“Is it a good thing or a bad thing to play with a pick?” is a question I’m asked quite often by my students. Perhaps because they haven’t seen me playing with a pick (or plectrum) in any of my bass lessons? ;)
The short answer is that it’s neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’: you’re not ‘cheating’ if you’re using a plectrum, it just gives you a different sound. Actually I think it’s a good thing to practice both with and without a plectrum right from the start, not to limit yourself.
So this lesson deals with the basics of using a pick –downstrokes, upstrokes, alternate picking but also gives you little tips and tricks to practice and get a great sound!
So grab a pick and get in the shed! ;)
Want the tab and notation for this lesson?!… Click here to find out!
Hi Scott..great lesson on the pick, you are such a great teacher and that is an art in itself !
Rock on /Coco…..well.. Jazz on I Guess : ))
Hey hey Coco… great to hear from ya!
Interesting. I literally never use a pick nowadays, although I did when I very first started. It’s definitely something I’ve been meaning to brush up on, but few people cover it in such detail for bass. Cheers!
BTW, how old is the Precision you’re using?
Hey Scott, i’ve had trouble keeping in time with your loop. then i noticed that it speeds up. but i don’t think playing along to that loop is a good idea. ps I love your lessons.
Lol… yeah it’s a tricky one – but be assured it doesn’t speed up, it’s a drum machine so that’s impossible. What you’re probably finding is that there’s a push/pull vibe going on within the groove – that gives it a more humanistic feel. Keep on at it and you’ll get it man. Thanks for checking on the website! Scott.
Hey i noticed that the backing track speeds up too. I know your saying its a drum machine and its impossible but play the backing track at the start then at then end all you’ll definitely notice that it speeds up. maybe its the internet or something but definitely noticeable. at around 20 seconds in you’ll notice it shift gear.
That’s weird… thanks man, I’ll check it out and see if I can sort it out! Cheers, Scott
ex. lessons helped my understanding of what iam doing keep up the good work
Hey Scott, when I play with a pick, I’ve noticed that i get a scratchy tone out of the pick from scraping the strings. Do you know how to cut down on that?
Yeah man, maybe alter the angle that your pick is hitting the strings… or try backing off the treble a little bit. Ez man. S ;)
Hi Scott,
Do you change EQ settings when playing with pick?
No I just keep them the same. If I do have a fiddle with the EQ I just back off the treble a little bit. S ;)
I watched it and I thought it sped up as well. I thought perhaps it was intentional in order to accurately portray that one drummer we all end up working with now and then. Scott, your lessons are an absolute joy, and your playing fantastic. Bravo!
I’m french and completly crazy abour your lessons!!!!
you’re great
nice vid…i find this very educational and im having fun while learning…
i admire you scott for not editing/deleting those scenes you slipped your finger and on miscounting the metro
few teachers have balls to show their students he/she commits mistakes sometimes…
kudos scott~
Hey Scott, Another EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried to open the link to download the Drum Backing Track but it said NOT FOUND……………..
Also I was just watching you practice session with East Park collective. I have watched it many times. Very Cool. But this time when it was over there was another YouTube video selection of you guys playing at a Live GIG….WOW Very, Very COOL………..Here’s the link in case anyone wants to see it.
http://youtu.be/f1T1iH-YD68
Ahh… cheers for the heads up Ron – i’ll check out that drum track asap. Hey, i’ll check out the video of that gig too! ;)
You are really groovin….. is this where you are using that EBS OctaBass? It sounds like it……………
Next question. This video lesson is Using a plectrum #1. Is there a #2?
Thanks
Ron