How do you play your bass? (poll)

[Nino Valenti]

I wanna know how you mainly play your bass. It you chose other, please state what the "other" is. I mainly play w/a pick.

[JMX]

Isn't this already covered by the 'pick vs. fingers' poll?


hmm, ok maybe not...

I use all of the above except bowing (did enough of that when I still played the violin ) - why limit myself?

And you never know...not getting a gig because of not being able to play with a particular technique truely sux...

[Nino Valenti]

I didn't realize there was another thread on this subject. I tried to delete it, but I couldn't.

[ikickuintheballs]

I mainly go with my fingers but when/if I have to play really fast.. or I get tired (takes a long time) I use a pick. I slap now and then. I suck at it so I don't bother. =) and I have no need for a bow.. hehe later

[lowtones]

I do all of the above... except bowing. But I voted for fingers cuz that's what i mostly do/am best at.

[Rob W]

In case anyone wondered, I am the 1 person who put down 'bow' (so far). If I could only pick one of those choices that would have to be it. Of course that only applies to the double bass. I only play pizz when I have to. The bow is just about THE most expressive tool available to a bassist IMO.

On electric, I play mostly fingerstyle, but I do enjoy using the pick when I feel it is appropriate. I'm probably about 75/25 fingers to pick. I almost nevr slap.

[AssMan]

I said other because my hands were removed so I have to play with the nubs that are left.

[Sheep Man]

Another vote up for fingerstyle, but I do all of the others except bowing. And 'other'. At least I don't ever RECALL having played my bass with anything else...

[einarkm]

Fingerstyle....also alot of slapping & popping....

[Komakino]

Well I'm new to bass so I'm not entirely sure what slapping and popping are....I guess I'll get to that later.
I play finger style because that felt most natural when I first picked the thing up. I play with a pick occasionally just for practice but I find I hit the wrong string quite often with a pick.

[maxvalentino]

definately other!
Fingerstyle (index, middle and ring)
Slap (Thumb, plus two finger pops)
Pick (flatpick and thumbpick)
Apoyando (flamenco guitar derived thumb+fingers technique)
Flamenco finger rolls
Funk Fingers (small drumsticks attached to fingers with velcro straps...Tony Levin's invention)
E-bow
prepared bass (attaching alligator clips to various harmonic nodes allong the string length to create percussive textures)
fretting hand finger rolls, pull-offs and slaps
....and I am still looking for more!
Max Valentino

[Erlendur Már]

I play fingerstyle, slap, pop and play with a pick (at least try to...)

[Blackbird]

I use mostly fingerstyle, but I'm fluent enough in the other techniques to use them if they were called for.


Will C.

[FeTiS]

I'd have to say a pick. I like the sound better. Plus, when i started playing i used my fingers and was a little bitch and couldnt play from blisters so i used a pick. i never did get my mojo back in my fingers...

[BassDude24]

I had to say that I am under the "other" catagory, cause you didn't put an "all of the above" catagory. I couldn't say that I fall under any one of those, because I fall under all of those, plus a new strumming technique that I came up with, I think it is original so I had better get started on a method book, and I had better copyright it so I make all the money hhuuaahahahaha.

[FeTiS]

bassdude, just from saying that i know all your secrets. i've already copyrighted your strumming technique. the money is all mine
yer cut

[Usul]

Fingers all the way!

Heck that is half the fun of playing the bass!

I like the warmer tone I get from my hands(uh that and I can`t get the hang of the pic!).Something about walking your fingers up and down the strings that is theraputic.Just feels right.

One of these days I will get the patience to at least try and learn pic techniques.Yeah, and "the check`s in the mail too"!

[Deeter]

I voted for fingerstyle . . . that's what I'm learning right now. I intend to learn how to effectively use a pick and I'd eventually like to learn to slap too, but mainly just so I can have those skills in my bag. I intend to play fingerstyle most of the time, but there are definitely situations where those other styles fit better, IMHO.

[joel the bass player]

I do mostly all of those things. I play with a pick when I play my punk or other fast songs. Fingerstyle when I play at church. And slapping and popping at home, trying to improve speed and accuracy. I never use a bow, becaus the electric bass isnt made for that!!

[nate 0 jt]

ill just bang the hell out of it anyway possible as long as it sounds good
-fingerstyle
-all five fingers
-slap and pop
-palm muting to create an upright sound
-pick
-anyway possible to make it groove