The Bass Geek

There are about six or seven guitar picks in my gig bag, and I rarely use any of them. Almost all of them are usable, except for the big metal pick I keep to freak guitar players out when they ask for a pick. And yes, that’s the reason I keep them in the bag. Guitarists are always asking for them.

I started carrying them because one guitarist in particular never had a pick. Ever. Music companies, television and radio stations, and a host of other folks give these things out like candy. Cheap Trick fans probably leave every concert with enough to cover large portions of their walls. And yet there was never one in his case or in his pocket. I got tired of delayed rehearsals, I started carrying picks, and there we go.

I’m considering adding drum sticks to the bag now - at least two drummers have showed up without them at recent rehearsals. These forgetful moments did prompt some interesting research, though. In case of dire emergency, use cable ties to mimic drum brushes. They’re not the same, but they’ll do in a pinch.

Might as well add those to the bag, too. I need a bigger bag.