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Post subject: I need tips on how to play with a pick.
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:10 pm
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Location: South Carolina, USA
I've tried and tried [and tried] to use a pick with my bass. But I just can't move fast enough. I love the sound it makes; and I've heard that once you learn it you can play ["a lot"] faster.

I just need help with picking the bass in general. I can invest in different strings if I need to, BTW.

I have a Big Block P-bass. I don't plan on keeping it. I think I'm going to either install new p'ups on it or sell it. If the latter is done, then I'll invest in Dan Andriano's signature bass; or maybe a Squire P-bass (I've played 'em both).

Thanks,
~Brendon

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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:59 am
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Without seeing what you're doing while using a pick it's hard to know what to tell you, so some of this you may have already tried before.

"Choke up" on the pick. That is, don't leave a lot of the tip showing. That will give you more control, accuracy, and more speed IMO.

Keep the arm and wrist movement to a minimum. When picking a string, you should be able to be back into position for the next note with as little movement as possible.

Use upstrokes, or work on them more. This will also increase speed and, I think more importantly, can make faster lines, etc. more fluid.

Lighten the amount of force used when playing at higher (or any)tempo. Speaking for myself, this is a regular bad habit in both my finger style and picking techniques. Another bad habit is tightening up during some songs or sections of them.

Do you have a metronome or drum machine? If so, start off very slowly playing scales (mixing up the order you play them helps too and will let you know what needs working on) or a bass line to a well known song then raise the tempo in small increments. It's not the most exciting thing to do while the bass is in your hands, but it will improve your playing.


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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:40 am
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What Edro said, and practice, practice, practice!

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:30 pm
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PowerJazzBass wrote:
What Edro said, and practice, practice, practice!

Yep, I agree too.
You can also check out these websites
Play with a pick Has a video towards the bottom under resources
Study Bass Type pick into the search


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