Why is it wrong to play bass with a pick?

[Gunny]

Flakey said it best. It's a pointless discussion.

[SamClemons]

I use both pick and fingers.

[Hoopermazing]

I couldn't imagine playing a bass with a pick. It seems quite rhythmically limiting. But, to each their own.

[redstrand]

Whatever suits your style, that's what you should use. I just started using a pick more often and get complimented on my tone...so I just go with it.

[JohnS]

Anyone remember those really big, fat felt bass picks?

[Immo]

I shuldn't play bass with pick because I use tapewound strings and picks damage the fine, smooth coating.

Of other reasons I can't seem to think of.

[bossking7]

All of my bass-playing friends use their fingers. I'm more comfortable.with using a pick, but I mostly usw my fingers. It's not "wrong" either way really.

[dmarg1045]

It's not.

[Immo]

Also, see my photography, it's called "The Stereotype".

;)

[BigDaveyTwinkle]

Being able to play well with both pick and fingers gives you a better "tool kit" to draw from when interpreting a song. When I first began playing, I used a pick almost exclusively, it was a matter of expediency, it was easier to learn and was just fine for the power punk, pre-metal kind of music I was playing at the time. As I have aged, I have discovered that there are some bass lines that I simply cannot play with a pick, think "My Generation" and "The Real Me" by The Who. Different songs, different styles - it's neither right nor wrong to play with a pick it just has to be adjusted to fit the song and music played.

[soul-o]

Not even going to read this thread, just a quick reply: it's not wrong to play bass with a pick. That's just one of those things non- musicians spread around. Also, bass isn't easier to play because it has less strings, Ringo's actually a really good drummer and in the big picture, it actually isn't who you know, but what you know.

[Justinvs]

Originally Posted by Seasicksailor

Yeah, well... unless money is an issue. For some reason, finding a reasonably priced tube amp for bass (compared to guitar amps) is near impossible!

Not to take the discussion in an other direction, and especailly cnsidering the first statement was meant tongue in cheek, SS amps work perfectly fine for bass, maybe even better than tube amps. They have more punch and are much easier to dial in a good sound with.

Having said that, one of the nicest amps I ever payed through was a Silverface Bassman head. Beuatiful tone, provided you didn''t have to play too loud. At high volumes it got a little flubby, something I've seldom encountered with a SS head and decent speakers.

[mal paso]

I just wanted to say I agree with Soul-O. I love Ringo's drumming, and he's one of my favorites. Oh, and that other stuff he said too.


Carry on gents!

[Old Has Been]

Originally Posted by Jackson Jackson

John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, Sting, Chris Squire, Rick Danko, Roger Waters, Jack Bruce...

All knew how and when to use a pick or their fingers.

I take my cues from them.

You can add Bill Wyman to that list, too.

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by JohnS

Anyone remember those really big, fat felt bass picks?

Yes, and some big plastic triangle picks. Neither one lasted very long. These days I use a Dunlop pick 1.14 (purple).

Since the thread has continued onwards today, I'll chime in and say I've used both styles. For decades I was finger style only. In the last 5 years I've gone through phases of pick only and fingers only.

I don't think there's a right and wrong to either one. Personal preference!

[Seasicksailor]

Originally Posted by Justinvs

Not to take the discussion in an other direction, and especailly cnsidering the first statement was meant tongue in cheek, SS amps work perfectly fine for bass, maybe even better than tube amps. They have more punch and are much easier to dial in a good sound with.

Having said that, one of the nicest amps I ever payed through was a Silverface Bassman head. Beuatiful tone, provided you didn''t have to play too loud. At high volumes it got a little flubby, something I've seldom encountered with a SS head and decent speakers.

That's a relief! I've never played my bass through a tube bass amp. Never could afford one. I must say though that at low volumes, my bass sounds great through my ac15c1.

Anyway... yeah, nothing against picks! :-)

[JohnS]

Any thumb players want to chime in?

[Seasicksailor]

Originally Posted by JohnS

Any thumb players want to chime in?

I would think they all died in the early 70s!

[rip_topaz]

I play mainly fingerstyle but if the song calls for a pick, then I use a pick.

And yes, I've even played with my thumb (not slapping) when doing some fillin work with a country band. I play some slap as well, but that's not what we're talking about here.

It's all about getting the sound you need for the song you're playing. Yeah, some players will play exclusively with a pick or fingers, but being able to adapt your style and sound for the song will get you more callbacks.

[mal paso]

I play Bass with my thumb, but not for slapping. It just kind of carried over from my fingerpicking style from guitar, which, I guess could be considered wrong!


But it works for me