Right Hand Technique for Playing Bass

[Lobster11]

Yes I've seen quite a few pick threads since I started on here, and some mention the felt sort. I get the logic of that, I'd be interested to see if they do make that much difference, because if they did they surely everyone would be using them? Assuming, of course, that everyone has the same problem with the tinny sound!

I think there are two main reasons why felt picks aren't more popular than they are. First, they tend to wear out quickly and leave behind dust. Second, and probably more important, the people who like them usually do so because they are trying to approximate the sound of fingerstyle without actually playing fingerstyle (for whatever reason), but most people who favor picks do so because they want a tone that is different from fingerstyle. The ideal, of course, is to be equally proficient at both styles and switch back and forth depending on the song (or other factors, like fatigue).

Two other thoughts: First, try turning down the highs on your bass (or amp or EQ pedal) when using a pick to cut down on the "tinniness." Second, note that the pick tone will sound much better when playing with a full band than when playing alone. It's just one more example of how things that sound good in the bedroom often don't sound good on stage, and vice-versa.

 

[Stevej66]

Thank you both.

Factory - yes I'll give that a go. So it'd be right (and probably necessary) to be striking the strings a lot further back than I've done so far? Always play on the pickup at the moment and it's never occurred to me to go so far back.

Lobster - interesting about the settings there. Just to explain my own circumstances, I've got a old Squier P, it's only got a Volume and Tone control on the body itself. I don't like the Tone so I usually have that down to 0, and in deference to a) the wife and b) the neighbours the Volume is usually no further than halfway. The amp's an even older 15A with Volume, Treble and Bass. I haven't fiddled around too much yet, concentrating more on trying to play, but all of them are usually somewhere in the middle, occasionally up to max on the Volume if no-one else is in and the cat's not asleep.

I'll let you know what happens!

Cheers

Steve

 

[factory presets]

Thank you both.

Factory - yes I'll give that a go. So it'd be right (and probably necessary) to be striking the strings a lot further back than I've done so far? Always play on the pickup at the moment and it's never occurred to me to go so far back.

Playing close to th bridge will give you a brighter tone. That's why you see so many fingerstyle players doing it. It helps to cut through the mix. Pick players can use palm muting to roll off the higher overtones according to need. Another option, if you think your tone is too bright, would be to pluck more towards the neck. It's not something I use myself because I only use the pick for rock music. In which palm muted picking gives me the sounds I'm after.