Why is playing with a pick so frowned upon?

[Mudcat35]

I'll echo what many others have said; it's just another technique. It's a different sound. If you need that sound, use a pick. I used a pick for one song on Saturday night. The rest I played with my fingers, because that's what was required. Do whatever you need to do to get the sound. I have a recording from a few years back that was being played thumbstyle, but it wasn't percussive enough, so I grabbed a metal slide and hit the strings with that. It made a really industrial, metallic sound (imagine that...), which was exactly what the song needed.

 

[EZA]

Watch Steve Swallow play and tell me real bass players don't use picks.

+1 copper picks and a high C string such awesome sounds!!

 

[Slevage]

Because when I play with a pick, I can't do what Bobby Vega does.

 

[Corey Y]

It's not really so widely frowned upon. It's just that very few people ever randomly offer up (or butt into a conversation with) a sentiment like "hey, whatever you do to express yourself musically is totally valid. Have fun!". Where there are plenty of people willing to chime in with "real bassists never use a pick, just sayin" and they seem to love picking arguments, so they're even more noticeable. It's just a simple sampling error.

 

[tubatodd]

I don't use a pick and HAD that prejudice.....until I saw Bobby Vega.

 

[GreggBummer]

I hate to say it aloud, but I've always thought that too many bassists have an inferiority complex. In the case of this conversation, the pick reminds some bassists that A) the guitar player gets the same kind of adulation that a quarterback gets, whether he/she deserves it or not...and B) It can't be denied; there are many of bassists out there who are (at their hearts) frustrated guitarists, and the pick reminds those of us who decided early on that 'The Bass is for Me' resent guitar players who are just killing time on the way back to the front of the stage. They're out there...I've met them.
I've used a pic, on and off, for most of the last 40 years. It serves some songs well, and it certainly pairs well with my '72 Ric 4001...but I wouldn't commit to either a pick or my fingers and dismiss the other. That would be selling some piece of music short....something I try to avoid.
Early on, I found that rotating the pick so as to use one of the two 'blunter, rounder' corners of the triangle mellowed out the pic sound that amounted to 'click' on my Ric. I've used the rounded corner of the pic from then until now. Give it a try...see what you think.

Well stated. Although I can't speak to playing a classic Ric, I think your underlying idea that we bass players need to serve the needs of the band and the song first is critical.

 

[obimark]

Geddy never uses a pick! Blasphemy!

Actually he did use one on some recorded songs- I believe "Distant Early Warning" was one.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

PS if we are not suppose to play with picks why did Leo Fender put a pick guard on his basses?

uhhhh. to cover the channels for the electronics?
Remember, Leo was about fast, inexpensive production; thus the pickguard and bolt on neck.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

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.

Jeff Beck as well.
Fingers rule.

 

[RandalPinkFloyd]

Jeff Beck as well.
Fingers rule.

We get it. You don't like the pick. No need to keep spamming every pick/finger thread. You stated your opinion earlier in the thread but felt the need to follow up again?
For the record, I play both and didn't touch a pick until my current band asked me to 3 months ago. People like you are why this thread exists. The snootiness makes me chuckle and shake my head.

 

[JimmyM]

I really don't care what people think. Got something against my occasional use of a pick? Hit the road. I'll even open the door for you and put a boot on your butt to get you started.

 

[flam]

That's tough. Picks have always been in my mind as something beginners use on bass, even though it obviously isn't true. It just seems like the thing to use if you don't take bass very seriously, for some reason.

The reason I don't use a pick is because all my influences didn't, and frankly, I suck with one. I really enjoy the tone a pick can achieve, though.

 

[Road Hat]

I went back to the OPs message for clarification:

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

(underline is my highlight)

Now, I've had guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, vocalists, etc. dog me out for using a pick, right up in my grill. Rarely, though, do I hear it from bass players face-to-face. It has happened, but not often. Only here, in the virtual world, does the vitriol on all sides seems to come out. (go figure...)

I'm guilty of using the argument that 'x-player' uses a plectrum, and yes, I'm defensive about it, but try not to be. I learned how to play bass with Carol Kaye's book "How To Play The Electric Bass". Within the first few pages, she's showing techniques on how to hold the pick, strike the strings, etc. No particular mention of fingerstyle - frankly, I didn't even know about it as the "essential" technique for a few formative years. Yes, it's discouraging to be viewed as a failed guitarist. I do play guitar as well as bass (college scholarships for both), as well as tuba and tenor banjo. In my world, that makes me a multi-instrumentalist. IMO there is a greater negative view from bass players about this than pick playing. It's like I'm not a real bass player because I don't only play bass.

I think I'll next try playing the tuba with a pick to see the reaction from the virtual orchestra community. I'm sure there's a long list of pick-playing tuba players that I can reference in my defense.

 

[I am Soma]

has anyone even brought up how bass players who use picks tend to be better looking and more fit? its a fact.

"i put pick guards on my basses because bassists should play with a pick. period." - Leo Fender

 

[rockchalkbass]

I am much more likely to look down on a player who refuses to put in time learning more than one technique and disparages those they don't handle. Pick playing is my weakest technique but I enjoy the sound and have nothing but respect for those who are masters of it.
Horses for courses.

 

[RED J]

Jeff Beck as well.
Fingers rule.

Yes, how could I forget him OR Albert King !

 

[Robus]

It's one of the few techniques that come more naturally to those of us who started on guitar. When I switched from guitar to bass, picking was easy. It was fingerstyle that took a lot of work. It seems to me that a well-rounded bassist should master both styles.

 

[Funk$tar]

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!

I agree!
Usually when I see someone use a pick I make the assumption that they are a beginner which is quite wrong of me! I guess the fact that a pick is mainly associated with the guitar is my reason why I don't really like or use it, but it's a matter of personal preference and for someone to frown upon that is wrong. That's like someone looking at you as less of a bass player because the color of your bass is pink! Haha it's ridiculous but hey that's MEN for ya! haha only joking!

 

[hsech]

I never heard that it was looked down on. I don't use a pick, but that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it. It depends on what style you play. I have been playing guitar and bass about the same length of time. I always use a pick on guitar but never even thought about using a pick on bass.

 

[Dbassmon]

Let the sound the player makes do the talking - anybody have an issue with bass guitar with pick, give Bobby Vega a listen