Who uses a pick?

[Xanadu]

So who here uses a pick to play bass?
I never had, but recently I've started, I find there's a lot more attack.:rockon2:

[james on bass]

Very rarely. Now that I'm playing a jazz bass, I have found that very aggressive pick tone I hear all the time. Very cool sound. That being said, I use a pick on 2 songs out of over 40 in our set-list. I'm a finger player.

[Renniw]

I use pick sometimes when I feel lazy on when I have blisters on my fingers and they hurt too much...

[Rumble_b]

It depends on the song I'm playing. But I really try not to use one when I play bass.

[Bongo5hh]

I've tried to play with a pick but it throws my time out in a big way. I've heard many players tell me they use a pick when they need really tight notes. Since I can't play with a pick (and I really have tired) I spend a lot of time getting my fingers to produce tight notes.

An exercise that has helped me is to really listen to each of the strikes of the fingers on your right hand. Make them sound exactly the same. This will lead to a very controlled sound. It's helped me greatly.

Of course that's not really the topic... but it might be of use to someone anyway.

[Xanadu]

I've tried to play with a pick but it throws my time out in a big way. I've heard many players tell me they use a pick when they need really tight notes. Since I can't play with a pick (and I really have tired) I spend a lot of time getting my fingers to produce tight notes.

An exercise that has helped me is to really listen to each of the strikes of the fingers on your right hand. Make them sound exactly the same. This will lead to a very controlled sound. It's helped me greatly.

Of course that's not really the topic... but it might be of use to someone anyway.
lol jeez keep it on topic, like oh em gee.:sport-smiley-002:
:2guns:

[Welladjusted]

i'll use a pick if i'm playing a song that was recorded using a pick. tool basslines don't really sound right without it. using a p-bass with the tone knob on zero and a pick has a nice sound for background bass playing

[zao_89]

I dont really play bass, but when I do, I always use a pick. I cant play notes fast enough with my fingers, so alternate picking helps.

[Xanadu]

I dont really play bass, but when I do, I always use a pick. I cant play notes fast enough with my fingers, so alternate picking helps.
yeah guitarists generally do use a pick



oh, and I've stopped using a pick again. I got bored.

[oddio]

I started on upright, so playing fingerstyle or slapping has always seemed far more "natural" to me. I do use a pick from time to time, but even after all these years I still have to think about it while I'm playing, so that gets in the way a little bit. Yep, even I still need to practice.

[Stratocaster]

How big are bass picks anyway? 5mm? I'd imagine they're pretty huge to attack huge strings.

[Xanadu]

mine's a .73. but they're wider than a normal pick

[Lowtones]

On Guitar always. On Bass never. No real reason for it I just don't.

[RadioDaze]

This is one of those topics where people are very split, I think it totally comes down to personal preferance and style of music. If you're playing something totally chill and jazzy, you're probably not going to want major attack, so most wouldnt use a pick. Then again, some of musics best bass players used a picked exclusively. Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Noel Redding, even more modren bassists like Mike Dirnt. If you know what you're doing, you can produce a nice fat tone with a pick, its all in how you use your tone controls. Personally, I use a pick almost exclusively. Many say that's common of guitarists who go to bass second, but I just find that using a pick gives me far better control, speed and percision. Youl can check out some recordings Ive done. I like to think of myself as following in the path of bassists like Noel Redding, in the sense that It's his tone I love the most.

http://www.myspace.com/neotokyotheband

Ultimately though, if you really wanna get down and dirty with your bass, learn both styles. If for no other reason than to impress your friends :D

[RadioDaze]

This is one of those topics where people are very split, I think it totally comes down to personal preferance and style of music. If you're playing something totally chill and jazzy, you're probably not going to want major attack, so most wouldnt use a pick. Then again, some of musics best bass players used a picked exclusively. Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Noel Redding, even more modren bassists like Mike Dirnt. If you know what you're doing, you can produce a nice fat tone with a pick, its all in how you use your tone controls. Personally, I use a pick almost exclusively. Many say that's common of guitarists who go to bass second, but I just find that using a pick gives me far better control, speed and percision. Youl can check out some recordings Ive done. I like to think of myself as following in the path of bassists like Noel Redding, in the sense that It's his tone I love the most.

http://www.myspace.com/neotokyotheband

Ultimately though, if you really wanna get down and dirty with your bass, learn both styles. If for no other reason than to impress your friends :D