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Why the hostility towards plectrum ?

#123
Phil Lynott - genious, but i never use a pick not even for guitar, but i hold my finger and use my finger nail to emulate a pick tone if i need to, it keeps my conection to the instrument at skin level whilst alowing a variaty in my tone xx
 
#124
I have been playing with a pick exclusively since I started bass 6 years ago. I didnt want to invest time in fingers because I felt like if I am not a master picker why would I want to start another technique? Also, time restraints and lazyness wouldnt let me explore more. Now I have a bit of a free time and started to play around with my fingers. I dont pretend to be as good with my fingers as I am with a pick ..ever , but If I can at least be able to play some slow parts or songs is cool with me.

I suggest anyone who plays exclusively one technique to try the other, even if its a couple of minutes, just to get the idea. Who knows, you may even get more creative and love the bass even more. Thats how I have been feeling.::hyper:
 
#125
As I said earlier, I use the pick to get a cleaner sound and more definition. The only tonal change that happens when I switch to my fingers is that I lose alot of that definition. I remember early on in my playing, hearing other bass players use their fingers and it was all clack-clack-clack when they were playing eighth notes...then I would play and they would all go, how are you getting that clean sound? Id say, pick my friend, pick. :p

And since I use alot of harmonics as melodies while I fret the root note, it helps to pop those out more. Ill find some links to stuff I have online at a collaboration site and post them here to let you hear...
 
#127
I only use fingers personally. It just feels a lot more natural, and I feel more in control with three fingers, both when it comes to speed and dampening. I don't care much for the tone you get either, but there are of course exceptions. I don't hate it, but I don't see the point. IMO, of course.
 
#134
jeff schmidt said:
using a pick on a bass is about 1 thing. sound.


anything else is only useful as fodder for internet message boards.

and not much else.


:bassist:
Click to expand...

All due respect, I know you're a great bassist...

but how is sound the only valid reason? How about comfort and efficiency? I did years using fingers, finally realized it just wasn't for me and grabbed a pick. My sound is not all that different, my ease and comfort is much improved. I'd say that's a damn good reason to use a pick on bass, regardless of message boards.
 
#135
To all the pick haters:
When your band plays a tune at 240 bpm and right afterwards your drummer says "alright guys lets do it fast next time, I like it aggressive," and said tune is mostly 16th notes, 32nd notes, and triplets... You try not reaching for the pick. Some day I'll get it with my fingers, but not today. And until that day comes, a pick will be in my hand. Anybody who says you can play faster with your fingers as a general rule BULL$HIT, learn to tremolo pick.

And as for that clackety clack sound when you use a pick, it can either be eq'd out, and if you do it eq it right it can be very musical
 
#136
Sneckumhaw said:
All due respect, I know you're a great bassist...

but how is sound the only valid reason? How about comfort and efficiency? I did years using fingers, finally realized it just wasn't for me and grabbed a pick. My sound is not all that different, my ease and comfort is much improved. I'd say that's a damn good reason to use a pick on bass, regardless of message boards.
Click to expand...


thanks for the respect. back at ya!

ask a music listener if they care about the comfort & efficiency of the bassist.

they only care what it sounds like.

if we're into making music - that's all we should care about too.
 
#137
jeff schmidt said:
thanks for the respect. back at ya!

ask a music listener if they care about the comfort & efficiency of the bassist.

they only care what it sounds like.

if we're into making music - that's all we should care about too.
Click to expand...

If I'm comfortable and efficient I sound better and I play better. So I guess you're right, the ultimate goal is sound. I thought what you were saying is that one should only use a pick to get the stereotypical "pick tones" it can provide. I think I somewhat misinterpreted you before, and if I get you now, I agree.

Only reason to use a pick on bass is the same as any other bass technique; making great music!
 
#138
As far as sound goes, I can still get a nice round warm tone using a pick simply by picking near the neck and using a softer touch. On the flip side I can also get a clearer brighter sound fingerstyle if I play near the bridge and pick harder.
 
#139
I think whatever works with the song, sometimes the harsher attack of a pick and the ease of doing triplets with alternate picking just...works. Then again you can argue about angling your fingers towards the nails for a harsh attack and switching to three fingers...

I think one of the best bassists I have ever seen used a combination of the two; holding the pick between thumb and index finger and using the remaining fingers as well...a combination of a root note percussion and chord melodies that sounded incredible

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder i suppose, everyone has their own approach *shrug*
 
#140
Sneckumhaw said:
If I'm comfortable and efficient I sound better and I play better. So I guess you're right, the ultimate goal is sound. I thought what you were saying is that one should only use a pick to get the stereotypical "pick tones" it can provide. I think I somewhat misinterpreted you before, and if I get you now, I agree.

Only reason to use a pick on bass is the same as any other bass technique; making great music!
Click to expand...


word.
 

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