Do you think its bad for a bassist to use a pick?

Tochai · **Posted:** Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:24 am

Ideally you should be able to do both. When I'm not using a pick I wedge it between the neck pickup of my jazz bass and the body and rest my thumb on it.

I feel more comfortable using my fingers for more complicated pieces, and I use a pick for root note-quavers sorts of things because I don't think its worth tiring myself out using my fingers for them.

Sometimes I also use my thumb and index finger on the D and G strings in sort of a finger picking motion, which is especially useful for playing thirds,fourths and fifths above a root so fill up space in a three piece or make up for a less able guitarist. It also sounds cool if you use the open D string as a pedal point and play melodies on the G string.

Anyone who thinks its bad to use a pick needs to listen to Chris Squire from Yes.

Arc-n-spark · **Joined:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:38 am **Posts:** 593

John Wetton has adapted to using a thumb pick that's taped on. He's got carpal tunnel syndrome.

nicebassbro · **Joined:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:47 am **Posts:** 200

brotherdave wrote:

Personally I'm finger style almost all the way. I hardly ever use a pick unless the only way to get the sound I need requires a pick. Then I use a super thick one.
I prefer playing electric bass finger style because I'm more comfortable that way.

Many players start out on a 6 string using a pick. For these people it feels more natural to use a pick. They already have pick skills and just adapt that skill to electric bass. For example, Carol Kaye was a Bebop Jazz guitarist first, then picked up electric bass and claims that not once has she played electric bass without a pick. She admonishes finger style student players that if they want to wear the ends off their fingers it is their business and there is no reason not to play with a pick. She further stated that there is no way she could have gotten through 2 or sometimes 3 sessions per day playing electric bass finger style.

Both finger style and pick style are skills and take time to learn. As it is easier for a Spanish guitarist to play electric bass with a pick, those people coming from playing acoustic upright bass switching to electric bass will feel more comfortable finger style.

A real skilled electric bassist can do both with equal ease as the situation dictates. I can not do both with equal ease. For about a year I played with a pick most of the time in the 1970's. Never enjoyed that as much.

I also feel that having finger skills aids you in switching the other way, from electric bass to acoustic upright.

lots of great points man!

Iv'e always heard the joke thats, bassist who play with a pick, are guitarists who can't hack it on guitar lol. kind of a funny insult to bad guitarist, though i think it takes more skill and concentration to play with a pick, rather than play with fingers. I actually picked up a bass long before i even thought about picking up a guitar. I think this is because i used to be a drummer, and i experienced playing with many bassists and guitarists. I played drums for a long long time.. Though i always found myself attracted to the sounds of the bass! its just such a cool sounding, playing instrument. Since picking up bass years and years ago, iv'e also done my time playing and getting to be pretty decent at rhythm guitar. though i prefer to play bass any day over guitar.

Rebelsoul · **Posted:** Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:58 pm

Berry Oakley used a pick,he's my favorite bass player of all time.

schnepf13 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 27, 2012 6:08 pm

Although I generally like the sound of fingers on bass, I've got no problem with a bassist who wants to play with a pick. Cetain songs would be pretty hard to play without one. Like most speed metal stuff (though Cliff Burton made it work, somehow). Ideally, I'd say basists should learn both ways but if you like playing with a pick better, go for it!

strings10927 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:22 pm

SKcoppertele wrote:

paul mccartney uses a pick most of the time. I don't see anybody complaining.

True, Penny Lane just wouldn't sound right without a pick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60ayKgtTnWw

torresfan · **Posted:** Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:16 am

When I used to play bass, I used both my fingers and the pick depending on what song we were playing. There is more feel and more body in the tone with your fingers but there were some songs that were too fast and complex for my fingers and this is where a pick was invaluable.

artisan4 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:25 pm

nicebassbro wrote:

I have always used my fingers, but ive always heard that a real bassist uses only his fingers, and that using picks is a disgrace to bass players far and wide!

I think this is a load of ca ca, though what do the rest of you think?

Fingerstyle or pickstyle, thumbstyle, whatever, use whatever method you prefer. There are no rules. Carol Kaye is probably the most recorded bassist in history and she used a pick. A drummer once got on me for using a pick, and didn't like it when I noted that he was using match grip instead of traditional grip, so, hey, you're not a 'real' drummer. In reality, I didn't care what grip he was using, just that he get a frickin' grip.

Ca ca indeed.

mthorn00 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:59 pm

Don't tell Lemmy he can't use a pick

SteveInRye · **Joined:** Sun May 27, 2012 3:50 pm **Posts:** 11

I'm gonna make an educated guess here and say that fingers were used once the Bass Fiddle left the orchestral pit and was used in Jazz, C&W, early R&R, etc and was then just ported over to the modern day electric bass. I say what ever works for you is what is best. If you think a bow on a Fender Jazz bass would be your style... go for it.

I agree with Rebelsoul, Berry Oakley(RIP) was a bass player's bass player. He was as integral to TABB as Duane(RIP) or Dickey (he prefers Richard) and between Berry and the dual drummers you'd be hard pressed to find a better or more original rhythm section anywhere.

Miami Mike · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:49 am

Growing up in the 50s/60s, it was a reason not to hire a bassist if he had to use a pick.

I think the real reason now is the sound to fit the song...which wasn't the case back in the day when some so called bassists just couldn't use their fingers well...some not even with a pick!

stratmansteve · **Posted:** Mon Jul 16, 2012 3:56 pm

roadrex wrote:

What ever you're comfortable with, that's the key.

I'm a guitarist first and a bassist second. I use a pick playing guitar so I'm more comfortable using a pick playing bass. I just use a heavier, thicker pick for bass.

seismic · **Joined:** Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:31 pm **Posts:** 261

i play finger method, but there is nothing wrong with using a pick or slap. If it works and the player is pleased with the sound, why not?

Tom De Ville · **Posted:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:59 am

I think if a bass player wants to use a pick he should own his own and not steal mine every time we play a song that's too fast for his fingers. He knows who I mean...

BassPaulL · **Posted:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:12 pm

I wish I could use a pick for bass, but I've noticed it makes my hand cramp when I do and just generally awkward for me. When I play guitar it's not as bad to use a pick, but it still can be annoying. I'm thinking about trying a thumb and/or a finger pick for that.

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