"Punk" and "Technique" are, like, mutually exclusive, imo. I always figured it was more like "whatever man, I just hit the crap out of these strings", resulting in painful arms due to the lack of technique, all the while downing enough beer to make the pain go away. lol
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Punk Technique
- Thread starter kibbles0515
- Start date
I've seen twisted picks. These might solve the problem partly. I'm doing some punk and punk-rock sometimes. The only thing I imitate is the sound, not the abundant style. So everything is in its normal, comfortable position and you hardly see my picking hand move. If my picking hand gets too excited, the srings will buzz against the fretboard anyway.
+1. I doubt Dee Dee (may he rest in peace) gave a rat's patoot about technique or tone and it all pretty much started with him.
But if we must discuss technique, anytime I saw the Ramones live on or video, Johnny's and Dee Dee's right elbows barely budged -- it was all wrist. QED:
The Ramones - Sheena Is A Punk Rocker (soundstage) - YouTube
Still, to the OP: Keep trying different things -- you'll get what you're after. Above all have fun!
Thanks for the tips. My problem basically boils down to I can't play some punk lines I want to and I was wondering if my technique was wrong, since I was doing different things than what I saw in some videos.
No worries.
One truism cuts across all genres: Whether you're trying to learn "Donna Lee" or "Filler," the best thing you can do is this:
s l o w i t d o w n.
Forget what you see in videos and pay attention to what you hear in recordings. Practice at speeds you can handle to get the lines right. Repeat as necessary, then work up by steps to your desired speed.
This is punk rock -- technique (such as it is) will take care of itself.
And one other thing: Focus on keeping accurate time. You're as important as the drummer in that respect.
I thought the way to be a great punk bass player was to not practice at all... Yeah, don't use your whole arm to pick. I'm pretty sure that's just asking for shoulder and wrist problems down the road.
Funny, I'm going through some of this myself. Pick playing in Punk for me is MURDER. I'm doing the whole "Carole Kaye"
thing where I use alternating strokes and flex at the wrist while using a heavy pick.
I can do several punk songs in a row like this until I have to switch to fingers for some stuff. "Holidays in Cambodia" by the DK is the current bane of my existence; I actually find I play it faster and cleaner with my fingers.
thing where I use alternating strokes and flex at the wrist while using a heavy pick.
I can do several punk songs in a row like this until I have to switch to fingers for some stuff. "Holidays in Cambodia" by the DK is the current bane of my existence; I actually find I play it faster and cleaner with my fingers.
"When I strum fast and hard, I notice that I am using a lot of wrist, instead of moving my arm up and down (bending at the elbow) that I notice is common when others play punk. Also, I sling my bass kinda low, but then have trouble fretting certain notes/intervals (my pink won't reach!). Lastly, my pick is scratching against the strings, and it is annoying. I know that punk is about not being perfect, but I'm trying to recreate the sound, not just play my own style. Any tips?"
When us seasoned traditional bass players talk about "bassists" being ****** guitar players...this is exactly what we're talking about.
When us seasoned traditional bass players talk about "bassists" being ****** guitar players...this is exactly what we're talking about.
i like the p bass, because the strings are far enough apart that i can control the pick better when the music gets super fast or erratic, when i play the jazz or sb-2 i am more of a finger style fellow
I found this thread that is a little old but I'm gonna give my opinion.
Using picks is a very good way for playing punk rock. No wonder most of them punk bass players go that way. It allows you to play fast and tight easier than with fingers. You have to practice a lot more for finger picking. It's not bad if you don't use it for punk rock or fast music.
The pick also gives some more treble in the attack, which, in my opinion is one of the best things in punk bass. (I love low action basses and a little distortion for punk rock so it sounds, a little metallic, brighter and agressive). To avoid the scracth noises you just have to practice until they are no more.
I used to have my guitars (I'm a bass player just since a year and a half ago) too low so it was bad for some playing, for the wrists and for the back. Now I have them guitars and bass a little higher, but not so much. When I play nude (yes sometimes I do) they cover my private parts. That's a good height. Any way for the bass you don't have to do palm mutes so you could play all the time near the neck root. But if you try different sounds and sensations you will like to play in any place.
Don't you care about using the wrist. I thought it was normal. If you see i.e. Bad religion, they all use the wrist. Is faster. Sometimes even you will move only your fingers with the pick. It's ok. Moving the whole arm making hardcore or fast punk rock rhythms is very tired ¿isnt it? You don't have to do it all the time, unless you do it for aesthetics.
And we are forgeting one thing: when you play with your wrist, you triceps is moving a lot. And triceps has a lot of strentgh in final fast moves when your arms are straight. Believe me (it's what they teach in karate) or try to observe it. So when you play with your wrist you are actually playing with your arm and evern moving your shoulder.
There are a few things in pick technique that were directly related to punk by necessity, the main one was it was the fastest way to actually learn to play, and was based on strumming.
Since anyone can hold a pick and strum, the technique to play was pretty instantaneous, and since the original UK punk scene was about just playing and making a stance how well you played was not the issue, it was about the statements you made in attitude and song.
Punk has visuals to it, as many genre's do, one of them is the low slung bass, so that will create issues. As you know the lower the bass the easier to strum...but the harder to fret, so there needs to be a balance between functional height for playability and visual.
Check out the link it has a few ideas and techniques to adhere to in order to help make pick use easier and develop sounds from muting the strings.
But remember in punk anything goes so feel free to adapt and use whatever works for you.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp_kk-w3Puo&feature=plcp
Since anyone can hold a pick and strum, the technique to play was pretty instantaneous, and since the original UK punk scene was about just playing and making a stance how well you played was not the issue, it was about the statements you made in attitude and song.
Punk has visuals to it, as many genre's do, one of them is the low slung bass, so that will create issues. As you know the lower the bass the easier to strum...but the harder to fret, so there needs to be a balance between functional height for playability and visual.
Check out the link it has a few ideas and techniques to adhere to in order to help make pick use easier and develop sounds from muting the strings.
But remember in punk anything goes so feel free to adapt and use whatever works for you.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp_kk-w3Puo&feature=plcp
Seems like your playing based on the "image" of punk...I knew right away you were a pick player when you said arm and wrist. Choose a different way to play that works for your sound and comfort...Not the image......Punk is punk
The scratching sound you're getting, if in excess, is a technique problem, you aren't striking the string straight (you're dragging in the pick along the length of the string, to an extent). You'll be getting extra noise if you are playing too aggressively with a low action too.
Wear your bass where it is comfortable, don't hang it too low just for the sake of hanging it low and play using what is comfortable, be it with your fingers or with a pick, wrist heavy or arm heavy.
Whatever works.
End of.
Wear your bass where it is comfortable, don't hang it too low just for the sake of hanging it low and play using what is comfortable, be it with your fingers or with a pick, wrist heavy or arm heavy.
Whatever works.
End of.
Punk is Punk ( w/out regard ). Who knows how cool those guys looked in the recording studio. Or IF they even got top play on their own records. Looking cool and livin the life ( without being aware of consequence) is what leads to chronic pain, injury . . .maybe untimely death. Finding/maintaining an image and finding your sound/technique is a life-long persuit. You can take lessons and hire a stylist (not really too punk) but ulimately it's "your skin." Do what it takes . . . if it starts to hurt ( or look ridiculous . . .even to you, lol) ahh? . . . try something else.
In the words of the quintessential intergalactic punk (mr. Spock) " Live long and prosper"
In the words of the quintessential intergalactic punk (mr. Spock) " Live long and prosper"
