Good songs to learn with a pick

[Old Horse Murphy]

18 hours ago, Russ said:

Saw this a while back. Trevor Horn has an immense bass tone. He's playing very lightly too.

Any idea what the bass is? Can't read the headstock decal. Looks Sadowsky-ish (but isn't), with EMGs. 

it's a Curruthers apparently 🤷‍♀️

[Roger2611]

I would like to offer up a bit of Bruce Foxton candy in the way of Down in a Tubestation at Midnight 

 

[Mickyk]

12 hours ago, gjones said:

I've recently joined a rock band and I've had to relearn how to play with a pick.

 

I've found that anything by Thin Lizzy is pretty easy and allows you to get up to speed with the technique if you're new to it.

 

Try this one.

 

 

Saw Thin Lizzy live in 79.Brid Spa Royal Hall,i was thinking ?what strings did Phil use.

[Nicko]

Depends what you're looking for.  I play both fingers and pick depending on the song.  Heres a few suggestions of different styles that a pick would be first choice:

 

A Bomb in Wardour Street by the Jam.

This Charming Man by the Smiths.

Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day.

Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand.

 

 

[Paul S]

On 08/12/2021 at 18:47, krispn said:

If you simply wish to become more proficient with the technique then play every sucker you can until it feels natural

 

 

This.  Anything can be played with a pick - so if you are trying to get used to it use ot for everything.  

[Rayman]

Hangin' around, Peaches.... anything by the Stranglers. Also check out Stuart Morrows amazing pick playing with New Model Army. The Vengeance album is immense. 

[Grahambythesea]

Saw her standing there - Macca

[Boodang]

8 hours ago, Paul S said:

 

This.  Anything can be played with a pick - so if you are trying to get used to it use ot for everything.  

So, Toccata and Fugue in D minor? 

I think what the OP was asking was where would be a good place to start! Or at least I think they were as starting the thread with just '?' isn't overly communicative. 

[Barking Spiders]

8 hours ago, Rayman said:

Hangin' around, Peaches.... anything by the Stranglers. Also check out Stuart Morrows amazing pick playing with New Model Army. The Vengeance album is immense. 

 

And No Rest for The Wicked is eve more so..IMO

 

 

[Sonic_Groove]

51 minutes ago, Boodang said:

So, Toccata and Fugue in D minor? 

 

 

Why ever not?

[SteveXFR]

Some of my favourites are

Time Bomb by Rancid

Stinkfist by Tool

Peaches by Stranglers 

Let it Ride by Dinosaur Jr (this one is really fun)

[Boodang]

23 minutes ago, Sonic_Groove said:

Why ever not?

Yeah, now I've mentioned it, it sounds like a good challenge!

[Paul S]

2 hours ago, Boodang said:

So, Toccata and Fugue in D minor? 

I think what the OP was asking was where would be a good place to start! Or at least I think they were as starting the thread with just '?' isn't overly communicative. 

 

 When I first started to play bass I used only a pick so therefore I suggested play absolutely anything.  To get the various pick playing techniques it doesn't have to be all heavy attack.  Plus.... there are currently just shy of 47,000 members of Basschat... the thread might end up being a little unweildy if everyone recommends thier fave pick tracks  

[Boodang]

26 minutes ago, Paul S said:

 

 When I first started to play bass I used only a pick so therefore I suggested play absolutely anything.  To get the various pick playing techniques it doesn't have to be all heavy attack.  Plus.... there are currently just shy of 47,000 members of Basschat... the thread might end up being a little unweildy if everyone recommends thier fave pick tracks  

Well, glad you suggested playing anything otherwise I wouldn't now be trying to learn Toccata & Fugue in D minor with a pick! It's quite the challenge. 

[SteveXFR]

33 minutes ago, Boodang said:

Well, glad you suggested playing anything otherwise I wouldn't now be trying to learn Toccata & Fugue in D minor with a pick! It's quite the challenge. 

 

Once you've done that, try it with only slaps and pops. 

[Russ]

3 hours ago, Barking Spiders said:

 

And No Rest for The Wicked is eve more so..IMO

 

 

Play this for anyone who claims that Westone Thunder basses were rubbish. I'd forgotten how good he actually was.

[SteveXFR]

I'm surprised no one (including me) has mentioned The Cure. Superb bass lines, fantastic songs and Simon Gallup always uses a pick.

A Forest and Burn are a great place to start. 

I can't pick up my Thunderbird and not play A Forest

[DawnPatroller]

30 minutes ago, SteveXFR said:

I'm surprised no one (including me) has mentioned The Cure. Superb bass lines, fantastic songs and Simon Gallup always uses a pick.

A Forest and Burn are a great place to start. 

I can't pick up my Thunderbird and not play A Forest

 

I think A Forest will be my next track to learn, cheers!

 

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

This feels exceptionally good played with a pick....

 

 

[SteveXFR]

5 minutes ago, DawnPatroller said:

 

I think A Forest will be my next track to learn, cheers!

 

 

Superb song and really not difficult but I think quite rewarding to get the timing really tight.

[Nail Soup]

I’m biased but will say Totally Wired by The Fall. I think the ghost notes work particularly well with a pick - but all their bass lines are pick driven.

 

[Reggaebass]

I’ve never played with a pick, it’s not for me but the tones bobby gets from this 64  is amazing 

 

[Kevsy71]

I have fun attempting these with a pick :

 

Highway Star - Deep Purple

Nancy Boy - Placebo

Riding Bikes - Shellac

Pump It Up - Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Dancing in the Moonlight - Thin Lizzy

 

[Al Krow]

Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars.

Great with pick. 

[ubit]

18 hours ago, Russ said:

Play this for anyone who claims that Westone Thunder basses were rubbish. I'd forgotten how good he actually was.

 

 

Someone who was bass sympathetic definitely mixed that one. Great song but love how the bass is so prominent in this version.