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.
Besides, are bass guitar picks different?
Bass and guitar picks are not the same. Dedicated bass picks are slightly thicker and bigger on average than dedicated guitar picks. However, you can use any pick for guitar or bass, provided you like the tone you get with it and are comfortable playing with it.
Similarly, did John Paul Jones play bass with a pick? He played both pick and fingers.
Accordingly, do professional bass players use picks?
So, do bassists use picks? Yes; bassists who perform fast-paced, aggressive-sounding music are more-likely to use picks. This is because picks produce a more treble-heavy and ‘snappy’ sound than fingerstyle playing does.
Does paul mccartney play bass with a pick?
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.
How hard do you pluck a bass?
Bass players generally agree that one shouldn’t pluck hard just to get volume. You should generally learn to play with a controlled attack and use your amp for volume. A gentle attack is also best-suited for most types of music. Tone, on the other hand, is largely defined by your pluck.
Is bass easier than guitar?
Physically speaking, the bass is harder to handle than a guitar. It has a longer neck, thicker and heavier strings and requires more finger strength to fret the notes correctly. The bass is also a weightier instrument overall and some musicians find it more difficult (especially on their backs) to play.
Is it OK to play bass with your thumb?
Using the thumb is the best way to get the fattest tone from your bass for certain music styles. The thumb is also used as part of slapping and fingerstyle techniques, which add wealth to the range of sounds that can be achieved on a bass guitar.
What picks do bassists use?
Pick Thickness for Bass Players
Bass players generally use thicker picks. The thickness improves the bass playing control, and the overall tone of the string. The average pick thickness for bass players is 1.17 mm, while for guitar players is 0.89 mm.
Where can I pick a bass guitar?
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.
Who plays bass with a pick?
Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, Roger Glover, Mike Dirnt, Matt Freeman and many others are admired for their powerful pick playing. Plenty of bassists use both methods—John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, Sting, Roger Waters and Adam Clayton all leap to mind.
Why dont bass players use picks?
Bassists who have a problem with picking tend to hold one or both of the following beliefs: 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.