Learn to play Bass with a pick: Intro & exercise one.

[BassOnABudget]

10 picks for $2.50 here in Australia on eBay :-)

[stosje45]

is it posible to be good at playing when learning on internet ?

[Dmanlamius76]

@stosje45 I'd always, always recommend getting a real teacher. Only because you don't know if you're picking up bad habits on the internet, as there is no-one there to tell you.

[19linne96]

When you played it on the e string it sounded like something from a metalica song:)

[Liam11w]

i made my pick from a cd.

[Jwillis95]

Hey man, whenever I play I start to feel a pain in my inner arm, almost on the opposite side of my elbow, any experience with this?

[Dmanlamius76]

@Jwillis95 Hi there. No, I have no experience with that one. Doesn't sound familiar at all. Go to your doctors, and see what they advise. Just to check things are ok :)

[Elquelosabetodo95]

@Dmanlamius76 Is it normal to play Bass with a pick? maybe it's a stupid question but my Music teacher told me that i would be an idiot if a played the bass with a pick.

[TheBreadPants]

Kris you helped me so much it's crazy....I just picked up bass this month after letting it sit around and collect dust. You sir are a great teacher!

[19142177Snuff]

How would I "anchor" my ring and pinkie finger when playing on the g string since theres no strings below

[TheFourSidesOfficial]

How can I build more stamina, besides playing because I am doing that but I dislocated my pick hand so it occasionally stiffens up, esp in winter... Are there any exercises I can do to build long term muscle?

[Dmanlamius76]

@TheFourSidesOfficial I'd recommend doing the major scale as a warm-up for five minutes before you play. Also, do my hand and tendon exercises before you play as well. The video can be found on my channel :)

[TheBreadPants]

@Dmanlamius76 I use you this all the time. Play til my fingers hurt and stretch not only your fingers and wrist but your arms also. Thank you DAMN for great lessons. I look to you as my teacher.

[Dmanlamius76]

@TheBreadPants Very kind. Thankyou! :)

[tomaspepino]

I play finger style but with my fat fing, at the beginin it hurts, but with the time is the same

[ryumishima44]

@tomaspepino you rater learn to play with other fingers, you will get less stress on your hand and the sound will be more fluid, if you want to progress faster and better start training you other fingers, alternating is a very good alternative

[tomaspepino]

Sound fluid ? no, i watch the victor wooten classes, now i play finger style, slap, palm mute, double pop, armonics and fake armonics, chords.

And the fat finger, i use it to play like with a pick when i want to make a diferent sound, use the fat finger up and down in bass is like use a pick if u practice .

and the clasic finger style of course, i use all mi fingers for a neutral sound xD

srry for me english but saludos from chile.

[Dmanlamius76]

@tomaspepino Completely understand what you said, and it's great advice :)

[ryumishima44]

@tomaspepino soy de Costa Rica XDD lo que pasa es que creí que tocabas con tecnica de un solo dedo de forma lineal, por suerte no : D

Saludos

[TouchScreenReview]

11:40 lost my shit! xD

[metalzombiebass]

yeah weird technique to positioned your finger xD, it alway happen for example i positionated my finger on the bridge

[thatswedishguy100]

Pick in swedish is plektrum, and the word pick means dick. Why didn't anybody tell me that before i went to the music store?!?!?!

[DamnationEternal]

@thatswedishguy100 haha jo tänk om du sa just; "hej jag vill ha en PICK gärna den hårda sorten".....

[thatswedishguy100]

@DamnationEternal Det var ju ungefär det jag sa =)

[cyanidesicky]

Already I trust you because you laugh the same way I do haha. Thanks for the lessons, man!

[michael101108]

how do you feel about felt picks for playing bass?

[Joshyboy110]

How do you get so much distortion when you give the example on the G string?

[billkolias]

plze!!

it's false to doing only down down down???

[Jasaxos]

If those Dunlop tortex .88

Those are the same I use for my guitar!

[Xxrickibee94xX]

i use dunlop delrin 500 , 0.96mm picks , is that a medium pick ???

[Clasicus1]

Hi! :)

When i play bass with pick my arm starts to hurt. Can you tell me what i`m doing wrong?

[MANTiKA47]

@Clasicus1 That means your muscle needs to practice this more. Playing with the pick uses other muscles than playing with fingers. If it hurts, stop till you feel better, than practice again. It'll take some time to get-in. :)

[Cha0sclaw]

Look at the thickness of that bugger. That's a heavy, what we call a heavy. :P

[hasegawamiki]

A CHICKEN FARTING OMFG LOOOOL

[Zip2461996]

was that a dunlop tortex pick?

