A lot of times when I see bands play live, many of the bassists play with a pick. It seems to me like more people are trying out pick playing. You always hear people that are only finger players say that pick players aren't real bassists, but playing with a pick provides that certain sound that only the pick can deliver. Being able to play with a pick and fingers will give you a lot more options with your sound. I think people shouldn't bash so much on pick playing. I've grown to like that harsh growly sound you can only get with a pick.
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I've been seeing more and more pick players
- Thread starter paf77
- Start date
The right tool for the right situation, I'd say... Good bassists know how to use both a pick, how to pluck using the fingers, and how to pop/slap. And even better bassists know when it's appropriate to use the different techniques.
I only think pick playing is a problem when it's used as a crutch, as in the case of guitarists playing bass because that's what the band they want to join needs, not because they like the instrument. But I admit, when I first started playing, I would often use a pick on faster songs. But that was in fifth grade...
I play almost exclusively with my fingers. A few weeks ago, some guy told me how nice he thought it was to "See a bass player that played the bass right!!" while twiddling the first two fingers on his right hand in a sort of "air bass" finger pluck. I smiled and said thank you very much, you're too kind, etc etc etc.........
All the while thinking to myself "What a Dweeb!"
All the while thinking to myself "What a Dweeb!"
I admit, I played guitar before going to bass. I was always a bassist though. When I took up bass exclusively in a band, I was playing with just fingers and wanted to just play fingers. We're a progressive metalcore band so we play some pretty fast techy parts. I could get them but they just didn't sound tight enough. I got a huge blister on one of my fingers and grabbed a pick for a song and it just sounded so much better. I've been using a pick ever since. On slower melodic parts, I'll still play fingers, sometimes on recording I'll play fingers, but 90% it's all pick. There's a lot of different techniques to using a pick or different sounds.
in a prog metal band with 1 guitar, a pick and a bass big muff are a great combination.
in a prog metal band with 1 guitar, a pick and a bass big muff are a great combination.
I love playing with a pick.
maybe that's cause I Play punk style music?? Idk.. I always got pissed when people said "pick-playing" = not a real bassist. It's a style and a sound...IMO. But i learned both ways...I enjoy both for different feels. Slower or more jazzy songs I use fingers, while punk or more upbeat you can use a pick. Little diff.
maybe that's cause I Play punk style music?? Idk.. I always got pissed when people said "pick-playing" = not a real bassist. It's a style and a sound...IMO. But i learned both ways...I enjoy both for different feels. Slower or more jazzy songs I use fingers, while punk or more upbeat you can use a pick. Little diff.
i almost exclusively play with a pick. i use my fingers when playing anything that requires a more rounded/bassy sound, but if i want my bright punchy punk bass tones, i use a pick. I don't think the basslines that i play wouldn't hit with nearly as much attack and clarity if i played with my fingers... partly because i'm not as good using fingers, but picking is still just a playing style that i enjoy more. i think it also helps bring me to the front of the mix a little better, but that's kind of difficult playing in a 7 piece punk/skacore band...
I played for 4 years without touching a pick, and have just recently picked it up (no pun intended 
) Yes, it can get that sound that only a pick can make, but granted, that is also the only sound a pick can make. As for speed, I have developed great speed with my fingers, so I don't need a pick for faster songs. In fact, I prefer playing finger style on faster songs. Anything faster than what i can do fingerstyle doesn't really sound like discernable notes, anyways. All you can hear is the attack.
) Yes, it can get that sound that only a pick can make, but granted, that is also the only sound a pick can make. As for speed, I have developed great speed with my fingers, so I don't need a pick for faster songs. In fact, I prefer playing finger style on faster songs. Anything faster than what i can do fingerstyle doesn't really sound like discernable notes, anyways. All you can hear is the attack.
I can't remember the last time I saw a bass player use a pick. But I mainly go to see blues acts or other classic rock cover bands. The fact that you are seeing lots of bands where the bassist uses a pick probably means you are attracted to a genre of music where a pick really works.
If a pick works in your music (whatever genre), go for it!
Assuming you are not playing a bass convention, very few, if any, of the people in the audience will notice a pick. They will notice (if only subconsciously) if the bass sounds great.
I don't think anybody tells Lemmy he isn't a bass player
If a pick works in your music (whatever genre), go for it!
Assuming you are not playing a bass convention, very few, if any, of the people in the audience will notice a pick. They will notice (if only subconsciously) if the bass sounds great.I don't think anybody tells Lemmy he isn't a bass player
agreed. i've seen many bass players who play fingerstyle really well and can still get awesome attack and big high end sound. i wish i could play better with my fingers, but over the 9+ years that i've been playing i haven't really had the need to. fingerstyle is something i want to work on and still have the same steadyness. for simple stuff fingers are fine for me, i'd like to expand my abilities with that. i've never called myself a guitar player, but it seems to me that's how i've been playing bass... oh well i guess it's better late than never.
I have long nails on my plucking hand. It sounds like a pick, but I get to play with my fingers which I can do far more fluidly.
I've always played fingers only. I've tried to use a pick a few times. I never really learned how to be perfectly honest, and don't really have the desire to do so. I suppose if someday what I'm play requires it for some reason I cannot currently come up with, then I guess I'll learn then. I play just as fast with my fingers (if not faster) then many I see who use a pick, so speeds not the issue. I suppose a pick could give a cleaner sound, but also the same sound...click, click, click. So it's definitely not for me. However I'm not going to bash anyone's personal technique, so to each is own I guess.
I too have heard that for then a few times...Not really sure what that's all about.
I think the reason you'll be seeing more pick players, at least starting out, is the influence of the 'power-pop-punk' bands. Green Day, Blink 182, etc. I started out using a pick, transitioned to fingerstyle, now do whichever is called for. I don't understand the all-or-nothing arguments on either side.
Dirnt continued a trend Dee Dee started...haha.
But many of the popular "pop" (quite a bit redundant eh?) bands have guys who use their fingers exclusively. Then again...their music sucks (nickleback...3 days grace...alter bridge).
But many of the popular "pop" (quite a bit redundant eh?) bands have guys who use their fingers exclusively. Then again...their music sucks (nickleback...3 days grace...alter bridge).
