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when someone asks you to try playing with a pick....
- Thread starter hernameisrio
- Start date
It seems like it's your bass playing limits being challenged and TB telling you to get with the programme, rather than personal boundaries.
In your situation I'd tell them they probably need to find another bassist but I'll have a crack at it in the meantime. My picking is ratpoopie. I would want the freedom to explore my own basslines, and try fingerstyle, unless I was testing my ability to play pro in all ways bar receiving payment. That could be fun for a couple of weeks.
In your situation I'd tell them they probably need to find another bassist but I'll have a crack at it in the meantime. My picking is ratpoopie. I would want the freedom to explore my own basslines, and try fingerstyle, unless I was testing my ability to play pro in all ways bar receiving payment. That could be fun for a couple of weeks.
Man! You are a true bass warrior.
I've had the opposite where it was so hot that my picks got rubbery from the heat. I had to switch to finger style.
they want pick?
play with a pick.
you play bass because thats what they want you to play, right? so play it how they want, unless your the bandleader. when they dont give input then you can decide.
t
play with a pick.
you play bass because thats what they want you to play, right? so play it how they want, unless your the bandleader. when they dont give input then you can decide.
t
Yes, it is, to me. Yes it is a definite red flag.
Play with a pick or not, nothing wrong with it. What's wrong is being told how to play your instrument. I wouldn't be able to work like that. At all.
And I like how you included "given the experiences I've had..."
That's what experiences like those you've had are for; to learn from.
Geez. Please tell me that is sarcasm...
I split our songs about half and half, MOST songs that were originally recorded with a pick, I like to play our cover version with a pick as well, Not always but 90% of the time. Most FUNK songs and ones recored with Fingers I play with fingers.
Nice to have both techniques and be good at both.
Nice to have both techniques and be good at both.
They won't get a pick from me, but they won't miss it, either. If they REALLY know the sound of a pick in a stage mix, MAYBE I'll capitulate. Most people don't know it when they hear it, only when they see it. For big money on the table where I can see it, I'll play with my toes...AND a pick.
Wait, wait... you can play a bass with your fingers? Next you'll tell me that my action shouldn't be set at 5mm...
Make it sound like they want, it's their project. Play from another room or off stage if it bothers him that you're making that sound without a pick.
Make it sound like they want, it's their project. Play from another room or off stage if it bothers him that you're making that sound without a pick.
Wait wait, press, tour dates, gigs and no payment? At all?
I wouldn't do it. if the band is serious enough to tell me how to play, they should be serious enough to pay me for a gig.
I wouldn't do it. if the band is serious enough to tell me how to play, they should be serious enough to pay me for a gig.
Just play with a pick and as some have recommended, just bring up that you're better with fingers and get better kicks from playing without one. Picks aren't evil, just another tool in the toolbox. I play both pick & fingerstyle, whichever sounds better. I have no problem making some compromises when it's about supporting someones vision, as I can trust that they'll do the same for me as well. Try it, be objective about it, if it works/sounds good keep it. If it doesn't, say it after trying it.
This kind of reminds me of a current situation of mine: Singer/songwriter "would love it" if I had some slap parts in some songs. I pretty much hate slap, as most of the time it just sounds awful to me. Kinda the same as listening to a Children of Bodom/Stratovarius fan shredding his scales on guitar. But... here I am, practicing with some RHCP songs. Oh well, live and learn. Who knows, might even like it.
This kind of reminds me of a current situation of mine: Singer/songwriter "would love it" if I had some slap parts in some songs. I pretty much hate slap, as most of the time it just sounds awful to me. Kinda the same as listening to a Children of Bodom/Stratovarius fan shredding his scales on guitar. But... here I am, practicing with some RHCP songs. Oh well, live and learn. Who knows, might even like it.
I started playing bass in 1990. First thing I did was getting a few picks as I liked the sound better, especially with the weak amp I had back then.
Then when I became a better player, I switched to fingers and slap...
In 2003 when I joined rock/funk/alternative cover band, I re-discovered the pick as a means of articulation for specific songs.....
The sam time I joined a singer/songwriter playing exclusively finger style.
Fast forward to a few years later: I started using the pick more and more and this slowly turned the entire singer/songwriter thing into a full grown upbeat band that we all like much better now.
I guess, what i want to say is that using a pick injects a whole new energy and drive into an existing band.
Then when I became a better player, I switched to fingers and slap...
In 2003 when I joined rock/funk/alternative cover band, I re-discovered the pick as a means of articulation for specific songs.....
The sam time I joined a singer/songwriter playing exclusively finger style.
Fast forward to a few years later: I started using the pick more and more and this slowly turned the entire singer/songwriter thing into a full grown upbeat band that we all like much better now.
I guess, what i want to say is that using a pick injects a whole new energy and drive into an existing band.
That's completely relative. It injected energy in your band... Not necessarily someone else's.
I started playing in 1989 and used a pick for 15 years. I got 'Ellefson' good at it. But something was always missing. In 2004 I figured out what that was. I haven't used a pick since.
On a side note...
A few years ago after a string type change, I had massive blisters on my plucking fingers. Those who've had to do it know that that sh*t hurts when you have to play. Anyway, I tried using a pick. I couldn't because my hand cramped too bad. haha
I play off of the percussive sound I get out of my fingers. I can't do that with a pick.
Pick Playing and Finger style are just 2 techniques.
You can equate this to the band members asking the double bass player to play pizzicato instead of arco.
I've made such requests of the fiddler in my band, because specific passages of the song would sound so much better with the appropriate technique.
That being said, all songs do not require the same technique. That would be boring for the listener.
You can equate this to the band members asking the double bass player to play pizzicato instead of arco.
I've made such requests of the fiddler in my band, because specific passages of the song would sound so much better with the appropriate technique.
That being said, all songs do not require the same technique. That would be boring for the listener.
Not analogous at all - Imagine if members of the orchestra told you to play cello with a pick on every song, and oh yeah said orchestra gig pays zero.
