Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2020 21:03:05 GMT
Maybe it's because I started as a guitar player, but I've always found it's easier to play bass with a pick. I'm sure that having arthritis in my hands has a bearing on it too. I was surprised when I started haunting bass forums online and discovered that people who consider themselves professionals tend to hold players who use picks in disdain.
I've come to terms with it, thinking ya gotta go with what works. I also realize now that some pretty fine bassists use picks on a regular basis. One of the things I've discovered is that different pick materials can have a big influence on the tone. Big fat soft rubber picks, which I think are designed for mandolins give a bass a real woody sound, and there are times when cork or different gauges of plastic can give a different character to the sound of a bass.
Ironically, I play guitars with my fingers most of the time, |
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Post by Bill h on Dec 3, 2020 23:56:18 GMT
There are advantages that go with using a pic and the same for using fingers, this applies to guitar and bass. For someone to look down on another for using either is just ridiculous.
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Post by infant on Dec 4, 2020 1:46:24 GMT
I had a bass player who used to use thick felt picks. Pretty much sounded like he was using his fingers.
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Post by johnreardon on Dec 4, 2020 9:11:42 GMT
There are advantages that go with using a pic and the same for using fingers, this applies to guitar and bass. For someone to look down on another for using either is just ridiculous. Fully agree, but sadly there are people who do.
I play electric with mostly my fingers, only use a plectrum when I play some rhythm
I only normally play bass when recording, so sometimes use a plectrum as it's difficult to switch from light strings to whatever's on my bass.
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 4, 2020 21:21:29 GMT
I always play bass with a pick because my right hand fingers don't have the callouses to play with my fingers. I rarely play bass anymore however.
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SAguitar
Bar Band Player
Posts: 22
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Post by SAguitar on Dec 5, 2020 1:04:03 GMT
I tried playing bass with a pick (decades ago), but quit and went over to fingers. There is so much more tonal range available with fingertips. Plus, I couldn't ever lock in with a kick drum using a pick, and locking in is the secret to the whole game.
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Post by zontar on Dec 5, 2020 9:54:24 GMT
I started guitar playing with my thumb & fingers as I had a teacher who taught classical guitar--and that's what my first guitar was.
That helped when I started playing bass--and I learned to play with my fingers.
But I can play with a pick.
Sometimes a pick is better for the song.
I find some rhythms easier to play with a pick--and some percussive bass lines sound better with one.
Although I probably use my fingers (Could be first only or first two-and sometimes my thumb & third finger join in) about 95% or more of the time.
On guitar I usually use a pick, but i do use my fingers for some stuff--especially slide and some other bluesy things.
And sometime I use hybrid picking.
So I'm flexible that way.
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Post by zontar on Dec 22, 2020 8:26:05 GMT
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Post by zontar on Jan 4, 2021 3:26:00 GMT
No political comment intended--just amused by the bass pick joke. And it's a follow up to the one I posted above:  |
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Post by Colchar on Jan 21, 2021 17:02:12 GMT
Maybe it's because I started as a guitar player, but I've always found it's easier to play bass with a pick. I'm sure that having arthritis in my hands has a bearing on it too. I was surprised when I started haunting bass forums online and discovered that people who consider themselves professionals tend to hold players who use picks in disdain.
Those people are being idiots. Entwhistle played with both his fingers and a pick, depending on what was needed. In his sleep he could play circles around those forum members who would look on those who use picks with disdain. John Paul Jones, Roger Waters, and others also used a pick when they felt it was the right tool for the job. Chris Squire and Roger Glover used picks, and are more accomplished than those forum assholes. Ignore forum morons. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Jan 21, 2021 17:45:36 GMT
Maybe it's because I started as a guitar player, but I've always found it's easier to play bass with a pick. I'm sure that having arthritis in my hands has a bearing on it too. I was surprised when I started haunting bass forums online and discovered that people who consider themselves professionals tend to hold players who use picks in disdain.
