when someone asks you to try playing with a pick....

[maxiegrant]

OK I will clarify. If asked in advance, I will rehearse songs with a pick. Not my bag, but I can do it.

If asked on the spot, no way. I won't have time to figure out if I need to bone up on technique.

 

[Tituscrow]

To the OP...just out of interest, originals or covers? If the latter, what's the potential set list?

 

[basschanges]

This was my motivation to learn to play with a pick (the bass player, not beck)

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Also, I didn't realize "pick player" was a thing....? :/

The guitarist was the one who asked me this, by the way. He wrote the bass lines. The bass lines are cool but they sound like lead guitar parts on bass, at least to me. I got the standard, "Paul McCartney played with a pick" thing. Which is like, cool story bro...but the Beatles bass lines were not as busy as this!

John Entwistle in The Who played some pretty busy lines. Fingerstyle. You don't use a pick just for speed. It provides a totally different feel than fingers. If that's what the songwriter or bandleader wants, use a pick. It's a deliberate stylistic choice and if you're the hired hand, ya gotta do what the leader wants.

 

[lfmn16]

Obviously the solution to this is to practice, which I will, but I feel a little imposed upon and am not sure if this is the sort of thing where I should stand my ground or be flexible.

But is this a battle worth fighting or should I just give it a shot and let them dictate something like this?

Why did you agree if you don't want to do it? If I didn't want to play with a pick I wouldn't agree to; if I agreed to play with a pick I would honor my agreement.

 

[AngelCrusher]

A key point in the OP's post is that right now, THIS GIG ISN'T YIELDING ANY MONEY. There are a few different things that come to mind on this note.

First: why bother investing the time and effort to learn a technique for a gig that isn't paying at this time? Does this project have the potential to yield paying gigs? And has the songwriter/bandleader explained their vision along with the request for the pick? If you think the project has potential, and you get the concept of the bandleader, then maybe you should give it a try.

Second: Will adding pick technique to your capabilities make you a more employable player? I think this speaks for itself. Being a capable fingerstyle and pick player will open up that many more potential gigs for you. Some bandleaders are very particular about how they want their material presented. Do you want to eliminate yourself from consideration because of a right hand technique? That's up to you.

A lot of great gigs don't pay at first. I did a demo for a guy and the producer wanted me to use a pick, so I did, because I believe a great bass player should be a chameleon and fit into any band situation. He ended up getting signed and I was in the band. So then I got a lot more $.

Have ears..scout for potential..do a project you believe in, and if you have developed taste and know what you are doing the money will come.

But really, learn to use a pick. Many bands and producers prefer that tone and you should be able to be adept at all styles.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

one of the warmest bands that have ever been around - Pink Floyd - all of it, ALL, was played with a pick-bass

I think it's enough on the topic of sound, and I really don't understand those kind of requests - had one recently - she'd FORBIDDEN (sorry for the spelling) me to play with a pick - the band dismantled until she found a guy who plays with fingers.
...'Why' I asked while still in her band? 'Why don't we record smt, and then decide, or maybe, don't decide, just agree or disagree with the tone and we'll (I'll) mangle it somehow, with fingers or a pick, it's so irrelevant. Matter of fact is that I play 80% with fingers anyhow, but that day (the 'audition') the pick was in my hand just by chance (always have one 'cos I like it sometimes, to get a bit more of a kick, speed, hand-rest...) and when she saw it, she said, really disapointedly: 'you play with a pick???' - I said yes - I'e just explained why - it's irrelevant tonewise - you can get whatever tone you want with or without a pick...
...she insisted, i played along, we rehearsed this one song - and after mastering it, I played it with a pick, sounded great, she said: 'YOU SEE, YOU SEE? IT'S WAY BETTER!!!' - I was turned with my back to her, turned around, showed a pick - and that face again - tat was our last rehearsal...

So, NEVER again am I gonna let bandleader tell me how to play (sound is something else - but my technique???) no thanx to the band - it's not really a band anyway - it's someones frustration outlet. 4 GOD'S SAKE if Metallica had an audition for a new bass player (2 auditions) and never mentioned the goddamn pick to any of the guys who came

Actually when Metallica auditioned Trujillo (who got the job) they all, especially Lars, **** bricks when they found out he WASN'T playing with a pick. So the pick thing did come up, it just wasn't a deciding factor.

