Pick Downstrokes vs. Down/Up---Can You Tell?

[Max Bogosity]

I can’t hear the difference, but then I thought cassette tapes were alright too.

 

[IamGroot]

I use up/down strokes when I play solo.

 

[Watchootognbout]

B is down/up.
You can hear a slight difference in the strokes.

 

[JimmyM]

B is down/up.
You can hear a slight difference in the strokes.

Sorry but no. But thank you for giving me a little bit of reaffirmation

 

[Joony]

Sorry but no. But thank you for giving me a little bit of reaffirmation

I missed out on the poll but I could definitely tell B was the downstrokes only. I think the main thing to listen out for isn't the evenness of the notes (which can be overcome with technique as you suggested) but the initial transient and timbre changing between each note. Something about alternate strokes having a feel of 'disrupting' the attackful sound of a picked note to my ears is a dead giveaway.

With that being said, I don't think people would hear much difference in live setting anyways because I was in a mastering room when I played back the two tracks so I could clearly hear the details (probably even under a fairly busy mix too).

I always think the two differing perspectives over things like alternate picking vs downstrokes only really comes down to how much you care about the details. I believe this makes it deeply personal (as music should be) and is all just a matter of preferences. If you're a live band oriented person, I can see how minute detail is really wasting energy but in the studio, I can see how these small details can add up to make a big difference in the end.

 

[zontar]

To me it was obvious it was B
When I use a pick on bass it's mostly downstrokes
But for me, in addition to the sound (& probably more important to me) some rhythms are so much easier for me to play in all downstrokes & others in down up and others still in some variation/mixture.

I mostly play with my fingers, but will switch to a pick for a more percussive sound/style & some rhythms.

But even with my fingers I sometime use just one finger & sometimes alternate (or a mixture)
But I also do some down up with one finger.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Here is a new song from Pixies, On Graveyard hill.
(P.S. It has some bad words. Please be advised.)


My question.
Is the bass player uses downstrokes of Down/Up movement?



Here is an example of Downstrokes from their live concert.



Again, downstrokes.




Downstrokes?

 

[Jim C]

Hey I got one right!

While I do like the subtle difference of all downstrokes on something like a Ramones song, the up/down technique does offer the ability to change the vibe with more of a lilty gallop or swing feel.
For example, a song like Hush by Deep Purple works better (for me) with the up/down style.

 

[wraub]

So, you're saying that you made... a Producer Switch in your playing?

Here's a funny story...I used to work with Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon, and he used to insist that when I used a pick, I should play all downstrokes because it sounds "heavier." So when he was looking at me I'd switch to downstrokes, and as soon as he turned his back to me, I'd go right back to alternate picking. Never once said a word about it.

 

[JimmyM]

So, you're saying that you made... a Producer Switch in your playing?

I guess I did Freddy is a great guy and one of my favorites in the world, and I hated to deceive him like that, but it was either his happiness or my hand/wrist health, so...

 

[sgtpepper]

i dont know. If this has been mentioned yet, but James Brown required all downstrokes. And would fine bassists that didnt.

James Brown was a crazy a$$ m0+h3¬fu(k3¬

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Carole Kay says what you are saying. You should do down/up and practice until they sound the same.

 

[JimmyM]

James Brown was a crazy a$$ m0+h3¬fu(k3¬

James Brown required bassists to play with a pick? News to me.

 

[Stevorebob]

James Brown bass players:

• Bernard Odum: fingers.
• Fred Thomas: thumb.
• Bootsy Collins: fingers.