Funky bass pickin'

[blatantmastermind]

play it with a pick,play it with a stick, play it with a shoe horn, play it with a hammer,who cares. If it sounds cool and it feels good do it !

[SinistraLP]

playing with pick has it's difficulty too. you always have to switch from the strings, while you have 2 or 3 strings with your fingers.

[o0bassist0o]

It's how you play, not wat you use

[mredline1]

if you're a good enough musician, it doesn't matter when you use fingers, picks, thumbs, or quarters... you're going to sound good either way.

[metalballs2010]

I played 60% with pick, 30% finger, and 10% slapping

[scarletrosepwn]

Beautiful 

[TheWolfDucky]

pick noob

[andreasmariosetiawan]

hey, do you use a thin pick or a thick pick? and can you teach me that slap with pick?

[Davyjones274]

@andreasmariosetiawan with bass strings you need to use a thick pick, otherwise you aren't going to be able to even do alternate picking

[mjwoodworth]

@Davyjones274 Not really, I've a 0.46 on a bass before, thickness helps, just depends how strong your picking is.

[GandhiaLasVegas]

Like the sound, like the bass. Good job.

[LaurentHochelaf]

JIbé jveux te prendre en levrette

[TechSmack]

i dont even use picks for my guitar! lol

[Lordgout]

its not about what you look like when your playing, its what you sound like. Having as many options open to you is essential for a good bass player

[AleSixxRock]

Also Nikki Sixx from Mötley Crüe uses a pick. And he's awesome. I think bassist should use fingers and pick, so they won't have limits (I'm a bassist). :)

[HGJDmino]

Some of the great bassists use picks. ie. Duff Mckagan from Guns N' Roses. He is amazing.

[usermysp9]

so ive been playing for just under 18 months now, i use a pick, but i slap as well, i get shit from others for using a pick, i just find it easier, and more comfortable, and i prefer the 'aggressive' take it has, as well as slap. make me a bad player? ive tried using fingers, but i just cant get comfortable with it, tips, or abuse will be taken into consideration. cheers :)

[alexlocurto]

I use a pick sometimes but mostly us my fingers... Picks are really great for some songs and anybody who says reall bassists dont use picks should look at chris squire

[Philburpalooza]

@alexlocurto I was just going to use that same example... well stated!

[TwoSexyFourMyShirt]

i don't like a pick meself, but it doesn't mean to say that it sucks. For instance, if you like to play a little bit heavy, you should defenitly take a pick

[ka24love]

i know most people think picks are for noobs and such

but its a technique as well, and it has to be acknowledged

not that i use picks myself but after hearing this guy.....well its incredible

im still not gonna use picks tho :D

[MarloweDK]

@ka24love Not to you as such but general message: PEOPLE as in amateur players may think that to play with a pick is only for people that cannot do otherwise, but real MUSICIANS use all the tools available to them to get the sounds the want.

[bassgroove21]

@MarloweDK you cant say that, musicians use wutever they find easiest and most confortable to play with, geddly lee fingers, bruce hall, and victor wooten thumbs. It really all depends on the musician.

[ka24love]

@MarloweDK

couldnt agree moree : )

[m1ndNOVA]

@MarloweDK That's how I've seen it.

[yekshemesh4alig]

@MarloweDK Couldn't agree more. Some stuff sounds better with a pick, other with fingers (plucking). Then there's still slapping, tapping and who knows what else.

Before I started playing bass, I was determined to play with a pick because that's what almost all of my fav bassist do. Now I play 60% finger style and 40% pick and I intend to practice slapping as well.

I find it motivating to know there are so many styles to practice and master.

Big fan of your work!

