Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Would I be betraying Dusty Hill?
- Thread starter USAJO
- Start date
For live performances? Heavens most of the audience will be lucky if they can even hear the bass with any clarity. It doesn't matter.
Fellow TBer here has since gone on played in a ZZ Top Tribute band,known as @EdBo. If I remember when I visited his shop,he would play either way fingers or pick. In the Tribute band he was Dusty Hill. Great friend and musician.
I'm not gonna tell you that you shouldn't play with a pick, because if you want to, you really should, but you could try something else too. How about doing what Dusty did: play with three fingers!
Dusty used to use his ring finger A LOT. That's part of the reason why a lot of his playing looked so relaxed. Partly because he was very relaxed, but also because he played pretty effeciently. To me it always seemed like he picked whichever finger seemed right for that exact note. Not even like he planned ahead, or even knew beforehand which finger he would use, but rather use whichever of the three fingers (index, middle, ring) seemed to work in that instance.
I sometimes try to play like he does, at least when I'm playing ZZ Top stuff, but I really don't need to. I'm used to high speeds and I'm young enough that my fingers can take a lot of abuse.
Dusty used to use his ring finger A LOT. That's part of the reason why a lot of his playing looked so relaxed. Partly because he was very relaxed, but also because he played pretty effeciently. To me it always seemed like he picked whichever finger seemed right for that exact note. Not even like he planned ahead, or even knew beforehand which finger he would use, but rather use whichever of the three fingers (index, middle, ring) seemed to work in that instance.
I sometimes try to play like he does, at least when I'm playing ZZ Top stuff, but I really don't need to. I'm used to high speeds and I'm young enough that my fingers can take a lot of abuse.
Use a plectrum. What ever your ear hears and likes that what counts.
I switch between plectrum and finger style all the time in a single show.
I switch between plectrum and finger style all the time in a single show.
There's a bbq restaurant where I live in New Hampshire called "The Alamo". Every time I eat there I feel like I'm betraying Davey Crockett a bit.
Allen Woody played some ZZ Top with a pick and most likely a Gibson instead of a Fender bass. So no big deal.
Allen Woody played some ZZ Top with a pick and most likely a Gibson instead of a Fender bass. So no big deal.
If there are bass players in the crowd who are fans of the band & Dusty, they'll probably notice; Who cares though. Current ZZ Top bassist Elwood Francis uses a pick.
If the BL is cool with you using a pick, why sweat it.
Personally, I'd probably go with the Finger style, same as I'd probably go with a pick in an Allman tribute, trying to cop Berry's style and technique.
As far as your right hand feeling slammed by Dusty's 16th notes, that's usually a result of technique; Lighten up and don't work so hard.
Dusty used an anchored-thumb technique, fingers relaxed & slightly bent, and he let them "swing through the ball" on his strings, even using lower register strings as a backstop when plucking A, D and G strings.
Personally, I find finger style easier on my hand with the right technique than picking style is on my wrist, though my picking style could probably use some adjustment.
If the BL is cool with you using a pick, why sweat it.
Personally, I'd probably go with the Finger style, same as I'd probably go with a pick in an Allman tribute, trying to cop Berry's style and technique.
As far as your right hand feeling slammed by Dusty's 16th notes, that's usually a result of technique; Lighten up and don't work so hard.
Dusty used an anchored-thumb technique, fingers relaxed & slightly bent, and he let them "swing through the ball" on his strings, even using lower register strings as a backstop when plucking A, D and G strings.
Personally, I find finger style easier on my hand with the right technique than picking style is on my wrist, though my picking style could probably use some adjustment.
That's kinda backwards IME. I love playing in a trio -- in that setting you're competing against very little, sonically. You have lots of space to occupy, and you can be plenty articulate with fingers. Where you need the punch of a pick's attack is when there are lots of band members filling out all that available sonic space.
Really? I get much better punch, thud and umph from fingers than pick, though with a pick, a simple EQ tweak or two brings it all back.
A pick adds more edge and articulation for me. Maybe just horses for courses.
thanks. I was thinking about what you said about anchoring. I have always used my thumb floating from the E to the A for muting. It’s just what I did naturally.
So I thought about anchoring on the pickup and I like it for trying to copy his style of attacking the strings. It’s easier to play 16th for longer periods of time for me.
I’m gonna stick to actually anchoring on the pick up now. I thought anchoring on the E string when it’s available was kind of anchoring.
Hmmm well maybe a combination.
It’s one of the many draw backs of being self taught. Omg.
good thing I can sing or I never would have made to the stage. Lol
Last edited:
OP...WWDD (What Would Dusty Do): I'm going to guess Dusty Hill will smile down from heaven towards you while you are trying to play one of his songs whether you use a pick or not - whether you are playing the stuff like an expert or whether you are playing it like a beginner. From what I've read Dusty Hill was a very kind and nice guy, and I am also going to guess he'd really appreciate the memory of him (and his bass playing - and singing - and songwriting) being kept alive.
Crap for a minute I thought you were talking about me!!
We are Three Hot Chili Peppers , and obviously we look nothing like them, but we jump around and act stupid and have fun, but we sound like them, which is really all anyone cares about.
