I'm a new bassist and i need help

[PeaceSells775]

okay, i just got my bass a couple weeks ago. it's a epiphone thunderbird IV and i love it. but, idk if i should play with my fingers or with a pic. i'm used to playing guitar so a pic is more comfortable to me and that's usually what i use. but some people say that you're a better bassist if you play with fingers. so can somebody help me figure out what i should play with? thanks to anyone who can.

[lobey]

Play with whatever feels best to you. No one else can make that decision for you.

I've only recently started playing stuff with just my fingers, but I still resort back to a pick for other stuff.

[Hawaii Islander]

Many bass players use a pic. Most bass players also use finger picking (index and middle finger) and thumb picking. You can also slap and pop and tap. The method you choose to use depends on the type of music you play and the sound that you wish to achieve. It's generally a good idea (but not required) to expand your techniques to more than just one type. This makes your bass playing more versatile.

Good luck!

[baroques_solari]

in my opinion, to be a all-sided bassist you must be proficient in both pick and fingers tech,
while playing with a pick you can get a clear and hard tune, but fingers style could bring you a vast expression, for example you can control the tune by your right hand and play chord, slap, hold strings facilely with right hand in fast stuffs... all depend on what your music needs~

[0175westwood29]

im with you on this one i play with a pick but im trying to become equally as good with my fingers as with a pick.

i made the mistake of playing with a pick for a year and i found it hard to change back but im nearly there now?

[skaliwag66]

Depends on the sound you want

[coheedfan90]

the decision is entirely up to you. there are plenty of good bassists that use a pick, like lemmy, justin chancellor, the dude from megadeth (cant remember his name). whatever makes you a better player is what you should do. i personally like using my fingers better, but thats just me. you cant have someone make that decision for you, its all you. hope i helped, and welcome to the bass playing world. rock on

[Foxworthy925]

practice and get equally good at both, and you won't have to decide between the two.

[magnusdeus123]

I graduated from guitars too , and I find it nearly impossible to play with picks on the bass ;

1 Higher Gauge strings makes it difficult .

2 It's not fast enough . You will eventually achieve more speed with your fingers on the bass , rivalling that of shred guitarists , rather than with a pick .

3 Better tone . Sounds out of hte bass are all about tone , and the clacky , dry tone that the pick gives is cool if your trying speciafically for that effect , but while playing classic bass styles , and grooves , your usually better off with fingers .

So get good at both like everyone said , but learn fingers and I assure you , you wont go back .

[Chriso21]

there are millions of threads on fingers vs. pick. It is one of the most painful subjects to discuss in this forum IMO. Just find some bassists that you like the style and tone of and see what equipment they use and how they play. Everyone here has they're own preference mostly depending on the kind of music they are into.

[iceshaft07]

I started playing with a pic, only doing down strokes, and I though "I am never playing with fingers-- its stupid".

Eventually, I tried it out and hated it, but kept doing it anyways. Now I play with all four fingers and occasionally using my thumb. I also play slap and pop. I hardly use a pic now.

I really recommend trying them all out. You find out that they are all fun depending on what you are doing. On one hand, I love the sound of a clear distinct note-- other times, I want a softer less distinct sound. Sometimes I like to make the bass click when I slap.

Really, try them all. My personal opinion (and don't hate me for saying this-- I know it is ignorant, I just don't care) is that you can't be the best bass playing in the world only knowing one technique.