Pick or fingers?

Awkwardturtle! · #1 11-29-2010, 06:35 PM

So I want to play in a Post-hardcore band, I know music theory and everything but when it comes to playing more technical I can play it better with my fingers other then a pick.
so what if my band wants to go faster in one part of a song to the point that i can't keep up? i don't want to hold my band back.

I'm just wondering I love playing with fingers they give so much more expression and control and everything is cleaner and muted but a pick gives me speed.

the fingers seem obvious but I'm not sure

also I don't play fast often at all with my fingers is it possible for your fingers to move faster over time?

ksandvik · #2 11-29-2010, 06:43 PM

If Geddy Lee and Billy Sheehan could keep up, you could do it, just need to practice.

BTW I saw Jeff Beck in the Les Paul PBS special pull off Les Paul solos with his fingers -- solos that Les Paul originally recorded with half speed!

Awkwardturtle! · #3 11-29-2010, 08:19 PM

lol good point thanks for the inspiration!

anymore insight from anybody?

puddin tame · #4 11-29-2010, 08:25 PM

I can play faster with my fingers than most can with a pick, just takes a lot of practice

MattyBass · #5 11-29-2010, 08:32 PM

You can slip sock underneath your strings close to the end of the fretboard.. So that it mutes all your strings... then play like that for 10 mins... it should feel really hard on your fingers and really tight... then take it off.. you will be flyin.... your strings will feel really loose and easy to play after...
It's like a batting weight for your fingers.. do it everyday and you'll be mad fast... this really works and quickly... : )
Practice with a metronome... always...
Here's a fun video of fast fingers...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omFFeLEXFE

jpfbass · #6 11-29-2010, 08:33 PM

Just use the right tool for the job. If you can't keep up, use a pick, but if you can use fingers.
And yes, if you practice a lot you can eventually develop speed like Sheehan, etc.It also helps to start using three or four fingers on super fast passages, there's a lot of info in tb about this technique.

mcm · #7 11-29-2010, 08:33 PM

fingers

Crowder101 · #8 11-29-2010, 08:35 PM

fingers, play more than 1 string at the same time..

MattyBass · #9 11-29-2010, 08:36 PM

Jaco only needed 2 fingers.. : )

James Judson · #10 11-29-2010, 08:37 PM

fingers

KsToaDangr · #11 11-29-2010, 08:39 PM

personally, i rarely play fingerstyle, but i've been known to palm a pick with my pinkie and switch from fingerstyle to using the pick in the middle of a song. play what feels comfortable to you, as long as it doesn't damage the sound of the whole band.

champbassist · #12 11-30-2010, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awkwardturtle!

I'm just wondering I love playing with fingers they give so much more expression and control and everything is cleaner and muted but a pick gives me speed.

If you're saying that with a pick you don't have the control or expression you have with fingers, why not practice with a pick until you do have ample control and expression? In the same vein, practice will take your fingers to whatever speed you wish to play at.

Developing both techniques is better than focusing only on one. In the end, it boils down the old cliché, sadly- practice.

Daywalker · #13 11-30-2010, 02:51 AM

Wanna use a pick, but a guitar...

Duke21 · #14 11-30-2010, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daywalker

Wanna use a pick, but a guitar...

Some of the best bass player use pick. There is no answer to what is right and wrong. One can come with good examples for both and against pick or fingers!
One mentioned Jeff Berlin, which is amazing. But still on the "ABWH an evening of YES music" he fails to produce the sound and the drive of Chris Squire. His notes are there, yes but the spirit is not. His tone sound more like some keyboards compares to Chris's tone.

dj150888 · #15 11-30-2010, 06:31 AM

Absentia · #16 11-30-2010, 06:40 AM

DO what I do, don;t keep up with the guitars, sit back and groove it.
Play smart not fast.

s_mcsleazy · #17 11-30-2010, 06:43 AM

DO WHATEVER ONE SEEMS BEST TO YOU.

tbh though i play with pic and fingers

bass.monger · #18 11-30-2010, 06:56 AM

the only reason i use a pick is for a better driving sound, at least i think it makes it seems like it has a better drive, but then again im in a screamo band. i can play just as fast with my fingers and ive been playing for only a few months. if u would rather have a clean muted sound, learn to play faster with ur fingers, if others can do it so can you

Nev375 · #19 11-30-2010, 07:02 AM

I use both. I took a cue from banjo players and fingerstyle guitar players and adopted the thumbpick. Now I get a lot of speed without much effort by combining them, or I can use one or the other depending on what sort of tone I'm wanting.

Nic. · #20 11-30-2010, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyBass

then play like that for 10 mins... it should feel really hard on your fingers and really tight... then take it off.. you will be flyin....

I would love to quote this out of context.