Would you have caved in & used a pick?

[Hounddog409]

It probably does sound like crap without a pick. You just can't see that because "you've found your holy tone." Your tone and style needs to change along with every style and genre your are playing. Bass is very important. Its also very influential. if the bass doesnt sound right, nothing sounds right. Your stubbornness has now ended a nice friendship and yet another music group. Oh well, live and learn. If you don't, the next group will do the same thing.

Really? I bet it does not sound like crap.

 

[LBS-bass]

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

That's why I said I would hope that I would be the one who noticed the need first. A lot of stuff you can fudge your way through, but a few things... no. And yeah, sometimes that depends on whether you're Geddy Lee.

If using fingers makes a difference to you in terms of facility with the material, then only a fool would insist that you step outside your comfort zone if what you can do with your fingers is beyond a certain caliber.

There are many fools out there.

 

[WillyW]

Sounds like the band mates are jerks, good enough reason to be rid of them.

I play with a pick 98.67% of the time, 1% is thumb .33% is middle finger only.

 

[micgtr71]

I never used a pick because I am left handed and play right handed. Pick took years to develop. When I heard Dave Hope play his precision, I worked on using a pick and play with one when it’s needed for the song

 

[Vinny_G]

As a bass player, you must serve the song, not the self-proclaimed band leaders. The decision to use a pick or not is an artistic choice that is your responsibility.

 

[Lagado]

That's why I said I would hope that I would be the one who noticed the need first. A lot of stuff you can fudge your way through, but a few things... no. And yeah, sometimes that depends on whether you're Geddy Lee.

If using fingers makes a difference to you in terms of facility with the material, then only a fool would insist that you step outside your comfort zone if what you can do with your fingers is beyond a certain caliber.

There are many fools out there.

Some tracks really do demand it. I don't mind being outside my comfort zone as it goes, it teaches you a lot I've found, especially about yourself. An audience won't really pick up on things consciously, but subconsciously they know it somehow feels different.

 

[Killing Floor]

I used more often when I had bad hair. But if you're in a band with A-holes you don't really need a reason to take your bassin' self to a better place. Life's too short to play with people who don't reck-o-nize what they got.
But there are a handful of pretty cool players who pick, right? Plus there are a couple tones that really don't come from fingers in that angsty genre. I wouldn't want some D.B. guitarist telling me I had to use a pick but I've always got a handful in my case when needed. Likewise, some pretty awesome guitarists don't use picks. So does that mean Derek Trucks and Lemmy Kilmister are doppelgangers? Can't say for sure, never seen them in the same place. You be you. And if You doesn't want to use a pick that's cool. But ya'know they make tort picks.

 

[Element Zero]

I would’ve used a pick for sure if it made it sound more authentic. Sometimes I use a pick on tunes that don’t require it. Seems like a strange reason to quit a band but too each his own.

 

[munnkyboy]

What would Paul
And Chris and JPJ and Bobby Vega ....do

 

[Lagado]

 

[Vinny_G]

What would Paul
And Chris and JPJ and Bobby Vega ....do

They would go have a beer together and talk about chicks.

 

[Ric5]

I like playing with a pick … and I like playing with fingers

 

[Rib 13]

Under A Microscope: There are things you can do to simulate pick attack with fingers, including barely clipping the string with fingernails (which takes a lot of practice to do consistently). Fingernail technique aside, for the music you are describing, keeping strings as fresh as possible and pluck-hand positioning bridgeward (but not too bridgeward) can certainly help getting the pick harmonic-structure from fingers.

Not Under a Microscope: Do what works for you

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

If you're not happy, then leave.

 

[bassstrangler]

You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, you can pick your bass, but you play with your fingers so your bandmates pick on you.

 

[Lagado]

“We would rather be ruined than changed
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die...”

W H Auden - The Age of Anxiety: A Baroque Eclogue.

 

[Gsnorgathon]

Sounds to me like the pick wasn't really the issue, and that you're well rid of them.

 

[ezstep]

I use a pick when I want to. I don't when I don't want to. My choice.

I could talk to the guitarist about Mark Knopfler, Tommy Emmanuel, Richard Smith, etc., and see if he would consider a thumb pick only, but he sounds pretty good the way he is. His choice. Let sleeping dogs lie.

 

[Lagado]

I use a pick when I want to. I don't when I don't want to. My choice.

I could talk to the guitarist about Mark Knopfler, Tommy Emmanuel, Richard Smith, etc., and see if he would consider a thumb pick only, but he sounds pretty good the way he is. His choice. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Does he play with his fingers?

 

[2playbass]

I am not very good with a pick. Some songs I manage better than others. Sometimes, instead of playing with a pick, I will adjust my finger attack, play closer to the bridge, and turn up the treble a bit. It's not the same, but I figure I'm better to be able to stay in the groove than play inconsistently with a pick. I recognize playing with a pick is something I have to work on, but I will try to adjust my tone as best I can to suit the song. Not necessarily to sound the same as the song, but what I think sounds best with the rest of the band in our version of the song.

Can the guitar player play Fleetwood Mac with his fingers like Lindsey Buckingham, who does not use a pick on guitar?