using a pick

[77mmstingray]

When you use a pick, do you anchor your pinky or let it float?

 

[thedane]

Neither, I pull it in with the rest of my fingers McCartney style. Anchoring my wrist.

 

[77mmstingray]

Neither, I pull it in with the rest of my fingers McCartney style. Anchoring my wrist.

ok
thanks
i would consider that floating

 

[F-Clef-Jef]

I anchor my pinky and ring finger. My picking technique is sort of like writing with a pencil.

 

[ii7-V7]

I've just recently started playing with a pick. I mostly play like Carol Kaye encourages...but occasionally I find myself planting my pinky.

 

[mmstingraybass76]

I've just recently started playing with a pick. I mostly play like Carol Kaye encourages...but occasionally I find myself planting my pinky.

What does Carol Kaye encourage?

 

[ii7-V7]

Basically picking from the elbow with no wrist motion, and playing up near the neck. It's worth reading up on. I try to use that as my default. But it doesn't always work for every sound.

 

[smeet]

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/why-i-keep-hammering-the-carol-kaye-pick-method.452467/
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/carol-kaye-picking-method.1004338/

 

[recreate.me]

Basically picking from the elbow with no wrist motion, and playing up near the neck. It's worth reading up on. I try to use that as my default. But it doesn't always work for every sound.

I think i do this most of the time as well. I would say I let my hand float, but stay close to the neck.. I can't stand playing behind my pickups for some reason, it just is very uncomfortable for me.. (on my jazz i play just ahead of neck pickup, and ahead of my P-Bass pickup)

This technique fits well with where i choose to pluck... I prefer finger style for like 80% of songs so maybe I am doing it wrong lol Plucking is only when i have to play really fast (usually punk) songs, or when i need that extra attack for some reason.

 

[SonnyBassPlayer]

It depends on the song. If there are fast parts and fills my hand "floats", when there' are slower or simple/punchy parts I anchor the pinky on the string higher than the one I'm playing on that very moment.
All my movement is in the wrist. I plick pretty much over the pickup (P bass) or 2cms towards the neck, it's where I find my favourite tone.

 

[GKon]

When I use a pick I don't anchor at all. Although at times I'll let the bottom of my palm
rest on and mute the strings I'm not playing, but that depends on the song.

 

[Biggbass]

Depends on the song and amount of hand muting I need to apply. Sometimes I use a Dunlop thumb pick though...easier for me and it's impossible to drop it.