Mikhajlovich

Playing Style



My preferred style of playing involves use of a pick. I now make extensive use of quick alternate picking - I'll never go back to straight down picking ever again. More recently I've begun to learn to play with three fingers and the thumb - and once those fingers have gained strength, I aim to master tapping.

I play fast and hard, as in my favorite genre, thrash metal. My favorite "advanced" technique is tremolo picking.

I've also studied some basic music theory, and therefore apply my knowledge of scales, intervals, and other fundamentals of music. As a result, I have played chords from time to time - any bassist who asserts that chords are not for the bass has obviously never tried them ("chord" meaning three or more notes).

I hold in high regard bassists who can play intricate basslines that compliment the melody; I look down upon bassists who can't seem to play anything but the pentatonic and blues scales - and also can't play at a speed beyond eighth notes. Also, I hold in high regard guitarists who haven't forgotten the lost art of the guitar solo; I look down upon guitarists who can't seem to play anything but power chords.

My preferred brand of strings is Darco. If the music store doesn't have them, I'll settle for Ernie Ball.

I avoid drop D tuning like the plague whenever I can help it; it usually turns out being more of a hindrance than anything helpful. If I absolutely have to hit that low D (or D#), I'll sometimes resort to D G C F tuning.