Some of my fav pick players in no special order:
Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, Greg Lake, Carol Kaye, Roger Glover, Dave Hope, Anthony Jackson, Steve Swallow, Mike Rutherford, Roger Glover.
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Pick or No pick "that is the question"
- Thread starter pLewis
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Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, Greg Lake, Carol Kaye, Roger Glover, Dave Hope, Anthony Jackson, Steve Swallow, Mike Rutherford, Roger Glover.
I work on cars for a living, and there have been occasions where I have injured/dinged up my fingers while on the job. Being able to play competently with a pick kept me in the game. (I make it a point to be able to play almost everything finger style and with a pick.)
It’s always nice to have a “Plan B”.
It’s always nice to have a “Plan B”.
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Saves my fingers too. I think if I didn't use a pick on some songs, over a 3 set gig, my 2 main plucking fingers would get darn ouchy
Different sound. Different feel.
This is one of the most constantly talked about things on TB. Here's a few.
What are the key advantages of fingers vs pick?
Fingers vs pick?
Fingers vs Pick
Poll: Fingers or Pick?
Fingers V Pick (not what you're thinking)
Pick or Fingers?
The answer to your question is: both. Fingers and picks both have their own situational uses and it's important to be able to get the tone you need in any of the situations you might find yourself in. For me, pick sounds more consistent, with a brighter sound that works really well in the punk/pop punk styles I've most often found myself in. Fingers works well for me when I play things like a Sunday morning church set because it's often slower and a warmer tone fits the music better. I highly recommend learning both styles and ignore anyone that says one way or the other is the definitive best way to play.
Yup, playing capably enough with a pick has saved at least one performance for me when I had blistered my plucking fingers. Those particular songs all sounded fine with a pick, anyway.
If bassists you admire use a pick, try it out. Figuring out what makes a bass player interesting and what makes their tone pop is a key part of how everybody learns. That's why I started with a pick, it was Paul Simonon, Bruce Foxton: all these great punk and rock bassists. For a lot of rock and punk bassists pick can create a aggressive sound without too much effort. Pick naturally emphasizes more high-mids and treble, so it's almost like slap where you get a brighter, more percussive sound.
Pick can also open up very melodic, almost baritone guitar-like tones on bass. Someone like Peter Hook basically has a sound that is bass as a lower guitar. For me pick and the tone it creates helps me think way more melodically as a bassist and helps me think how I can layer melodies like New Order did with Peter Hook. So in terms of creativity and thinking as a writer, it's really inspiring.
Pick can also open up very melodic, almost baritone guitar-like tones on bass. Someone like Peter Hook basically has a sound that is bass as a lower guitar. For me pick and the tone it creates helps me think way more melodically as a bassist and helps me think how I can layer melodies like New Order did with Peter Hook. So in terms of creativity and thinking as a writer, it's really inspiring.
If you decide to play certain songs with a pick, practice them with fingers also. Sooner or later you'll drop your pick.
I’ve had that happen, too
never knew I could get my fingers going that fast until I had no choice! 
I learned both when I was starting - partly because I was also (trying to) learn guitar at the same time, but a lot of my favorite players played with pick. I find that I play differently with pick and fingers, though I also practice by playing stuff I would normally play with a pick with fingers, and vice versa.
This! These are some of the best bassists in the history of the electric bass. I would also add John Wetton, Phil Lesh, and Lemmy!
This! These are some of the best bassists in the history of the electric bass. I would also add John Wetton, Phil Lesh, and Lemmy!
It's just a different sound to use when the material calls for it. I'm sure you can hear the difference. Same as when a guitarist fingerpicks vs using a pick. Use the one right for the music you're playing. Any pro session guy will advise you to be equally adept at playing fingerstyle and pickstyle. You're short-changing yourself if for some reason only learn and use one technique.
I simply get a different range of tones with a pick than I do with fingers. So it's one more set of sounds in the gig bag that I can draw on where it fits.
I'm far more into where and how I hit the strings along the space between the end of the neck and the bridge to set tone than spinning knobs and stepping on pedals. There's a broad range in there not a lot of people exploit. With or without a pick is one more ingredient.
I'm far more into where and how I hit the strings along the space between the end of the neck and the bridge to set tone than spinning knobs and stepping on pedals. There's a broad range in there not a lot of people exploit. With or without a pick is one more ingredient.
Why not both? I play with fingers on slower songs and I play with a pick on faster songs
playing with a pick makes playing power chords a little more fun too, and I like to shred past the 12th fret with a pick
playing with a pick makes playing power chords a little more fun too, and I like to shred past the 12th fret with a pick
I wish I knew how to play with a pick...I've tried but never got the hang of it. I play guitar with my fingers too even if strumming. Once I lost a audition because I wasn't a pick player in a tribute band... and I quote "you're the best to audition with us but we want someone who plays with a pick.
This comic helps me live with myself....lol
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This comic helps me live with myself....lol
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John Wetton played both fingers and pick. Especially fingers in King Crimson.
