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 playing killing stage presence?!
- Thread starter Wolfpackleader6
- Start date
I am not talking about only the right hand, I am saying more "feel" into the whole thing, less thinking it through.
(and I am a fast fingerstyle player as well) most anything I play with pick I could easily play with fingers, but to be honest, ANY tune that is mostly eight notes will benefit from pick playing- the attack is WAY more even for 95% of players out there, unless you are good with the one finger technique.
(and I am a fast fingerstyle player as well) most anything I play with pick I could easily play with fingers, but to be honest, ANY tune that is mostly eight notes will benefit from pick playing- the attack is WAY more even for 95% of players out there, unless you are good with the one finger technique.
- listen to the isolated bass tracks on youtube (there are many) for instance listen to the isolated bass track on Radiohead- Iron Lung- (Also listen to what producers ask for , there is a valid reason P-Bass with pick into SVT is the STANDARD for rock bass playing.)
Notice how the eight notes vary ALL over the place (some intentional, some probably not) this is typical Finger style. (great playing as well)
Now listen to the isolated bass track from Judas Priest for something like Turbo Lover or Painkiller- notice how even each note is...
I thought my eight note finger attack was consistent (like many) it is not compared to pick attack. Not saying there aren't exceptions...
The real question is does "even attack/notes" work best for the song you are playing or is a little sloppiness good... it all depends...
Notice how the eight notes vary ALL over the place (some intentional, some probably not) this is typical Finger style. (great playing as well)
Now listen to the isolated bass track from Judas Priest for something like Turbo Lover or Painkiller- notice how even each note is...
I thought my eight note finger attack was consistent (like many) it is not compared to pick attack. Not saying there aren't exceptions...
The real question is does "even attack/notes" work best for the song you are playing or is a little sloppiness good... it all depends...
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
The real question is, can you even hear the difference when it's mixed? I play with 3 finger and solo'd you can hear the difference, but once everything else is added I can't tell the difference.
Would the pick attack be so even without compression?
It is more even, even without compression.
You will notice the difference if it is mostly an eight note driven song. Listen to the Cult for example, that guy KILLS it with his pick tone, and it is PERFECT for that music. Sanctuary, Rain, etc...
You will notice the difference if it is mostly an eight note driven song. Listen to the Cult for example, that guy KILLS it with his pick tone, and it is PERFECT for that music. Sanctuary, Rain, etc...
obimark said:
I have no issues playing evenly with my fingers. There nothing wrong with playing with a pick, but any superiority you imagine may have more to do with weak fingerstyle technique than anything else.
Playing w pick gives me more speed, tested and proven. This is comIng someone who plays mostly w fingers
Just shows you how subjective and unprovable this actually is. I am primarily a pick player and I am faster with a pick because I am better with a pickk then I am with my fingers. However, songs with a lot of string skipping ( think M8 in the song Plush by STP) there is no doubt in my mind it is faster to play it with your fingers.
In my opinion, a good finger style player will be faster ( especially on multiple strings) then a pick player.
In my opinion, a good finger style player will be faster ( especially on multiple strings) then a pick player.
Just practice, I play 90% of the time with a pick and have for the last 7 or 8 years. If its a fast paced punk band its just going to take some practice to build up your stamina. My advice also is to not JUST use your wrist, on slower parts or parts where you can almost "strum" move your arm almost like you're playing chords on a guitar, it'll give your wrist a break.
and +100 to setting your action low, a lot of the angry punk sound comes from a slight fret buzz and the strings slapping against the fretboard. The lower the action, the lighter the touch needed to get this sound. The lighter the touch, the less stress it puts on your picking hand.
As for specific songs, this really helped me build my endurance for pick playing:
and +100 to setting your action low, a lot of the angry punk sound comes from a slight fret buzz and the strings slapping against the fretboard. The lower the action, the lighter the touch needed to get this sound. The lighter the touch, the less stress it puts on your picking hand.
As for specific songs, this really helped me build my endurance for pick playing:
Floyd Eye said:
Word. That's how I decide on which way to go. If I'm all over the neck I generally go fingers. Metal too (how I learned) but punk, alt rock, or pop I go pick, usually. It sounds better IMHO. I played exclusively finger style for over a decade, but, now when I make an original bass line I try both ways to see which feels right for the song. Covers… ill usually play it as it was originally played. Keeps the "feel" correct. After all shouldn't we be playing what sounds best for the song and feels right? Don't limit yourself. Learn and do it all.
I played primarily with a pick from 1968 to 1983. With marginal amps, and loud bands, the pick gave me a more controlled punch, and the bass stood out in the mix better. When I started playing on a worship team, I was able to start using fingers, and started alternating pick and fingers. I could play more quickly with a pick though.
Today, I rarely use a pick, using fingers most of the time, and alternate with my thumb (bouncing more than plucking). 95+% of the time, it's just my index finger or my thumb. I have a pick available, but rarely use it. These days, the pick just slows me down and doesn't offer the range of tones I can get with my fingers.
Time and practice takes care of all. I started using picks that had better grip, first Dunlop's with a rough grip, and now Snarling Dogs, that are like the Dunlops, but with a sharper grip surface. With the rough grip surface, I don't have to grip so tightly to keep the pick in my fingers.
Today, I rarely use a pick, using fingers most of the time, and alternate with my thumb (bouncing more than plucking). 95+% of the time, it's just my index finger or my thumb. I have a pick available, but rarely use it. These days, the pick just slows me down and doesn't offer the range of tones I can get with my fingers.
Time and practice takes care of all. I started using picks that had better grip, first Dunlop's with a rough grip, and now Snarling Dogs, that are like the Dunlops, but with a sharper grip surface. With the rough grip surface, I don't have to grip so tightly to keep the pick in my fingers.
Not necessarily. To the OP, you are just using muscles in your hand that you're not used to using. +1 to the advice of not gripping it so hard. Also shop some different picks and find one that is comfortable to you. Get a bunch, and practice. Once you build up your hand strength, it should stop hurting. If not, check out some of the technique vids others posted.
There is a difference between the kind of burn feeling you get from the build up of lactic acid, and actual pain.
It is the latter that I am talking about.
Speaking generally about this thread : It's amazing (but not surprising) how most people jump onto the "pick v fingers" band wagon, yet again, instead of advising the OP on the safest pick technique to use.
Most bass players use pretty heavy picks. I wear a wide wrist band for support. You tube has plenty of technique vids. Most rest/anchor their arm on the body or bridge. You'll get different tones depending on where you pick as well. Growl and mids near bridge, fat and bass at the neck. It's all in the wrist. You can downstroke, upstroke, or alternate. Each gives a different attack. Most punk bass players do a little of everything. Whatever it takes kind of approach.