[TheFloay]

@yekshemesh4alig Same with me! I also use pick for a lot of things, and finger for others.. It's just good to be able to do both

[BloodSicker]

@ka24love well i can play with fingers duuuhhh... but i prefer the pick dono why actualy :P maybe cuz im faster with it and it makes that cool metalic slap sound if you know what i mean you cant get that sound otherwise i tried fingers i tried slap nada its similar with slap  but not the same believe me :P dont underestimate the power of the pick and not only noobs play with picks i play for what 6 or 7 years now and i prefer it :P

[ka24love]

@BloodSicker

yeah i know exactly what your talking about...the growl ur bass makes while picking the string :)

well ive only been playing bass for about a year...right now im working on some latin funk...theres no place for a pick there lol but maybe ill the pick later down the road

[BloodSicker]

@ka24love listen the way i see it you learn to play the funk you can play it all xD

so never give up on the funk i listen to metal play metal and so on but after i learned to play funk it all was sooooooooooooo much easyer :P

(sry for the bad english >.>)

[Philburpalooza]

@ka24love Pardon my American ignorance of (British?) slang, but what is the definition of a 'noob'? I kinda like this word...

[ka24love]

nice marcus miller :D

[edwinyosorahardjo]

Awesome stuff, thank you for sharing... *cry*

[wajdiwalid]

thats nice hi bro where can i find the tabs

[illwhoopyaheadboi]

I remember him saying his bass wasn't plugged in that's why you hear all the clicking.

[AirsoftMarin3]

useing a pick is perfectly fine its just a technique use to get a specific sound outta of the bass, i use picks, finger picking and im learning how to slap now a real bassist can do every method... and if you perfer using a pick there nothing wrong with that especially if you play metal, punk or hard fast rock...

[doublethumpbass89]

damn your good with a pick your fingers your slap you muted notes i mean shit what technique arent you good at???!! lol

your amazing keep groovin

[KennyParkz]

nice playin! get better pickups tho.....

[jaboogiedoo]

My opinion of picks on a bass is that it's a valid enough technique, but the sound of a pick clicking on the strings drives me loopy. I'd rather hear the sound of the strings being percussive, not the pick.

[jaboogiedoo]

Erm edit: you have skill and style, but personally I prefer your stuff without a pick.

[myhouseisyourpants]

i honestly don't even think of it as a valid technique if you intend to include the word "funky" with it. im with you completely

[dahon300]

HEY MAN!! WHAT KIND OF PICK ARE YOU USING? Is it superheavy?

[WHITExxFORKxx]

learn slap anyways

[2277Blackman]

the boy has a little soul in him

[nitromefan]

Cool, now I don't needa learn slap. :D

[Gribbznezz]

u should see his new stuff before u judge man

[venom3114]

Shut the fuck up and post a video of yourself then cock sucker. Faggot.

[mwright165]

you listen to cheesy cock rock this guy is one of the best bassist i have ever seen

[mrfingers69]

well than you havent been out of ure house much lol but ya i agree

[FunkyForrestFunk]

wtf?!

[nathan87]

aw, I love your other videos dude but unlike some of the other commentors I'm not feeling enough rhythm in this one. Seems a little too irregular. (I know, I know, it's a pick, but still).

[Madhimself]

is it the marcus miller signature?

[mathblo]

awesome dude!!! keep on

[freekeysband]

your bass sounds so great...I nearly came on my pants

[freekeysband]

get a |ife u turd,,cuz if u had one u wudnt be reading comments for 5 months ago

[freekeysband]

its not my fau|T you cant understand music so shut up

i dont need to prove myse|f to u so suck my phatty

[MaDTytuS]

awesome!

[DrStankface]

Oh, and great work as usual!

I'm especially fond of that of that fill at 1:14.

[PEP242]

Playing with a pick is a viable technique. As musicians we should all be a little more open minded. If you don't have chops and arrangemnets with a pick then you are limiting yourself. Pop & slap is a technique, tapping is a technique. picking is a technique. if you made music with your elbows then so be it. If you can't make music with any of them then what is the point? I like the techniques you display here on utube.

[lolsebasstian]

when bassists choose to not use picks, they just limit themselves.

[gustarbox]

That's so right man

[VegaV77]

amen dude

[Hawmawn]

@lolsebasstian pick have many limits when u want shifting string so much or doin some speedy gallop/triplets

[TheTheendofday]

@lolsebasstian

omg im fucking tired of this shit its just a diffewrent type of playing

yes fingering sounds better but picks are just a different type of playing

[kakkoiidan]

I think it sounds great, this guy's got style, imagination and the guts to do stuff that he knows people are gonna bitch about. Nice one mate.

[bassman234567]

well why do some guitarists play with their fingers then?

