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Pick (plectrum) playing issues

drums1977

drums1977

Mar 31, 2008
739
718
Malaga
#1
Hi mates,

I have been playing with my fingers for years now, but a few weeks ago a saw a video by Bobby Vega and I suddenly felt the urge to start playing with a pick. It's not going TOO bad too be honest, but I am facing some issues maybe you can help me with. The main problem I am finding is getting a clean-ish tone out of my playing. The strings ring and buzz a lot more than what I would like. I don't seem to be able to pluck the strings in a more musical way. I suppose the main problem is my technique and lack of finesse and practice with the pick, but I have thought that maybe the set-up of my basses is not the best one. I tend to set my string action fairly low.

Any tips from you, experienced pick players? ;)

Cheers!
 
#2
I use foam rubber at the bridge and I also use flatwound strings. This gets close to an upright bass sound, if you like that sound flats and foam will give it to you. Flats and foam eliminate some of the fret buzz and cut the sustain quite a lot. Stuff a sock under the strings at the bridge and see if that helps. If it does then give flats and foam some serious thought. Google will pull up all kinds of information on flats and foam.

I think not being able to pluck the strings in a musical way comes from being new to the plectrum and the thicker strings on the bass. Hitting the correct string takes some getting used to. I came over to the bass from rhythm guitar and the pick came over also. I now days use my thumb, instead of the pick as I find that it does give a softer sound than the pick -- and I just like it better.

I do believe there is a place for fingers, thumb, pick and slap. The song dictates which one.

Good luck. BTW - when I do use a pick it's the Big Stubby 2.5 to 3.0 mm.
 
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#3
Yes, I have played with foam and flats (which by the way I use in most my basses), and I like the sound, but it is not always the right one for the song. It is true that most of the string buzzing is absorbed by the foam so the sound of the pick is less rough. Still, I lack finesse and dynamics with the pick, mostly I hope due to the lack of dexterity. Man, check out Bobby Vega's pick playing.
 
#6
For fretboard buzz with aggressive picking (if I correctly understand your situation), I found no other way to eliminate it than setting higher action. I agree that a lighter/more flexible pick will help, but for me there is always a major difference in tone and speed that usually didn't work in my favor (although I never allowed time to acclimate).
I have been able to reduce buzzing with a lighter touch on a different part of the string (usually closer to bridge) with an acceptable result.

Also, I (unfortunately) avoided picks for my first ~18 years of playing. Keeping it up, it's pretty easy to make fast improvement. A lot of those smaller issues might resolve in months or even weeks as your muscle memory develops.
 
#7
I play with a low action too and I constantly switch between finger style and plectrum. Practice playing lighter with your pick, work on your muting techniques(especially left hand), and maybe try out a bunch of different picks till you find a thickness and material you like.
 
#8
Yeah I'm in the same boat. I really just started with a pick seriously a few months ago. You may want to raise the action a bit, thats what I did. Also the buzzing strings that you hear is it coming through the amp? Sometimes I still get the string buzzes but its not amplified so I don't worry about it too much. Also muting is important on the strings your not playing otherwise they will resonate like crazy.
 
#9
I have only 1mm thick picks. I tried one of those really thick ones and it just didn't do it for me. I will talk to my guitar player and borrow a few thinner/smaller ones. I play with my nails (not super long, only about 1,5 mm) and I remember years ago in one song I had to play some really fast 16th notes. I used to position my right hand as if I was just holding a pick and then pluck the strings with my index finger's nail rotating my wrist as you would yo with a pick. It sounded just like a soft pick, only less loud.
 
#10
With practice you'll get the strength and stamina. It could take a while but will happen. Everyone goes through the same issues. Also you naturally start alternate picking instead of a constant down stroke. And once it does hapPen you'll be stoked. As far as your bass goes and the buzz and humming, you'll probably most likely have to set it up differently to accommodate the pick. That's also another normal thing that players experience when switching to a plectrum. You may want to buy a variety pack of picks and try them out till you find the right one for your playing. That what I did and I found the perfect pick for me playing. Everyones technique and strength is different so the pick I use may be wrong for you. Also adjust your strap height to to where it's most comfortable for you to play with a pick. The position of the bass while playing with a plectrum can be totally different then the position with your fingers. Take the advice but ultimately you need to find what best suits you. I made the mistake at first of doing what other bassist were doing and it didn't work out, so I ventured off and did what best suited me to start playing with a plectrum. It's a lays good to know more then 1 technique. Never be 1 dimensional.
 
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#11
descendent22 said:
With practice you'll get the strength and stamina. It could take a while but will happen. Everyone goes through the same issues. Also you naturally start alternate picking instead of a constant down stroke. And once it does hapPen you'll be stoked. As far as your bass goes and the buzz and humming, you'll probably most likely have to set it up differently to accommodate the pick. That's also another normal thing that players experience when switching to a plectrum. You may want to buy a variety pack of picks and try them out till you find the right one for your playing. That what I did and I found the perfect pick for me playing. Everyones technique and strength is different so the pick I use may be wrong for you. Also adjust your strap height to to where it's most comfortable for you to play with a pick. The position of the bass while playing with a plectrum can be totally different then the position with your fingers. Take the advice but ultimately you need to find what best suits you. I made the mistake at first of doing what other bassist were doing and it didn't work out, so I ventured off and did what best suited me to start playing with a plectrum. It's a lays good to know more then 1 technique. Never be 1 dimensional.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much. I've been practicing and, like you describe, the first thing I have noticed is that in order to use the pick confortably, I need to place the body of the bass in line with my belly, much "straighter" than when playing with fingers. Similar to the position of the bass when palm-muting. The buzzing is starting to disappear although it's still there. And yes, the alternate picking is alright! I looked for a couple of helpful tutorials online. It's slow, but it seems to be happening little by little! :)
 
#18
drums1977 said:
Priceless stuff there!! Carol knows what she is talking about, and her method feels so natural. What do you think of her right hand position? Most pick players have it much closer to the bridge, almost over it, Bobby Vega for instance.
Click to expand...

Different tone closer to the neck or the bridge, and also where palm-muting works best for you.
 
#19
JustForSport said:
Different tone closer to the neck or the bridge, and also where palm-muting works best for you.
Click to expand...
Carol doesn't believe in palm muting because it puts your hand in a very bad position that causes pain. Instead, she tapes a piece of felt over her strings.

drums1977 said:
Priceless stuff there!! Carol knows what she is talking about, and her method feels so natural. What do you think of her right hand position? Most pick players have it much closer to the bridge, almost over it, Bobby Vega for instance.
Click to expand...
I use lighter strings so I can get away from the neck, but she's right that it's the easiest and least injurious place to play, and when I used heavier strings, I never ventured too far from the neck. She once said that people would complain that the sound was too dark, and she replied that it doesn't come out as dark as you think it does, and even if it does come out too dark for your tastes, you can fix it with EQ.
 
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#20
JimmyM said:
Carol doesn't believe in palm muting because it puts your hand in a very bad position that causes pain. Instead, she tapes a piece of felt over her strings.
Click to expand...

I agree, but I was referring to the OP's "What do you think of her right hand position? Most pick players have it much closer to the bridge, almost over it, Bobby Vega for instance."
Since he had referenced "Similar to the position of the bass when palm-muting." in post #11. Some do palm-mute near the bridge, as it's easier to control the amount of muting.
 

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