Stupid pick question

[Greenman72]

Ultrashort version: I'm debating on saying "Screw it. I'm just playing with a pick forever and ever from now on." Is this a good idea? A bad idea? Or some of both?

Long version: I've been dabbling in bass for about two years. I'm 45, self-employed (not in the music industry), not currently in a band (and no current intentions to join one), and fully expect my bass journey to be 100% for MY enjoyment.

I had a teacher for about nine months who encouraged me to play with both fingers AND a pick. Of course, since "real bass players don't use a pick", I resisted. Teacher died, and one day I said "You know what--in honor of my teacher, I'm going to play with a pick until I get good at it."

Now I'm in the situation where I depend on the pick. I don't like playing with fingers anymore. I don't like the feel, I don't like the sound, and I find it harder to control. And virtually all of the music that I would want to perform (rock & metal) can be played with a pick. (Not knocking the "poppy & slappy" stuff. I'm just not interested in trying to play it.)

So.....should I just say "Screw it. If I'm playing, I'm picking from now on." Or should I learn fingers, too?

It reminds me of the old Bruce Lee quote: "I'm not afraid of the guy who's practiced a thousand different kicks. I'm afraid of the guy who's practiced one kick a thousand times." I just feel like it would be easier (and more enjoyable) just to pick and stick with one method.

What do you think?

 

[pfschim]

yeah man, if your really not trying to be a musician who works all kinds of styles, just play how you want.

now, if you want to have a range of capabilities/skills, it's probably a good idea to work on the other techniques too.

 

[Lo-E]

I didn’t vote.

If you’re playing for your own enjoyment you should do whatever you find enjoyable.

For me, personally, learning to be versatile is part of the enjoyment. I like to learn new things and continue to grow as a player. I bought into the “real bass players don’t use picks” BS for decades and all I gained from it was the inability to use a pick well. I’ve spent the last several years playing catch-up and trying to improve my pick technique. If I had practiced it concurrently with my finger playing I wouldn’t be in this situation.

That said, my priorities aren’t your priorities and they don’t need to be. I play in bands in a variety of styles. You don’t. You should do whatever brings you enjoyment and if you find later on that fingers would be helpful after all you can always work on it then.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Both methods are fine. There are great pick players and great fingerstyle players.

 

[ceetee]

I'm pretty sure you know that if you want to do something, you need to do it. Do you want to play fingerstyle? Doesn't seem like. Do you want to be able cover a broad base and to fullfill rquests by others (e.g. being hired)? Different story.

 

[mambo4]

the only cause to prefer any technique is deliberate choice
and not because you can't / haven't learned another approach.

I once was asked to play a specific part with a pick
I resisted because I prefer fingers
The response was: "Don't you want to have more options?"
turns out yes, I do want more options

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

Oh... you said stupid "picks".

Did I type my reply with a pick?

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

I voted Carol Kaye, but really believe in 2-3. But, of course, do what you want and be happy (Kaye). I love playing with a pick.

 

[JimmyO]

I only started playing mostly pick recently, because the genres of a new cover band required it. Took me a minute to get comfortable with it, but once I settled in, I’m having a blast. Who cares what others think. Do what you need.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Ultrashort version: I'm debating on saying "Screw it. I'm just playing with a pick forever and ever from now on." Is this a good idea? A bad idea? Or some of both?

I didn’t bother with the poll.

Not learning all the techniques that you can will only serve to limit yourself. Practice your instrument, friend. Run scales, modes, slap, pick and fingers. Try advanced techniques, work on stage performance, do all the things. There’s no reason not to, other than laziness, if I can be frank about it.

You may never master them all but even a rudimentary grasp will go a very long way.

 

[lowplaces]

Pick, fingers, and thumb player here. Doesn't mean I'm great. Just means I can play all three ways.

 

[aero58]

Stick with the pick and continue to enjoy your music.

 

[mcontour]

I play mostly with fingers, but my band plays a few songs that I need to use a pick on. The challenge for me is that I like to have the bass hang at a certain height for finger style but I really want it higher when using a pick. It is just very uncomfortable for me to play notes near the nut while picking near the bridge and palm muting, if the bass hangs too low.

Anyone else have this issue?

 

[SteveCS]

...
I don't like the sound,
...