[suihkubad]

Isn't Jeff Beck using only his fingers?

[M4st3rB4ss3r]

becuase its in the style that they play. Playing classical guitar would sound just wrong with a pick

[twisted21bassist]

watch his other videos retard.

[M4st3rB4ss3r]

So, I dont care i just making good point

[twisted21bassist]

no your just making up a bunch of bullshit.

[xenhas]

for a "masterbasser" you're pretty fucking retarded and ignorant eh?

[Scarface066]

And who actually said that? You did not create the base, and whoever did clearly didn't put a manual saying "play with fingers only, just because.".

[DrStankface]

This guy certainly doesn't sound like a poser. I'd be willing to be this guy can play with his fingers too. Being a good bass player means being versatile and open minded. I don't play with a pick very often but it's still something every bassist should have in their arsenal.

[ljsb123]

i luv it!!!!!

[Nickahlishus]

yea prince was insane at making funk with a pick. amazingly he is in my top 10 bassists of all time, go back and listen to his old stuff its rad. Keep up the good work

[lestalkmorebasss]

...prince was also on the cover of guitar/bass/keyboard player all in almost if not the same month!... crazy talent. :)

[captainwafro]

I don't usually rate pick style on bass but dude, this was fucking intense. Seriously, an excellent take on the funk style. What bass are you playing btw?

[Mortycakes]

Fender Marcus Miller Sign. Jazz.

olympic white, if i'm not mistaknen

[Falyno]

i agree with lakland, the whistle wus fcking awsome

[enorgen]

did you play don`t stop `til you get enogh around 01:00?

[MarloweDK]

to enogen: Spot on:-)

[jake66664]

lakland, shut up you fag. You probably have no clue how to even pluck a string do you?

[MarloweDK]

to lakland:

Show me what YOU got;-)

[twisted21bassist]

lakland76 your dumb

[CiperText]

Foxes are smart you dipshit

[Evilucas]

Love it! I hate when people say you can't play bass with a pick. It's bullshit! It has nothing to do with the pick. It's the person playing! Great job!

[Alphamage2007]

Agreed

[Bassmasta94632]

ok i always thought the pick was not the best thing to use on a bass (i think it is cuz i can barley use one) but i am speachless.....that was amazing

[MarloweDK]

to twisted21bassist:

Just take comfort in the fact that you know what your friends dont;-)

[xenhas]

you know you COULD just link them to this

[luc444]

LOVE IT.

I wish I could see your fretboard work.

[twisted13bassist]

I play bass with a pick and when i see people playing like you it gives me a boost, thanks

[ukranian90]

this guy has my base lol

[fagbait123]

gagagaha-i would like to see you play that on bass without a pick:D some of you people dont know what your saying:P

[giantplanet]

nice work ,a refreshing change!Marlowe you should check out the work Tom Fowler did with Frank Zappa in the early 70`s some crazy picked funky stuff I`m sure you`d enjoy,roxy and elsewhere

[MarloweDK]

says who?

[chmanbass]

that is 1 fine ass bass

[avjg23]

awesome man!

[DragonFlopp]

You are one of the very few people who make playing a bass with a pick sound good. Great job!

[BassAndrewPlatform2]

to DragonFlopp there are loads of people who can make playing bass sound good with a pick

[Samisajerk]

normally picks arn't that cool on a bass...this is the only exception i've seen...good work

[ACUTEFAILURE]

Sweet shit.

[geraldlew]

Amp please!

[orlandofriend]

I like it...it's an alternative way to play, and you can hear that many records have been made with that style of playing.

[BassPimp66]

I hate it :-(

[reynolds101]

How could you hate this?

[BassPimp66]

It simply sounds awful. Yuk! :-(

(gorgeous Marcus Miller Jazz Bass though)

[reynolds101]

Well Im not going to bitch at you because I guess its your opinion

[hitlerxisemox]

awesome man

[eoieduff]

very good, nice to see that a pick can be used so well

[food1010]

Nice. I used a pick once (on bass) when I was learning some chords and my thumb hurt but now my thumb has calluces (spell check me) and I don't use a pick very often. Nice work though.

[calohoy12]

the last part was one of michael jackson's hits from the '70s right? U rock dude!

