Pick Playing as Physical Therapy?...

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I've been playing for over 45 years. I started out using a pick, and then in later years played almost exclusively plucking with my fingers (with only occasional pick use).

Well, I took a hiatus for a few years, and then managed to injure myself and developed some arthritis in my plucking hand and tendinitis in my elbow that led to tingling and numbness in my hand/fingers (similar to carpal tunnel, but it's not that). It's really more a combination of a pinched nerve in my neck, a separated collar bone (that is now healed) and the tendonitis in my elbow that makes playing with my fingers difficult. I've been getting therapy for a while, but I've been limited to playing like Jamerson and using only my index finger. That works for most music I play but not anything more complex or fast.

So I've been trying to (re)learn playing with a pick. But not just any pick. I need a thumbpick or I'll keep dropping it. The only ones that work for me are the Black Mountain thumbpicks. They are spring loaded and stay on my thumb even without gripping it tightly, so I can keep a very relaxed grip while playing. With some bass lines I don't have to grip the pick at all and play exclusively with my thumb. Excellent picks!

Not only am I getting better at using a pick, I've noticed that playing with a pick is actually lessening the tingling, pain and numbness in my hand/fingers!!! I practiced for a long time last night and by the time I stopped there was no tingling pain or numbness at all. None! I woke up today and it's the best my elbow/wrist/hand has felt in a very long time! The motion and technique of using a pick must be loosening up my muscles and tendons in my elbow.

Playing with a pick is actually becoming more like physical therapy for me.

 

[Sam Evans]

Nice! I had a similar journey. I got back into bass after a couple years break recovering from serious tendinitis and carpel tunnel (this was about 35 years ago), and I went from exclusively playing with fingers to using a pick because it was just way easier on my right hand. It's definitely something that requires some careful attention to technique, as there can be healthy and unhealthy ways to use a pick, depending on your particular issues.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Nice! I had a similar journey. I got back into bass after a couple years break recovering from serious tendinitis and carpel tunnel (this was about 35 years ago), and I went from exclusively playing with fingers to using a pick because it was just way easier on my right hand. It's definitely something that requires some careful attention to technique, as there can be healthy and unhealthy ways to use a pick, depending on your particular issues.

That's what I love about the Black Mountain thumbpicks. They are spring loaded so they make a custom fit, come in different thicknesses and allow me to play without having to grip the pick tightly, resulting in a very relaxed picking technique.

 

[Sam Evans]

@M-Mittlesteadt I'm going to have to try them out! I'm mostly back to fingerstyle lately, but I've been wanting to dust off / seriously improve my picking.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

@M-Mittlesteadt I'm going to have to try them out! I'm mostly back to fingerstyle lately, but I've been wanting to dust off / seriously improve my picking.

I've tried using different picks, but due my fingers getting numb, sometimes I can't hold one because I can't even tell if I'm holding it, or they often turned around on me or I'd drop them. So I tried many different thumbpicks, but they all felt too stiff on my thumb and the plucking ends were too long.

Then I discovered the Black Mt. ones. They feel fabulous and come in different thicknesses. Cheap? No. But they are a perfect fit, comfortable and I could try out different thicknesses (they offer a variety pack). I like the thin ones so I ordered two 4 packs of them. They stay in place whether I grip them between my thumb and finger or even playing with it only on my thumb, leaving my other fingers free to also play some fingerstyle if I want (or can).

 

[enricogaletta]

If using a pick helped you reduce the pain and you can finally enjoy playing again without worrying about your hand, that’s already a huge win. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that — quite the opposite! Playing bass with a pick doesn’t make it any less “bassistic.” As a funk lover, every time I watch Bobby Vega groove with a pick, I’m blown away.
Bring it on. Go ahead and don’t worry about it — just play and have fun!

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

If using a pick helped you reduce the pain and you can finally enjoy playing again without worrying about your hand, that’s already a huge win. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that — quite the opposite! Playing bass with a pick doesn’t make it any less “bassistic.” As a funk lover, every time I watch Bobby Vega groove with a pick, I’m blown away.
Bring it on. Go ahead and don’t worry about it — just play and have fun!

Thanks. Oh yeah, I've been looking at every single video of bass pick players I can find and Bobby Vega has a really cool, "loose" strumming style I really like. It's almost as if he's strumming through the rhythmic groove and hitting on notes as needed with ghost notes providing a lot of that rhythmic pulse in a very cool, percussive way.

I'm working on every conceivable way to play with a pick again to get my groove on. Funny thing is, before I took a long hiatus, I was playing only with a pick with the cover band I was in. So it's not like I've never done it...it's just been a long time and my injuries are now necessitating it. Check it out if you want to. All done with a pick on bass.

I'm on the far left...

Montazh reunion Part 1

Montazh Reunion Part 2

 

[RattleSnack]

I never had bass playing related injury (knock on wood) but have noticed that switching techniques helps keep hands "fresh" while playing. For me, it's classic two finger picking, slap/pop, three finger combo (thumb, index, middle finger) with or without palm muting. Didn't use pick for long time, but I added it recently for couple of bass-pedaling songs.
So, what ever helps you make music, is fine by me!

 

[enricogaletta]

Thanks. Oh yeah, I've been looking at every single video of bass pick players I can find and Bobby Vega has a really cool, "loose" strumming style I really like. It's almost as if he's strumming through the rhythmic groove and hitting on notes as needed with ghost notes providing a lot of that rhythmic pulse in a very cool, percussive way.

I'm working on every conceivable way to play with a pick again to get my groove on. Funny thing is, before I took a long hiatus, I was playing only with a pick with the cover band I was in. So it's not like I've never done it...it's just been a long time and my injuries are now necessitating it. Check it out if you want to. All done with a pick on bass.

I'm on the far left...

Montazh reunion Part 1

Montazh Reunion Part 2

Hey man, thanks for sharing your videos.
I checked out Part 1 and I have to say: I love that tune! I can’t remember the name right now either (brain fog ), but I’ve always loved Yngwie Malmsteen’s version, have you ever listened to it?
Honestly, it’s awesome to see you jumping back in with the pick, especially after a break. There’s so much groove potential with that approach, and you’re clearly already comfortable with it. Keep exploring and enjoying the process. What matters most is playing in a way that brings you joy and keeps you pain-free. You’re doing great keep it going!