Finger or Pick

[muchosbassos]

I've been playing bass for about a year now, but i've only been playing with a pick, is this ok? or should I start all over again and learn to play with my fingers, or can I start practising it after being real good with the pick?
Thanks

[MarloweDk]

If you want to be a pro you should master both

[CrimsonGhost]

Both, for different tones,
over the neck,over the pickup, closer to the bridge for different tones as well.

[Rodr-Evil]

Fingers

[muchosbassos]

I guess I will master the picking first then study hard on the fingers, thanks

[alexmoore10]

Originally Posted by MarloweDk

If you want to be a pro you should master both

I'm with him...and of course you get a very different tone with both!

[BassBob185]

Both

[Slax]

+ another for both.

When I first started I played exclusively with a pick for a long time, after a while I decided I wanted to get good at playing with my fingers. (Ironically enough, I almost exclusively play fingers style now! ) I say you can learn it whenever you want, just make sure you're playing it correctly and not cutting corners in the early development stages.

[Koki]

pix are 4 chix

[11Bravo]

i would start with the fingers.

[Mon Rominee]

Originally Posted by Koki

pix are 4 chix

Wow, that was helpful, can I quote you?
-the shortsighted weekly

[pbass2]

Originally Posted by Koki

pix are 4 chix

This guy is obviously kidding . . ..

Anyhow, learn both and you'll be glad. I'd say 50-60% of my session work is done pickstyle. And that's pop, rock, hip hop, country, you name it. So, in other words, if I ONLY played with fingers, I'd only make half of what I do now playing bass.
I'm not saying being versatile is just about making a living, it's also for your own enjoyment---think of how many different kinds of music you go through digging on over the years---don't limit yourself.
But just take your time and don't stress on it---you're just learning, so have fun, and experiment with different ways to get sounds you like and that fit music you enjoy playing. And don't listen to anybody who says there's only one right way to do something (they're probably not a working pro anyway, or at least they aint working much

[chasfr]

I don't think adding a new technique amounts to "starting all over again," unless you think you'll forget how to play pick-style once you start learning finger-style. Then you can add slapping and popping, double-thumbing, tapping... upright bass, bowing... drums... keyboards... damn, you'll never run out of stuff to work on!

Have fun!
Chas

[lowendgenerator]

I prefer to play with a pick in my band. It really brings out the growl and attack of my bass and pedals. I play with my fingers also, but more at home for practice. A picked P bass into a giant SVT just sounds awesome to me.

[Modo74]

Originally Posted by CrimsonGhost

Both, for different tones,
over the neck,over the pickup, closer to the bridge for different tones as well.

+1

Be prepared for any eventuality. The more colours you have on your palette, the more interesting pictures you can paint.

[lowendgenerator]

Indeed. Make sure your right hand strength is up to par. Nothing like cramping in the middle of a set and sounding bad because of it.

[Infern0]

AHH!!! THE DREADED FINGER OR PICK POST!!! RUN MUCHOSBASSOS!!!

Anyways... like said before, master both. Many prefer the finger tone, myself included.

[EADG mx]

both

[cnl83]

Originally Posted by Koki

pix are 4 chix

FLAME!

In reply to the original post. I have also crossed this bridge, and discovered im way more coordinated with the pick. I learn all my songs with a pick first. I then come back and practice it with my fingers. Works well for me.

[PrimusNut]

I prefer fingers, because it feels more comfortable to me (started with a pick, then switched after a couple months). Learn both, I am just recently trying to improve my picking skills.