Free Beginner Bass Lesson - Playing with a Pick video free download

Ozzy DcAwesome

I have trouble when I have to do muted notes really rapidly. For some reason it's harder than picking with a note on. I realize I gotta loosen up, but I just can't make it sound neat at all.

Incipit_Mayhem

Thx Man

Garetphelps

Wow i thought i was the only one

BassLessonsOnline

No problem - as long as there's no problem ;) George

Panagiwths Zaf

when i play with a pick i dont know really why i do it but i hold the pick with both my index and the middle finger.could this be a problem?

BassLessonsOnline

That's great news - thanks for your contribution. George

apocolyptickittycat

thank you for these videos! I am getting a lot of useful information out of them.

BassLessonsOnline

I forgot to mention, I also use any available finger of the fretting hand to mute. So, as mentioned in my previous post, anything that works for the musical/technical situation of the moment. This means of course that we always have to be aware of the sound we are creating and be able to modify it as required. George

BassLessonsOnline

That's a great question, and yes, muting strings while playing with a pick is rarely addressed. I use exactly what you have already addressed: the side of my palm or the pinkie - whatever is best suited for the situation. Kind regards, George

durban skyslot

George, I've been playing just over a year, And learned finger style first. I use the floating thumb technique to mute my strings for finger style. I have watched a few different video's on pick style, But non of them show you how to mute your strings, Whilst applying this style. Do you use the side of your palm, Or do you use your pinkie in a similar way to floating finger?

BassLessonsOnline

In the early days of bass playing, pick was very common. And it is still a very useful technique and sound. I believe we should use what best suits the song and its arrangement. With my teaching (and playing) method, stretching is not really an issue and not even encouraged. I prefer to pivot to notes if required. Thanks for your input, Timothy. Kind regards, George

Timothy McKim

As a beginner bassist, I'm actually enjoying pick better than finger. Pick seems more eh "accurate" in my opinion and I feel more comfy using a pick. Now if I could only get better with fret hand and stretching to hit frets :( Anyways, I enjoy your videos and thank you sir for the useful tips :-)

BassLessonsOnline

You are correct, I did not talk about the right arm angle. As you can see throughout this video, my right arm is held naturally and comfortably. That's essentially it. The wrist should not be angled. If you hold the right arm parallel, you will have to change the pick grip. Experimentation is the key. I hope this helps. Kind regards, George

Brian Kircher

Trying to convert from Fingerstyle to picking. You didn't really cover how the right arm should rest or be positioned. As a rule of thumb, should your right arm be parallel with the neck (like when playing Slap Bass)?

BassLessonsOnline

There is no generic answer to your question. If you know the technique of your favorite music (and/or bass players) then begin with that technique. If you come from guitar, then playing with a pick is probably quite easy. Otherwise, my suggestion is to start fingerstyle. I began with a pick (because I came from guitar) but soon realized that most of the bass parts I copied did not use a pick, so I learned fingerstyle. I hope this helps, George

dingeskerz

What would be the adviced way to play when you begin? With a pick or with your fingers?

BassLessonsOnline

It is often difficult to hear the difference between downstrokes and upstrokes on a recording, especially when the notes are not accented. As a general guide, downstrokes will be on downbeats and upstrokes on upbeats. I hope this helps. Kind regards, George

hebasaid

sometimes i want to do a cover for a song, and i cant recognize which strums are up and which are down, using the pick i mean. any tips please?

BassLessonsOnline

We tend to be most comfortable with the technique we learn first. I started with pick, then it took me several years to get more comfortable with fingerstyle. Bass of Luck! George

BassLessonsOnline

Welcome to my channel. I hope you enjoy these lessons. George