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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:15 am
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SlapChop wrote:
I think most bass players find the sounds they want to make require playing with your fingers, and the truly groovy lines are more easily done with your fingers... so, a good bass player should be able to play with their fingers.

Since so many guys who use a pick (it's spelled with a "k", BTW) are ex-guitar players who haven't yet tried or learned to play with their bare fingers, this style is often seen as the mark of a less skilled player.

I know that I was never a good bass player until a good one, who caught me playing with a pick in the Fender booth at NAMM, jokingly shamed me into learning to play with my fingers.

That doesn't mean that a good bass player doesn't use a pick once in a while. But if that's the only way you know how to play, well...it's like playing guitar with mittens on.


Ha! What a load of closed-minded BS!!
I've only been playing bass since 1976, and have always played with a pick. No, I didn't play guitar first. I use a pick because it produces the sound I like. The end.


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Post subject: Re: I think it is a mixture of sound and old school thinking
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:22 am
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mikecain wrote:
They used to teach drummers that they had to hold the sticks in a certain way. I think it is much the same for playing the bass with your fingers.

Now if you play with a pick you are limiting yourself with what you can do with a bass. There are so many new techniques that simply can't be done playing with a pick.

I read a great explanation for why picks weren't used. Most music that was played before punk rock or metal didn't mix well with the bass if it was played with a pick. The sound a pick would give simply made the bass too bright for most music. You would sound like a lead guitar and not a bass.

You can use one of the thick felt picks for basses as it mutes the sound.
But then why bother because you can get nearly the same sound with your fngers. If a felt pick gives a bit of a brighter sound that is needed for certain songs then all means use one.

But once you learn to play with your fingers it seems very natural and the pick awkward.


OK, I thought I was done with this silly thread but then I read this crap. What are you, 12?
If I "limit" myself to playing the way I like and sounding the way I like, and not playing what I don't like, am I limiting myself?
It's like when people ask me how I can slap and pop when I play with a pick. HA!! Slap and pop is something I absolutely HATE, so I don't do it. Am I limiting myself?


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Post subject: Lefty Bass
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:10 am
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Lefty Bass I couldn't care less about your opinion because you are not the person that asked the question. Is it possible you are insecure about playing with a pick? If not why are you so upset?


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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:51 pm
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Lefty Bass wrote:
SlapChop wrote:
I think most bass players find the sounds they want to make require playing with your fingers, and the truly groovy lines are more easily done with your fingers... so, a good bass player should be able to play with their fingers.

Since so many guys who use a pick (it's spelled with a "k", BTW) are ex-guitar players who haven't yet tried or learned to play with their bare fingers, this style is often seen as the mark of a less skilled player.

I know that I was never a good bass player until a good one, who caught me playing with a pick in the Fender booth at NAMM, jokingly shamed me into learning to play with my fingers.

That doesn't mean that a good bass player doesn't use a pick once in a while. But if that's the only way you know how to play, well...it's like playing guitar with mittens on.


Ha! What a load of closed-minded BS!!
I've only been playing bass since 1976, and have always played with a pick. No, I didn't play guitar first. I use a pick because it produces the sound I like. The end.


And I'm sure your long list of recording and concert credits, and the constant demand for your services, bears out the excellence of your style.

Are you limiting yourself? Yes, you are. But don't call me close-minded because you decided to do so. I have to make a living with this stuff, man. Even if I wanted to I wouldn't have the luxury of working with people who have restricted their growth to one half-baked way of doing things because it "produces the sound I like, the end." I need PLAYERS who can produce the sound I need. It's not a matter of being close-minded: it's just bidness.


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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:12 pm
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Wow, such emotion about a piece of plastic!

From my earlier post on this subject you can see that I'm ok with whatever sounds best for whatever you are being asked to play, & as I'm 62 next birthday, & been gigging since I was 14, I've played with all music styles, from straight current chart, through blues, jazz, heavy metal, soul, r&b (old type) hard rock, original rock 'n roll, folk, skiffle, pop, reggae, c&w, etc etc. The only thing I've never even tried to play is slapping as I can do a passable impression of this sound with a pick!

