chaypup Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1321354228' post='1438065'] I've been playing for a fair while now (early 90's) and although I started playing fingerstyle, I've been using a pick for most of that time. [/quote] You're in your early 90's and still playing? Well done sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1321368964' post='1438288'] You're in your early 90's and still playing? Well done sir! [/quote] Err......well spotted that man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1321367968' post='1438277'] Try sitting the heel of your hand on the bridge (which, moved forward a little, is great for muting) - that'll help keep your angle of attack consistent. Strap length will help to settle your angle, too. With a lot of practice, you can get up and downstrokes very consistent, which helps, too.[/quote] This is exactly what I do. I [i]only [/i]play with a pick. Herco Flex 50 if you must know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I mainly play with a pick and in my experience the thicker the pick the better. I'm currently using 3mm big stubbies and they do the job very nicely indeed. Am currently trying to learn more fingerstyle though---want to increase my repertoire a bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1321390643' post='1438679'] I mainly play with a pick and in my experience the thicker the pick the better. I'm currently using 3mm big stubbies and they do the job very nicely indeed. Am currently trying to learn more fingerstyle though---want to increase my repertoire a bit! [/quote] I mostly play with fingers but I do like those Big Stubbies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 3mm pick?? That's thick! I mean physically. I like a bit of flexibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Been playing with a pick for about 20 years, and mostly use the Dunlop 1mm nylon. Kind of stemmed from listening to too much Motorhead! Mostly play fast, driving rock music, which seems to be best suited to playing with a pick, but in more recent times, I've become more and more interested in learning to play finger style. Steadily getting the hang of it, and it is definately proving to be well worth the time spent. Started off jamming along to early Black Sabbath stuff, and found I could get the Geezer Tone by pulling the strings over the fret board, and slowly worked towards playing faster stuff. Can just about keep up with some of the faster Iron Maiden stuff now, but still a bit clumsy! Also been practicing with songs from the set lists of the two bands I am in, and have started having a go at band practices now. I'm holding my own, but with a few whoops moments. Just want to try and be a bit more versatile really, and enjoy a new challenge. Try as I might, I can't get to grips with slap though. Any tips or lessons greatly recieved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 (edited) [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1321401060' post='1438841'] 3mm pick?? That's thick! I mean physically. I like a bit of flexibility. [/quote] 2mm is also available. Edited November 15, 2011 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Is that pic actual size? Maybe I'll try one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='retroman' timestamp='1321401417' post='1438844'] Try as I might, I can't get to grips with slap though. Any tips or lessons greatly recieved! [/quote] Tip: Don't do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1321401548' post='1438846'] Is that pic actual size? Maybe I'll try one. [/quote] The picture might be slightly magnified but Big Stubbies are still large enough that they are more difficult to lose than those flimsy floppy things that some people prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1321401656' post='1438847'] Tip: Don't do it! [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I played for about 7 years without a pick, having started out with one and then shunned it a couple of years later. It was a revelation to go back to it. I still only use the pick around 10% of the time, but it's a skill and a sound well worth having. I'd advise getting good at both styles, it will make some songs a lot easier/sound a lot better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I'd love to be able to dump the pick. I've been trying for a few years and while im ok with just fingers at home (in fact i never bother with a pick at home) as soon as we start the gig im back to picking. There are one or two songs i can use fingers on but i get lazy and dont. Could well be that its because we play the songs a bit too fast. I really must try harder as i love the finger tone way more than the pick tone, although both have their uses of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 There are some things that almost MUST have a pick, but I dumped it so long ago, I couldn't go back. But if you want to break any mould of playing...be it slap, double thumb or whatever, you are going to have to nail a regime and stick with it. It will soon fall by the wayside if you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 couldnt go back to a pick- I use my second finger nail if I want that pick like sound- never lost that either....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 When i try a pick i get loads of fret buzz. Anyone else getting that problem ? I guess i would have to change my string height if going back to a pick on a more regular basis which I'm not keen on. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave D Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I've played with fingers for years, but some numbers do really need a pick. Some for the sound/attack. Some for speed (i'm struggling with the bass 'solo' at the end of No One Knows by Queens of the Stoneage). I bought a selection of picks a few days ago. Different weights, thicknesses and sizes. The problem i seem to have is that i hold them too lightly and they tend to spin around while i'm playing and the pointed bit ends up facing the wrong way!! The guy in the shop suggested i try Ibanez Sand Picks which basically have a bit of wet'n'dry glued to the ends, but they seem to work ok. Just more practice i guess. Good luck to anybody who want to learn a new playing style. Its almost like starting all over again sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I,ve been playing with a pick since day one of bass playing, some tunes require fingerstyle, but i,m happier with a pick - (Tortex 1mm) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 (edited) I started off finger style 90% and pick 10% on numbers that called for it. I have dropped the pick over the last few years, I believe to my detriment. I think you do need this skill in your arsenal. But never get to practice the skill to get up to speed even though some numbers were recorded with a pick and are difficult finger style. Edited November 27, 2011 by deepbass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [quote name='Dave D' timestamp='1321478919' post='1439781'] The problem i seem to have is that i hold them too lightly and they tend to spin around while i'm playing and the pointed bit ends up facing the wrong way!! [/quote] Thumb picks would sort this. I use thumb picks so that I can swap to fingers without putting the pick down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt4ever Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [quote name='thumperbob 2002' timestamp='1321473924' post='1439704'] couldnt go back to a pick- I use my second finger nail if I want that pick like sound- never lost that either....! [/quote] reminds me of keidis saying he had a coke friendly finger and a pussy friendly finger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1321483634' post='1439876'] I,ve been playing with a pick since day one of bass playing, some tunes require fingerstyle, but i,m happier with a pick - (Tortex 1mm) [/quote] Same for me (well 1.14mm). Edited November 17, 2011 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Played with a pick exclusivly until I wanted to really nail some Rage when I got my sub bass. I was massive arse about it too. With comments like "bass nerds using their fingers and playing with a short strap. That's not RAWK!" Now I play with my fingers and have a very short strap.... Personally I prefer fingers in all most everything, I find them so much more expressive. I only really use a pick on extremely fast chords work where I just want to follow the rythm guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I think the ability to do both is always an advantage. I was a 95% pick player for 15 years, until 2009/10 when I started to want to play fingerstyle. Then I joined a new band this year and basically forced myself to not take a pick. I'm still MUCH faster with a pick...really fast. But I enjoy fingerstyle more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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