bass without a pick.

blanksrbetter · 03-09-2008, 05:01 AM

When i started playing bass my friend threatened to break my thumb off if i used a pick. haha.
i'm starting to see his reason in that now, i think the sound is better without. Though it is way harder than with a pick. Also alot slower.
Are there any finger speed tricks that i am missing out on?

Kameraad Pannekoek · 03-09-2008, 05:10 AM

Good to see you turning to the good guys! First reading sheet music, now this!

The trick is really just practice. Be very attentive to which finger you pluck with, and keep a steady pattern going. If you want to do the good old-fashioned two finger style, pick first with your middle finger, then pointer, then middle, etc. Any note you want really, just be very sure that you keep up the pattern. Go nice and slow at first, it helps. When you think you've gotten a hold of that, add in some fretting work. The first few drills here might help. Eventually you won't even think when playing. Now the only time I even think about my right hand much is when I'm trying to work a third finger in or skipping strings a lot.

blanksrbetter · 03-09-2008, 05:14 AM

i've been using two fingers since i started.
but does it really matter what order?
i've always gone index to middle.

also would the little metal finger strengtheners help for speed?

Kameraad Pannekoek · 03-09-2008, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blanksrbetter

i've been using two fingers since i started.
but does it really matter what order?
i've always gone index to middle.

also would the little metal finger strengtheners help for speed?

Ah, yeah, index middle works just the same. Either way, you're just alternating the same fingers, so which one you start with doesn't matter one bit.

I got a little finger strengthener a while back, and it's really nice for my fretting hand, but I didn't see any improvement with my picking hand, but I suppose that might be just because it was already nice and tough. It couldn't hurt to get one really. If you don't see any improvement on your picking hand, you still have a whole nother hand to work on.

blanksrbetter · 03-09-2008, 05:34 AM

ok.
also, do you have any threads for techniques too?

Kameraad Pannekoek · 03-09-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blanksrbetter

ok.
also, do you have any threads for techniques too?

Well, this subforum has a few spiffy things, but if there's anything you want that isn't in there, feel free to request it. While I'm not the best bassist around, I have a lot of free time this week and I could try and help you out, and I'm sure the other bassists here will know a thing or two also.

blanksrbetter · 03-09-2008, 05:53 AM

ok, thanks so much for your help.

Aqualung · 03-09-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zephyr

Good to see you turning to the good guys! First reading sheet music, now this!

Nah, it sounds a lot better with a pick.

Zayl · 03-10-2008, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blanksrbetter

When i started playing bass my friend threatened to break my thumb off if i used a pick. haha.
i'm starting to see his reason in that now, i think the sound is better without. Though it is way harder than with a pick. Also alot slower.
Are there any finger speed tricks that i am missing out on?

I usually use my index and middle finger to strumm and pick at the strings, hold it so your fingers are verticle to the strings, from the top of the bass body down. you can roll the fleshy tip of your finger over the string for a soft sound, or, curve your finger a bit and pick the string with your nails every now and then for a sharp sting. also, look into bass slapping and popping, properly done you can go alot faster then some guitarists can with a pick.

DJ B-ASS · 03-10-2008, 03:12 AM

Picks, no picks, as long as you get the sound you're looking for......who cares!!!

RickenbackerBassPlayer · 03-16-2008, 06:30 PM

When I first started playing bass guitar my dad wouldnt buy me picks. My advice, get rid of your picks untill you leanr with your fingers.

EVAD · 04-02-2008, 09:08 PM

That's good advice about learning to play without a pick before using one. Gotta know the rules before you can break them. I am usually completely against using a pick although Justin from Tool is making rethink that. He uses a pick and he has the greatest tone. Not to mention the guy can play and write.

EVAD

ginger-bassist · 04-25-2008, 09:13 AM

yeah, learn with the fingers before using plectrums again.

also, if you play as far away from the neck as possable, where the strings are really tight, you can get a sound similar to using a pelctrum, with your fingers

Neverlife · 04-29-2008, 03:13 AM

The only time i have to use a pick is When i play Rush, (sorry GL)

03-09-2008, 05:10 AM	#2
Kameraad Pannekoek Drunk on power. And beer. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wazzu Posts: 3,179 Thanks: 61 Thanked 133 Times in 114 Posts Rep Power: 152	Good to see you turning to the good guys! First reading sheet music, now this! The trick is really just practice. Be very attentive to which finger you pluck with, and keep a steady pattern going. If you want to do the good old-fashioned two finger style, pick first with your middle finger, then pointer, then middle, etc. Any note you want really, just be very sure that you keep up the pattern. Go nice and slow at first, it helps. When you think you've gotten a hold of that, add in some fretting work. The first few drills here might help. Eventually you won't even think when playing. Now the only time I even think about my right hand much is when I'm trying to work a third finger in or skipping strings a lot. __________________ If you ever need help with anything, anything at all, just send me a PM and I'll see what I can do for you. Dave's Gear: MIM Fretless Fender Jazz Bass Fender Rumble 100w Bass Amp Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Vox Valvetronix AD30VT Guitar Amp Dunlop .71mm picks (Pink picks for the win!)

03-16-2008, 06:30 PM	#11
RickenbackerBassPlayer Play the music, not the instrument Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Behind You Posts: 3,749 Thanks: 138 Thanked 188 Times in 177 Posts Rep Power: 143	When I first started playing bass guitar my dad wouldnt buy me picks. My advice, get rid of your picks untill you leanr with your fingers. __________________ Make sure to read the Rules for posting. Check out the KMA Review team thread post if interested. If you have any problems please feel free to Send me a message.. "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." - Ludwig Van Beethoven

04-25-2008, 09:13 AM	#13
ginger-bassist the ginger bassist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: scotland Posts: 71 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Rep Power: 32	yeah, learn with the fingers before using plectrums again. also, if you play as far away from the neck as possable, where the strings are really tight, you can get a sound similar to using a pelctrum, with your fingers __________________ Bass - Yamaha rbx 375

04-29-2008, 03:13 AM	#14
Neverlife Dungeon Master Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Newman Grove, NE Posts: 2,008 Thanks: 55 Thanked 84 Times in 75 Posts Rep Power: 0	The only time i have to use a pick is When i play Rush, (sorry GL) __________________ "Today is the tommorow, you worried about yesterday"

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03-09-2008, 05:01 AM	#1
blanksrbetter ehh. Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 31	When i started playing bass my friend threatened to break my thumb off if i used a pick. haha. i'm starting to see his reason in that now, i think the sound is better without. Though it is way harder than with a pick. Also alot slower. Are there any finger speed tricks that i am missing out on?

03-09-2008, 05:14 AM	#3
blanksrbetter ehh. Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 31	i've been using two fingers since i started. but does it really matter what order? i've always gone index to middle. also would the little metal finger strengtheners help for speed?

03-09-2008, 05:34 AM	#5
blanksrbetter ehh. Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 31	ok. also, do you have any threads for techniques too?

03-09-2008, 05:53 AM	#7
blanksrbetter ehh. Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 31	ok, thanks so much for your help.

03-10-2008, 03:12 AM	#10
DJ B-ASS BASS IS THE GEAR OF THE GODS Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 31	Picks, no picks, as long as you get the sound you're looking for......who cares!!!

04-02-2008, 09:08 PM	#12
EVAD EVAD Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 30	That's good advice about learning to play without a pick before using one. Gotta know the rules before you can break them. I am usually completely against using a pick although Justin from Tool is making rethink that. He uses a pick and he has the greatest tone. Not to mention the guy can play and write. EVAD

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