Bass guitar playing is a versatile and dynamic world with various techniques, styles, and approaches. One of the often discussed and sometimes controversial topics is the use of a pick for playing bass. Traditionally, bass players have used their fingers to pluck the strings, but using a pick is also an option that has both fans and detractors.
The decision to use a pick on a bass is a matter of personal preference and the specific sound one wants to achieve. Many accomplished bassists, such as Carol Kaye, Steve Swallow, and John Paul Jones, have built successful careers using picks.
This playing technique can lead to a more aggressive and defined sound, which can be especially beneficial for genres like punk, metal, and hardcore. However, the debate between playing with a pick and using fingers often continues due to the perceived difference in tone and technique.
Key Takeaways on Can You Use a Pick on a Bass?
Using a pick on a bass is an option, based on preference and desired tone.
Picks can produce an aggressive and defined sound, suitable for punk and metal genres.
The decision to use a pick often sparks debate among bassists, with factors like technique and tone.
You will also like these other popular picks in this category:
The decision to use a pick, also known as a plectrum, or fingers can greatly impact the sound and feel of playing. There are advantages and disadvantages to each technique, and the choice ultimately boils down to the preferred sound, style, and personal preferences.
When using a pick on bass guitar, there is usually a sharper tone with more attack. This technique gives the bass a lot more presence on the mid to high-end of the frequency spectrum. Picked bass notes are more distinct and can sometimes be intrusive on the mix. Also, using a pick might be easier on your hands and it requires less time and effort to perfect compared to fingerstyle.
On the other hand, when using fingers to play the bass, the sound is naturally softer. To achieve the desired attack, guitarists have to practice a bit more, but the overall tone is more rounded and perhaps more suited for certain genres of music. Furthermore, fingerstyle allows for greater expressiveness and dynamics, enabling players to experiment with various techniques like slapping, popping, and tapping.
Contrary to popular misconceptions, many professional bass players use picks throughout their careers. For instance, Carol Kaye, Steve Swallow, and John Paul Jones are known for their pick playing techniques. As a bass player, it’s important to be open to different playing styles since it widens your range as a musician and expands the possibilities of creating unique tones and textures.
When it comes to the perfect pick, there are various factors to consider like material, thickness, and shape. Depending on these factors, the pick can either enhance or detract from your desired tone and playability.
In conclusion, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer when considering whether to use a pick or fingers on a bass guitar, be it electric or upright. It’s essential to explore and experiment with different styles and techniques to find the right approach, and adapt to each unique musical situation.
When it comes to playing the bass guitar, finger plucking is often the first technique to learn. Using the index and middle fingers, pluck the strings to create a smooth and natural sound. With practice, the finger plucking technique can lead to greater accuracy, control, and expressiveness. This method works particularly well for genres such as jazz, blues, and R&B.
While finger plucking can take some time to master, it offers many benefits, including the ability to play multiple strings simultaneously and a warm, rounded tone. Some bassists also combine the plucking technique with other finger-based techniques, such as the double thumb or palm muting, to create even more dynamic and varied sounds.
2. Slap Bass Technique
Another popular bass playing technique is the slap bass, which is characterized by its punchy, percussive sound. It’s most commonly associated with funk, but it’s also used in other genres like rock and pop.
In the slap technique, guitarists use the thumb to strike the strings, creating a sharp, distinct sound. After slapping the string, you can either pull or “pop” it with your fingers for added emphasis or contrast.
Developing a good slap bass technique takes practice and dedication, but the percussive nature of the sound can bring a unique vibe to your playing. Many bassists, such as Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, have become famous for their slap bass skills.
3. Bass Pick Technique
While fingerstyle and slap bass techniques are both very effective, using a pick for bass guitar also has its advantages. A bass pick can help guitarists achieve a brighter, more articulate sound, and it can also increase your playing speed.
The type of pick for your bass playing is a matter of personal preference. There are various styles and thicknesses available, and trying out a few different options can help you find the tone and feel that best suits your needs.
Incorporating the bass pick technique into your playing can add additional versatility to sound, offering a different approach to creating rhythm and melody. Various famous bassists, such as Paul McCartney and Chris Squire, have demonstrated that using a pick can produce excellent results without damaging the strings or creating an inferior sound.
When it comes to using a pick on a bass guitar, one of the main factors is personal preference. Some bassists feel more comfortable using a pick, while others prefer using their fingers. There is no right or wrong choice, as long as the technique works for the individual musician. I have seen many bassists experiment with both methods to find what works best for them.
Playing Style
Another factor to consider is the playing style a bassist has developed over time. Different bassists have unique approaches to playing and may find that using a pick allows them to play faster or provides a brighter, more articulate sound.
