First of all, just hold a very loose fist with the fingers bent at the middle knuckle and rest the thumb up against the side of the index finger. Next, just place the pick in there between the thumb and index finger. It should be pointing out at a right angle to the thumb.
Do you pick or strum a bass guitar?
Truthfully, there is no right or wrong way to play a bass guitar. There isn’t even a preferred way. Any method you use to get sound out of the thing—fingers, pick, thumb, those weird stick things Tony Levin uses, telekinesis, whatever—works just fine. It’s purely a matter of personal preference.
Is playing bass with a pick easier?
There is no denying that some people find using a pick easier, especially to start or if they have played guitar before. There is less in the way of coordination required and it is sometimes faster to learn.
Does paul mccartney use a pick when he plays bass?
Paul played with a pick from his earliest days on the instrument, and continued this habit all throughout his career. It’s rare to find a Beatles where he plays with his fingers instead. Using a pick has a number of tonal advantages, particularly with the violin-style basses that Paul liked to use.
Why do bass players not use a pick?
They don’t like the sound: Picks produce a treble-heavy, defined sound. Although this sound compliments certain genres, some bassists are traditionalists, believing a pick takes away from an authentic sound.
Where do you strum bass?
In order to strum the bass with their fingers, bassists generally use 1 to 4 fingers to stroke the strings upwards and downwards. The Index finger tends to always be used, many use their middle finger as well, some add the ring finger, and while less common some use their ring finger too.
Does anyone play bass with a pick?
Some bassists prefer to play the strings with a pick, while others prefer to use their fingers. Thankfully, there’s no binary choice to make here. Bassists of all styles and ability levels have different reasons for choosing one approach over the other, and all those reasons are valid.
Is bass easier than guitar?
Playing the bass requires a different knowledge base and skill set, so to speak. So no, the bass isn’t necessarily easier to play than the electric guitar. If you can’t play the guitar, then just play bass. This is somewhat connected to the myth above.
Can you use any pick for bass?
Guitar picks can be used for playing the bass. However, as guitar picks are smaller and thinner than bass picks sound and playability will be affected. In general, using a guitar pick will result in less control when plucking the strings and thus produce a thinner bass sound.
Why do bassists use their fingers?
Using Fingers to Play Bass
Usually, bass players report having more control when using their fingers, giving them a richer tonal variety, and beefier tone. In Addition, the popular slap technique used by many bassists can be easily implemented, if you don’t hold any pick between your fingers.
What pick is best for bass?
The Recommended Best Picks for Bass Guitar
- Dunlop Ultex 421 1.0mm Standard Bass Pick.
- Dunlop Gator Grip 1.14mm Standard Bass Pick.
- Clayton Acetal Rounded Triangle 1.00mm Bass Picks.
- Dunlop Tortex Jazz III 1.0mm XL Bass Guitar Pick.
- Dava Rock Control Grip Tip Bass Picks.
Is it OK to play bass with your thumb?
Bassists have always been using their thumb to pluck the strings of their bass guitar as well. However, thumb plucking is generally slower and gives you a fast and thick sound that may be suitable for slower tempo songs. There’s nothing abnormal about playing your bass with your thumb.
Which Beatle played the bass guitar?
The BeatlesBassists
Does Sting play bass with a pick?
“I play bass with my fingers and with a pick. I often used a pick in the Police. A pick was good because we were only a trio, and I needed the bassline to be very clear, rather than rumbling and vague, so playing with a pick low down near the bridge helped the band.
Do bass guitars need picks?
Here are a few reasons you should learn how to play bass with a pick if you haven’t already: It gives you tones that you can’t get with fingers. You’re looking to increase your speed quickly and limit fatigue. You’ll be more versatile (if you also play with fingers)
Which is better P bass or Jazz bass?
The Precision Bass neck is meatier at the nut (roughly 43mm) and maintains a pretty consistent thickness along its length. The Jazz Bass neck tapers as you get to the nut (roughly 38mm), where the strings are routed tighter. Some players felt that this tapered feel at the nut offered easier fingering.
Who was the first bassist to use a pick?
Leo Fender designed the bass with guitar players in mind. It seems likely many approached just like Osborn did. He said he started on bass using the same amp, pick, and technique as he did guitar.
Do you need big hands for bass?
Playing bass with small hands isn’t anything to be discouraged about or any reason not to play bass. Sure, naturally there will be challenges, but at the end of the practice sessions, it’s how you handle those challenges and how you choose to work through them.
What fingers do you use for bass?
Most bass players use the right hand fingers to play the strings. Some Rock bass players prefer using a pick because it gives a crisper sound.
Do you pluck the bass?
Plucking is an integral part of bass technique. Broadly speaking, most bass players use their index and middle fingers to pluck the strings one after the other. James Jamerson used ‘The Hook’ (one index finger all the time), and players like John Myung, Gary Willis, and Billy Sheehan pluck with three.
How do you hold a bass pick?
A bass pick should be held between the thumb and index finger of your dominant hand. These fingers should cover about 50-60% of the surface area of the pick. Your hand should feel relaxed and only be partly clenched as your hold the pick. The most important part of holding and playing with a pick is to avoid tension.