 

[smeet]

I just realized that the only people who have ever asked me to play with a pick, are...not bass players.

That's an important point, but it's not necessarily a negative. A non bass player is listening from the outside, *probably* without bias for or against picks/fingers. A non-musician's opinion even more so. It's a valuable viewpoint, as it might be based solely on sound as opposed to ideas of right or wrong techniques.

Growing nails: hmm. I don't know, not really practical for my job.

And it doesn't sound the same as a pick anyway. One of the cool things about using a pick is that it will get you to play a bit differently. You will play different rhythms and get different feels in addition to the change in timbre. That to me is a big plus.

I mean, I'll try the pick. I'm not opposed to trying new things. What I am opposed to is when people who aren't PAYING me to try new things, try to get me to try new things.

Instead of seeing it as being forced to do something, look at it as an opportunity to get better at something new.
You don't want your first paying pick gig to the the first time you've played with a pick. Far better to already be good at it. Then, even if you don't like doing it, you can seamlessly switch to using a pick.
I always (for 25+ years) used to hate playing bass with a pick. I've recently changed my mind, and realized that some kinds of music just work better with a picked bass.
I take personal pride in being able to deliver what the song/band needs, whether it's playing with a pick, using different basses or strings, slapping, typewriter technique, or anything else. It's something I enjoy, because it gives ME personal satisfaction.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

You'll find a lot of wisdom on using a pick in this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f21/why-i-keep-hammering-carol-kaye-pick-method-452467/

 

[hernameisrio]

My main concern is obviously not about playing with a pick vs fingers. It's simply the underlying implications here, if there are any. In other words, will this escalate into the sort of thing where suddenly I have to use certain pedals, wear certain clothes, cut my hair a certain way, etc....
because I've been down that road and it's so not fun. I played keys in a band where the bandleader wanted me to wear skirts and "play the chick card." So I did, god dammit. I went out to Trash & Vaudeville and spent $100 I barely had on three cool punk chick skirts so that I could look the part and blah blah blah. That band did not go anywhere. The bandleader wanted us to bend over backwards for HIS songs, yet we didn't make money. The "band fund" went to "t-shirts and the website." Yep.

Then I was playing with this project, albeit somewhat informally, where the drummer was trying to tell me which amp I should get. That I "should" get a combo. I kept explaining that both weight/ergonomics and money were concerns for me at this point in my life but that I would try to figure out a compromise. That band came to nothing. Now I have a MarkBass combo that, don't get me wrong, it's cool and all. But it's a table. I rarely use it. I'm glad I bought it. I have no plans to flip it. But my cat uses the side of it for a scratching post, more often than I play with it. I bought that amp so I could have "a chance" at being more marketable as a player. Since that project, the subject of my owning an amp has not come up at all.

So I just...I don't know. After my past experiences, I really have no concept of decent boundaries when it comes to being in a band. Which is really sad because I am ultimately excited to be in two projects again and to have this sort of structure in my life...and I'm looking forward to gigging. It's just that because I've had such bad experiences in the past, it's hard for me to trust people now. It sounds ridiculous but it's the truth.

 

[Jack Butler]

As others have said, learning a new technique is good, although I'd be a little concerned about going to pick only full time. That said, at the risk of being passive aggressive, I'd certainly make my opinions known on the other band members' techniques/equipment since they are so intent on telling you how to play. Maybe the drummer is not so good with the double bass drum, or his roto toms don't fit the bands music. Or the guitar player uses too much chorus all the time...or more likely, his stage volume is too loud. You get the point. If they are telling you how to play, your opinion on what they should do should be taken into account.

 

[bolophonic]

I haven't played with a pick in years. It would depend on the music and the scenario, but in a no-pay situation, I'm doing it my way.

 

[nojj]

There are no laws that say you can only play in one band
Perhaps not, but there are often contract stipulations that do.........


