Absolutely the same for me. I never thought one way or the other about it.
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Playing with a pick: why so unpopular?
- Thread starter OldSchoolFlats
- Start date
Pick is good for upright bass only if the proper rosin is used along with it.Pick is definitely the way to go for the upright. For the bass guitar, a nicely bowed solo can be amazing.
It's pretty much a lock that every day, someone on TB will trash slapping.
Today's entry: Fall 2021 Ernie Ball BFR Stingray Special 5HH
Pick is definitely the way to go for the upright. For the bass guitar, a nicely bowed solo can be amazing.
Proper rosin is essential for bowing a bass guitar as well !
dude,..play with a pick ,..you cant get that palm mute sound without it
be a rebel lol, i dont think people actually think its better to play with your fingers than a pick, its just a little fun
different strokes,....
be a rebel lol, i dont think people actually think its better to play with your fingers than a pick, its just a little fun
different strokes,....
Funny enough, in my experience, the people who think playing bass with a pick is wrong are usually non-bassists, and sometimes not even musicians.
I do always have a dilemma about playing with a pick, but it’s not related to anyone else. It’s me.
I do prefer playing with my fingers. I think there’s a bit more technique required (which makes it more gratifying to me) and I love the feel of it. I also love that my fingers are a part of me, and I’m touching the fingers directly… All I need is a bass slung over my shoulders and I’m set.
I’m not a huge fan of having to grab a pick when I want to play, and god forbid I lose/drop it… However, the tone (especially in faster or harder-sounding stuff) is exactly what I want. I love the tone of a pick clacking against the metal strings.
Some days it does cause me want to play metal with my fingers, or something softer, and I definitely spend too much mental energy on my own internal ‘pick vs fingers’ debate, but I’m trying to focus less on that and more on what’s best for the song.
I do always have a dilemma about playing with a pick, but it’s not related to anyone else. It’s me.
I do prefer playing with my fingers. I think there’s a bit more technique required (which makes it more gratifying to me) and I love the feel of it. I also love that my fingers are a part of me, and I’m touching the fingers directly… All I need is a bass slung over my shoulders and I’m set.
I’m not a huge fan of having to grab a pick when I want to play, and god forbid I lose/drop it… However, the tone (especially in faster or harder-sounding stuff) is exactly what I want. I love the tone of a pick clacking against the metal strings.
Some days it does cause me want to play metal with my fingers, or something softer, and I definitely spend too much mental energy on my own internal ‘pick vs fingers’ debate, but I’m trying to focus less on that and more on what’s best for the song.
Yes, I will keep finger-style in my toolbox, and be practicing amplified.
I just wish there was a cheap wireless headphones solution (read: bluetooth transmitter and bluetooth headphones) that did not introduce latency. That headphones cord is a pain, but I don't want to spend $150-300 on a "real" wireless setup.
How about a little headphone amp, like the one Vox makes? You'd need a wired set of headphones, which plug into the amp (which is plugged into your bass), but you'd still have the freedom to wander around as you would with wireless headphones. I don't especially love the tone or (low) volume of mine, but it works great for practicing.
It sounds to me like you're way overthinking this. If you can play both with and without a pick, you can just choose based on however you feel at any given moment, for whatever reason. There's no need to come to some kind of decision about which to use in general, or create a set of rules for determining when to use which.
Personally, there are a handful of songs I (almost) always play with a pick, and a handful I (always) play without, but most songs I play sometimes with a pick and sometimes without depending on how the spirit moves me.
Proper rosin is essential for bowing a bass guitar as well !
I use Jade SOLO double bass rosin. It’s a nice shade of green, and seems to work well.
I tried Pop’s once, and absolutely hated it.
Hmmm, will keep that in mind! I like my GT-1B effects box, but it might be good to have a headphone amp for practice drills. Did ponder one previously, but wondered if it would stress the 1/4" jack. I don't like to tinker as much with the wiring as I used-to (repairs).
Haha, you’re 100% right. I definitely have issues with setting rules for myself. You’re right. I need a more fluid approach.
Yeah, it seems to me that you don't usually need effects when you're just practicing -- especially if you just want to grab the bass and run some scales or something for a few minutes. I keep an ABG handy for this purpose, but a Vox-like headphone amp (which I sometimes use with an electric) would serve the same function. My ABG doesn't sound great but I don't care.
I wouldn't worry about stressing the output jack on the bass. The VOX unit itself weighs next to nothing, and if you're worried about the headphone wire pulling on it you can tuck it inside your strap or something (as many of us do with regular cables).
For your amusement...
...having played almost exclusively finger-style for a few months (plus slap), now that I finally put some flats on my 5-string and did some of my old stand-by palm-muted picking, I find:
Kudos to you veterans that long-since worked out your "chops"!
...having played almost exclusively finger-style for a few months (plus slap), now that I finally put some flats on my 5-string and did some of my old stand-by palm-muted picking, I find:
- Finger-style really does sound better for some things.
- My muting is now better finger-style than when picking.
Kudos to you veterans that long-since worked out your "chops"!
My advice for anyone working on chops with headphones is to use roundwounds and keep the treble turned up. It's brutal, but that's exactly the point. It forces you to improve your technique.
Sounds like you might have already done that though.
Not saying your bullet point isn’t accurate, because it definitely is, but make sure you’re also comparing it when listening to yourself as you play along to songs.
yeaterday I thought I had come up with a good “finger-plucking style that sounds like a pick” technique. It sounded just like a pick until I turned on some aggressive songs and played along… it just sounded like my fingers lol.
I definitely do prefer the finger tone for a lot of what I play though
I think anti-pick faction (as opposed to those who just don't use one without disdaining those who do) are those who also think that the only proper bassist is one that uses a sunburst Precision with flats (preferably LaBellas), a tortoiseshell guard, hate the very idea of a bass solo, and complain because bass amps have a treble control.
I think a lot of those folks are tongue in cheek, but I've run into enough that are serious about this stuff. They also tend to think pounding eighth note roots is the only way to play, and everyone plays the same kind of music, so their opinion is the only proper one.
TLDR- narrow minded egotism
I think a lot of those folks are tongue in cheek, but I've run into enough that are serious about this stuff. They also tend to think pounding eighth note roots is the only way to play, and everyone plays the same kind of music, so their opinion is the only proper one.
TLDR- narrow minded egotism
@OldSchoolFlats, your thread title makes an assumption that doesn't hold water (playing with a pick is "unpopular") and your OP is all about your 'doubts' (e.g., giving up on finger-style)....
play the way that gets the job done better for you. most seasoned players can play enough of any style to get the job done, but for 'long hauls' = that you 'finish' is more important than how you got there. if you think you need to up your skillset in any way = totally up to you! --- but it takes time/practice and determination to acquire new skills.
playing with a pick is not "unpopular." good luck with your (R) hand: however you use it!
play the way that gets the job done better for you. most seasoned players can play enough of any style to get the job done, but for 'long hauls' = that you 'finish' is more important than how you got there. if you think you need to up your skillset in any way = totally up to you! --- but it takes time/practice and determination to acquire new skills.
playing with a pick is not "unpopular." good luck with your (R) hand: however you use it!
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