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

#61
OP: I'm in the same boat as you. Always played with fingers, thought that was the "true" way to play bass. 20 years later, I put flats on and just for s**** and giggles tried practicing with a pick just to change things up a bit. Didn't really like the sound so much but it made practice more interesting and then I would play fingerstyle at the gig.

Been a little over a year now since I started this, added pick songs more and more at the shows. My original band's songs really benefit from the added clarity and precise attack. And...all of a sudden this past week, I am absolutely addicted to the pick sound! Played the whole cover band show Friday night with a pick even.

Anyhow...OP, just to increase your bass skills (and make yourself a more valuable, in-demand player) you should absolutely work on the pick. The BL will see that you are trying. However, there is a learning curve and you (and the BL) might agree that your fingerstyle better suits the songs right now. Oh and at the end of the day it all comes down to communication - don't be afraid to talk to the BL about stuff.
 
#62
There was a couple times that I was glad I could play with a pick, and it had nothing to do with tone. It was at cold outdoor gigs. Between the cold strings and the cold air, my fingers were literally freezing up and making it harder to play fingerstyle. I switched to a pick and it made things easier. I find that the wrist doesn't freeze up as much as your fingers when it gets cold.
 
#63
DiabolusInMusic said:
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.
Click to expand...

I watched some kind of monster also. I believe the subject of playing battery came up and lars said "you can play that fast without a pick?" and Trujillo just laughed. I wouldn't say he $h!t bricks.
 
#64
My response would be: 'I will, but I'll work it in. It helps if I can learn the songs without one', which technically would be true for me. Then show them how good it sounds WITHOUT a pick, played by YOU. Jack up the mids and highs for a keener attack, and just rock the hell out of it.

Also, don't compromise your A-game for money down the road. That money invariably keeps moving farther and farther away. If you go down in flames, make it with your best stuff, not some half-baked experiment.
 
#65
hernameisrio said:
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?
Click to expand...

Yeah, sometimes it’s a red flag when a BL/SW/GTR is a room hog. Anyway, if the BL/songwriter/guitard gave you recordings to learn the songs with and he wants you to play the bass lines exactly as he plays them (with a pick and all) - it’s obvious he like’s his demo recording as is - so my thinking is, have him put the best song online as a download for sale, and if he can’t sell a reasonable amount of downloads (other than relatives) in a reasonable amount of time (a month or two?) - unless you’re learning a lot, or it’s really fun, I wouldn’t invest much time in the project.
 
#67
I am equally comfortable with both, as I play and practice both ways. It would simply be a non-issue for me.

If someone asks me to get involved in a project(and I agree to), and has a strong vision for what they want, I will(to the best of my ability) give them what they want. Especially if it's a vision I can get behind, or already happen to share.
 
#68
SquierJazz72 said:
I am equally comfortable with both, as I play and practice both ways. It would simply be a non-issue for me.

If someone asks me to get involved in a project(and I agree to), and has a strong vision for what they want, I will(to the best of my ability) give them what they want. Especially if it's a vision I can get behind, or already happen to share.
Click to expand...

This. I already play some songs by a pick because that's the kind of tone the songs require, if I played in a project that calls for that and someone in the band acknowledges that I'd most likely have no reason to disagree (unless it requires some wonky basslines that require five fingers on right hand to play).
 
#69
Hern, if i have to read one more thread about you bending over backwards for a band and ultimately getting rejected..

Anyways, here is a perfect chance for you to stick up for yourself. That seems to be the theme throughout your threads. Tell them you play with your fingers, and that is how it is gonna be. Take charge of the situation.

But seriously, if i was in your shoes i would tell them to go **** themselves. If i am going to join an originals band with no prospect of pay, i am not going to relearn how i play the bass for them. They are not viewing you as a collaborator, just as a bass slave pretty much. Quit being other people's bitch and move on.

Also, if someone really thinks the music will suffer by not having "pick tone" they are seriously mistaken. A similar tone can easily be established using the EQ and tone knob.
 
#70
hernameisrio said:
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?
Click to expand...

Is there tea in China?

I'm sure you've heard, "Those who don't learn from history are forced to repeat it."

Follow your gut instinct - it tells the truth.

You want to learn to use a pick? Practice with a pick. You don't have to play patsy for someone else to do that.

I never use a pick on bass, but started a couple of weeks ago because it sounds better when I play Little Honda.

 
#71
I think there are two things which need to happen before I can really make a solid assessment about where to go from here:

1. I need to focus on playing with a pick and on listening to players who play with a pick. Because I really haven't done enough of it to be able to just go, "NOPE." It IS something I'd like to improve upon. So I will.

2. I need to see what happens over the next couple of rehearsals as I continue to get to know the band members and learn the songs. I mean, I'm barely in the door. I think I'd be jumping to conclusions if I were to bail or worse yet, tell them off. They're excited to have me on board and the guitarist seems happy to have someone bringing the bass lines to life. So I'm just gonna go with that...at least at this point.

As for Seanto, I can't tell if you're being sincere or sarcastic. Either way, I think "bass slave" is a little strong....!
 
#74
I played a country session in Nashville a few years ago and a well known producer in the town asked me to lay down a bass track with a pick.....(who am I to argue with a true legend). I guess it depends on your situation. When you get paid to do a job you do what the boss asks. But, if it is just a guitarist who doesn't like bass (which I notice a lot of metal guy's are like this) then you might want to have a come to jesus meeting (or if it is metal: a come to satan meeting)
 
#75
I was being a grump for sure...but thats just my mood today. :)

But for real, a pet peeve of mine is those rock stereotypes that some people just can't seem to shake. For me, this would be somebody asking me to play with a pic or insisting i need to own a tube amp etc etc..

I use the bass as a means of self expression, and in a project that emphasizes that, like an up and coming originals band, i want to have my mark on the sound. Part of this means choosing which equipment i want to play with and having creative freedom over the bass parts. None of which you seem to be getting here. It's just plain disrespect in my eyes, but then again i play by my own rules as often as i can.

Imagine how ridiculous you would look if you suggested that the drummer use brushes..or the guitar players uses fingers..or whatever it may be. I see he pick thing the same way.
 
#76
I actually found, being a finger style player all my life that sometimes playing with a pick isn't so bad...especially on recordings...
Just another tool in the shed, and if it gets you some exposure as a player its not a bad thing either...might not want to be known as the guy who plays bass with a pick...but at the same time if it gets you work seems like its not a bad deal...Catch 22 type thing.
 
#80
Thank you, kind sir. :D

Think I got all the wisdom I need for now. I'm meeting with the guitarist on Friday to continue going over songs and talk shop. Heck...at this point I'm just glad to be playing in bands. It seems like every band has slightly different personalities (and therefore challenges)...so I'll just take them as they come and do what I can to play as well as I can.

YOU CAN CUE THE HAPPY MUSIC NOW
 

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