Picking technique

This gal has the just about the best pick technique around. One of the few that won't end up giving you carpal tunnel syndrome...

 

A couple thoughts direct from Carol:

 

Continuing with the Carol Kaye theme, as she is regarded as the pick player.

See tips # 26 & 27 from her site :

http://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips1.htm


Also, there is a big thread about her technique here on TB :

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f21/why-i-keep-hammering-carol-kaye-pick-method-452467/

 

Great vid. Thanks.

 

It looks to me like the root of your problems is that your right arm is nearly perpendicular to the strings, which makes it impossible to use the kind of strumming motion (all in the wrist) that you can see Carol using in her video. In turn, it looks like this awkward arm position is being caused by the position in which you are holding the bass: The body of the bass isn't in front of you, but way off to your right side, and so to get your hand in picking position you're having to hold your elbow way up in the air. All this looks very uncomfortable, and is is bound to be creating tension and interfering with your picking technique.

I'd suggest that you figure this out while standing first. (Once you do, you can figure out how to replicate the appropriate position while sitting down if you want to.) When you're standing, the body of the bass will naturally sit more directly in front of you rather than off to the side, and when you put your hand in picking position, your right arm will be at something more like a 45-degree angle relative to the strings rather than a 90-degree angle. You might also experiment with angling the neck slightly higher relative to the body, adjusting the strap length, and picking closer to the neck -- all of which can help you get the arm angle you need to be able to pick comfortably (using only wrist movement). I think once you get the arm angle right, you'll feel a dramatic reduction in tension and discomfort, and you'll find the strumming motion with the pick to feel much more natural.

 

Here's a video of the best bass picker I've ever seen; seeing her play was what motivated me to try to learn how to play pickstyle myself. I chose this particular video because of the camera angle, and because she plays pickstyle throughout the tune (she's no slouch at fingerstyle or slapping either, and often switches among them within a given tune):



Ironically, after watching the video again myself, I see that she is pretty much defying every piece of advice I gave you! (Um.... "never mind"?) But her way obviously works for her, so maybe it'll work for you.

 

LOL thats exactly what i was thinking. yeah dont do that. Quick way to tendonitis and carpal tunnel. Stiff arm and a stiff anchor point are bad.

 

what your doing for the most part doesnt look too bad. just keep the forearm, wrist and hand loose. that's the trick. where and how you pick will change the tone as well. just stay comfortable and stop if there's pain.

what i do:


but thats what works for me. just remember stay loose.

 

I have found that due to the string spacing on bass that when I use a pick (which is seldom) that I need to kinda use some of the strumming motion in my arm, wrist, and fingers that I use to strum guitar with. It's certainly more motion than it takes to pick a guitar, especially when skipping strings on bass. (Sorry, I didn't look at the Carol Kaye stuff, maybe she mentioned something like that?).

 

BavidDass, I, too, have been studying Carol Kaye's videos, reading her educational tips, as well as TB threads on the subject of picking. I have been practicing daily for the last month and it is getting easier. I am to the point where I can play about half my set list with a pick, though I really need to concentrate. I still prefer to use fingers, though I have started to develop some pain due to overuse. Picking affords me the ability to switch things up a bit and play pain-free. You are right to get down proper technique now before bad habits set in. Good luck with all this.