bassman2 <
vince_an...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Shoud the use of the pick be continued to be taught, by bass teachers,
> if nothing else as an additional technique that can be employed,
> depending on the sound requirements?
It should be taught - and teachers should not discourage its used.
> It's a yes for me - although I can't say I have personally had any
> need for it nor do I practice it at all.. but I do see where some
> people may actually find it easier than plucking.
It's not, usually, an issue of what is easiest. It's a case of what
sounds right. The didactic position, held by some, that playing with a
pick is 'wrong' ignores the fact that some massive hits/important pieces
of music were played using a pick and, to get them to sound right,
there's really no substitute.
One of the definitive, and earliest, bass tuition method books was
written by Carol Kaye - who is a very strong advocate for use of a pick.
If we play a tune in the covers band, and I know it was originally
played with a pick, or if I think it will sound better with a pick I'll
do that.
Here's some more bass cam (audio not much better I'm afraid the was an
iPad attempting to record from the desk but garageband decided it only
wanted to record 8 bars...).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B640BOkWRss&feature=youtu.be
For years I didn't play bass with a pick due to that received wisdom,
from god alone know where, that bass players *shouldn't* use a pick.
My opinion is that it is a valid and common enough technique that a well
rounded bass player should master along with fingerstyle and slap/pop.
I'm still on the fence with respect to two handed tapping - possibly
because I haven't mastered it but I think mostly because the number of
tunes I want to play that rely on it is zero.
--- Derek
--
Derek Tearne -
de...@url.co.nz
Vitamin S: improvisation from New Zealand
http://www.vitamin-s.co.nz/
d'Groove: 12 piece party/covers band
http://www.dGroove.co.nz/