Not convinced, it's very specific to the style, and the dynamic of the passage within that...Not sure there's much value in what he's saying other than pointing out the obvious.
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Using a pick
- Thread starter SteveXFR
- Start date
I can't hold one without getting cramp eventually.
Chris Squire sure made it sound good.
Chris Squire sure made it sound good.
A 3mm is mighty thick. I will use a .80 ot 1.00.
Like any technique, there is a right time and a wrong time to use a pick. Some songs just require it. It is the right sound. Others, maybe not.
When I was younger I used a pick a lot because I played death metal and grindcore. Lots of tremolo picking, and distortion. Now I primarily play finger because it works better for me in most cases. However, there is something awesome about the clear, and consistent attack of playing with a pick.
Nothing is normal about Nolly. He is playing a very unique sounding bass, is known for an aggressive attack with a lot of distortion, and he is a switch hitter that plays guitar. What he is doing is fairly unique.
I recently got into this Japanese hard rock band called Band Maid. They have a weird gimmick with the costumes, but they are Japanese, so whatever. Their bass player has incredible picking technique. She was probably trained as a guitar player, but it pretty rare for a guitar player to transition to bass and get the fundamental understanding of bass right like she does.
Like any technique, there is a right time and a wrong time to use a pick. Some songs just require it. It is the right sound. Others, maybe not.
When I was younger I used a pick a lot because I played death metal and grindcore. Lots of tremolo picking, and distortion. Now I primarily play finger because it works better for me in most cases. However, there is something awesome about the clear, and consistent attack of playing with a pick.
Nothing is normal about Nolly. He is playing a very unique sounding bass, is known for an aggressive attack with a lot of distortion, and he is a switch hitter that plays guitar. What he is doing is fairly unique.
I recently got into this Japanese hard rock band called Band Maid. They have a weird gimmick with the costumes, but they are Japanese, so whatever. Their bass player has incredible picking technique. She was probably trained as a guitar player, but it pretty rare for a guitar player to transition to bass and get the fundamental understanding of bass right like she does.
Wow, how you guys can play with .5mm... I feel like it'd snap in five minutes. My preferred pick:
Bought one of those Dunlop samplers, played everything in it, and settled on that. Now, maybe it's because I mostly play fingers, but that was the pick that felt the best to me. Maybe it'd be different if I did more with a pick.
Bought one of those Dunlop samplers, played everything in it, and settled on that. Now, maybe it's because I mostly play fingers, but that was the pick that felt the best to me. Maybe it'd be different if I did more with a pick.
I use Dunlop 0.73mm picks- the yellow ones. For me it’s the right amount of firmness with just a wee bit of flexibility
TriStuby 3mm for Bass, Flow 2mm for guitar. For me, a pick with give makes me lose precision - the non-flexing picks break away from the string exactly when I want them and don't hang back due to flex.
I started with the 1.14s and stuck with them for a long time. Right now I use 2.0 mm Gator Grips. Works for me.
If you play in a cover band, learn to use fingers, slap, and a pick. Versatility is delicious. My last gig was my niece's wedding, I played all the techniques listed above, to serve the respective songs.
If you play originals and want 'only your sound', do what works for you, even if it is one or all the above. Validation is not required, just play it however your soul tells you...
If you play originals and want 'only your sound', do what works for you, even if it is one or all the above. Validation is not required, just play it however your soul tells you...
If I am not playing much with a pick, and then I grab one and just go aggressively, the same thing happens to me,...massive hand cramps. Playing bass with a pick definitely tweaks some weird muscles, if you are not in "pick shape".
But, I can play guitar for hours with a pick, and no hand cramps.
Man, I love Chris Squire,.....but that outfit should've been outlawed.
LOL!
Yeah, Chris was known for awesome bass playing, awesome backing vocals, and unusual wardrobe choices! 
