Would you have caved in & used a pick?

[Playbyear]

I rarely use a pick.

I make it clear right from the beginning that I’m not a “note for note” cover player. What I will do, is play a line in the spirit of the original, that fits, might even be a little different every time, but it will work.
If that’s cool, then it can be a happening thing. If not, that’s okay too.

I’m not like this out of stubbornness or disrespect or whatever... it’s just the way my musical ability rolls.

I’m willing to adjust the EQ, volume, whatever...that’s not a big deal to me.

 

[Eric Swaim]

I am by far a pizzicato player but I also use a pick when the original recording used a pick. There is an aggressive to e a pick delivers your fingers can't (unless you never cut your fingernails). However you are right that the audience does not care because they do not know 99% of the time.
Are your skills there with a pick or is it a weakness in your playing?
It was a weakness for me in the 1980's, but I overcame the weakness.

My 40 years of experience and 2-3 cents worth.

 

[cxcxcx]

The only person I want to impress with my precious, hard earned tone is whoever is behind the counter at the bank. It isn’t 1989 when you could play 6 nights a week and gigs fall from the sky into your lap every other day. A bandleader who is getting gigs and is paying money is not exactly common these days, and if you give him/her attitude for being asked to play with a pick, they can and will find someone else who will, quick.

One has to realize that playing bass with a pick is a must in the American Rock and Roll songbook. You can cop everything with your hands, but a certain attack, tone, and rhythmic feel are lost because only pick use can provide those things. We’ve all heard the tired argument that the crowd doesn’t care. They generally don’t. But if someone is handing you cash or a check or rocking that PayPal app after a gig does care, then the mission is clear.

The nice thing about it is that you don’t have to play with a pick on every tune, just the ones that really call for it.

 

[Pings Bass]

My dude this has nothing to do with pick vs. fingers and everything to do with disrespect and arrogance. If they're paying good money I might "shut up and play as I'm told," but that would have to be some dang good money for real.

 

[TNCreature]

I'm so grateful that I never have to endure goofy discussions or arguments like this.

 

[Charlzm]

Sounds like the question was actually a rant and the OP made the right call in quitting.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

There are certain tones that just can't be had with anything other than a pick, though some people get close. I thought Geddy Lee played with a pick until I saw him, but try playing Roundabout with your fingers.....nope. I suppose if I was in a Yes cover band, I'd expect to have to play pick, otherwise, your bass/your call.

 

[Dincrest]

I don't like to use a pick. I'm a fingerstyle player through and through. However, the bandleader in my current project thought that one of the songs might sound better with a pick and if I'd try it. I did because having that skill in my toolbelt is useful AND my BL was respectful about it. He knows the way I like to play, wants me to be comfortable playing, and values my creative input, so he's someone I would explore outside my comfort zone for. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. (And, yes, the song sounds way better with a pick, I use one for it, and my pick playing has improved as a result.)

The bandmates like the OP's talking about? Not so much. If you're being a condescending, arrogant, control-freak, trash-talking, toolbag, then I'll 100% get defensive on you. You push me, I push back. And then I'll walk. Music is a hobby for me, my free time is precious, and I refuse to spend it with people who are disrespectful to me.

Like others have said, the crux of the matter isn't fingers vs. picks. If this was PURELY a fingers vs pick debate, I'd say to take a page from the Frankie Bello playbook. Dude's a fingerstyle player in Anthrax, but switched to a pick when he was playing with Helmet, because that was what the music called for.

But no, the crux of the matter is that the OP's bandmates were being a word that rhymes with picks and starts with a d. In that case I'll take page from the playbook of Eric Cartman: "Screw you guys, I'm going home... Screw you guys. Home!"

 

[QweziRider]

what are your opinions on using a pick or fingers in a situation like this?

From everything you described in the last paragraph, pick vs. fingers would be the least of my concerns. I especially would not have lasted an hour being brow-beaten by a pompous jerk with a masters.

To your pick question, though, in covers, I wouldn't care one way or the other. Some bands I'll feel like getting it like the original and go for the pick if it sounds and feels better, others, I might not. It's just up to me as far as I see it.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I'd like to hear some opinions from fellow bassists on whether it matters to you that a bassist uses a pick in a cover band when the original bassist recorded with a pick.

To start at the end, I've washed my hands of the mainly 90's cover band I played bass in. The reason stemmed from me not wanting to use a pick because I found the tone that I, like all of us, have sought after.

Okay, so I was in a cover, not tribute band. I feel that gives me more liberties to not have the exact tone as the original bands.

