Fingers vs pick

[tycobb73]

I prefer the feel of fingers but the sound of a pick. I found the sound in my head with a pick. With my fingers its meh. I think the pick won out. Anyone else go through this?

[PDGood]

Yes, but in reverse. I'm faster and more accurate with a pick, but prefer the sound of fingers.

[VitalSigns]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

I prefer the feel of fingers but the sound of a pick. I found the sound in my head with a pick. With my fingers its meh. I think the pick won out. Anyone else go through this?

Try using your finger nails.

[jabsys]

I'm the same, I prefer to play fingerstyle and I'm more comfortable with fingers but they just don't work for the tone I want, so I play with a pick. I've tried with nails and it still doesn't sound right, might have to try the fingerpicks classical guitarist use.

[cableguy]

maybe use both for whatever feel the music needs.

[john grey]

Originally Posted by cableguy

maybe use both for whatever feel the music needs.

Took the letters right out of my keyboard. Differing positions (close to the bridge or neck), thumbs, picks, finger are all colors. I frankly wish I was better with a pick as the sounds are substantially different. The only "Problem" I would ever foresee is an individual not experimenting.

In the world of painting there may be 18 different "greens" from one base pigment. It would be a limiting factor to stop at a mid-level green The eyes and ears go so far beyond that mod-level root color.

[klejst]

To each their own style of playing and tones based on whatever method you choose. The fingers or pick debate could go on and on about how real bass players don't use picks blah blah blah.

[Tupac]

Pick = Small learning curve, moderate effectiveness
Fingers = Very large learning curve, giant effectiveness


In other words, you can become good with a pick very fast, but you can't do much once you're at the pick's "skill ceiling". Fingerstyle takes decades to perfect, but you can do amazing things once you've mastered it.

[Topspin]

Love the sounds I can make with both fingerstyle and a pick, but I suck at using a pick.

[aServantLeader]

I am confined to a pick, due to physical limitations. I use old gift cards as my pick, cut up in a manner that my right hand can hold them.

[jabsys]

Originally Posted by Tupac

Pick = Small learning curve, moderate effectiveness
Fingers = Very large learning curve, giant effectiveness

Not for me it wasn't, I've always found it very easy to play fingerstyle, playing with a pick feels completely unnatural and took loads of practice to be able to play any where near as well as I can with fingers.

[JavierFarias]

for me it depends on the music, usually it's like 90% pick 10% fingers .

[Jisais]

Often it does depend on the music that is being played and even your mood. Personally i love the tone that you get with fingers, but when it comes to playing at 220 BPM my fingers cramp up a little to easily have to work on that quad technique. Pick on the other hand also gives you a legit tone, but theres only so much that could be done with a pick!

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by Tupac

Pick = Small learning curve, moderate effectiveness
Fingers = Very large learning curve, giant effectiveness


In other words, you can become good with a pick very fast, but you can't do much once you're at the pick's "skill ceiling".

Now I finally understand why Chris Squire's bass playing is only moderately effective and why he just can't do much.

[Hamlet7768]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Now I finally understand why Chris Squire's bass playing is only moderately effective and why he just can't do much.

Ditto to Macca.

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by Hamlet7768

Ditto to Macca.

Big +1!

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by cableguy

maybe use both for whatever feel the music needs.

+1

[Geroi Asfalta]

i prefer fingerstyle. I can't use a pick to save my life. I can pick a guitar ok, but not a bass.....plus, I almost always have coloured DR's on my fretted basses. I like keeping the colour as much as possible.

The only time I ever get a pick near my bass is:
- When I have a little overdrive and my non-coated DR's
- When I'm messing with my fretless to Pink Floyd

Otherwise, I sound like somebody killing a goat with a bass when I use a pick

[SurferJoe46]

Fingers vs pick

What? Use what you need when you need it.

Simple, and you won't need any couch time if you don't agonize over it.

[carlthegroover]

I'm still undecided as to which one I prefer. I do love the pick because of the "aggressiveness" and prominence, which is perfect for rock. I'm also getting much faster with a pick.

But it is always good to play with fingers, due to the feel with the strings and the different sound.
Edit: I'm also more accurate with fingerpicking.

I will let you know in a few years when I decide.