[drink111]

picking 16th notes really fast is hard. I'm playing with a thicker pick than you, but besides that, I've tried everything I could think of. Sorry, but I'm not very good. Any suggestions?

I started a band with some friends, & I need ro learn to pick faster for the type of music we are playing. =P

[MANTiKA47]

@drink111 Thicker picks are good for fast picking but the sound'll be quiter. You can pick easier with heavy picks if you use your upper arm to help your hand.

[JesseJohnWilsonMusic]

When playing the A string, do you have to mute the E string? If so, how do u do this?

[TheINEEDAUSERNAME]

@JesseJohnWilsonMusic Try using your left hand thumb

[imakerealramen]

and......... mandolin players.....

[Basstard22]

@ 11.40 - 11.44 i was laughing my ass off! XD

anyway a very nice lesson, helped me out alot! thanks!

[Bakeerful]

Dude just teach the people How to play Enter Sandman from Metallica and they will get the picking fast :D

[MooseHunter911]

I wanna learn how to play with pick, I've been playing bass for 2 years. guitar on and off for about 4 but I still cant play with pick, never needed it until I stumbled into Paralell Universe by the chili peppers. now im getting my thumb out of my arse. thanks for the video!

[bassharmonica1]

i play early McCartney style-close to the neck, bouncing my hand around as i play, and with only the humbucker sound(I hope to get a hofner so they're all humbuckers0

[bassharmonica1]

dude, I got a pick 3mm thick. in other words, it's almost as thick as a quarter

[chilibro]

do they make picks more flexible and stiffer than others?

[Dmanlamius76]

@chilibro They do, yes :)

[chilibro]

@Dmanlamius76 does it make a difference on which you use? and if so for a beginner what would be better? thanks

[8bitfanat]

Man you know how to explain technique very well, thanks i am gonna try a pick!

[Dmanlamius76]

@8bitfanat Give it a go :)

[slipknot4739]

Thanks, this vid helped me alot

[RriverJJ]

very good video . difficult to play w/ pick ...especially Green Day

[GrimSqueaker627]

i get my picks for 15 cents (america) but i like to make my own heavies out of aluminum and brass... tryin to find bone. also i love the dread when u say mandolin lol

[Harrotherestranger]

"Just sounds like a chicken farting... but it has it's uses."

...NICE.

[MJFAN2220]

very great video it helped me alot!!!

[charlie123abc360]

Epic video! 11:39 my favourite bit:P

[rhinoal]

The old arguement about fingers good, pleck (or pick) bad (or vice versa!) is total bollocks. I've seen great bass players use both techniques & I've never come away thinking 'My God, why did he use a pick' or 'What the hell was he doing playing it using his fingers?) It all depends of what is required within the song/tune itself.This video is great for people like me who, after years of playing bass using finger technique, sees the need for some pick work as well. Thanks!

[RevelationWarriors]

i attended college for music, worst mistake i ever made. fucking teach was so up his own ass, he glorified everything. saying not anybody can be a musician, no experimenting, and he treated string plucking like rocket science. hence why i dropped out.

great vid

[skatekai]

G-string... lol

[MusicFreak706]

american picks are 0.10 to 0.50 USD

[Dmanlamius76]

@MusicFreak706 Just found out today that you can get 30 picks from china for about 10p. Ridiculous prices.

[fellin1975]

What kind of distortion pedal did you use on this video?

[xxlilbabeexx1]

good video

[Dmanlamius76]

@alliancewithdeath EEEEEKKK!

[BassMasta170]

the reason people hold their pinky out when they play with a pick is because they can get to the volume and tone a lot faster. :)

[Chruhl1]

I find it funny that most finger style bass guitarists claim that playing with a pick is somehow less artful or skillful than playing with just fingers, this is stupid. It's like an upright bass player saying that bassists who use a bow aren't as good as players who only use fingers. most finger style bassists (like me) admit they aren't good at using a pick, but then criticize guys who can! DUMB HUH?

[bloodlinefilms]

i play pick bass... i like the more present sharper sound of the picked notes...

[OiAbA]

i play bass 3mm pick for me thanks!!!!

[francesco712]

@OiAbA same!! :)

[OiAbA]

@francesco712 WOOO GO US BR00TALZ

[duffmasterofpuppets]

And.... mandolin players....

Lol, that was so dramatic.

[Triviumtiger]

Watching bass lessons like this makes me wanna get a bass guitar now. =) Nice lesson dude. Out of curiousity do u play guitar as well? I noticed there is an acoustic guitar behind u.

[Baugin1]

A real bassplayer is able to play with fingers, plectrum, thumbs...

