Is there such a thing as a bassist who plays with a pick?
Some people don't think so.
My own mother believes that EVERYONE who calls themself a bassist should use their fingers, otherwise they're "just a guitar player who wants to be a bassist but won't take the time to learn how to play it right".
I slightly agree...
I mean, bass has traditionally been played with fingers, and guitar has been played with a pick.
But then again, this is a new world. New music is coming out and it just sounds better with a picked bass.
For example, a local punk band called If All Else Fails has a bassist who plays with a pick. Because they play punk, the music tends to be faster and harder. It wouldn't sound right if they used their fingers - It'd be missing a certin 'zing' element.
And now, I'm losing track.
Anyways, what I mean to be saying is that 'bassits' should be able to play with a pick while playing certin music.
Alternative rock - Picks work.
Jazz - Not really.
Get my drift?
My own mother believes that EVERYONE who calls themself a bassist should use their fingers, otherwise they're "just a guitar player who wants to be a bassist but won't take the time to learn how to play it right".
I slightly agree...
I mean, bass has traditionally been played with fingers, and guitar has been played with a pick.
But then again, this is a new world. New music is coming out and it just sounds better with a picked bass.
For example, a local punk band called If All Else Fails has a bassist who plays with a pick. Because they play punk, the music tends to be faster and harder. It wouldn't sound right if they used their fingers - It'd be missing a certin 'zing' element.
And now, I'm losing track.
Anyways, what I mean to be saying is that 'bassits' should be able to play with a pick while playing certin music.
Alternative rock - Picks work.
Jazz - Not really.
Get my drift?
Comments
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Erh, I mean't I play my guitar WITHOUT a pick. Surreh.
The Hippy, February 14th, 2007 at 07:21:49pm
Well, I play my geeetar with a pick. So you should be able to play bass with a pick.
The Hippy, February 14th, 2007 at 07:21:28pm
I agree with you. There is no law saying that bass player must play with fingers. It really depends on the sound you're going for. I don't want to split hairs, but bassists should be allowed to play with picks not for certain genres, but when it suits the song. Maybe there is a great jazz song that would benefit from a zinging, zigzaging picked bassline. Switch up the sax for the picked bass, if you follow my example.
In my opinion, to be good at what you do, you have to be able to do all that you can. I used to be a hardcore, "no fingers for me" type. That limits what I can do sonically. The same thing is true for bassists who refuse to use picks.
The pick can really give that "zing" as you said. It's a brighter sound, which you can adjust with where you play on the body. (closer to the neck or closer to the bridge) At the same time, fingers can give that rumbling snarl that just moves air, or give you that really thick mellow sound.
Iwannajumpout, February 14th, 2007 at 06:45:17pm
Yeah. Lots of people. Mike Dirnt. Hunter Burgan (of AFI).
Scotty Doesn't Know., February 14th, 2007 at 06:40:09pm
All kinds of bassists play with picks and I think they sound alot better, they have a cleaner sound.
Kurtni, February 14th, 2007 at 06:00:03pm
Yeah, I play bass with a pick because a pick gives it a really nice sound.
Demonic., February 14th, 2007 at 05:00:19pm