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Question about picking technique

Eric Braunstein

Eric Braunstein

Nov 14, 2005
33
0
38
New York, NY
#1
So I've been playing finger style for a long time, and started doing slap recently, but now my band wants to play some punk so I want to learn picking also. I picked up some Dunlop Felt Picks (which I understand a lot of people use for bass), and I've been practicing for a few hours and feel like I'm getting better, but I have some questions:
After playing for a while I've started kind of turning the pick so the long side of the triangle is almost parallel to the string, because otherwise I kept getting the pick caught on the string (so it wouldn't make any noise). Is that right?
I also am not really that good at hitting only 1 string at a time, and I've found it a lot easier to just mute the other strings with my left hand and kind of strum and not worry about hitting other strings occasionally. Does this sound reasonable, or should I really work on just hitting one string at a time?
 
#2
Try resting the side of your palm on the bridge, and controlling your strokes with your thumb and wrist.

Personally I hate using a pick, but sometimes it's necessary...having it in your aresnel of skills is definitely worth it.

That said, one of my local bands that gigs all the time; has a lead singer that plays bass (a bass player that sings lead?), and he just thrashes wildly at the strings and concentrates on his vocals...they always go down great though. I've talked to the guy a few times, and he's certainly no idiot wannabe, even if his bass technique is...unorthadox.
 
#4
May i suggest something.
Those felt picks are good if you want that pick to sound like you fingers. Get a plastic one for punk rock, you'll get that treble sound that punk basses are know to have.

Also, you really should work on hitting one string at a time. This will help you down the line when it comes to switching strings.

I play a lot of punk/post-punk stuff. Just my two cents.
 
#6
Eric Braunstein said:
Ok. Do you have any specific recommendations for a plastic pick to use? Like gauge, brand, whatever. I really have no idea where to start when it comes to picks so any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I'm a longtime fingerstyle player who has also been recently asked to take up the plectrum. I've been playing D'andrea 351 Matte 1.0 mms, and they are awesome. I've been mixing my style up between a very controlled, leaving the pick only a bit above the string strum to a wild rhythm guitar like thing. Both work depending on the line I'm playing.
 
#7
Eric Braunstein said:
Ok. Do you have any specific recommendations for a plastic pick to use? Like gauge, brand, whatever. I really have no idea where to start when it comes to picks so any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I used to play a lot of punk. I went with Dunlop Tortex picks, with a size of about .73. I remember reading...some punk band...used those so that's what I tried. Liked it a lot actually.
 
#9
thicker picks are easier on your hand. but if you're getting what you want with the pick you're using, there's no harm in it as long as you're not getting pain in your hand.
 
#11
Eric Braunstein said:
So I've been playing finger style for a long time, and started doing slap recently, but now my band wants to play some punk so I want to learn picking also. I picked up some Dunlop Felt Picks (which I understand a lot of people use for bass), and I've been practicing for a few hours and feel like I'm getting better, but I have some questions:
After playing for a while I've started kind of turning the pick so the long side of the triangle is almost parallel to the string, because otherwise I kept getting the pick caught on the string (so it wouldn't make any noise). Is that right?
I also am not really that good at hitting only 1 string at a time, and I've found it a lot easier to just mute the other strings with my left hand and kind of strum and not worry about hitting other strings occasionally. Does this sound reasonable, or should I really work on just hitting one string at a time?
Click to expand...
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Everything you ever wanted to know about using a pick. Tuck Andress is a remarkable guitar player. Much of what he has to say will apply to Bass Guitar.
 
#14
Eric Braunstein said:
What about in terms of shape. Is there a specific shape that you find works well, or do you just use the standard?
Click to expand...

Don't get too locked into which pick for now. Go buy a selection from about 80mm to 2.00mm. Stick more or less with the traditional "Fender" shape and use different ones regularly. You'll settle into what works best for you AND you'll learn to play with whatever is available.

I see from your profile you play the double bass with the bow. There are some important similarities between using a bow and using a pick. Now that I've planted that seed I'll leave it to you to figure out what they are.
 

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