[fieldofamber]

@Baugin1 a real bassplayer plays bass...

[blakeplaysbass]

@Baugin1 true. it depends on the style of music played by the musician also.

[skywalk553]

why on earth would anyone want to play with a pick

[Dmanlamius76]

@skywalk553 For the reasons outlined in the aforementioned media. :)

[fcyafee]

@skywalk553 because you are big retard noob

[skywalk553]

@fcyafee I have a show the 25th, I'll show you how much of a "noob" I am. Only fags play bass with a pic

[Dmanlamius76]

@skywalk553 Ah, grow up. Who cares about the show, or the use of a tool to play Bass? I've played hundreds of shows, so what? Tell Paul Mcartney, Roger Waters, John Myung, Chris squire, Carol kaye, t-bone, Jason Newstead, John entwistle, John Paul Jones, Sting, Phil Lynott, Kim deal, Mike gordon, Flea, Lemmy, Jeff Berlin, Bill Wyman, Adam Clayton, Matt Freeman, Noel Redding, that they are fags for playing with a pick and I think you'll be very, very wrong...

[skywalk553]

@Dmanlamius76 John Paul Jones, Roger Waters, and Flea don't play with a picK. Neither does Geddy Lee, Les Claypool, Terry Butler, Mel Schacher, Peter Giles, Tony Levin, and many other REAL bass players. And fuck every other bassist you listed. ESPECIALLY Jason Newstead.

[punkrocker1332ify]

@skywalk553 shut up you i play with a pick playing with fingers is good and playing with pick is good so you shut because if you play one of them you still get a good sound to it and jason newsted you mean was a great bassist so dont say people who play with a pick suck because they dont metal bands do it and punk bands like slayer and the ramones

[skywalk553]

@Dmanlamius76 And do you usually play bass with a pick?

[Dmanlamius76]

@skywalk553 Ok, I don't but that isn't because of ease of use. It's just because I prefer the tone of fingers. There might be a time where I will need the tone of a pick, to get more attack, but not right now.

[fcyafee]

@skywalk553 andn you are a fag xD

[fcyafee]

@skywalk553 and you are a fag :D damn retard !

[Meekerto]

@skywalk553 For a different sound of course. Any bass player would know this.

[Moonchipz]

@skywalk553 Because it sounds better.

[DemetriusSaatarion]

Thanks for these lesson man,it's really useful.12:28 cool face=)

[boomdadrf]

mm sterling??

[HellsKitsune]

(2/2) (Stupid character limit ¬¬) left hand, I used to get cramp in my hand because the positioning of my thumb was wrong so i could only play for a short while (I don't want that carpaltunnel <- Can't spell it) and i was quite concerned about it, because i do all the streches you stressed about in your other video before playing, but since watching this i have been able to play without getting that pain and i have sped up with my strumming considerable, so thanks :D <- Now who talks too much :D

[HellsKitsune]

Considerably*

[HellsKitsune]

Can i just say your bass tutorials are absolutely fantastic, you should never worry about talking too much because how you explain things is perfect and really clear to understand, people making tutorials need to talk more xD

Also the 'The sounds like a chicken farting' I laughed so much at that so kudos (Y) always good to have a comical side.

As for the lesson itself, this really really helped me actually, not so much for the strumming itself but for the positioning of your left (1/2)

[suxdudemungus]

is there something certain you must do with the strings?

[aqtPinoy]

Are there tutorials on how to not rest with your wrist on your bass?

I kinda wanna let my arm pick freely.

[edgarpoefan]

Will worship you forever if you could make a vid teaching anything by Type O Negative (If you no like them than thanks anyway though =3 )

[Random6129]

If it sounds good. Should it matter how it's done?

[AidyScofield]

why are there nazi crosses on your belt? :D great lesson btw.

[Tackington]

@AidyScofield They're called Iron crosses if i remember correct..... They were given to great soldiers during the 1st world war.

[SpiritOfDetroit]

You're not supposed to play bass with a pick. You're supposed to play with your fingers.

[cinnamon586]

Today i just bought a fender squire P bass, and i love it, im practicing these pick techniques, and im already sounding alot better ;) thanks

[selbstmord123]

Hey dude, I really want to thank you. I'm starting to play bass, and it was impossible for me to use a pick, it was really hard, always missing notes and getting frustrated 'cuz I could not play any faster than with my fingers.

Anyway after watching your video I started doing that "anchoring" thing with my pinky and it worked instantly, now I can use a pick.

Your 10 second tip, worked a 1000% times better than my whole first week of practice.