Those people are being idiots. Entwhistle played with both his fingers and a pick, depending on what was needed. In his sleep he could play circles around those forum members who would look on those who use picks with disdain. John Paul Jones, Roger Waters, and others also used a pick when they felt it was the right tool for the job. Chris Squire and Roger Glover used picks, and are more accomplished than those forum assholes. Ignore forum morons. True enough- everyone is an "expert" and there is a lot of snobbery going around, based on the ideas of what is right and not right |
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Post by Sgt Rock on Jan 21, 2021 22:09:46 GMT
a friend of mine developed his own style and others have copied him over the years. here's a video of him playing.
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Post by zontar on Jan 23, 2021 7:50:38 GMT
Maybe it's because I started as a guitar player, but I've always found it's easier to play bass with a pick. I'm sure that having arthritis in my hands has a bearing on it too. I was surprised when I started haunting bass forums online and discovered that people who consider themselves professionals tend to hold players who use picks in disdain.
Those people are being idiots. Entwhistle played with both his fingers and a pick, depending on what was needed. In his sleep he could play circles around those forum members who would look on those who use picks with disdain. John Paul Jones, Roger Waters, and others also used a pick when they felt it was the right tool for the job. Chris Squire and Roger Glover used picks, and are more accomplished than those forum assholes. Ignore forum morons. I saw an interview with Roger Glover where he mentions he played bass with his fingers before Purple--but when he joined Purple he switched to a pick (most of the time) as it was better for what they were doing. But I have seen video of him in Purple and also outside of Purple using his fingers--but mostly a pick. So a good example of a bass player with credentials who uses both--and uses what the song calls for. |
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Post by Sgt Rock on Jan 26, 2021 5:05:02 GMT
a friend of mine developed his own style and others have copied him over the years. here's a video of him playing. here's a very talented young lady playing Larry's riffs like they're so easy to play.
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Post by zontar on Jan 31, 2021 2:38:22 GMT
Some more fun with it--not arguing against it--just amused.  |
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Post by Sgt Rock on Jan 31, 2021 3:05:07 GMT
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Post by Colchar on Jul 2, 2021 17:39:54 GMT
A member here (or former member as he and I had a falling out so I don't think he'll be back) is a bass player, and rather a good one. When I briefly (very briefly) experimented with bass I spoke to him about this issue and his attitude was "fuck them". He also pointed out that electric bass has only been around for just over 50 years so it is a new and evolving instrument which means that there is no right way to do things.
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Post by johnreardon on Jul 2, 2021 17:53:24 GMT
A member here (or former member as he and I had a falling out so I don't think he'll be back) is a bass player, and rather a good one. When I briefly (very briefly) experimented with bass I spoke to him about this issue and his attitude was "fuck them". He also pointed out that electric bass has only been around for just over 50 years so it is a new and evolving instrument which means that there is no right way to do things. As with many things in playing guitars, there is no right way. It’s whatever suits the individual. I usually play electric with my fingers. Only time I may use a plectrum is playing rhythm. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Jul 2, 2021 20:00:07 GMT
When I was younger I used to love the crisp sound you got from a picked bass with the tone turned up.
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Post by laristotle on Jul 2, 2021 20:10:14 GMT
Fingers here. I tried a pick, but it bothers my wrist. Totally different feel than on guitar. For me anyways.  |
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Post by keto on Jul 5, 2021 15:15:13 GMT
Primarily a bass player the past 6-7 years, pick only. By varying attack and tone of bass + amp, I can get as subtle as any finger player, tho I can't necessarily replicate every riff.
We aren't all playing the same type of music, why would we all have to have the same technique?
Then again, I'm no technician.
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Post by zontar on Jul 8, 2021 6:55:45 GMT
Primarily a bass player the past 6-7 years, pick only. By varying attack and tone of bass + amp, I can get as subtle as any finger player, tho I can't necessarily replicate every riff. We aren't all playing the same type of music, why would we all have to have the same technique? Then again, I'm no technician. Use what makes sense & fits--thumb, fingers, pick, or whatever... |
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