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Post subject: What is the big deal about playing with a pic
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 3:47 pm
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i dont get what the big deal is about bass players playing with a pic is like the worst thing that can happen. i understand they should be able to play with there finger but i prefer the punchiness of a pic

anyone else have ideas why people make a big deal about it?

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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 7:49 am
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It's probably more tradition than anything. Before electric's came along everyone played upright bass with thier fingers. So it was only natural to continue playing that way for players that switched.


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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:10 pm
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Hey.... what ever puts you at your best!


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Post subject: whats the big deal about playing with a pick
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 11:10 pm
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With me it all depends on my mood, Sometimes i use a pick other my fingers and often just my thumb.


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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 11:31 pm
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Whatever floats your boat! However you can play best. What works for you is what you should do. Yes a pick is punchier and yes you can play way faster. Guitar players who switch to or double on electric bass will probably play better with a pick because they are used to playing with a pick. Also you will sound way louder in general. I play about 99.44% fingerstyle. I play with a pick when there is something so fast that I can play it with two fingers like a whole pile of 16th notes. I usually only use one finger, the index finger. I can't get the same sound with finger 2 (middle) as I get with finger 1 (index.) Finger 2 sounds clickier no matter how closely I trim my nails. It is a physiological thing probably unique to me I guess.

The rare times I TRY to use a pick I use a super thick pick, precisely the Carol Kaye pick. I wish these teardrop shape picks were larger but it is the only one I can find that is thick enough. My second choice is the HEAVY Fender tort triangles but they aren't really thick enough to sound really good but are way easier to hang onto.


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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:10 pm
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Lots of pros played bass with a pick back in the 1960s.
Carol Kaye played everything on bass with a pick and that is the only method taught in her instruction books.

If you listen to Carol Kaye ( Beach Boys)or Joe Osborn ( Carpenters) you are hearing basses played with picks.
Thewe two players played on many, many other hits.
A pick sets up a bass to record very well, particularly with flatwound strings.
I used a pick on my 66 Precision on every session I did in the 1970s but you must practice using a pick.
Personally, I can play faster with my two fingers than with a pick.

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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:10 pm
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PLAYING WITH A PICK ON BASSPLAYER CAROL KAYE TAG WATCH THE WHOLE INTERVEIW QUINCY JONES CALLS HER FIRST EVERYTIME HE HIRES A BASSIST SHE IS ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED JAZZ GUITARIST


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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:11 pm
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I think a lot of the pick mentality comes from frustration wtih those who can only play with a pick. For me, it's fine if you play with a pick for the tone. But if you're playing with a pick because it's the only way you can play... I have a problem with that.

The fact is that you can do more complex string crossings with fingerstyle, and generally have more control over the sound. And at least for me, I can play a lot faster finger style than with a pick, 16th notes have never been an issue.

Bottom line: you should know finger style if you play with a pick.


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Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:23 am
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JR CASSARO wrote:
PLAYING WITH A PICK ON BASSPLAYER CAROL KAYE TAG WATCH THE WHOLE INTERVEIW QUINCY JONES CALLS HER FIRST EVERYTIME HE HIRES A BASSIST SHE IS ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED JAZZ GUITARIST

Image


Last edited by zod on Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:31 am
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JR CASSARO wrote:
PLAYING WITH A PICK ON BASSPLAYER CAROL KAYE TAG WATCH THE WHOLE INTERVEIW QUINCY JONES CALLS HER FIRST EVERYTIME HE HIRES A BASSIST SHE IS ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED JAZZ GUITARIST


Yes, Carol Kaye was wonderful.

But just a cursory look at the credits on Quincy Jones productions reveals that she is not his first call. Q works with everybody, including along list of bassists that Carol Kaye couldn't keep up with on her best day.... she can't, for example, bring the funk (at least not with that damn pick in her hand :D).


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