[cameronj279]

i never use a pick.....not because i'm against them, i just enjoy being able to switch from slapping to fingerstyle and back and forth. plus i find it impossible to use a pick lol, am i the only one who genuinly can't use a pick?

[AusRiicho]

@cameronj279, i'm having the same problem, i just can't seem to be able to use a pick. i don't know why because i want to use one.

[noobrune]

but when i go down and up it i kinda stop on the string and stalls so i cant play any faster than going down

[KeTeVemCovers]

Ok it depends on what kind of music you play:

For punk, ska, indie, metal you want to use a pick 8or its highly recommended)

For jazz, and any other genre its recommended to play with your fingers

But you can use pick at any other genre too

[BrechPro]

when I use a pick with an "up and down" motion I always catch to much of the string and then I'm off on the beat, but aside from that good vid. taught me a bit about using a pick.

[toastyplatters70]

I've been playing bass with my fingers forever. This broke the ice for me!! THANKS *subscribed*

[ShockwavePictures]

I like your videos because there interesting, also funny.. you make it fun to learn, instead of someone who just explains it on the spot, thank you!

[MorkaGraven]

A dunlop pick here in New Zealand is $1 which is probably about 70c US

[fr3qh0pp3r]

Thanks for the lessons and your time dude! I can't help myself not to "lock in" on the bass part of music. I just crave BASS!!! Pay no never mind to the negative comments some people make dude. Keep sharing the wealth of your experience with us beginners, intermideate and yes...expert players. You only stop learning when you think you know it all. I know I don't ... can I get a witness?!B A S S B A B Y - - P E A C E ! ! !

[THEFUZZ151]

when i use a pick i only use a thin one, does that matter?

[Dmanlamius76]

@THEFUZZ151 Thin picks are "normally" used for guitar. Heavy and medium for bass. However, if that thin pick works for you, then stick with it my friend. But also try and experiment with other sizes :)

[KeTeVemCovers]

@THEFUZZ151 Its quite hard to play with itthin one.

[RememberJesse]

13:33

"I hope that helped a little..BEAT.."

[1chubi1]

thanks for these videos man... i myself primarily uses pick on playing (around 70% of the time)...

[Dmanlamius76]

@1chubi1 No problem :)

[DuTubFTW]

really cool sound :P and great video i lerned a lot and was dying from laughter :D

[minglemonkey]

Hey what bass is that? It's really nice!!

[MeanCondes]

Is that a Fuzz distortion ?? anyway , nice exercise Ty !! n____n

[EMOBOY613]

Cheers for the help!

[phaantje]

0:01  Thumb this up to skip add

[Triviumtiger]

1:00 yeah I see the thickness of the little bugger lol

[yankmyarea]

Lolz at the faces you made while using distortion, thanks for the vids

[hargermark]

Thanks for posting this, this is really helped my picking! The riff is really catchy as well.

P.S. Lovin' the metal faces haha

[tristin183]

okay, what do you say to metal picks? i just recently obtained one. i want an opinion on what you think. it has the thickness of a thin pick, but doesn't bend at all. and i have a hard plastic pick. what do you suggest i use? and opinions. from anyone please

[BRin722]

LMFAO at 11:40

[klappstuhlXIV]

somehow I hate to play with a pick.... I just don't feel "it"....

[imFatSmilEy]

cheers man your really helping me alot :)

[NightXemnas]

Your are an amazing teacher! I can finally Alternate Pick now! Ahh, the wonders of the internet. Great job.

[bevski209]

You said that you put your 4th and 5th finger under the next string, which has really helped, but i was curious as to what you do on the G string? Great video.

[asob17]

lol i like ur laugh at 36 secs hahaaaaaaaaaaaa, good vid thanks

[MooseHunter911]

great videos, I use them alot when I get stuck in patterns etc! great job

[mcuratolo1812]

The pinkie rest tip was a revolution in my first attempt to play pick with 20yrs experience with fingers. Thank you for the lesson. 

[TheSlimBullet]

I love your Guitar Man hail hail

[Ciastecek]

Thats very helpfull thanks a lot! After 3 times i watched this video i can finally make down/up :)

[fillycheese92]

this is a very helpful video and i like the riff you taught us, but when i try to strum up with the pick, i seem to keep on hittitng the string above it. do you have any advice on how i can stop doing this?

[Wierdoinc]

I'm so tired of people complaining about bassists using picks. Real bass players play with their fingers when they need that sound, and with a pick when they need that sound.

[Salvadorinvincible]

I just have to say that you are a great teacher and your videos are very helpfull!!

Thanks alot ;D!!!

[Clowkin]

12:28 - 12:32

LOL! Funny and I love the face hahaha

[gaming0wiz]

Very helpful and funny, your site is fantastic too, thanks a lot man.

