Some bassists believe that picking is not the true way to play bass; these people are wrong.
Decisions on whether or not to utilize a pick are highly subjective and depend on both your style and genre of music. There may be instances in which using one would be advantageous over fingerstyle.
David Ellefson of Megadeth
Megadeth bassist David Ellefson is one of the most accomplished musicians in rock history, having won multiple awards and selling over 30 million albums worldwide. Additionally, he serves as an educator, author and entrepreneur; having published multiple books on music business as well as founding Ellefson Book Co and Ellefson Films.
Though many believe finger-style is the only effective way to play bass, there are plenty of great pick players as well – James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, Jack Bruce, Flea, Geddy Lee of Rush and Chris Squire are just a few examples of great bassists who utilize picks.
Bassists who prefer using picks tend to have greater control of their sound, and can vary it by tightening or loosening their grip on it. Furthermore, different thicknesses and materials can help them produce different tones; some even hold it at an angle to create more aggressive tone variations.
Picks can help speed up playing speed, which can come in handy when performing high-speed metal songs. Although keeping up with fast guitarists in a metal band can be challenging, an experienced bassist can often make the necessary adjustments and ensure it works smoothly.
Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine prefers picking his instrument. Doing so enables him to keep pace with guitar players more easily while creating Megadeth’s signature sound.
Though playing bass with fingers is certainly possible, it requires considerable practice to do it effectively. Beginners would benefit from starting off using a pick and switching over once comfortable; there are various varieties such as plastic latex felt metal to find one with your desired sound and characteristics.
Megadeth, founded in 1983 and widely recognized for establishing the subgenre of heavy metal known as thrash metal, are widely acclaimed. Led by David Ellefson on bass for Megadeth as well as author, teacher, and entrepreneur; Temple of Brutality and F5 are just a couple of his notable gigs; additionally he published My Life With Deth as his memoirs as a successful musician/author/entrepreneur.
John Waters
John Waters has been an iconic musician, actor and filmmaker for over 50 years. Known for his controversial movies that push boundaries and gain cult followings; as well as for his unorthodox yet irreverent sense of humor he’s no stranger to criticizing all walks of life with candor and candor.
He is recognized by the National Film Registry for his films Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble, in addition to being an accomplished author and essay collection Carsick/Mr Know-It-All author. As an accomplished bass player he has performed alongside Josh Homme/Kyuss among many others, as well as being an acclaimed director responsible for Cry-Baby/Hairspray among many others.
Waters is a master of all genres. He has collaborated with actors such as Divine, Edith Massey, Jean Hill and Danny Mills – many considered controversial by modern standards – who helped open up new avenues for cinema. Their films have proven both entertaining and insightful simultaneously.
No matter if he uses his fingers or a pick, Waters knows how to produce the appropriate sound. He understands the significance of trying different techniques until he finds one that suits him best; there’s no one-size-fits-all way of playing bass music – as long as it sounds good!
Waters hasn’t released his last film for some time, but reports indicate he may soon make another. Not one to follow trends, Waters continues producing films that stand out. His originality has earned praise and proves the depth of his creative mind.
Carol Kaye
Bassists have access to various picks–latex, metal, plastic, felt and more–that can alter the tone of their string instrument. How tight or loosely one holds it determines its sound; how much of its tip remains exposed depends on whether or not one holds it in finger groove or ring position; tuning determines it too; so bass players with picks can create everything from deep and boomy bass lines to light percussive sounds with picks at their disposal.
Bass players who rely on picks tend to play heavier music–and are better at keeping up with fast riffs and big parts–than those who do not use one. Megadeth’s David Ellefson stands as an excellent example; his fat tone and impressive ability to keep up with multiple guitar parts at lightning-fast tempos has established him as an iconic member of Nu-metal scene. Paul Gray of Slipknot also employs this technique to achieve their low aggressive sound.
Carol Kaye is another bassist renowned for her skill with using a pick. In her illustrious career as a recording-studio musician, she has played on more than 10,000 sessions – for artists including Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra and many Motown artists – among them is her most illustrious list – Ray Charles; Sam Cooke; Johnny Mathis, Glen Campbell; the Righteous Brothers; the Righteous Brothers; Glen Campbell’s Righteous Brothers’ recordings; Motown artists like Frank Sinatra among many more! Carol Kaye even contributed on The Beach Boys Pet Sounds and Smile albums released during their respective careers!
Kaye joined Hollywood’s Wrecking Crew during the 60s session-session boom and quickly rose through its ranks to become one of its finest studio musicians. According to her website, she “topped charts more frequently than anyone at that time and became one of the most recorded bassists ever!”
Studio work during Kaye’s era was strenuous but highly compensated. She often spent 16 hours per session playing her bass while in constant pain from overstraining them during sessions, yet refused to take drugs in order to ensure she gave an exceptional performance for final mixdown. Nowadays she maintains an extensive website and Facebook page where she shares music, memories and her bass-playing techniques with students from around the globe.
Jimmy Page
Many bassists choose to use picks in order to be more versatile with their playing. Picks allow them to quickly move around the fretboard quickly, as well as play more aggressively. There are various types of picks out there; choose one that best fits your playing style from plastic, latex, metal and felt picks; there may even be options with little bumps for better grip!
Jimmy Page began his musical career as a session guitarist in London during the early 1960s, performing on numerous recordings for studio sessions and music shows. Later he would join The Yardbirds before co-founding Led Zeppelin – as well as other groups such as XYZ, The Firm, and Honeydrippers.
Many assume Page plays guitar using his fingers; in actuality he prefers using a pick. With an incredible bass sound that is uniquely his, as well as being exceptionally versatile (he can switch styles instantly!), Page truly stands as one of the greats in rock history.
“In My Time of Sorrow” was Page’s debut solo track on a record; written with then-partner Jackie DeShannon and recorded in 1965. A relatively ordinary pop tune that stood out thanks to Faithfull’s vocal warble and its jaunty harpsichord accents; nevertheless, its release helped increase Page’s reputation as a session guitarist.
As soon as he had performed with the Shadows, Page was approached by Andrew Loog Oldham to become house guitarist for his new record label Immediate Records. This gave Page the opportunity to work alongside musicians like Peter Green and Chris Farlowe; his contribution on “Moondreams” in particular helped add urgency and pace to an otherwise technicolor arrangement.
In 1994, Page joined forces with rap artist Puff Daddy to record “Come With Me.” This track featured heavily sampled riffs from Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” The song became very popular and went on to become an instant classic.