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Why is playing with a pick so frowned upon?

#21
ferdinandstrat said:
This is the question that bothered me ever since I started playing bass, and coming from 8 years of playing guitar I naturally continue to play with a pick. That and because some of my biggest influences use a pick(atleast most of the time).

Now, through out my time of periodically playing bass in bands during the 8 years of playing guitar a lot bass players looked down on me for using a pick(some still do). I never understood that.

To clarify I do not have anything against any type of technique but I am genuinely interested in where does this(sometimes hostile) opinion comes from?
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Like many others have said here and in legions of threads about the same topic: I wouldn't sweat it. I played with a pick for several years, then switched to finger-style strictly out of convenience (I got tired of losing plectra). Hell, even Peter Hook (New Order) switches from a pseudo slap-pop to pick style in "The Perfect Kiss" (sidebar: the song's full-length video is hilarious).
 
#22
I play with a pick 50% and fingers 50% so everyone has a chance to hate.

Actually it's like painting with brushes or a pallet knife it's the art that's important not the means of getting it on the canvas. Artist who can use both have a larger "tool chest" to choose from. Besides lions should not be concerned with the opinions of sheep.
 
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#24
I do the same thing now as I did as a kid when someone looked down at me an frowned.
I'd look up and smile.

I played classical guitar for several years, so moving to electric bass, using my fingers and no pick, was very natural to me.
When I pick up the electric treble guitar (steel strings) I still play without a pick, seems more natural to me.
When I see some goon playing a classical guitar (nylon strings) with a pick, then I scowl.
I mean, really?
But hey, eat cold cereal with fork for all I actually care.

You're a bass player if you play bass.
Even if you use a chainsaw to do it.
Educate the ignorant, and play on...

With your feet.
Or your tongue.
Or whatever protruding appendage you have at your disposal.
Who gives a *&%^ really?
 
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#26
Vlad5 said:
I do the same thing now as I did as a kid when someone looked down at me an frowned.
I'd look up and smile.

I played classical guitar for several years, so moving to electric bass, using my fingers and no pick, was very natural to me.
When I pick up the electric treble guitar (steel strings) I still play without a pick, seems more natural to me.
When I see some goon playing a classical guitar (nylon strings) with a pick, then I scowl.
I mean, really?
But hey, each cold cereal with fork for all I actually care.

You're a bass player if you play bass.
Even if you use a chainsaw to do it.
Educate the ignorant, and play on...

With your feet.
Or your tongue.
Or whatever protruding appendage you have at your disposal.
Who gives a *&%^ really?
Click to expand...

LOL whenever I play classical guitar without a pick I get weird looks... hopefully it's because the average person is ignorant and not my bad playing ;)
 
#27
for my first ten years playing bass, I only used fingers, "because John Paul Jones did".

Then I watched The Song Remains The Same again, and there he was...with a pick.

Some things sound better picked, some don't. I figure the more techniques you have at your disposal the better you will be.

Sometimes in the acoustic trio, I have to use a pick solely for the extra attack volume I get from one.
 
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#28
I'm sure it's ignorance on their part.
They expect the world to represent what little information about it they have in their heads,
and are disappointed when it doesn't match up.
And of course, it's the worlds fault for not fitting their narrow understanding,
not their fault for being dumb.
 
#29
Actually, I can't play bass with a pic to save my life, and I can't play guitar without a pic to save my life. I'm kind of jealous of those that can and I really respect the talent it takes to be perfectly comfortable playing a bass finger style one minute and then with a pic the next minute (throw slap in there and I'm overwhelmed).
Do what feels and sounds good to you and feel free to exercise your middle finger in response to those that look down on you!
 
#35
In a previous band the guitar player sometimes took over when I couldn't play, and while he could play circles around me technically he never sounded like a bass player to me. He overplayed and forgot about the groove, trying too hard to be inventive and interesting I think. There's a different mindset to playing bass, you need to be aware of the groove and be OK with repetitive playing to put down a solid foundation. It's just not the same role as playing guitar.

Picks or fingers has little or nothing to do with it though, IMO.
 
#37
GregT said:
I have to admit I am one of the people who looks down on people who look down on other people.
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I avoid looking down at all.

I am a tall man who happens to be afraid of heights.

I know some of my punk and metal friends that are anti-plectrum feel that because it can be easy to play faster with a pick it's "cheating" kind off. I had my middle finger dislocated and the Doc said avoid working it too much for a few months and I explained my career depended on my middle finger (that was a funny conversation in an of itself) and how long it would need to heal completely and he gave it six months. I bought me some Mick's picks and some Dunlop extra heavy picks and when I needed clacky I use the extra heavies and fat I use the green rubber Mick's and then for mellow I use the felt ones. Now I use picks for the different attacks. Those Mick's picks kill all other pick brands.

Some fun facts when I googled the issue, some classical compositions actually call for a plectra on upright! Could not find any youtube examples but it exists I swear

Also guitar players up until the late 50's also frowned on using a pick or any sort of plectra because "real" guitarists use their freakish thick classical guitar fingernails, but with the rise of folk music and the move to steel strings "flatpicking" as it was called became more the standard, or so swears the big book of bluegrass.
 
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#38
ferdinandstrat said:
This is the question that bothered me ever since I started playing bass, and coming from 8 years of playing guitar I naturally continue to play with a pick. That and because some of my biggest influences use a pick(atleast most of the time).

Now, through out my time of periodically playing bass in bands during the 8 years of playing guitar a lot bass players looked down on me for using a pick(some still do). I never understood that.

To clarify I do not have anything against any type of technique but I am genuinely interested in where does this(sometimes hostile) opinion comes from?
Click to expand...

Pure ignorance.

Some of the greatest, most loved bass players in history are pick players...HOW you play your instrument is completely irrelevant, all that matters is how it SOUNDS :thumbsup:
 
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#39
mmbongo said:
It is quite silly...but when I see a bass player using a pick I think 'beginner'. I know it's silly and I can't watch Mike Gordon from Phish because of it!
Click to expand...

Go watch that Bobby Vega video, talk to Carol Kaye, and stop being ridiculous ;)
 
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