In the end it it up to you. But the thing with fingers is that it can take a long time to develop good tone, and once there you have to maintain it. Think about this for a moment - the tones you can make depend to a very large degree on the physical state of your fingertips, especially the hardness, size and shape of callouses, The hardness, size and shape of those callouses depends on what you play, how you play and how much you play. If you play less you will never get the sound of someone who plays more because you won't be physically equipped to do so.

My point is that if you don't like the sound of your fingers, that will never change unless and until you change the sounds your fingers can make, which means using them...

 

[themickster]

Ultrashort version: I'm debating on saying "Screw it. I'm just playing with a pick forever and ever from now on." Is this a good idea? A bad idea? Or some of both?

Long version: I've been dabbling in bass for about two years. I'm 45, self-employed (not in the music industry), not currently in a band (and no current intentions to join one), and fully expect my bass journey to be 100% for MY enjoyment.

I had a teacher for about nine months who encouraged me to play with both fingers AND a pick. Of course, since "real bass players don't use a pick", I resisted. Teacher died, and one day I said "You know what--in honor of my teacher, I'm going to play with a pick until I get good at it."

Now I'm in the situation where I depend on the pick. I don't like playing with fingers anymore. I don't like the feel, I don't like the sound, and I find it harder to control. And virtually all of the music that I would want to perform (rock & metal) can be played with a pick. (Not knocking the "poppy & slappy" stuff. I'm just not interested in trying to play it.)

So.....should I just say "Screw it. If I'm playing, I'm picking from now on." Or should I learn fingers, too?

It reminds me of the old Bruce Lee quote: "I'm not afraid of the guy who's practiced a thousand different kicks. I'm afraid of the guy who's practiced one kick a thousand times." I just feel like it would be easier (and more enjoyable) just to pick and stick with one method.

What do you think?

Do what works for you

 

[gtirard]

Salud!

I voted Carol Kaye, but really believe in 2-3. But, of course, do what you want and be happy (Kaye). I love playing with a pick.

LOL.

I'd like to know what would the stats have been for a "do what you like" option, without her name. I guess 38.5% have voted for her.
I voted for this option because I really think "do what you like".

 

[SharpCat]

No!! eBow and nothing else!

Seriously, I used to be pretty good with a pick on the mandolin 20 years ago. But I really start wanting to go back to fingers if I play bass with a pick. OTOH, sound is important, so do what you gotta to get the sound you want.

I think I’ll force myself to use a pick sometimes until I’m equally good mediocre with both. Sore thumb joints preclude slapping for me. You do you of course.

 

[JonathanPDX]

With your goals there isn't one "right" answer. If the pick is working for you and you are able to play the stuff you want with it then there's no reason to change technique.

As you continue you journey you may find some songs that are more difficult to try and pick instead of plucking with your fingers, or you may explore different sounds that your pick can't provide. At that point you'll likely have to revisit this question, but there's no reason to start investing time and effort into a skill you currently don't have any motivation to develop.

Just remember to pay attention to your technique and listen if your body tells you something isn't right. Poor technique can do real damage to your tendons and joints if you try to power through it.

 

[Alban]

Obviously, the keyword here is "versatility". In my previous originals band, I played roughly 50/50 finger style and pick. I probably could have played the whole repertoire with either a pick or 100% finger style, but it would have sounded different.

 

[Shenron]

It reminds me of the old Bruce Lee quote: "I'm not afraid of the guy who's practiced a thousand different kicks. I'm afraid of the guy who's practiced one kick a thousand times." I just feel like it would be easier (and more enjoyable) just to pick and stick with one method.

What do you think?

I think you are doing what is right for you.

There is no one-size-fit-all answer. You can spend 100% of your time learning, practicing and playing with a pick, or you can spend 100% of it without a pick, or you can spend 50% with and 50% without (or whatever combination, you get the point...). If it works for you, you don't owe explanations to anyone. For what it matters, I have done the opposite choice and spend 99% of my time without a pick.

Unfortunately what a lot of musicians never understand when giving advice, is that our time is limited, so the one thing you can't do is spend 100% of your time doing one thing and another 100% doing another.

And yes, Bruce Lee also got it right! My martial artist teacher always said the same thing: you need ONE technique to win 99% of the fights. That doesn't mean that your music teacher was wrong though... when you are still in your beginner's phase, it is a very good idea to try out many options in order to figure out what is your path! And of course your path can also be to use more than one things.