One of the most frequent doubts in the bass world concerns the best way to play the bass: with or without a pick. This debate always goes a long way, which is why we have prepared this special article with killer tips for getting you to play bass with a pick! It is always important to remember that this little accessory works a lot more like a […] The post The definitive guide on how to play bass with a pick first appeared on Cifra Club.
One of the most frequent doubts in the bass world concerns the best way to play the bass: with or without a pick. This debate always goes a long way, which is why we have prepared this special article with killer tips for getting you to play bass with a pick!

It is always important to remember that this little accessory works much more like a tool than anything else. This means that if you intend to play in different ways and get different tones, the use of the pick is very welcome.
How to play bass with a pick?
From now on, you’ll have a complete guide with us so that you know how to actually play bass, just with the use of a pick.
of the choice of type of barrel The bass techniques interesting to explore with the accessory, check out our step by step guide:
Choose the right palette
The first thing to do is to choose a good choice. There are those who prefer thicker picks, with millimeters between 1.5mm and 2mm, and others who prefer lighter picks, with a thickness close to guitar picks. There are a multitude of materials on the market (acrylic, wood and metal, for example), and they all produce different stamps.
Then, find out which type of pick best suits your style as a bass player and the sound you want to achieve on the instrument.
seek comfort
As you learn to play the bass with a pick, look for the best way to hold it (the most common ways are with your thumb and forefinger or with your thumb and middle finger. Also, you need to adjust how hard you hold the instrument.
Attaching the string with it is very different from attaching the string with your fingers. So, it’s a process of analyzing and testing, to find the ideal way to play with a pick!
train dumb palm
Great, you’ve chosen the pick you’re going to use. However, what really matters is how you will use this tool. A good tip is to use it to create grooves next to technique of dumb palm.
Therefore, it is much easier to build a dancing bass line, with a distinctive and unique stamp, with your signature.
practice carpet collection
Another tip is to invoke the guitarist who exists within you. This means that you should study the technique of carpet collection! It consists of using the pickaxe as a broom and is made to help guitar solos.
Study very slowly, until all the notes come out clean. You can bet that performing this technique with a pick is a lot easier than with your fingers. Plus, it will give you a good boost when playing your bass.
The best musical styles to play with a pick
As with everything in life, there are some things that work better than others. Among these there are some musical genres in which the bass pick is more appropriate. In general, heavier, faster sounding styles work best for playing double bass with a pick.
On the other hand, many hits from 70s and 80s funk and R&B bands were recorded using the bass pick. Which does not detract from the balance of the songs at all. Check it out!
Here are the genres in which the choice of bass works best:
- thrash metal
- hard rock
- punk
- Heavy metal
- hardcore
- death metal
- Progressive rock
Bass players playing with a pick
Finally, to get inspired when playing your bass with a pick, take a look at some of the top bass players who use and / or have used the accessory as well. Connect!
Paul McCartney
the responsible person grooves of the greatest rock band of all time uses a pick on every record and show to date. Paul’s choice is not accidental. Imagine the sound of the classic Höfner 500/1 bass violin touched with your fingers? The mid frequencies would be lost and the timbre would be below what we know.
Lemmy Kilmister
The legendary leader of Motorhead has worked for many years as roadie by none other than Jimi Hendrix. Certainly the sound of the guitarist gave him his head. Maybe that’s why he plays bass like it’s a guitar, doing power agreements on the last strings of the instrument.
Dee Dee Ramone
Representing punk, the Ramones bassist performed his very accurately bass lines. Only the reed characteristic can give the necessary timbre to that sound. Even playing in one direction, ie downwards, contributes a lot to the sound of the band.
Carol Kaye
Bassist Carol Kaye is known for recording over ten thousand songs. And all with a pick! Her versatility is much more in how each note is thought of. Every detail is executed with great precision by Carol.
Bobby Vega
Another session musician who only uses the pick is Bobby Vega. Having participated in hundreds of recordings, he definitely proves that a groove dancing extremely using the pick is great!
Now that you’ve checked out the best tips on how to play bass using a pick, it’s time to improve them. To the Club Academy Code learn this and much more! Don’t waste your time and become a low learner on our teaching platform on line! It is more knowledge in your time and without leaving the house.
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Source: Terra

Emily Jhon is a product and service reviewer at Gossipify, known for her honest evaluations and thorough analysis. With a background in marketing and consumer research, she offers valuable insights to readers. She has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Marketing and Consumer Research from the University of Oxford.