How to play bass with a pick?

[daFunkyUnit]

When I started playing bass, I learned to play with my fingers. Now I'm trying to broaden my horizons and play with a pick. My question is, how do you position your right hand to pick? I play guitar also, so I'm used to resting the picking hand by the bridge for muting purposes. You can't really do that for basses, so how do you guys approach it?

 

thanks,

-daUnit

[sunburstbasser]

Just apply the same techniques you would use on guitar. You should be able to play by the bridge without muting, I do anyway.

 

As for pick bassists, the only one I know much about stylistically is Chris Squire. He actually plays closer to the neck than the bridge on a lot of songs, when I saw Yes last year.

 

Most pick bassists seem to approach it more like a guitarist anyway, in style. So just play like you were playing guitar. If something doesn't work, ask and hopefully it'll get straigtened out!

[Mudbass]

 

Originally posted by daFunkyUnit I play guitar also, so I'm used to resting the picking hand by the bridge for muting purposes. You can't really do that for basses...

 

 

Why not? I've been doing it that way for 30+ years.

[mounds]

I play guitar primarily, too, and I couldn't get a good sound when I tried to use a pick, so I play fingerstyle exclusively now.

 

 

(it sounded thin, regardless of where I hit the string)

[zomawia]

General rule is that the closer you play towards to neck, the "fatter and deeper" your tone will get. And the closer you play to the bridge, the more "bite and growl" you will get. Using a pick will take a bit of the low end of your sound when compared to fingerstyle. But then again, it seems when playing with a pick your tone sounds more defined and clear. Well that's what I think of it.

 

You can also dig into the strings (stroke drown hard as hell) a lot better with a pick. It gives you a really ballsy, rock sound.

 

I dont know 'bout you but I find that I can get some good sounds by palm-muting at the bridge. Works nice if your palm technique is good. And if it's coupled with some overdrive/distortion.

[jannda]

IM mostly a finger man but some songs just need that pick sound I play just like you would a guitar for the most part hand on bridge but sometimes I let my pick hand float when playing say midway between neck and bridge or near the neck just try different thing until you find what works best for you what works for me might not work for you and whatch different pick players and see what they do phil lesh (greatfull dead ) is a good pick player to watch he uses a lot of different techniqes.

[zadiqof]

with common sense

[DerekDRP]

Hehehe

[Moody Johnny]

I'm not sure what you can make out from this photo of mine (originally posted in the "members' photos" -thread), but this is my way of doing it.

 

 

It's not a result from any conscious decision but just a habit as I've never taken any lessons. I have this weird habit of keeping my ring finger (not visible in the photo) against the body of the bass, thus anchoring to add control.

 

The touch of the plectrum itself against the strings is very light, I never "dig in". In fast picking (as seen in the photo) my middle finger functions as sort of a pendulum. The only motion takes place in wrist and hand, the arm is motionless.

 

[syciprider]

I want to say "Does this need to be explained?" but it seems to be a legit Q. I pick over on the bridge pup. I like the groaning and creaking sounds I get when I unintentionally press the muted strings against the pup.

 

Oh and I don't use a plectrum, just my index and thumb together. But I only pick maybe 20% of the time.

[DerekDRP]

Originally posted by Moody Johnny I'm not sure what you can make out from this photo of mine (originally posted in the "members' photos" -thread), but this is my way of doing it. It's not a result from any conscious decision but just a habit as I've never taken any lessons. I have this weird habit of keeping my ring finger (not visible in the photo) against the body of the bass, thus anchoring to add control. The touch of the plectrum itself against the strings is very light, I never "dig in". In fast picking (as seen in the photo) my middle finger functions as sort of a pendulum. The only motion takes place in wrist and hand, the arm is motionless.

 

Proble will get flamed for this, But your not on all 4 fret's hehe.

[Detox]

Originally posted by DerekDRP Proble will get flamed for this, But your not on all 4 fret's hehe.

 

 

 

[DerekDRP]

Great something smell's a little fishy with this posty hehe.

 

 

Btw I LOVE BASS I LOVE BASS

[Moody Johnny]

 

Originally posted by DerekDRP Proble will get flamed for this, But your not on all 4 fret's hehe.

