Finger or Pick

[juve400g]

Can someone tell me whether using my fingers or using a pick would allow me to play better and play the widest range of styles?

[JDBJJJP]

learn both....

[Bruce Lindfield]

This discussion has been carried out very recently 2 or 3 times in other places on this board - I would suggest you read through these to get an idea of the arguments on both sides.

[sparticus]

in my opinion finger style is better by far. you can do more with it from a bright finger funk to a full, rich jazz tone.

[DoctorFunkiest]

I think whatever feels more comfortable. If you like to use a pic use one if you dont use your fingers. If you want to
use a pickle use a pickle just watch out cause the pickle juice can mess up your pickups and sometimes becomes sticky

[Tom_Hamilton_fan]

i'd say both are good and each for it's own reason. i feel that it's easier to use a pick to play songs that only require a few constant notes (some blink 182 and so on). but a pick often gives a different tone to the note, it has more of a sharp sound to it, rather than the smooth and softer tones you get by using your fingers.
an example of this is some stuff i play. i find it easier to keep pace and pound in a solid sound to the chorus of For whom the bell tolls by Metallica, with a pick. the other example is the Red hot chilli peppers Otherside, which i feel sounds great when u use your fingers; it comes out fresher and cleaner than a pick.
but hey that's just me.

[Dave Siff]

Learn to play so cleanly and consistently with your fingers that it sounds like you're playing with a pick. That's my goal, and I'll probably take it to the grave with me.

[Blackbird]

For recreation purposes, play the one that suits you best. For professional purposes, learn both.

Will C.

[Woodchuck]

Picking's for noses, tomatoes, and guitars!

[Jasnewsted]

Hey hey,

You're claiming that guys like Jason Newsted and Bob Daisly aint' real men????
(do i smell lots of conservativity??)
It's time to move on now..........

I think it is very childish to say these things, "real men dont use a pick".

My advice is to master both......
One of the arguments of using your fingers is that you can do more with them and with a pick. If you combine both of the styles then you'll get the widest range of techniques.

Well thats my opinion.... !!




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[in_exile]

Guitar players use picks. Real men play bass with their hands. Got to fufill the need for speed. Slap and pop that monster.

-MCE

[Acacia]

being a beginner, I am using a pick...there's just not enough damn room in between the strings for my fingers!!!!!

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Sean

[basspsycho]

Learn both. There's times when a pick is needed(like fast and constant notes) Some albums that require a pick are all of Metallica albums(except for a few songs),Chamber Music by Coal Chamber,Blink 182's stuff,some Videdrone stuff,some Orgy stuff,etc. Fingers sound good on the strings cuz they have a smooth sound. I do all 3 though. I slap,pop,and pick.

[gweimer]

Here's my rule of thumb, because you should learn both:

Finger bass, pick nose
Pick bass, finger butt

You can't go wrong...well, if you do, you're gonna regret it!

[rojo412]

Learn both, but who uses fingers?
Wooten, Jaco, P-Nut, Flea, Claypool, Clarke, Gary Willis, Mingus, etc, etc.
Pick? Punks!

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"I'm no hero. I just like to hit people on the head." - Nelson

[sergeantsquirlie]

Learn both.
I like fingers though.
It makes me feel like i can do more and I am not as restricted.

[gustat]

I don't use a pick ...

but Michael Gordon does - fast funky ****e too!

There is no shame in using one, if that's your thing.

[sdmfbass]

It all depends on the sound that you want,I find myself using both. I can move around faster with my fingers but get a better, sharper sound from a pull-off with a pick

[Saint]

I'm for learning as much as you can. Versatility is a virtue, IMHO. Although, I guess you should start with your fingers and try a pick later.

I started with my fingers, but started using a pick when I couldn't quite get the Chris Squire tone I needed for some things.
Now I'm trying to learn slap, which I used to despise as a style, but have come to really like.

If you don't want to learn how to pick, you could always get a pair of Tony Levin's Funk Fingers to get that more percussive sound.

[demon53]

Rojo, you said it best man. Look at all the greats from the past. These are men that in some circles could be considered Gods in their own right. Finger picking is fast becomming a lost art with punk and ska crap out there now, everyone thinks a bass should be picked like a guitar, NOTTTTTT!!!!!! If you want speed and are having trouble keeping up with your fingers, learn a three finger gallup (spelling?) and learn it well.