[Dmanlamius76]

@gaming0wiz No problem man. Glad you've got something positive out of it :)

[theniiick1]

I always play with a plectrum that's the way i play the best

[scorpula441]

Hmmm...this is great.....will you be my bass teacher...I have a bass guitar and I practiced...I just do not know how to use my fingers from my right hand.

[chapelofdemons]

Thanks bro! Great lesson, very clear instructions and tips, very helpful for beginners like me.... I have been playing bass for almost 4 months with my fingers, but i want to start playing with pick too....

[Jordo1900]

I agree with Bultasar(the highest rated comment) most of the greatest bass players play with a pick I like using both but look at the bassists that use picks

Duff McKagan(Guns N Roses),Jason Newstead(former metallica),Mark Hoppus(blink 182),Mike Dirnt(green day),Paul McCartney(beatels),Sting,Flea(­RHCP) on the song Dont Forget Me Johnny Christ(A7X)

[EddieOi]

"Sounds like a chicken farting" hahaha nicely put... but yeah, nice exercise brah

[EltonBonegrinder]

For many years i play bass with fingers in pizzicato style, but now i´m playing Death Metal, and using a pick, but it´s complicated play with pick, thanks for the lesson brother!

Forgive my english, but i am brazilian, and i don´t speak english very well!

Cheers!

[Kirathon]

Thanks alot man, i'm learning "Can't Stop Feeling" by Franz Ferdinand atm, and it's quite a challange with fingers... :) Very usefull exercise, will be doing it 24/8 this week... Great distortion modes!! :D

Oh, and btw. You've got another subscriber.

[Kirathon]

"Watch the thickness of tha' bugge'h"... XD

[TomisJack]

i got that amp!!! roland cube 100 or something like that :)

[crazylexes]

I indeed hate those comments: Real bass players play with their finger. I am a real bass player, and never played guitar, can't even play it. I always look for the ''sound'' and sometimes I need a pick for it. Just guys, look for the sound, and not the way you play.

[weathered79]

i prefer my fingers but my rythmn is better with a pick usually i will play something with a pick than teach myself how to play it with my fingers

[fairealkon]

Nice hints!

[DividedWillow]

what thickness picks do you use? when im using picks on my bass(strumming fast) i use 2.0mm... and when doing riffs and that kind of stuff, 3.0mm. i use Dunlop Stubby's if anyone is wondering

[megametsfan4lifem]

thanks bro! ive used my fingers for a year only because i was in a punk band for awhile.... but now im in a metal/ heavy metal band so i need more of a grungy sound and i play in dropped c ALOT so ........ great tutorial and i think a real bass player can use anything.. some songs you need a pick...

[megametsfan4lifem]

thanks bro! ive used my fingers for a year only because i was in a punk band for awhile.... but now im in a metal/ heavy metal band so i need more of a grungy sound and i play in dropped c ALOT so ........ great tutorial

[megametsfan4lifem]

@megametsfan4lifem sorry i posted it twice you can mark this one as spam if you want

[GetoutofMyYard1]

I'm playing with my fingers for over half a year now, but now that I heard the sound and easeness of speed with a pick, count me in ^^

Great tutorial man! thanks!

[Kondi17]

Dude...if this is lesson one...eeeee...;/

[MeNTALToPICS]

do you think that the size of the pick is important because im a begginer and i just bought a pick but it feels too small

[RickyBassist]

nice face at 11.40. very scary

[ilikeatarinerd]

really i thought it was funny

[xxMissAdlerxx]

11:40  O_O that scared me D:

[6ead6an6ance]

Don't take this the wrong way ( I learned all this type of stuff from playing guitar but stuck around through the video to rate it anyways =) ) but I was dozing off at around 11:00 and then 11:40 hit and I woke up to a loud ass sound and a crazy man maniacally grinning at the camera! It was scary!

[ToPouli]

I didnt quite understand. Should i learn goin up down, or down down. I found it easier down down.

[altimateworkout]

im 100 seconds into it and your still babling

[Dmanlamius76]

Go.  Away. Then.

[johnny56123]

@altimateworkout , shush. he's awesome. ^^

[gaming0wiz]

@altimateworkout Piss off then, some people like listening to him.

[AstroCamo]

@altimateworkout

But I like his 'babbling'...

[Stephh211]

wohooo i like your sound man how can i make that sound??0_o

[Bultasar]

I hate comments like "a real bassplayer uses his fingers" and stuff like this. A REAL BASS PLAYER USES WHAT HE WANTS AND DON'T ANNOY OTHER WITH THEIR BIGOTED OPINION