"Real bass players don't use picks"

[EdwardHimself]

Mostly just 15 year old kids who think just because they have learned how to play their favourite Mark King song using just their fingers, it means they are the best bass player who has ever lived and everyone who uses a bit of plastic must therefore be inferior. Do you think any of these dickheads have ever tried using a pick for any length of time? Maybe if they did, they would realise that it actually does wear out your hand, trying to play fast and accurately on just one string. Picks aren't just for pussies or failed guitarists. I use a pick maybe about 75% of the time. I try to let the music dictate what I play, rather than just because that's what my favourite fret-****** does...

/rant.

Edited June 16, 2012 by Johngh
Language

[Delberthot]

The big ****** for me is that I really wanted a violin bass to use with the [url="http://www.getbackband.co.uk/"]Getback band[/url] but could I find a Youtube vid with someone using just their fingers? Could I buggery.

Just those big macho pick players

I use a pick for maybe 4 songs in a night and the rest is pure fingers.

One of my all time favourite bass players is big Chris Squire and guess what? he uses a pick

Edited June 16, 2012 by Johngh

[mcnach]

Nurse!! Grandpa is going on again!!

(who cares about pick/fingers/ears? if it sounds good, it is good)

[waynepunkdude]

I use a pick just checked I am real.

[Billy Apple]

Cool. You tell 'em. I read the title, and was coming on for a barney. Horses for courses, I'm pretty much all a pick player. But if it feels good, and sounds good. I can't be bothered with any snobbery

[Nibody]

I play fingers. Have always done so. But I'm trying to "learn" pick - it's easier to play fingerstyle for me as I'm faster that way.

[chrismuzz]

I used to think pick players were inferior. I've grown up a bit now though... Still play with fingers though, and i'm NOT a real bassist

[Beer of the Bass]

I'd like to see someone attempting to argue that Carol Kay or Joe Osborn aren't real bass players. These are people who helped define the conventions of the electric bass! Most of us have pinched at least one of their lines at some point, conciously or otherwise.

[Cameronj279]

I've never used a pick, I just Feel slightly limited when I use one (plus they hurt my hand/wrist). Justin Chancellor is a massive inspiration of mine and he uses a pick. Loads of great players use them just personally I don't enjoy using one. I think a lot of people just assume because they use one they can't play with fingers, which is just silly

[louisthebass]

I'd like to be able to use one - just don't seem to able to get on with 'em.....

[garethfriend]

I used to play guitar as a 100% pick player, pretty good standard too. On bass fingerstyle is definitely easier for me though, find the muting easier. Yeah the "real players use their fingers" thing's crap, real players know when which style is more appropriate.

[Mornats]

I sometimes don't consider myself a "real" (or more accurately, experienced) bass player because I don't use a pick. I've just not developed my technique with one because it comes harder to me than finger style. I've just had more practice with finger style I guess.

[jaydentaku]

Jean-Jacques Burnell

That is all.

[skankdelvar]

Aren't we a wee bit early with this year's Pick thread? I'm [i]sure[/i] someone told me it was arranged for August.

Oh well "Fingers ... drone ... pick ... yadda yadda ... hybrid style ... stick it between one's teeth or a quick palming action? ... blah ... what's right for the song ... double thumbing ... double entry..." (Will this do?)

[jaydentaku]

case closed

[rushbo]

Does anyone really believe that? Seriously?

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1339795958' post='1694704']
I think a lot of people just assume because they use one they can't play with fingers, which is just silly
[/quote]

I can't play with a pick


[quote name='rushbo' timestamp='1339798589' post='1694779']
Does anyone really believe that? Seriously?
[/quote]

Yep, as I said above I genuinely did for ages

[Cameronj279]

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1339799068' post='1694793']


I can't play with a pick



[/quote]

Me neither, it's actually pretty funny watching me try, it's as if I suddenly lose all coordination between both hands

[Billy Apple]

I pick my nose

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1339799849' post='1694810']
I pick my nose
[/quote]

You must have MASSIVE nostrils

[heminder]

I come from playing the e-guitar and i think personally playing with a pick with bass is kind of awkward. It doesn't leave the surface of the string quite the way that I'm used to / I expect it to, so makes me feel funny while playing and my timing goes off a bit because of it. So I'll just stick to using fingers methinks.

[deanovw]

I use a pick, my fingers, my thumb, whatever I feel is required.
Sometime I have even been known to use my head. Not often though.

[Judo Chop]

I agree with Edward, I use both, and I've not yet encountered any criticism. It's mostly overly opinionated bedroom bassists who have that view.

As long as it sounds good, use whatever the hell you want.

Edited June 15, 2012 by Jack Cahalane

[risingson]

The concept of 'pick playing being for amateurs' or whatever is moronic. Luckily most people get this now, and those that don't generally don't have a good understanding of music and are happy to propagate that lack of understanding to a wider audience... enter Youtube and such.

[andysleigh]

player should use whatever he wants to get the desired sound and style.