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Why is playing with a pick so frowned upon?

#141
When I began playing bass many years ago, I switched off regularly between playing pickstyle and fingerstyle. I was experimenting at the time; still finding my way on the instrument, trying to select my technique for what worked best for the song.

My slapping and tapping skills are rudimentary at best. But for my style of playing and my type of music, that is sufficient. Slapping and tapping functions primarily as a spice - not as the main course.

I haven't played pickstyle for many years now, but intend to start again soon. It's good to switch things up from time to time. Keeps ya fresh.

MM
 
#142
Happynoj said:
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I don't know what kind of bedroom experiences you have but I don't think she's ever said Use a pick on me.
 
#143
rockchalkbass said:
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.
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I know I always feel better about my own inadequacies when I judge others by theirs, even more so when I can look down on them about it.
 
#148
Of all the weaksauce things to be snobby about, this really cracks me up. I guess I need to brush up on my skills and then look down on people with poor wrist positioning, and strings that are more than a week old.
 
#149
I agree, I don't think it is frowned upon either. My son has four full concerts from four different bands on his ipod, all four bass players predominantly use a pick. These concerts range from an almost "unplugged" acoustic/electric set to a bass player cranking out some hard tunes through 2 SVT's in front of 50,000 people.

I split my playing time 50/50, pick/no-pick. Some songs are easy to play with the fingers but a challenge with a pick and vice versa.

A wise man once said "adaptability and versatility leads to great success".
 
#150
I never got any flack for playing with a pick? I think it stemmed from DB players view of 6 string guitarist moving to the bass position and bringing there pick along for the ride instead of using " proper technique" which they brought with them when they moved from DB to Electric early on. I don't think anyone frowns on it any longer, any technique you can perform well enough is just more tools in your arsenal.
 
#153
lowfreqgeek said:
Yep, JPJ sure is a hack, isn't he?

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It's funny, as a younger bassist I would kinda get down on myself for not being able to play certain things with fingers. With certain players, JPJ for example, I always assumed they did things "right" like I was supposed to, and just did everything without a pick.

Immigrant Song, for example, was something I couldn't quite get down right, with the octave skipping and all, using a two finger, thumb anchor technique. It always bugged me, I strove for it, but could never get it down PERFECTLY.

Then I grew the f*** up, read up on the matter, and realized JPJ played the original with a pick; I beat myself up for my own shortcomings substantially less as a result.
 
#155
A bass IS a guitar, just a guitar with lower tuning, play it with a pick, play it with a hammer, hell slap it with a dead fish! As long as it sounds good and provides the bottom end required in whatever genre of music who cares! Being a brit I love me a bit of Yes, and Chris Squires playing always sounded great.......that said I am not good with a pick myself. Wish I was!
 
#159
steweDbass said:
A bass IS a guitar, just a guitar with lower tuning, play it with a pick, play it with a hammer, hell slap it with a dead fish! As long as it sounds good and provides the bottom end required in whatever genre of music who cares! Being a brit I love me a bit of Yes, and Chris Squires playing always sounded great.......that said I am not good with a pick myself. Wish I was!
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If a bass IS a guitar than a truck IS a car, right?
 
#160
I play in real good cover bands and play with a pick when the bass line in the song
is played with one(i.e. Green Day,Europe,Ozzy,Soul Asylum etc...) Most of the time
I play with fingers however. Personally, I think finger playing has much more dynamic control.
 

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