I learned to play with fingers, then switched to pick to get the attack and a more cutting tone. Now nearly 40 years later I'm probably more adept with a pick, but still use the fingers if the song requires it. But I do find that with a narrow string spacing (like a Hofner), I have to use a pick; the fingers won't work in the smaller space.
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Why is playing with a pick so frowned upon?
- Thread starter ferdinandstrat
- Start date
I agree with the majority here - in general, the people who think using a pick isn't "real" bass playing are people who don't know much about the instrument. I assumed that too before I'd learned very much. Then I realized my bass hero, Chris Squire, plays almost exclusively with a pick. I make a decision whether or not to use it on a song-by-song basis; I use fingers about 80% of the time and a pick for the other 20%. I suck at slap. They're just tools in the toolbox, use the one that gets the job done.
And the problem with that is... what?
Shouldn't we just welcome them and congratulate them on seeing the light and playing the one bestest instrument there is instead? ;-)
Pick sounds "right" on certain songs, and fingers sound "right" on others. I like the sharp attack you can get with a pick, and it's really not that hard to learn. I hardly use a pick, but some songs call for it.
I like those wide, rounded triangular picks...
I like those wide, rounded triangular picks...
A lot of my favorite players use a pick. I tried a few times but it just never felt right. I feel more connected using fingers anyway.
I think it's more a light hearted busting of chops rather than frowned upon.
I think it's more a light hearted busting of chops rather than frowned upon.
I didn't even know it was a problem until I got on TB. There is a small but very vocal minority on TB that can't stand anybody doing anything differently than they do it.
Its strange, i have no problem playing with a pick an do so quite often on certain lines or bands but ingrained in me is the idea that 'real bassists play with their fingers'. i think this is for 2 reasons:
1) it generally actually gives a more warm and rounded and bassy tone
2) its one of those stupid things that gets stuck in your head when pick up the guitar as a kid and decide you have to have absolute incredibly strong opinions on certain things for no good reason. its like when you're a teenager and you LOVE a certain band but completely detest another that sound almost exactly the same. god i miss being a judgemental teen
IMO
1) it generally actually gives a more warm and rounded and bassy tone
2) its one of those stupid things that gets stuck in your head when pick up the guitar as a kid and decide you have to have absolute incredibly strong opinions on certain things for no good reason. its like when you're a teenager and you LOVE a certain band but completely detest another that sound almost exactly the same. god i miss being a judgemental teen
IMO
This discussion for the umptieth time makes me wonder if, conversely, guitarists who play with their fingers get french fried by some of their peers. For example, Derek Trucks. Who is a better player than him ? Or, Albert Collins, Toy Caldwell, or Wes Montgomery, RIP. Maybe other modern players I'm just not aware of. Just a curious thought.
Playing out, I'm 90% pick 10% finger, depending on what the song calls for (sharp attack vs. somewhat subdued) at home practicing and learning songs, I'm 100% finger since I need to keep the sound down (condo living). Back in the 80's I was 100% pick, yes, I came from playing that instrument with the 6 skinny strings and just carried on with a pick. Personally, for me it's what you feel comfortable with and what you feel contributes best to the song/music. As has been noted already, there are and have been incredible Bassists on both sides of the coin. In the end, it's not the tool that you use it's the result you get. Anyone who would turn their nose up at a bassist for using a pick is just not worth time of day in my opinion, they're not about the instrument, they're not about the music, they're more about being a silly elitist who thinks things in terms of "my way is the only way".
I'm not very good with a pick on bass and haven't played the type of music it would sound good on. What ever technique gets you the sound you want is fine. The one technique that I find disconcerting to watch is a thumb player. Nothing wrong with it, it just looks weird watching someone do it.
Thumb? This discussion is hard enough without you bringing additional body parts into the mix.
"You're a bass player if you play bass.
Even if you use a chainsaw to do it."
~-Challenge accepted-~
Even if you use a chainsaw to do it."
~-Challenge accepted-~
I've used a pick in the past for speed, but I do tend to associate using a pick with being a guitar player that recently picked up the bass, or that picked up the bass not really intending to be a bass player as much as being in a band.
Being able to use a pick properly on the bass is a tool to have, but it does limit your playing. If you have a pick in your hand you can't switch to other techniques that use two hands.
Being able to use a pick properly on the bass is a tool to have, but it does limit your playing. If you have a pick in your hand you can't switch to other techniques that use two hands.
