Pick or No pick "that is the question"

[Bighouse]

It's an instrument that makes sound. Use whatever technique and tools you need to get the sound you're hunting for!

 

[BrianVengeance]

Had previously played without a pick, but lately I've been working on hybrid picking (pick + MRP). Can still roll fast triplets better with my fingers, but working on the pick for the definition.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It's easier to play faster with a pick.
Like this section.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Predominately fingerstyle player here. No question from me. If I feel like playing with a pick, I play with a pick. If I don’t, I don’t. But I definitely make it a point to practice with a pick frequently. If you get called up, you gotta represent.

 

[pLewis]

Any advice on where to start? Is there certain techniques that I should look at?

 

[sethlow3]

Silly me never realized this was played with a pick

A lot of that album is with a pick actually…
He’s on the cover of bass player magazine back then holding a pick in the air talking about it in the article also.

 

[TheMadBassist88]

It's easier to play faster with a pick.
Like this section.

Jason Newsted ex Metallica bassist even switched to a pick because of the bass lines tearing his fingers up. I’d like to see someone tell him that he plays with a pick because he is a failed guitarist. Geez I still can’t get past that dumb remark. Still SMH haha

 

[sethlow3]

27115686[/URL], member: 394716"]Any advice on where to start? Is there certain techniques that I should look at?

I like Bobby Vega and all… he will get mentioned, but technique wise it isn’t for everyone.

I’d steer people the Carol Kaye way more as far as technique. IMO her way is better ergonomically by playing with the wrist rather than thumb and open rather than dampening the the strings all of the time causing odd wrist angles. It works for Bobby, but it doesn’t work for me. ‍

 

[LeonineAlpha]

LedZepII ("greatest bass album of all time"?)

John Paul Jones lotta incredible fingerstyle, but several songs just amazing with pick



omg!!!

btw Leslie (boss gt1-b does a fair rotary sim and overdrive a tube/sim) with 62 Fender Jazz

sorry P Purists, the man himself uses the J almost exclusively live and studio LZ till '75 (when it breaks and he gets an Alembic)

Happy Belated Birthday JPJ
(hbbidjpj?)

 

[HelpImaRock]

Any advice on where to start? Is there certain techniques that I should look at?

Alternate picking. Get your upstrokes as even as your downstrokes. You can use the same basic warmup, scale, and arpeggio exercises you do now, just play them with a pick.

I also suggest you start with a variety pack if you don't know what you like. It may or may not have the one you're looking for, but that's found through experimentation.

 

[conttador]

Like anything…

It depends…

 

[Infra]

I did not mean to seem critical of those who choose to play exclusively with a pick, for any reason. There are of course many outstanding bassists who rarely if ever use their fingers. I think Bill Laswell used a pair of popsicle sticks taped to his fingers at one point to get a pick-like attack while still being able to take advantage of his finger technique. There are no rules. I used look askance at "pick players" because I assumed they took up the instrument only because while that bass chair was open, no one needed another guitar player... but that was an ignorant stance on my part, in retrospect. What really impresses me today are the bass players who clearly think about where they will, and won't, play, and their individual note choices are of much greater importance than what method they are using to strike, pluck, tap or bow the string.

 

[N4860]

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!

Mariusz Duda as well

 

[2thAche]

I prefer finger style, but I'm just as comfortable with a pick and sometimes prefer it. IMO:

A: You can have a different tone and attack with a pick. I'd argue that certain tones are clearer / cleaner with a pick. Down side is the aggressive attack.
B: If you play covers and try to be true to the sound of the bassist you're covering, many picked lines sound right with.... a pick.
C: Easier to sing/ play, arguably
D: Mike Dirnt, Chris Squire, McCartney, Bob Daisley, Bobby Vega
E: This video

As far as tips, honestly the best thing you could do is start messing around on an acoustic guitar, playing blues etc, something with more than jingy jangy chords. Electric too but it's a much lighter touch.

 

[jastraw]

We play bass. However it gets done. It’s the way.

 

[Sanshiro]

I wonder if any Japanese players use a Bachi? That would be cool to watch!View attachment 4923755

Only video I could find on a traditional bass guitar.



I did find this really cool electric bass shamisen played with with a bachi though.

 

[Akiyama]

How about a bow like a double bass or cello?

I use my thumb and fingers at times, i.e., classical guitar style and/or Travis picking.

 

[BlueTalon]

There are no rules.

This. I tell this to the one person I give lessons to, probably every lesson.

 

[salmon256]

I wonder if any Japanese players use a Bachi? That would be cool to watch!View attachment 4923755

You know there was a recent anime where a bassist used a Bachi, other than the linked videos and that anime I can't find any other sources I guess it was for fun.

 

[thmsjordan]

Thank you to all who posted the videos of the Bachi being used. You folks touched my twisted little heart. Not bad touches, just regular ones. Thanks!!