Fingerpicks on bass

[IronLung1986]

I had this idea to use fingerpicks on bass. the metal ones like banjo players use. so i went and bought some, and the guy knows i play bass so he kindly reminded me that fingerpicks are for guitars. i thanked him and bought them anyway. turns out it's actually a pretty sweet idea, since i like to play leo kottke style on bass. i turn the fingerpicks upside down on my fingers, that's what works the best. anyone else ever try this?

[LowKee]

I've tried this very briefly as I also play banjo. I didn't play around with it enough to see if it was worth it. I'll have to give it another try. Did you use a thumb pick too?

[IronLung1986]

yea i tried all 5 fingers but i eventually figured out that it works best to just have them on one or two fingers, depending on what you're trying to play. for regular fingerstyle you can put them on your index and middle finger and get a super aggressive metallic sound. index, middle, and ring finger together can be cool also. but the most useful for me is just to have one on my ring finger alone. you can play really clear, good sounding chords but it lets you switch back to regular fingerstyle easily.

[Orangeclawhamme]

Originally Posted by IronLung1986

I had this idea to use fingerpicks on bass. the metal ones like banjo players use. so i went and bought some, and the guy knows i play bass so he kindly reminded me that fingerpicks are for guitars. i thanked him and bought them anyway. turns out it's actually a pretty sweet idea, since i like to play leo kottke style on bass. i turn the fingerpicks upside down on my fingers, that's what works the best. anyone else ever try this?

This is not a new idea. Check out Rockette Morton, Eeric Drew Feldman, and other bass players from Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. Sweetest music this side of heaven!!

Jack

[deckard]

I believe Dominique Di Piazza uses fingerpicks sometimes...

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by IronLung1986

I had this idea to use fingerpicks on bass. the metal ones like banjo players use. so i went and bought some, and the guy knows i play bass so he kindly reminded me that fingerpicks are for guitars. i thanked him and bought them anyway. turns out it's actually a pretty sweet idea, since i like to play leo kottke style on bass. i turn the fingerpicks upside down on my fingers, that's what works the best. anyone else ever try this?

I love picks and I have tried pretty much every kind of pick there is and I prefer these.

[odin70]

I got terrible blisters after a gig once and was really desperate the next day...had a gig and i couldnt play a note. I went out and bought fingerpicks, but it didnt work out at all. Had to go trough the pain that evening.

[A440Hz]

Originally Posted by odin70

I got terrible blisters after a gig once and was really desperate the next day...had a gig and i couldnt play a note. I went out and bought fingerpicks, but it didnt work out at all. Had to go trough the pain that evening.

+1. Been there. Blood blisters.

Not playing for a long while, then playing like crazy for a weekend seems to do that. It's not my fretting hand that gets chewed up, just my RH index and middle.

[Lubalin]

Just posted in another thread asking about clip on picks -- this sounds quite like what I'm after! Can someone link me a picture so I know what I'm looking for?

Thanks.