Fingers or Picks, does it really matter?

NordLead · #1 09-17-2009, 10:49 PM

I'm a guitarist, not really a bassist, so that means playing with a pick is much easier. Can someone briefly sum up what the tonal differences are using a pick compared to using fingers? Using a pick for me would be easier but of course I could practice with fingers if it seriously payed off... I'm not sure it would really be too different in the context of a mix though.

Let me also say that I definitely won't ever use a popping of slapping type thing, my music calls for really clean bass just to fill out the low end, so no loose string sounding stuff.

bassist4dalord · #2 09-17-2009, 10:58 PM

Picks give you more attack and pop, whereas fingers give you a more mellow, warmer sound. Both sound great and are useful in different styles of music. Imagine playing your guitar with fingers; gives you a warmer, less-trebly sound, right? Same theory with bass. String choice is a completely different thing altogether.

seanm · #3 09-17-2009, 11:24 PM

For a really clean bass sound to fill out the low end, I would recommend fingers. A pick gives a more percussive sound. Fingers give a more full sound IMHO.

But if you like the sound of the pick, go ahead.

Crystalman85 · #4 09-17-2009, 11:25 PM

If you ask me, it really doesn't matter if you play bass with a pick or if you play bass with your fingers. what really matters is what technique you're use to. playing bass with your fingers is a traditional way of playing bass. this technique gives you a warm sound. playing bass with a pick is a more modern way of playing bass. this technique gives you a more edgier sound. this technique is very acceptable if you play hard rock or heavy metal. if playing bass with a pick is a lot easier for you(considering that you play guitar), I'd say go with that technique. never let anyone tell you that that you're not really a bass player if you play bass with a pick. cause that sounds like something an arrogant jerk would say. sure there are some people who say that bass players play with their fingers but not all of them do. when it comes to playing bass, the only thing that really matters is what technique you're use to.

Whiteblooded · #5 09-18-2009, 06:02 AM

I really like playing with fingers, because not only can you pluck, you can add slaps, pops, finger strums etc.. but that's just my opinion.

Some thing's I'd literally NEVER use fingers for.. stuff like most punk for example. Fingers just don't sound right, you need a sharp, defined sound, where fingers give you a softer, more mellow sound.

I think a lot of people on youtube flame bassists who use plectrums.. but it's because they're very closed minded and think "guitar=pleck, bass=finger".

You say you don't want any loose sounding stuff.. you just want to use the bass as a basic backing?.. then I assume you'll just be playing simple 8s and 4s.. for which I'd actually recommend the plectrum, it sounds much better.

gre107 · #6 09-18-2009, 06:09 AM

I play with fingers, thumb, pick etc... you should check out everything and be competent with all of them.

They all provide different colors to your sound.

Playing with only one type of "picking" style (for lack of a better term...) limits you.

Peace

rimtism123 · #7 09-18-2009, 06:10 AM

not to mention the rock/metal band will sound tighter with a player that plays with a pick as opposed to flubbing triplets etc.
but then again..there are a few finger players that are that good.

sloasdaylight · #8 09-18-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rimtism123

not to mention the rock/metal band will sound tighter with a player that plays with a pick as opposed to flubbing triplets etc.
but then again..there are a few finger players that are that good.

What?

klokker · #9 09-22-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

What?

Here, here. My speed triplets ain't half bad either.

Bruce Lindfield · #10 09-22-2009, 07:33 AM

I think a combination of fingers and thumb, gives you much greater control over tone and envelope shaping - muting or playing in different positions.

Wherea pick is really a one-trick pony and takes a lot of your muting options out of the equation.

CamiloDíaz · #11 09-22-2009, 08:54 PM

playing with a pick is much more modern... like that guy McCartney, or some Chris Squire fellow.. new guys... modern, all that edgier adjectives...

Past 11 · #12 09-22-2009, 09:14 PM

I use pick, finger, and thumb. Finger seems to give me more options than the rest...also gives a thump that I just cannot get from a pick...more of a round bottom end thing I guess. I like a pick for palm muting techniques and a nice bit of brite click to my attack. Thumb with muting gives me a very soft, mellow feel between notes...I use it on songs like "Riders on the Storm".

RAM · #13 09-23-2009, 10:22 AM

As you develop your skills as a bass player, you'll notice you have more control over your tone playing with your fingers. Picks have a distinctive attack, and while you can pick hard or soft, there's little variation in how picks sound. Fingers, on the other hand, have a much broader tonal spectrum.

I'm guessing since you're looking to just "fill in the low end" you're focusing not so much on the bass, anyway, so it may not matter to you. But, if you had a bass player adept at playing with fingers or a pick, playing the same lines, you might find the low end has a more interesting feel and sound to it.

dvh · #14 09-23-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamiloDíaz

playing with a pick is much more modern... like that guy McCartney, or some Chris Squire fellow.. new guys... modern, all that edgier adjectives...

Or Carol Kaye. What year did she start playing bass? It must be before 1960.

Bruce Lindfield · #15 09-24-2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvh

Or Carol Kaye. What year did she start playing bass? It must be before 1960.

And she has a distinct "retro" sound - so you can hear it on the classic "Bullitt" soundtrack - great for those 60s cop show theme tunes - but sticks out like a sore thumb

in other genres...

Lichtaffen · #16 09-24-2009, 08:56 AM

I was going to mention Carol Kaye too. She supposedly can make a pick sound like fingers. A good player to listen to if you go the pick route.

I migrated from guitar to bass and used a pick once for a live show just to hear what it would sound like. I think 2 songs into it I threw the pick away and never went back. Fingers just give you a different feel; I know that sounds very elusive. You'll realize that after becoming proficient playing with fingers that you can't really get that feel with a pick, but it also depends on the style of music you're playing.

I'm assuming from your post that you're a guitarist who records his own music and wants to play bass for the sake of your recordings. Correct me if I'm making an assumption. If I'm correct then you're probably better off using a pick than to spend countless hours practicing getting used to finger technique. In your case you're better off concentrating on songwriting and recording than completely learning a new instrument.

mcapote · #17 09-24-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiteblooded

stuff like most punk for example. Fingers just don't sound right, you need a sharp, defined sound, where fingers give you a softer, more mellow sound.

except for Oi and ska punk thats all fingers, atleast every band I know of. but yeah traditional punk, and hardcore are usually picks.
Im working on learning fingers myself since I play both hardcore and Oi.

Bruce Lindfield · #18 09-24-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lichtaffen

I was going to mention Carol Kaye too. She supposedly can make a pick sound like fingers.

You mean on all those records that Jamerson played on!!??

JustOpenYourMind · #19 09-24-2009, 09:41 AM

A bass guitar is a tool in your hands, the ways you play it are just means to produce the different sounds that you need.

Fingerstyle will never sound like a pick.

That doesn't mean you can get a sharp attack from it.

Picking will never sound like fingerstyle.

That doesn't mean you can't get a fat tone with it.

If you get the sound you want playing the instrument why bother?

Jefenator · #20 09-24-2009, 09:48 AM

I'm going the other direction, from fingers to pick. IME either style can range from very mellow to very aggressive, depending on your technique, muting, strings and electronic settings.

Since I now do both, I often switch back and fourth. Sometimes the percussive attack of the pick, combined with palm muting, has an irresistible appeal. But other tunes cry out for the buttery smooth approach of fingerstyle. And when I get a solo, I usually throw the pick away since I'm still pretty lame with it.

I advise to use whatever you're comfortable and strong with, but don't be afraid to experiment and work up new techniques. (I'm told fingerstyle can be pretty cool on guitar too, sometimes!)