[MarloweDK]

Yup :-)

[Ricken51]

ur good, what a shit video tho we cant see what ur playin for most of it :|

[hitlerxisemox]

what kind of bass is that?

[zaksnaporaz]

you do it right in any way ...2 fingers, 3 fingers, thumb, up and down stroke, plectrum. I'm sure you could do it with other appendixes ...uh, now it's starting to become slightly embarrassing... just kidding ;)) ever tried doin' it with the Hook ?

[Madhimself]

zekla: i got to agree with spiffcorgi.and how can playing with the fingers e for pussies? do you say that someone who plays with his/her fingers, get wounds and skin ripped off be pussies?

i don't say that people who play with a plecer is a pussy, but i say that someone who plays with a plecter isn't as rough and man/woman enough to take the pain that is needed to gain the real skills.

[Zekla]

Aww, come on boys, I was joking! Fingers are for pussies... Don´t take everything so damn serious. By the way I actually play fingerstyle too, though the style of music I play is so fast it makes it quite a pain.

[BezZo0]

this has to be the stupidest comment ever...

[spiffcorgi]

shut up zekla, saying tht just shows u aren't a good bassist. i play with or without a pick depending on the song. i don't rely on a pick. imagine if u picked up a bass and didn't hav a pick and sum1 asked u 2 play sumthing. then YOU'd look like a pussy.

[dxpvocals]

i cant do tht w/ a pick i can but it dont sound funky

[Zekla]

Fingers are for pussies. All hail teh mighty plectrum!

[GauchoLibre]

how?

[crazydrumma]

Awesome funky pick work.

[Toungester]

However picks are not for basses in my opinion this is quite nice ;) Good job :)

[KalmasSexBuddy]

Really great way of playing with a pick :D Well done :D

[vieillebarbe]

really good groove with a pick, GG

[fryBASS]

you make playing with a pick look good :)

[iloveasiangirls]

and they say a funk player cant use a pick. hah. they also said i couldnt eat seventy marshmallows in 50 seconds. shows what they know.

[zerohero35]

The best part was the whistle at the end... j/k

Good stuff.

[GUINESSXTRACOLD]

again fantastic marlowe and what a fantatic collection of jazz basses you have.i played a 1979 precision for 15 years i bought a jazz about 3 years ago and hardly played the precision since

[MarloweDK]

Thx, and you havent even seen my 64 yet ;-)

[imkrishna]

I love this. Seems the trendy thing today is pop&slap. But I like the sound of the picked bass.

[Alekseyyyyyy]

imagine how much better it'd sound if you played it slap string

[MarloweDK]

Check my other videos for that ;-)

[altomage]

Hell yeah! Just as awesome. Really sounds like the 60's.. I wish I was born back then. Heck, if I was a year younger, I'd have been made in the 80's! I want that button so badly. Oh well. Keep rockin` it man!

[lowend]

nice groove!!

[bassist13]

now people dont have to bash bass players that play with picks. this is really cool

[Techmonkey]

Very Meshell Ndegeocello... i dig it:) you're a billion times better than I'll ever be, and you have a great attitude! what more could you want from a bass player!

[USAOwnz]

Fender Jazz bass *drools*

[Fleaslapking]

hey nice.can u change it a bit so u can pop and slap it because that would sound so amazing.

[MarloweDK]

watch my other video "funky bass jammin'"

The pick adds a whole other sound to the bass players arsenal, you can really get into the 16'th note subdivisions of a rhythm guitar player, not to mention a very agressive approach. I use it alot when i'm playing hard rock, it really cuts through.

Wish I had a Rickenbacker for that purpose though :-)

[Fleaslapking]

ha i agree.

erm i have a washburn T24 and with a flanger or a chorus pedal it sounds frickin amazing. i mean ive herd people play with wah-wah pedals and it sounds ok, but with a flanger u get a deep funky sound. anythin slapped or popped would blow someones mind. im hopin to get a vid on there soon with my flanger

[danielle91aimee]

rickenbackers are awkward to play but great with picks and the sound is very trebly.

[madtiger111]

funky = yes

[MarloweDK]

Japanese Fender jazz, Marcus Miller Signature model in passive mode