The guitarist & singer argued that we don't play songs that we used to like In Bloom, Killing in the Name, or Song 2 because me picking with my fingers makes the songs "sound like s#&t" even though they take liberties of their own in the music. When I tell them that they & the 2 purist musicians in the audience are the only people that will care that the tone isn't exactly like the original recording.

Ultimately, I decided to leave the band after hanging out the other night for the first time since the lockdown started because of things like being told that my knowledge is inferior to the guitarist because of his master's degree in music. Also that I'm ignorant to what the music needs to be & sound like. There's plenty more drunkardly trash talking & belittling of my abilities that I won't get into. I will however say that for over an hour of this argument, I was literally not able to finish a single point I was trying to make before getting interrupted.

I know this was long winded, but with all the BS aside, what are your opinions on using a pick or fingers in a situation like this?

Wow. Music diploma superiority. I went to school for music. Who the #$%& cares about that. If you can play you can play, end of story.

Douche-ta-cu-lar.

Props for bailing on them.

 

[Lagado]

I'd like to hear some opinions from fellow bassists on whether it matters to you that a bassist uses a pick in a cover band when the original bassist recorded with a pick.

To start at the end, I've washed my hands of the mainly 90's cover band I played bass in. The reason stemmed from me not wanting to use a pick because I found the tone that I, like all of us, have sought after.

You played the whole gig with the same tone?

 

[LBS-bass]

The only person I want to impress with my precious, hard earned tone is whoever is behind the counter at the bank. It isn’t 1989 when you could play 6 nights a week and gigs fall from the sky into your lap every other day. A bandleader who is getting gigs and is paying money is not exactly common these days

You're assuming a lot thinking this is a bandleader who is getting gigs that pay well.

 

[Lagado]

I salute people with an eye for detail. I've got to be honest. Versatility is the name of the game.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'll say it again. Geddy played Roundabout with Yes at the RnR Hall of Fame using a Jazz and his fingers. No one complained. Get a sound that sits well in the mix and no one should care how you strike the strings.

 

[ToneMonkey]

Surf Music. Driving 8ths at 240+ bpm. I tried it with fingers but pick was the right tool for the job.

 

[Lagado]

Surf Music. Driving 8ths at 240+ bpm. I tried it fingers but pick was the right tool for the job.

Of course it is. It's tonally tight, consistent attack, more defined and driving, stamina, more immediate. Some tracks just sound lumpy and leaden without it.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

You played the whole gig with the same tone?

That's what I'm gettin at. This whole fight isn't the first time using a pick was brought up by the band, and balked at by this guy. Guaranteed his attitude time and time again is what really caused this.

 

[Lagado]

That's what I'm gettin at. This whole fight isn't the first time using a pick was brought up by the band, and balked at by this guy. Guaranteed his attitude time and time again is what really caused this.

Yes. You can't get too precious about things, especially if you're outnumbered.

 

[Hounddog409]

I'd like to hear some opinions from fellow bassists on whether it matters to you that a bassist uses a pick in a cover band when the original bassist recorded with a pick.

To start at the end, I've washed my hands of the mainly 90's cover band I played bass in. The reason stemmed from me not wanting to use a pick because I found the tone that I, like all of us, have sought after.

Okay, so I was in a cover, not tribute band. I feel that gives me more liberties to not have the exact tone as the original bands.

The guitarist & singer argued that we don't play songs that we used to like In Bloom, Killing in the Name, or Song 2 because me picking with my fingers makes the songs "sound like s#&t" even though they take liberties of their own in the music. When I tell them that they & the 2 purist musicians in the audience are the only people that will care that the tone isn't exactly like the original recording.

Ultimately, I decided to leave the band after hanging out the other night for the first time since the lockdown started because of things like being told that my knowledge is inferior to the guitarist because of his master's degree in music. Also that I'm ignorant to what the music needs to be & sound like. There's plenty more drunkardly trash talking & belittling of my abilities that I won't get into. I will however say that for over an hour of this argument, I was literally not able to finish a single point I was trying to make before getting interrupted.

I know this was long winded, but with all the BS aside, what are your opinions on using a pick or fingers in a situation like this?

Nope. I would have left those blowhards as well. I dont tell people how to play their instruments. Dont tell me how to play mine.

Yes, point out errors or suggestions. Discuss.

Do not tell me HOW to play

 

[Guild B301]

I have always played with a pick simply because I started on other instruments (including guitar) before I played bass. More people seem to have used picks when electric basses were a new thing. Probably because they were guitarists first. Whatever lets you play your best version of the cover song, is how you should play. Will you do it better with a pick, if you’re not used to that? Probably not.
I have quite a few legitimate “music diplomas“. They mean NOTHING in the real world of bands.