How do you play your chords?

[DriveThruEmoKid]

I either Strum them, Rake them, or slap them. It all depends on what I'm playing. If i wat the chord to cut short( I think its staccato correct me if im wrong) Then ill Pop both Strings out with my index and middle fingers and then quickly mute. If i want the chords to ring ill either slap all the strings simultaneously, or Rake/Strum

[Blackbird]

Thumb, index, middle and ring.

[Figjam]

I use a pick, unless most of the song requires fingerstlye, then i use multiple fingers.

[minor third]

to play chords on the six sting i usually use miy inde middle and ring fingers on the D,G, and C strings while playing the bass notes on the A string with my thumb. if its a seires of chords rapidly changing wihnout bass notes i rake them with my index from the bottom up.

[FuturePrimitive]

Index and middle for 2 notes and index, middle, and ring or thumb for 3 notes. I think the string seperation on a bass causes an audible seperation between the notes when strumming (well at least when I do it) so I always play all the notes simultaneously.

[cwbassist]

I usually use multiple fingers, but from time to time I will use a pick if I need more clarity and the accented sound

[fishcake]

To play chords, if it's supposed to be heavy stuff, I hold my index finger between my thumb and middle finger as if it is a pick and thrash away. For softer chords I do like half of the others here and pluck all the strings i need simultaneously. But I like the former way better. Also, I don't play with a pick normally, but I've learned that thumb picks are mucho grande fun on bass. Good for chords too.

[embellisher]

Originally posted by wulf
Flexiblity - that's what my approach is all about.

Wulf

Exactly. Somtimes I rake, sometimes I use thumb and fingers, sometimes I use a pick, somtimes I tap, I even slap chords.

Whatever the situation calls for.

[Bassmasta86]

Originally posted by embellisher


Exactly. Somtimes I rake, sometimes I use thumb and fingers, sometimes I use a pick, somtimes I tap, I even slap chords.

Whatever the situation calls for.

That's what it's all about.

[CrawlingEye]

I voted other, I have a variety of ways I play chords/doublestops which is largely based on the context of what I'm playing.

I'll use my thumb if it's a slower song, that I think needs a more intimate tone. I usually play more toward the neck while doing this.

I'll play with my fingernail (almost using it as a pick) in certain situations, where the majority of the song is played in chords.

or... I'll flick it if it's a quick chord/doublestop in a song.

[Joe Turski]

Originally posted by Blackbird
Thumb, index, middle and ring.

Same here. Sometimes slapped,tapped,plucked,raked or any other way possible.

[Aaren Double J]

Any/all of the above.

[MyNameIsMUD]

when I want speed and a somewhat brighter/pic light sound I put my thumb and 1st fingar together and pic threw the strings as if I had a pic. Otherwise I use all four fingars and sweep.

then again, i still suck at the bass. :x

[Jazz Ad]

I strum them down with my thumb and up with any other finger available at the time.
I use classical guitar style picking for arpeggios.

[SlavaF]

I either rake with my index or what Melf said (putting thumb and index finger together and picking).