Versatility is the hallmark of a successful bassist.
They're the ones who say "Sure, no prob" instead of "Dude, that interferes with my artistic vision"
and they're the ones who get called.

That said, the OP's situation doesn't really seem too promising for the future.

 

[Joe Louvar]

My main concern is obviously not about playing with a pick vs fingers. It's simply the underlying implications here, if there are any. In other words, will this escalate into the sort of thing where suddenly I have to use certain pedals, wear certain clothes, cut my hair a certain way, etc....
because I've been down that road and it's so not fun. I played keys in a band where the bandleader wanted me to wear skirts and "play the chick card." So I did, god dammit. I went out to Trash & Vaudeville and spent $100 I barely had on three cool punk chick skirts so that I could look the part and blah blah blah. That band did not go anywhere. The bandleader wanted us to bend over backwards for HIS songs, yet we didn't make money. The "band fund" went to "t-shirts and the website." Yep.

Then I was playing with this project, albeit somewhat informally, where the drummer was trying to tell me which amp I should get. That I "should" get a combo. I kept explaining that both weight/ergonomics and money were concerns for me at this point in my life but that I would try to figure out a compromise. That band came to nothing. Now I have a MarkBass combo that, don't get me wrong, it's cool and all. But it's a table. I rarely use it. I'm glad I bought it. I have no plans to flip it. But my cat uses the side of it for a scratching post, more often than I play with it. I bought that amp so I could have "a chance" at being more marketable as a player. Since that project, the subject of my owning an amp has not come up at all.

So I just...I don't know. After my past experiences, I really have no concept of decent boundaries when it comes to being in a band. Which is really sad because I am ultimately excited to be in two projects again and to have this sort of structure in my life...and I'm looking forward to gigging. It's just that because I've had such bad experiences in the past, it's hard for me to trust people now. It sounds ridiculous but it's the truth.

It's not at all ridiculous. Let me ask you something - when your at rehearsal, does the BL/songwriter/guitard have his own special space within the room that takes up more floor space than is really needed?

EDIT: In other words - is he a room hog?

 

[GlennW]

It's a deliberate stylistic choice and if you're the hired hand, ya gotta do what the leader wants.

"If you're the hired hand" you're getting paid, which isn't the case here.

The guitarist appears to want total control over HIS project at the expense of everyones' time and money.

Many things are learning experiences, and with bands it's very important to learn when you're being played for a chump.

 

[hernameisrio]

That's the thing! I'm really not trying to be difficult. If I WERE actually "hired" then I wouldn't have made this post. What I'm really talking about is the amount of influence band members "should" have over one another when it's a situation where nobody's making money [yet]. It has nothing to do with my "artistic vision." It's just me looking out for me.

Joe to answer your question, I dunno, the dude's got a giant pedalboard...you know, the usual. He's been working in the music business for 20 years. Whatever space he takes up, it's likely he's earned it, to a degree. I mean, I get that. I'm just saying, given the experiences I've had where I've been coerced and manipulated by other band members, is this a red flag?

 

[Neek]

It's just me looking out for me.

Maybe it would help to look at the situation from a different perspective. If you learn to play with a pick, and the band leader turns out to be a control freak, then you leave. You still have the knowledge, skill, and confidence to play with a pick now, and can add that to your abilities on call for future projects.

That is how I am seeing the situation.

 

[hernameisrio]

@Neek: makes sense to me...

 

[bluesblaster]

John Entwistle in The Who played some pretty busy lines. Fingerstyle. You don't use a pick just for speed. It provides a totally different feel than fingers. If that's what the songwriter or bandleader wants, use a pick. It's a deliberate stylistic choice and if you're the hired hand, ya gotta do what the leader wants.

Entwistle, Geddy Lee are/were fingerstyle players that got a big trebly tone without the aid of a plectrum, just open up the tone control and try playing a little more aggressively.
I use a pick alot more now days than I ever did before but I play 60's/70's style music in my current band and alot of guys back then played flatwounds with a pick, so thats what I do to recreate that tone

 

[Lee Moses]

I'd be more than happy to use a pick if there were a few tunes that demanded it. But I personally wouldn't want to be in a band where the guitarist just made me his "mini-me."