picking tone without the pick

[Verbannter]

Nah, picks are just as fast as anything. I want everybody to stop being scared of losing something by using a pick/using their fingers and just choose based on sound. It can be my Christmas present from TB.

You hit the nail on the head mate.

This thread ends here ^_^

 

[firebass 1]

I used a pick for a couple of years also. My opinion: I get a harsht trebley/high, almost a scraping sound just never fit. even after eq'n and I could never seem to completly play any tune with out handing off the pick to my guitar player and saying "It yours". On the other hand,,, I'm an old timer playing Classic Rock. Yea I konw lots of bass players play rock with a pick and some are great. I must of just been too shy with the pick and never got over it. Anyway It's so natural now with the getty lee style pick'n that I second the motion that it makes bass playing way more fun. (my vote: plectrom=Lead guirtar)

 

[tepes22b]

I keep getting tempted to try the flamenco finger strumming thing until I think about the pain of having my fingernails torn to shreds. That usually keeps me from doing it for long. I just can't seem to get it to the point of being used to it, so I guess I'll be using a pick sometimes still.

 

[johnsairships]

I use something quite similar, a pluck that is a simultaneous middle finger upstroke and index finger downstroke (on the nail) gives a warm yet bright sound, works well, and expands the variety of tones at disposal.

Personally, I'd give anything a go, nobody's every generated new and interesting tecnique by doing exactly what everyone else has done for the last 50 years!

The bass can generate quite a spectrum of textural sounds, it's half the fun of playing... that and subverting the music... gawd bless it john

 

[Start_Me_Up]

First off, why use a pick to begin with when you have five on your right hand? Even if you dont like a type of music listen to or watch the bass player and his/her technique. My best suggestion is jazz players like Victor Wooten. That man can make you cry without saying a word. Look him up and listen to his solos. Picks i think slow you down, you can downward stroke the strings with your nails to make chords.

Ooh and one last thing, picks do NOT help you play faster. I used to play with one until i came across a Victor Wooten video of a solo and now i can play faster without one.

I used to never play a pick, then I came across some footage of John Entwistle.

The point here is that the pick is used for an aggresive sound with more bite to it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a pick it makes you no less of a bassist in any way. I mean look at Bill Wyman.

 

[addylewis]

Grow your nails about 3mm long from when the skin ends...that'll sort yya!

 

[phxlbrmpf]

I've found you can sort of get close to a pick-like tone if you dial in lots of highs and pluck near the neck with an aggressive attack. Worked quite well for me when I was still an anti-pick guy.

 

[FaithNoMan]

I've found you can sort of get close to a pick-like tone if you dial in lots of highs and pluck near the neck with an aggressive attack. Worked quite well for me when I was still an anti-pick guy.

I used to do the same exact thing...

 

[Shearstown]

I hate picks. The scratchy sound really annoys me. I use my finger nail like geddy has been described. I can flamenco pick faster than most people can with a pick.(and sounds nicer in my opinion). So I prefer my finger when I'm looking for a slightly harsher sound that's not too harsh. I very my playing for what's needed.

 

[FaithNoMan]

I like the sound of Tool, so a pick is very necessary to achieve that tone....I think Geddy's tone is cool, but sounds a little sloppy, due to the fact that he is using his fingers...