In contrast, fingerstyle playing may offer more control and a softer, more nuanced tone. Personally, I have experienced both advantages and disadvantages to using a pick, depending on the specific techniques I am employing.
Type of Music
The genre of music being played can also influence the decision to use a pick on a bass guitar. For example:
Rock: A pick can provide the aggressive, driving rhythm often associated with rock music.
Jazz: Fingerstyle playing may be more common in jazz, with its focus on subtle, expressive tones.
Funk: The “slap and pop” technique commonly used in funk usually requires fingerstyle playing.
Pop: Both picks and fingerstyle can be used in pop music, depending on the desired tone and performance style.
Metal: Bassists playing metal often use picks for the faster, more consistent attack it provides.
Punk: The raw sound of punk music may be better achieved using a pick to cut through the mix.
Using a pick on bass guitar can bring several benefits to your playing. One of the most notable advantages is the attack that a pick provides – it allows guitarists to produce faster and more powerful notes with a brighter tone. This can be especially useful during fast, intricate passages or when playing with a drummer and guitarist who require clarity from the bass.
Not only does the pick offer a faster attack, but it can also make playing single notes easier and more efficient. With a pick, players can achieve a more defined sound compared to using fingers, which can sometimes result in a more muffled tone. This ultimately helps basslines stand out more in the mix and creates a cleaner overall sound.
Another benefit when using a pick is the ability to play louder. Because the pick’s material is usually harder than fingertips, it can generate more volume, making your basslines more prominent in musical situations where a powerful sound is necessary. This can be an essential factor when playing genres like rock, punk, and metal, where a forceful bass sound helps drive the music forward.
In summary, using a pick on bass offers various pros, such as:
Faster and sharper attack
Easier and more efficient single note playing
More defined sound
Louder volume
These benefits can help bassists achieve a dynamic and powerful sound, providing a clear and defined tone that can be advantageous in multiple genres and musical situations.
Although using a pick on bass can be helpful for some players and styles, there are some disadvantages that come with it. One of the main cons of using a pick is the loss of some feel and control compared to playing fingerstyle. Fingerstyle allows guitarists to have better control over dynamics, muting, and individual string volume, which is more challenging with a pick.
Additionally, with fingerstyle, you can also perform techniques like slap and pop, which are not easily achievable when using a pick. The pick offers less control over muting, especially when compared to the palm muting technique used in fingerstyle playing. This could be a problem for some players or in specific musical styles.
Using a pick on bass may also produce a “nastier” tone, which can be undesirable for certain genres or musical contexts. While pick playing can give a brighter, punchier sound that cuts through the mix, it may not be suitable for mellower or warmer bass tones traditionally associated with fingerstyle bass playing.
Another factor to consider is that picks can create a slightly different callous pattern on your fingers. For some players, this may not be an issue, but for others, it can be uncomfortable or even painful as they adapt to the pick. Furthermore, transitioning between pick and fingerstyle playing may not be as seamless due to the difference in playing techniques and the callouses formed.
Lastly, using a pick on bass could limit the ability to play intricate or complex fingerstyle patterns that require a high degree of dexterity and independence between fingers. This limitation can affect your ability to perform certain basslines or musical passages.
While using a pick on bass may have its benefits, there are also several disadvantages. Despite these drawbacks, many talented bass players continue to use a pick for various reasons, and the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and the style of music being played.
Picks and Tone
Bass players should experiment with different techniques and materials to find the tone that best suits their playing style. One question that often arises in the bass-playing community is whether using a pick on the bass guitar affects the tone. The answer is yes, using a pick can significantly change the tone of your bass guitar.
When using pick on the bass, the overall tone becomes brighter and more articulate. Picks allow for more aggressive attack on the strings, which can help to cut through the mix in a live or recording situation. The added brightness and clarity can be particularly useful for music genres such as punk rock, pop, and metal, where a more defined, punchy bass tone is desired.
The type of pick used can also make a difference in the tone produced. Picks come in a variety of materials, such as celluloid, nylon, Delrin, and Tortex, each with its own distinct tonal characteristics.
Additionally, the thickness of the pick can impact the tone, with thicker picks generally producing a more full-bodied sound, while thinner picks offering a brighter and snappier response. It’s important to try out different picks to determine the ones that work best for the tone you want to achieve.
Influence of Famous Bassists’ Techniques
It’s important to explore the techniques used by famous bassists. Many accomplished bass players have used picks in their playing, showcasing the versatility of this technique.
Paul McCartney, for instance, played bass for The Beatles and is known for using both fingerstyle and pick techniques. He would often use a pick for faster and more intricate songs, dispelling any notions that using a pick is somehow inferior for bass players.
Chris Squire from Yes and Roger Waters from Pink Floyd also utilized picks in their bass playing, often adding a distinctive bright and articulate sound to their music.
