his fingers. I once asked him about it on his website, and he said, "I don't recommend it but it works for me."

At any rate, I went full Carol about 12-13 years ago, and it was the best thing I ever did for my pick playing. I used to get horrible pain playing with a pick, but after adapting her technique, the pain is all gone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ErikP.Bass
#9
TheIndieKid said:
When I play my bass with a pick, I notice that my thumb knuckle catches on the strings sometimes and I've also noticed that when I transition from a higher string to a lower string (and back again in some cases), I strike the lower one with an upstroke. Is this bad technique?
Click to expand...

Can you take a picture or something? I can't even picture in my mind how that looks when you're strumming. Are you rotating your wrist out on the down stroke?

In your second question, no that's not bad technique as long as you're hitting the note as you're supposed to. I do that sometimes, nothing wrong with it.
 
#10
JimmyM said:
LOL! Will Lee has the most bizarre pick technique I've ever seen. He actually holds it at the tips of his two fingers and plays all upstrokes, like he's subbing the pick for his fingers. I once asked him about it on his website, and he said, "I don't recommend it but it works for me."

At any rate, I went full Carol about 12-13 years ago, and it was the best thing I ever did for my pick playing. I used to get horrible pain playing with a pick, but after adapting her technique, the pain is all gone.
Click to expand...

I guess it's bizarre--I have had a few people over the years comment to me that my picking style was strange.

But it isn't really at the fingertips--the index and middle finger are there to brace against the pressure of the string forcing the pick back down, while the thumb mainly keeps the pick from flying off after the string is hit. Watch his picking hand, like around 2:30 of this clip:



I find that the Carol Kaye arm angle works better for me if I'm sitting down--I notice she seems to be sitting while playing in a lot of pictures of her. But I've never had any pain or RSIs in my pick hand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyM
#11
Getting in late...... When I came over from rhythm guitar I used the pick. After awhile I started using my thumb as if it was the pick. I liked the sound so this became my go to way. I still have a thumb pick on top of the amp, just in case, but, I very seldom use it. Point of my post - try using just your thumb, you may like it. It'll eliminate the problems you speak of.

Thumb good enough for Sir Paul, good enough for me. Notice he is left handed so the fretting looks a little different than a right handed person.

 
Last edited:
#12
Chris Squire had a 'just the tip of the pick sticking out - hit the string with the pick, then a bit of thumb" technique. It creates some neat harmonics. I've been practicing it lately. He demonstrates it really well at the 2:50 mark on this vid. If you press play, it should go right to that spot.



sp-2017-01-13-02h11m53s094.jpg


sp-2017-01-13-02h06m46s724.jpg


I also catch myself occasionally muting strings with my thumb knuckle on my right hand, after I pick a note. I'm not sure where I got it from, but it does come in....handy. Bad technique? Sure. Works for me though!
 
#13
Rickengeezer said:
I find that the Carol Kaye arm angle works better for me if I'm sitting down--I notice she seems to be sitting while playing in a lot of pictures of her. But I've never had any pain or RSIs in my pick hand.
Click to expand...
I can't speak for everyone, but I don't have a problem doing it wearing my bass fairly low and standing up.
 
#15
Can't really take a picture, since it's quite awkward using my iPad! (: I don't have a phone. I've adopted the Carol Kaye technique and it's brilliant. It's just hard playing up by the neck on a thunderbird with the body angle. It just doesn't get that angry clank from a Bird that's nice. It's a killer method though (:
 
#16
TheIndieKid said:
Can't really take a picture, since it's quite awkward using my iPad! :) I don't have a phone. I've adopted the Carol Kaye technique and it's brilliant. It's just hard playing up by the neck on a thunderbird with the body angle. It just doesn't get that angry clank from a Bird that's nice. It's a killer method though :)
Click to expand...
Maybe you just need to adjust the length of your strap or the angle at which you hold the bass/neck to make it more comfortable to pick near the neck. Try experimenting with some small adjustments like that and see if it helps.

Also, Carol points out some legitimate advantages of playing near the neck, but don't feel compelled to obey that rule slavishly. Just as with fingerstyle, you can get different sounds by picking in different places between the neck and bridge. I doubt that even Carol would say that you must always-always-always-no-matter-what pick close to the neck so help you God. I like to think of all the aspects of her method as "guidelines" rather than rigid rules. I stick pretty close to them most of the time, but I don't hesitate to vary from them sometimes when I have reason to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheIndieKid
#17
If the thumb problem is something that just started to become a problem, you'll need to make adjustments with holding your pick or adjusting your picking finger angles. There are guidelines on how to use a pick. If you're new to picking, check them out for the basic fundamentals. However, IMO there is no one way to effectively use a pick. There are many great players who use all kinds of ways to hold the pick. Some use 2 fingers, and some 3 fingers, and some even 4 fingers to hold a pick. If your technique is not working you should make adjustments to get it right. Start with the basic fundamentals, and develop what works for you.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back