The prejudice against pick-playing

[Lunatique]

Over the years, I've always seen comments looking down on playing bass with a pick. I never thought too much about it, as I also play guitar and know pick-playing has its own technique that needs to be mastered and it's not any lesser than finger or slap or tap.

HOWEVER, I've noticed that whenever I'm searching for YouTube videos for sound samples of specific basses, if the video starts off with someone playing the bass with a pick, I'm immediately annoyed, because I much rather hear how it sounds with finger, and then slap. If pick is included, it's fine, but if it's only pick-playing, I can't help but feel disappointed.

I guess the main reason is I almost never play bass with the pick, so I don't really care how a bass sounds with a pick. But I have nothing against it--I do plan on playing some prog metal in the future, and a lot of that is played with picks.

Anyway, how do y'all feel about the obvious prejudice many bassists have against pick-playing?

 

[PWRL]

I don't play that way any more than necessary, but I don't see it as a lesser form at all. I recall watching a video with Duff McKagan wherein he mentioned taking lessons to play finger style. He never learned because he was too busy being Duff and doing his thing. It sure didn't seem to hold him up.

 

[40Hz]

Anyway, how do y'all feel about the obvious prejudice many bassists have against pick-playing?

I consider it simple ignorance on their part and dismiss those who hold to such nonsense from my mind.

I’m a fingerstyle player most of the time. But I’ve learned how to play equally well with a pick. I have zero use for, or interest in, slap. But I made it a point to learn that technique too. Even with fingerstyle there are different techniques: floating thumb, rest stroke, bridge bounce, harmonics, false harmonics, Simandl and OFPF fingering, chording, tapping, clawhammer, staccato snap, EBow, etc. These (plus a dozen more that haven't been invented yet) are all part of the skill set of of a modern bass player.

Point being these things are all just tools. The more techniques you have a command of, the better a player you become.

My feeling is: Get over yourself and do the work. Nobody cares what we think. All they care about is how well we play our instrument.

 

[Wasnex]

Over the years, I've always seen comments looking down on playing bass with a pick. I never thought too much about it, as I also play guitar and know pick-playing has its own technique that needs to be mastered and it's not any lesser than finger or slap or tap.

HOWEVER, I've noticed that whenever I'm searching for YouTube videos for sound samples of specific basses, if the video starts off with someone playing the bass with a pick, I'm immediately annoyed, because I much rather hear how it sounds with finger, and then slap. If pick is included, it's fine, but if it's only pick-playing, I can't help but feel disappointed.

I guess the main reason is I almost never play bass with the pick, so I don't really care how a bass sounds with a pick. But I have nothing against it--I do plan on playing some prog metal in the future, and a lot of that is played with picks.

Anyway, how do y'all feel about the obvious prejudice many bassists have against pick-playing?

No bias here. I am primarily a finger style player and use slap way more than a pick. But I view pick as definitely cool and even essential when it fits the music. There are some players with mad skills that are way beyond anything I can do with a pick; so much respect.

 

[Oddly]

Anyone dissing pick playing, I show them this video...


If they still claim picking is a 'lesser' option after that, well, clearly they're talking out their @$$

 

[Tazziedevil]

I don’t play with a pick, nor do I really slap much.

if I’m checking out some bass videos, reviews, string reviews, pickup demos, “Hey Bro look at my mad bass skillz” or whatever, and the player starts picking or starts going slap crazy I just skip it. Not because they’re a lesser way to play, I just have no interest in how slapped or locked bass sounds, because I don’t use those techniques.

 

[mrcbass]

No prejudice here - whatever it takes to get a job done.

I'm not generally a fan of the picked tone - it has it's place, just not in most songs I tend to play and I tend to not care for the style of songs that would employ a pick.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I carry a plectrum in the console of my vehicle, for when I visit music stores I can try stuff with a pick.
Yeah, the nearest music store doesn't have freebies around like GC or SA.

IME even old strings sound good with a pick.
(and you never know how much use the strings have on a music-store instrument)

 

[grimjim]

I give my friends crap when they use a pick, but it's only in jest. There are a couple songs that just need that pick sound, and I'll use on as well. Why limit yourself to one style? The fuller your toolbox the better.

 

[KPJ]

If you profess to play covers as recorded, you had better be able to use a pick. And use effects when necessary, but that's another story.

 

[Tom Bomb]

I'll pick a driving baseline, touching base through the fingers. Situation normal. All funked up …

See cultural capital.

 

[mongo2]

I play using only my fingers and I couldn't care less how others play.

 

[gln1955]

If you profess to play covers as recorded, you had better be able to use a pick. And use effects when necessary, but that's another story.

Whenever I learn a new cover, if it was originally played with a pick, I'll at least try it that way. Sometimes it is really better played that way, sometimes it doesn't make much difference. Coming to bass after decades playing guitar, picking is natural for me. It's a useful tool to have in hand sometimes.

 

[LBS-bass]

I'd like to hear all techniques in a demo. That's what a demo is for. My personal preference would be fingerstyle, pick and slap. I can live without the slap because I don't really do much of that, but recognize it's important for others to hear it. What I don't want to hear is a demo that's nothing but that.

 

[TheReceder]

Anyone dissing pick playing, I show them this video...


If they still claim picking is a 'lesser' option after that, well, clearly they're talking out their @$$

Thanks.... played the video and now my computers mojo filter is plugged.

 

[Kmonk]

Paul McCartney plays almost exclusively with a pick and nobody criticizes him. I used to play with a pick on every song. About 20 years ago, I switched to playing primarily with fingers but still use a pick on some songs.

 

[jdh3000]

To each his own... Never use a pick on bass but know many great players who do.

I’ve never understood putting someone down for using a pick, the type of bass they play, or the amp they use.

The only thing that matters is if it works for you...

 

[honeyiscool]

I much rather hear how it sounds with finger, and then slap.

I find it interesting that to you, finger > slap > pick, when clearly slap is honestly a niche sound that professional players can comfortably live without ever having to play. You can build a career around only playing fingerstyle or only playing pick. You can't build a career around only slapping. Even the most pyrotechnic virtuoso bass players mainly play fingerstyle.

 

[delta7fred]

Try playing something with a tight string spacing (e.g. Violin bass @ 15mm ) with big fingers like mine and you soon realise the value of pick playing.

It's also handy for those 80's songs full of 1/8th notes, and when you are singing to keep the timing more precise. (This might just be my responses getting a bit slow!)

 

[StatesideRambler]

Anyway, how do y'all feel about the obvious prejudice many bassists have against pick-playing?

The only trick you missed was quoting Seinfeld, “Not that there's anything wrong with that.”