There are many instruction guides out there on playing bass using a pick, and this video is one of them.
Why was this particular video chosen for this article? Mainly because the bass guitar being used is a low-cost Squier bass. It’s one thing to instruct using an expensive multi-thousand-dollar instrument. But to really show the viewer (you) that the technique can actually work, demonstrating on a cheaper instrument is a lot more convincing.
Watch the video below and let us know what you think. Does the video show how to do it right?
Also, side note: Yes, we do sell felt bass picks if you’d like to try one for yourself.
He is holding it all wrong. Awkward and uncoordinated sounding.
Interesting you say he is holding it all wrong but it seems to work for him. I wonder what his comments regarding you would be.
Show us how you do it…
Great video with good learning tips. Hey, Boudreau, give us a lesson on “chucking.”
Excellent video, Boudro! I’ve played over 35 years with one, two, three fingers, pick and thumb…they are all different brushes in the paint box to utilize. I thought the Squier sounded really good.
I’ve seen pros use every whichaway. Steve swallow springs immediately to mind. For me, it has to be a Dunlop 1mm. The black ones. I don’t know about felt autoharp picks. Ronnie Lane used a shilling coin!
i found a couple of zepher cotton picks in my stuff and tried those on my bass and got a nice tone out of them. they wear out quickly but have a nice soft thumb sound. pick up a couple at your local music store and try them out.
I’m just now experimenting playing with and without a pick. I bought some felt bass picks and I like the sound. I’m a more traditional type player interested in classic rock bass playing. I noticed that Paul McCartney uses a pick on this bass. I’ll try this method on practicing my scales.
Physiology is different for everyone. The way Boudreau holds the pick, and suggests you hold it is just that a “suggestion”. Because everyone is different, the counsel on how to hold the pick is necessarily a guide, not a strict directive. I teach all my students that certain things are suggestions and guides, not “do it precisely this way”, simply because we are not the same.
Good! I think so.
Finger-style the only way to go! Picks are for guitar players
Love playing w/a pick. Standard med pick works best for me. Palm-muting completes the picture. I use finger-style also, but feel pick playing is a great way to expand your approach/diversity.
When I was younger, I played a lot of progressive rock on a Rick 4001 and the pick was the the right solution. Once I started playing a little more bluesy stuff, I transitioned with a felt pick, while I was getting my fingers going. I think that both sounds and techniques work well for the right music. No one size fits all things.
Pretty ‘bassic’ stuff really… HAR!!! Just practice running scales, over & over… Building up speed and accuracy. Playing totally clean, w/o clinks or clunks. Use all the strings and all the positions. repeat until you are lightning fast and clean as it gets! It takes a while but you will get there. I use straight Fender heavy picks & have been using em’ forever. They tend to round off and / or snap when they are worn out. There is NO correct or incorrect way to hold a pick… Just do it the way that feels best for you! Like the man said, just another brush in your paint box.
good video on bass picking. I play with fender heavys and I like the sound that’s achieved with the pick. I noticed he’s playing with a felt pick. I wish he would have addressed that in the video. not a problem. good instructional presentation. probably more finger pickers in the world though but that’s okay. theres always room for us.
Nice training video overall. I wish the instructor would have covered muting techniques as well. Especially with the fretting hand and palm muting.