anything a pick can do that fingers cant?

[jaebee]

I am mostly a fingers player, but i do practice with a pick sometimes. I was wondering if there is anything a pick can do that fingers cant, other than tone. I mean, notes are notes, right?

i can think of sweeping, but only because i can't. i have seen people do it

[mean_dorris]

pick slides

[Valerus]

Suck.

[FronTowardEnemy]

I paly almost exclusively with my fingers except when my band covers Tool songs. I used to play Tool covers with my fingers only but have found the dynamics to be suffering without using a pick. Sure you can use your finger nails and try to pull off certain licks, but sometimes it just takes a pick to create that certain sound. I was very biased about playing finger style only, but now recently, the past year I have found that pick playing has made me a better and more rounded bassist. My advice to you is try and play both styles. I have excelled in fingerstyle playing, but I have rekindled my love for our instrument with using a pick when necessary. It actually is quite fun!

[ProgRapture]

Well it's a whole lot easier to do pinch harmonics with a pick, although some people seem to do it well with just fingers...

[meev992]

you can light a celluloid pick on fire.

Try that with your fingers and you'll end up like the one-handed bass player.

[martyman5000]

I've always played with fingers...I find pick is really good for learning tunes because it has a midi boring tone...

[Twnty1inRF]

Well, I've never seen anyone drop a finger while playing

[SC Bassboy]

You need a pick to "grind" the strings and get that cool rock sound. Not always called for, but a nice technique.

[ProgRapture]

+1 to all of the above!
I got in trouble during marching band practice once cause while the director was explaining something to the percussion, I set one of my celluloids on fire which surprised quite a few people.
Plus I've seen to many pop-punk bassists who have to stop a song every time their bassist drops his pick. Unless you have leprosy, there's no reason your fingers shouldn't fall off!

[hieronymous]

Palm muting. You can also stick a piece of foam under there or palm mute and use your thumb, but do people palm mute and play with their fingers?

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by Valerus

Suck.

OUCH!


Also, that really tight attack from a pick is sumthin' us finger players can't have. As much as I hate t, I use a pick on some songs so I can get that crisp attack, a la Tool.

[washtub_bass]

a pick can scratch the string windings while driving a solid groove... its a cool sound.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by hieronymous

but do people palm mute and play with their fingers?

I do, on account of my love for reggae and ska.

it hurts and it's not fun

[FronTowardEnemy]

Originally Posted by Eric618

OUCH!


Also, that really tight attack from a pick is sumthin' us finger players can't have. As much as I hate t, I use a pick on some songs so I can get that crisp attack, a la Tool.

Like you I have almost too much respect for them to slaughter their songs using only my fingers!

[jaebee]

Originally Posted by washtub_bass

a pick can scratch the string windings while driving a solid groove... its a cool sound.

thats the main reason i dont pick

[rooted]

A pick can be tossed out into the audience after a righteous solo. Or can be used as a form of business card by putting your name and contact info on it.

[dbcandle]

Fingers-plucking is very good, but I really also like:

• Picking
• Pick w/palm mute
• Thumb slap
• String-pop

I'd palm-mute while plucking with thumb, but that hurts after a minute or two. Tap & false-harmonics are beyond me...

[Basshappi]

Picks have a tonal and pecussive quality that is difficult (not impossible) to get fingerstyle.

I think that both styles are useful for bassplayers to know.

Pickstyle/fingerstyle, it's all good. Never allow prejudice to limit your musicianship.

[speedkills]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Picks have a tonal and pecussive quality that is difficult (not impossible) to get fingerstyle.

I think that both styles are useful for bassplayers to know.

Pickstyle/fingerstyle, it's all good. Never allow prejudice to limit your musicianship.

+1,000,000
[/thread]