 

 

Sorry, I don't get it. If you mean my fretting hand, I'm playing 5th fret on the A string with my ring finger. The other fingers are hovering above the fretboard. The pic doesn't show that.

 

 

Oh, and Eraserhead is one interesting movie. That baby is sooo cute...

[anothertxn]

I find that it works best to change the location on your hand depending on what you are doing. Sometimes I rest on the bridge for more precision, sometimes I slam the thing guitar style muting out the other strings. The thing that took me the longest was learning how to keep an even tempo with a pick, but that's coming from a previously all fingerstyle perspective, so you shouldn't have as much of a problem.

[DerekDRP]

 

Originally posted by Moody Johnny Sorry, I don't get it. If you mean my fretting hand, I'm playing 5th fret on the A string with my ring finger. The other fingers are hovering above the fretboard. The pic doesn't show that. Oh, and Eraserhead is one interesting movie. That baby is sooo cute...

 

 

Your right my bad sorry bud.

[scarecrowbob]

Though I usually just use my fingers, I use a different pick to play bass...

 

I like the great big, purple triangular dunlop ones... they work way better than a guitar pick.

 

I don't like playing with tiny picks, even with very stiff guitar picks.

 

Other than that I just apporach it as I would the guitar.

[no-logic]

I play "guitar-style" all the time. Mostly between the pups. Have for 30+ years.

[oldivor]

I almost alway with a pick and I pick where ever. Soem times near the neck, some times near the bridge, it depends on the feel and sound needed for a song.

[januaryscar]

I play primarily with a pick.

Good pick using bass players to watch and learn off are Mike Dirnt (green day) and Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters etc).

They have different styles - Dirnt uses his forearm and 'hits' the string more aggressively but still maintains a smooth, groovy tone; while Mendel gets in close with only his hand moving - its easier to be accurate this way IMO.

[SB]

I use

 

or the black gator

[Ole Man Blues]

I use a pick once in a while. I use a tortoise shell (thick). It helps too retain more of the fingered bass guitar tone rather than sounding too thin or sounding like you're playing with a pick. I use Flatwound strings too, this helps.

 

OMB

[Detox]

I have a Gypsyjazzpick. 3.5mm thick.

[Johnny BoomBoom]

Originally posted by SB I use or the black gator

 

 

Yup - that's my favourites!

 

Used Big Stubby 3.0mm for a while, but they were a bit much, and also wore down very quickly!!!!

 

 

 

Those Jim Dunlop 2.0mm are the dogs thingies in my opinion!!

[takeout]

Here's what's worked for me:

 

1: Find a pick that works for you. I went and bought a bunch of different thicknesses of Dunlop Tortexes, and tried them all out before settling on the green ones. I've stuck with them ever since, and I feel like I can really tell now when they are fresh vs. worn out - they lose stiffness after a while, and the point gets ground off. I go through about two per gig, depending.

 

2: Experiment with right hand locations. Over the course of a set, I may be picking right by the bridge, just forward of the bridge pickup of my Ric, or right up by the neck.

 

3: Experiment with pick angle. If you attack the string completely perpendicular, the flat side of the pick will give you a round, almost fingerlike tone. If you angle the pick so the edge rasps against the string, you get a nastier, edgier attack.

 

4: Learn how to palm it. I do this for about 15-20% of our set. I put my index and middle fingers together, then slide the pick to the crook of my middle finger. I can curl my middle finger and hold it while I use my thumb and index to pluck the strings for dubbier sounding tones. I suppose if you were a slapper this could also come in handy for that.

 

5: Picking motion. Some like to use their entire forearm; I'm more of an "economy of motion" fan, so almost all of my picking motion comes from my wrist. You can generate a lot of power just by flicking the wrist. I don't anchor my hand anywhere, but I do lightly rest my free fingers against the higher strings or the body, simply for a reference point. I hardly ever have to look at my hands these days, and I play some songs entirely eyes-closed. Your mileage may vary.

 

Hope this all helps. Just dive in and try it. The first couple of band practices will be dodgy, but it'll click fairly quickly. I had to make the switch two days before a tour once, after jamming my finger playing basketball, and I pulled it off.

 

EDIT: my forearm does rest on the top edge of my bass. My arm doesn't float completely free. Just clarifying.