Other notable bass players who have adopted the use of a pick include John Lodge from Moody Blues, Mel Schacher from Grand Funk Railroad, and Tommy Shannon from Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. These players demonstrate that utilizing a pick allows for greater control over the strings and the ability to play at faster tempos.
At the same time, many other well-known bassists have chosen to use fingerstyle techniques or even slap bass. For example, John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin, Sting from The Police, and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers all made their names with fingerstyle or slap techniques.
Carol Kaye, a respected session musician, is known for her fingerstyle playing, as are Adam Clayton from U2 and Mike Dirnt from Green Day.
The variety of techniques employed by these famous bassists highlights the fact that there is no one “correct” way to play the bass. Each player has their own unique style, and the use of a pick, fingers, or other techniques simply adds to the diversity of bass playing.
It’s inspiring to see how these legendary musicians have made their mark on the instrument, and it should motivate upcoming guitarists to continue exploring different techniques in my own playing.
Picks: Varieties and Their Impacts
When choosing a pick for bass guitar, the most important factor is your personal preference. Different pick sizes, thicknesses, and shapes can have a significant impact on the sound produced while playing bass.
Pick size plays a crucial role in the comfort and playability of the bass guitar. Smaller picks might offer more control and precision, but they can also be more challenging to grip for players with larger hands. On the contrary, larger picks provide a broader surface area but might limit the agility of some players’ fingers.
In terms of pick thickness, it affects the amount and quality of attack that you generate on the bass strings. Thicker picks produce a more pronounced low-end response and allow for stronger, punchier tones. On the other hand, thinner picks generally create a softer, more subtle sound with less attack, but they can be more flexible and easier to maneuver across the strings.
Also, the shape of the pick impacts a playing style and tone. Bass picks with rounded edges, for example, tend to produce a smoother, less aggressive sound. Picks with a rounded tip generate a more mellow and warmer tone as they glide smoothly across the strings.
Conversely, picks with pointed edges offer a brighter and more precise sound, making them ideal for playing faster, intricate, or aggressive parts.
Picking the right pick for bass guitar is a matter of personal preference and the specific sound guitarists want to achieve. By experimenting with various sizes, thicknesses, and shapes, you can find the perfect pick to complement your playing style and unlock the full tonal potential of your bass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of pick is best for playing bass?
The type of pick best suited for playing bass heavily depends on the individual’s playing style and desired tone. Thicker picks usually provide a more solid attack and fuller sound, while thinner picks can offer better flexibility and a snappier tone.
I recommend experimenting with different materials and thicknesses to find the best pick for your bass playing needs.
How does using a pick affect bass tone?
When I use a pick on a bass, it often produces a brighter and more articulate sound compared to playing with fingers. The attack is also more defined, giving the notes a clear and punchy characteristic.
However, using a pick on bass can also lead to a more aggressive sound, which might not be suitable for all musical genres or playing styles.
What techniques can I use to pick bass strings?
There are a few techniques when picking bass strings. The most common approach is alternate picking, which involves consistently alternating upstrokes and downstrokes on the strings.
This technique provides a smooth and even attack for both fingerstyle and picked playing. You can also try techniques like palm muting, where you rest your palm near the bridge of the bass while picking to create a dampened or muted effect.
Do professional bassists use picks?
Yes, many professional bassists use picks, and they often utilize this technique to achieve specific sounds and styles in their playing. The choice between using a pick or fingers is ultimately a personal preference, and depending on the genre and the desired tone, either method can be effective.
What are the benefits of using fingers vs a pick on bass?
When using fingers to play bass, you can achieve a warmer and more organic tone, as opposed to the more defined and bright sound produced by a pick.
Fingerstyle bass playing also allows for greater control and flexibility, with the ability to use multiple fingers for plucking and slapping techniques. However, using a pick often results in faster playing and a consistent attack, which can be advantageous in certain situations.
Can guitar picks be used on bass guitars?
Yes, you can use guitar picks to play bass guitar. However, since bass strings are generally thicker and heavier than guitar strings, you might find that using a thicker or more rigid pick specifically designed for bass can yield better results and feel more comfortable during your performance.
My name is Howard Matthews and I have been playing the guitar since I was knee-high. My parents like to joke that I was pulling the strings even before I was born. In fact, one of my earliest memories is sitting on the couch with my dad’s guitar, wreaking havoc on the chords.
Now, 40 years later, I can attest that I play them much better than I did back then. I have followed in the footsteps of both my parents – much to their delight – and have been the main guitarist in my band for the best part of three decades.
Music has always been my passion, and until recently my life has been so consumed with it that I haven’t had a moment to have a breath (and I wouldn’t have it any other way)!
