I’m really struggling with learning to play with a pick. Keeping a consistent tone with the up and down strokes and changing strings (oddly my up strokes seem to be louder). I’ve watched Josh’s video which definitely helped with holding a pick but I’m still struggling. Are there any exercises you all recommend?
Practice, practice, practice… once you know the technique, just doing it more should help. If you’re looking for exercises to use for practicing with, I’m fine tuning my pick technique atm by redoing B2B with a pick. Josh likes to give you right hand plucking in the videos. What I do there is, when he says index finger, thats a downstroke, middle finger is upstroke.
It’s been said countless times, but go slow — slower than you think is worthwhile. I know it seems counterintuitive and boring as hell, but it works.
Patience is key, as is giving yourself the grace to suck mightily. Also, you might try practicing in this manner for just five minutes at a time, because the effects -and gains - are cumulative. Just try this approach. It works.
I’ve only been at it about a week so i do need to cut myself some slack and not get discouraged when I’m not seeing immediate results like with finger style
You absolutely do need to give yourself permission to suck at it. That way you won’t get discouraged and not do it.
Another benefit to using B2B (besides picking up stuff you missed the first time through) is that because Josh starts you out playing one note and one string at a time, you ease your way into pick playing. I meant to mention that earlier but was in a meeting when I typed it.
100% these. I just got a pack of them a little bit ago and like them so much more than celluloid picks for bass. Thick enough to drive through the string if you’re chugging, precise enough to handle the delicate stuff. They’re a bit smaller than a normal pick, but not as small as a regular Jazz III.
So for starting with picks it is generally better to start with a thinner pick. They are more forgiving and will let you get used to the picking motion more readily. Having them flex a little on the string really helps while learning IMO.
I really recommend normal Dunlop Tortex picks to start, then Ultex once you are comfortable. For bass, starting in the 0.7-1.0mm range is a good area.
My favorites are 0.88-1.2mm Ultex, but they are probably too slick for a beginner starting out.
I would shy away from the gimmick picks like the Rombos. They aren’t any better and frankly are just kind of odd. And very expensive.
The Jazz style pick @faydout linked is actually a great choice but is a bit trickier to use starting out. But all the advantages he lists are real for an experienced player once you have the technique down.