To be honest, I've even found that careful guitar / amp settings can even make some pick work sound much like finger playing (though not the other way around)

If somone in the band suggested that the overall sound of a particular song might be better played with fingers or a pick, then I'm happy to try it.

I just enjoy making music!


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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:56 pm
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I could care less as long as you play.


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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:31 am
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People seem to indeed have something against pickstyle playing. I prefer the pick for some songs and fingers for others, I'm just tighter, smoother, and groovier with a pick. Rex Brown is pretty damn groovy and he uses a pick. Jason Newstead played some cool lines with a pick. That guy from Tool uses a pick. Ian Hill from Judas Priest switched to a pick because he thought it improved his tone.

Pickstyle is more aggresive too. That might be why a lot of people avoid it.


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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:26 am
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Pick or Fingers?

This is an old question I resolved years ago.........and the answer is.....be able to play with your fingers, thumb, and pick - especially the thumb for the old 'pop 'n' slap' stuff. Always practise on your weaknesses and improve your technique.

Just be a good all rounder and drive that bass forward....it's as simple as that!

Question over. :)


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Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:09 pm
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The late great Allen Woody is one of my personal favorites, and in just about every video I've ever seen of him playing he used a pick. Great all around musician in my mind (rest his soul :cry: ).

I'm a finger guy myself, I don't usually use a pick, and I've not got into the funk style much yet, though I love hearing people who do it well.

Play however you want, but if you're doing it for money, ya gotta give 'em what they want. Customer service, baby.


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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:10 pm
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When Govt Mule's first album came out, they did an in store signing at the record store I worked at. I asked Allen if he had any advice for a young bassist, and his response was, "Don't ever stop using a pick".


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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:39 pm
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As a finger player, I've never felt such animosity until I got online forums for bass players with a pick. There are many pick players that are really good. I could care less who plays with what. If it sounds good to you and your band mates...play on. I've played w/a pick when I had surgery on my middle finger, but went back to finger picking after I was healed - took awhile, but I managed. Playing with a pick is not that easy for me, since I play with my fingers usually. I do play heavy metal/NYHC so, yeah, tough to do with fingers, but to me it's harder to play with a pick. When I solo, I like Funk/slap/Jazz/'70s groove, but bands I'm into metal/hardcore.

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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:56 am
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No matter what topic is being discussed, there will always be elitists who will look down on those with different views. There will always be those who make mountains out of molehills. The matter of whether or not to use a pick when playing bass is a molehill. The ONLY time it would matter (in my mind, anyway) is if one were hired to play bass, in which case you need to be able to give your employer what he/she wants. Other than that, it doesn't matter.

Just lock in and groove, baby.


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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:50 pm
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BMerriam wrote:
No matter what topic is being discussed, there will always be elitists who will look down on those with different views. There will always be those who make mountains out of molehills. The matter of whether or not to use a pick when playing bass is a molehill. The ONLY time it would matter (in my mind, anyway) is if one were hired to play bass, in which case you need to be able to give your employer what he/she wants. Other than that, it doesn't matter.

Just lock in and groove, baby.


Hear, hear :D

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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:39 am
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BMerriam wrote:
No matter what topic is being discussed, there will always be elitists who will look down on those with different views. There will always be those who make mountains out of molehills. The matter of whether or not to use a pick when playing bass is a molehill. The ONLY time it would matter (in my mind, anyway) is if one were hired to play bass, in which case you need to be able to give your employer what he/she wants. Other than that, it doesn't matter.

Just lock in and groove, baby.


Yep - nail on the head - i've been put in studio situations where engineers have asked for most styles (Pick/Fingers/Slap etc).

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong - just enjoy the Low end!

Graeme


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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:55 pm
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I;ve been playing bass for over 30 years. did alot of studio work using both a pick and finger-work.learn to do both I'd say.....true there is nothing like a phat groove done with your fingers...but alos sometimes a brighter,grundgy-er !! sound is needed (especially live).I still get good phat lows with my pick( usually a Fender 351 Heavy).......so to sum up?....lean to play both!!!..............well! 8)


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