Haha, if this is true, then it shouldn't matter how the demos are played.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Why are most short scale demos played with a pick??
- Thread starter THany
- Start date
Haha, if this is true, then it shouldn't matter how the demos are played.
Exactly, there are many unknown variables with online demos. That's why I find a shop and try the bass I might buy through an amp as close to my own as I can find. Even then it's still a bit of a gamble since they won't have my preferred nylon tape strings but I've never been disappointed with a purchase using that procedure.
No, what is rediculous is all the big ego man that are offended for the pick, barking at me, for something I didnt say, but they want to make it sound that way so they can bark some more,
And since this thread became so distorted and off what I really meant, I will leave it, and wont reply anymore, or if possible, ask to delete it.
Many thanks for those who understood what I meant and answered informatively
I can think of three of the best bassists in the world who use picks but aren't punk musicians.
Other than that, I can think of more punk bassists who play long-scale basses.
As for every video demo having bassists using picks for short-scale basses, that's bs.
What did you do, merely click on videos that looked like this?
These outnumber the pick users when I go to YouTube...10 to 1.
Last edited:
this ended well, lol i hate basses with strings.....
Damn! This turned to a poop-slinging fest real fast! Didn't know that the pick vs. fingers "debate" was still raging on in 2019...
I think the OP was right. A proper demo should feature as many techniques as possible, at the very least fingerstyle AND pick, which are the most common. Slap could also be included. But a bass or amp or effect demo featuring only ONE technique is a bit lazy.
Geez, people, relax!
I think the OP was right. A proper demo should feature as many techniques as possible, at the very least fingerstyle AND pick, which are the most common. Slap could also be included. But a bass or amp or effect demo featuring only ONE technique is a bit lazy.
Geez, people, relax!
I do get your point @THany and I also like demos to show more than one use-case.
I've seen demos of basses, amps, and pedals with nothing but slap playing, most of us do more than just slap. I saw a demo of the Aguilar tone hammer and the player had the drive knob either all the way off or all the way on, nothing in between which is where it's most often used. I agree with you that a good demo displays a wide range of use-cases and a wide range of features.
What models are you looking for? Maybe the good people of talkbass have played them and can answer some questions for you?
I've seen demos of basses, amps, and pedals with nothing but slap playing, most of us do more than just slap. I saw a demo of the Aguilar tone hammer and the player had the drive knob either all the way off or all the way on, nothing in between which is where it's most often used. I agree with you that a good demo displays a wide range of use-cases and a wide range of features.
What models are you looking for? Maybe the good people of talkbass have played them and can answer some questions for you?
Man, I love this site first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee. You've got it all. Drama, suspense, thrills...
It's the internet man. Unless your opinion includes a safe space and you very clearly write a disclaimer outlining that you love the world and all its protected classes of ppl, you're basically a bigot for thinking anything at all.
UH-OH... it's an "us vs. them" thread...
I play long scale... wait for it... with a (thumb)pick 99.9% of the time, have for decades. I am not really a fan of finger style and it really doesn't matter the genre. I find more versatility in this technique, at least for me. But I can understand your dilemma. My guess is they are attempting to demo the clarity of the instrument without "dulling" the sound finger-style... just my opinion...
Everyone who got angry in this thread at least take a second to understand why the guy gal got frustrated.
A lot of people responded as if she was saying that pick playing is bad or unprofessional. She didn't say that.
What it sounds like she was saying is that making your demos with ONLY pick playing shown is bad/unprofessional, leaving fingerstyle players hanging. That's all.
A lot of people responded as if she was saying that pick playing is bad or unprofessional. She didn't say that.
What it sounds like she was saying is that making your demos with ONLY pick playing shown is bad/unprofessional, leaving fingerstyle players hanging. That's all.
Last edited:
He said...Every demo I enter, they start hammering the bass with a pick.
The thing is, I just checked out 10 short-scale videos and most of them didn't show bassists using picks.
That part is true (that is, I believe the OP had that experience and that others do not) and I wasn't refuting that part of the discussion =0)
Last edited:
I don't think you're a troll, but you walked right into a big controversy here on TB. People love to argue over technique and are very attached to whatever technique they use. They also love to argue about scale and whether short or long is better, so you've combined two classic arguments in one post here.
I have thoughts about the answer to your question but I'm not going to say them because I know someone will think they are meant in a derogatory way, even though that wouldn't be the case.
You say you're new to the bass, so I'm going to take you at your word. But the best way to avoid getting caught up in these heated discussions is to ignore the nay-sayers. Arguing back is what makes it look like trolling.
First up: Hello and welcome to TalkBass!
A couple of thoughts regarding your comment/question…
Professionalism has nothing to do with whether or not somebody elects to play bass with a pick. A true professional tries to be equally adept at every playing technique, be it finger style, pick playing, slapping, or tapping; and he or she chooses which to use depending on what best serves the song.
The idea that finger style is some sort of superior playing method is something only a non-bass player would argue for or believe. You are a bass player - so don't think like that.
Getting back to your question, I'd guess the fact so many demos use a pick with a short-scale bass is mainly because it's either the sound the person doing the demo prefers, or they're just more comfortable using a pick for whatever reason.
For the record, I mainly play finger style no matter what the scale length is. But I'm not above using a pick when (IMO) the music calls for it. You shouldn't be either.
