Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Pick or No pick "that is the question"
- Thread starter pLewis
- Start date
I've made feeble attempts to play with a pick in the past couple of years, but I totally suck eggs at it. This came about when I rediscovered Bow Wow Wow after the death of Lou Ottens and saw some live concert video of them back in the 80s (posted here on TB). I was totally blown away that Leigh Gorman played with a pick about 90+% of the time, as I knew him more for his monster slapping. I got to meet and speak with him after a show last year and he demonstrated his dexterous technique to hide the pick in between his fingers. I know if I tried that the pick would be flying. Bah!
I use both, prefer fingers but love pick tone a lot. Lot of my bass heros also use a pick, why learn to use a pick? Well why not, do what you want, there's literally no law saying you can't. Yeah there's some weird jerks who think it's not right but tell that to Carol Kaye, Chris Squire, Mani, Justin Chancellor, Bobby Vega. All those players have their own style, also Bobby Vega plays some awesome funky stuff with his pick style. Flea also used a pick on a couple of songs for RHCP. It has a certain tone to it, but you also don't have to use pick in "pick genres" like Punk for example, tons of awesome fingerstyle in those genres etc. Learn both, have fun with both, choose what you want, if it's for volume, tone, feel do it for you and have fun and don't care what others think! - I use a pick a lot because I find it fun...!
Played bass since '86 on fingers only. Always felt so lame trying to play with a pick. Then I came to my senses and over covid lockdown, started teaching myself to play with a pick. I've gotten to the point where I am confident and competent enough to play/record/perform with a pick. I don't think about it anymore!
However, I am a fingerstyle player first and foremost. I don't always have a pick with me but the fingers and me are a package deal. I do wish I could mute the open strings better when playing with a pick.
The reality is, I wish I tried playing with a pick long ago. I'm really happy I'm doing it now and in my originals band, Planets in the Ocean, I challenged myself to use pick only. It's a lot of fun!
However, I am a fingerstyle player first and foremost. I don't always have a pick with me but the fingers and me are a package deal. I do wish I could mute the open strings better when playing with a pick.
The reality is, I wish I tried playing with a pick long ago. I'm really happy I'm doing it now and in my originals band, Planets in the Ocean, I challenged myself to use pick only. It's a lot of fun!
Y'know, I have always assumed he was always using a pick. Not based on any photographic or video evidence. USA is one of my favorites, and it sounds like pick to me, but I know that you can't always tell.John Wetton played both fingers and pick. Especially fingers in King Crimson.
You should be able to do both. And then work on pluck and slap too! (It should be noted that I cannot in fact slap… maybe something to work on this year…)
I started out as a guitar player and way back in the ‘70s I began on bass using a pick. I moved to fingers as soon as I could master it. Now if I try to use a pick I find I just can’t get across the strings with adequate accuracy and feel so I’m staying with fingers. I don’t like the clicky bass sound from a pick anyway.
I play both.
Sometimes I play with a pick and 3rd and 4th fingers at the same time.
Sometimes I play with a pick and 3rd and 4th fingers at the same time.
I did a thread on this topic, quite a ways back. It's called: "I Hate To Be Picky".
There are some fantastic answers and some examples of very lauded bass players who played almost exclusively with a pick.
For my own 2¢:
I was a guitar player who had to learn to play the bass in three weeks time. Talk about "self taught"!
For me, playing with a pick was much more natural. I did, eventually learn to play with my fingers, but in 1999, I lost the tips of my middle and ring fingers on my right hand.
Guess who's back to (mostly) playing with a pick.
If you'd like some help getting there, you're welcome to use my inbox.
There are some fantastic answers and some examples of very lauded bass players who played almost exclusively with a pick.
For my own 2¢:
I was a guitar player who had to learn to play the bass in three weeks time. Talk about "self taught"!
For me, playing with a pick was much more natural. I did, eventually learn to play with my fingers, but in 1999, I lost the tips of my middle and ring fingers on my right hand.
Guess who's back to (mostly) playing with a pick.
If you'd like some help getting there, you're welcome to use my inbox.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
A pick is a compressor. It provides a consistent, even tone, can enhance the attack, and makes things seem fatter. One thing you'll notice is the pick material and thickness have a profound effect on feel and tone.
Picking technique is one of my strengths. I've always played with a heavy pick, and they've only gotten heavier over the years. I don't think picking exclusively is for everyone, but is for me.
Picking technique is one of my strengths. I've always played with a heavy pick, and they've only gotten heavier over the years. I don't think picking exclusively is for everyone, but is for me.
Well first off, fingers have one sound and a pick has another sound. A more accurate statement is that both styles have a bunch of different sounds the other can't get. Some things are easier to play with your fingers and some things are easier to play with a pick. Don't let anyone tell you there's only one right way to play. Most of the best bass players do both.
As I age (dang it) I started having joint pain and found a pick let me play fast, staccato trills and the sharper tone added a little more definition too. I then found slides sustained better and it gave me guitar techniques…like chords and faster bass runs. Even if you only use a pick occasionally it will add to your bass style.
I know.
I can tell.
Been listening to KC since '72 and all the other bands he's been in like Family and Wishbone Ash and Uriah Heep and for a Roxy Music TOur.
Seen him in UK and Asia 4 times.
Asia twice from 5th row front and center.
Also later, due to carpal tunnel, he started used a thumb pick, which can be clearly seen in the UK Reunion vids.
Many KC vids from Lark's Tongues and Starless and Bible Black where he played fingers. Very obvious fingers on Easy Money.
fingers
fingers
He really started alternating between fingers and pick on the second UK album. Nothing to Lose is Pick playing.
pick
thumb pick
Sorry. Referring to upper edge of fingers for strumming chords.
I like the articulation and the alternate pickling.
I started on acoustic guitar in the late 70's and then stopped.
In 2013 I picked up an acoustic bass and just went with the pick.
There's peep's that don't slap or tap either.
And Carol Kaye and Chris Squire and Greg Lake and Dave Hope and Steve Swallow and Anthony Jackson.It worked reasonably well for Paul McCartney, but then again, maybe he was just lucky?
Even John Paul Jones would occasionally use a pick and also John Entwistle would occasionally too.
Because I don't want to. Pick playing is the style I like and enjoy.
