Bass picking?

[Sinmastah]

Is upstrum finger picking necesary for play the bass guitar? I am doing just fine using a stiffer pick. So whats the deal with that?

 

[calibud]

What is the deal? With that?

 

[Jason]

Well it's kind of like how some people prefer to finger pick on a regular guitar... It's just another style, though probably finger picking is the most popular style for basses.

 

[Iceman0124]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pF9gVtiU6g&feature=related]YouTube - el mejor!!![/ame]

 

[Sinmastah]

I just don't get what's the point do, I can a lot of the same stuff with a pick.

 

[Iceman0124]

Speed, accuracy, and tone. I personally cant stand the sound of a pick on a bass outside of your standard rock/metal background blending stuff.

I'd like to see someone copy that Wooten solo using a pick.....

 

[Sinmastah]

I dunno it's just like 10x times harder to finger pick. My fingers just don't move fast enough to do some riffs.

 

[Iceman0124]

Its called practice, I bet you werent instantly switching full chords when you first started guitar were you? Once you get it down, you'll likely scoff at the idea of using a pick for bass.

 

[WildeStarr]

I use a pick on the bass. It sounds better. I play 8 string bass on all my albums, and they really are meant to be played with a pick anyway.

 

[Sinmastah]

Ok, so I am getting more comfy picking the strings, but usually I go way high about the string when I pluck it, I'm not too sure about how I should be plucking, and quick tips?

 

[lp_junkie]

Sin- watch some Rush concerts, Geddy Lee is a monster bassist and uses his fingers.
You don't get the smoothness of the notes with a pick and some runs are just near impossible to do with a pick as well.

I use a pick on bass, just because I play metal and classic rock and can't finger pick on a bass worth a damn.

Another option is to use a stiff felt pick on bass, you get to pick but it has a softer sound almost like fingers.

Some other bass monsters that use fingers-

Chris Squire from Yes
Steve Harris from Iron Maiden
Roger Waters from Pink Floyd

serious bassists frown on using picks as a guitar player wannabe bassist crutch.

 

[VoodooHighway]

Some other bass monsters that use fingers-

Chris Squire from Yes

Actually, he uses a pick:

Take care,
Ace

 

[lp_junkie]

wow he didn't use to......... but at any rate he's still a monster player.

 

[Iceman0124]

Just cause he's using a pick in that photo doesnt mean he plays exclusivley with a pick. It all depends on the sound and style your after. I suppose what I was trying to impart is not trying to learn fingerstyle at all is kinda like just learning basic power chords on guitar, and not bothering with anything else.

 

[VoodooHighway]

wow he didn't use to......... but at any rate he's still a monster player.

I believe he has always used a pick. So does he...

" MOT: You use a pick and not too many bass players, most use their fingers as the norm. I was curious how that came about, that you started using a pick rather than your fingers.

CS: I'm not really sure. I always did use a pick as far as I can remember. I think when I very first started playing I used one of those little plastic things that warp around your thumb too, for a while, in my very early days, but that didn't last very long. So I have always pretty much used a pick; I mean I have done some things using my fingers. But I've sort of developed a style over the years where the pick hits the string but a fraction of, I don't know how many milliseconds but very soon afterwards, like I also hit the side of my thumb against the string at the same time on the same stroke. So you get the hardness of the pick for the attack but then it's immediately softened by my thumb actually hitting the string as well...it sort of rounds off the sustain. So in actual fact I think it's a pretty unique style and it's taken a lot of years of just playing that certain way to develop that."

taken from:
Notes From the Edge - Conversation With Chris Squire [NFTE #200]


Take care,
Ace

 

[VoodooHighway]

Just cause he's using a pick in that photo doesnt mean he plays exclusivley with a pick. It all depends on the sound and style your after. I suppose what I was trying to impart is not trying to learn fingerstyle at all is kinda like just learning basic power chords on guitar, and not bothering with anything else.

In Mr. Squire's case, he does play exclusively with a pick.
But, I agree with what you are saying regarding not trying to learn fingerstyle. Both have their place.
For example, I wouldn't play Motown bass parts with anything more than my index finger, ala James Jamerson.
Yet, if I were playing "Tempus Fugit" by Yes, I'd be using a pick.

Take care,
Ace

 

[arcanis494]

I think you should learn to finger pick so you ave both techniques in your arsenal but some of my favorite bass players play/played with a pick...

Roger Glover:

Allen Woody:

 

[zontar]

Nothing wrong with learning to use your finger, a pick, your thumb, or any combination thereof.

It all depends on the sound you like and want, and the style of playing you need to get it.

I mostly use my fingers when I play bass--but I do use my thumb or a pick on occasion.

 

[clane04]

Nothing wrong with learning to use your finger, a pick, your thumb, or any combination thereof.

It all depends on the sound you like and want, and the style of playing you need to get it.
occasion.

I agree. A well rounded bass player would probably use different techniques (pick,finger,thumb...) when called for.

 

[Sinmastah]

Whats a good way to practice playing bass w/ finger picking?