Pick or FingerStyle? How did you get started?

MaddAnthony_59 · #1 12-19-2006, 10:57 AM

Okay, the concesus seems to be that using a pick is Okay, but looked down upon by "Snobs", such as myself. That being said:

Which do you prefer?

Do you use the other?

How did you get started on playing Bass?

**MAJOR METAL** · #2 12-19-2006, 11:01 AM

Fingerstyle completely at this point , I hardly ever pick up a pick anymore even though thats how I started playing.

chaosMK · #3 12-19-2006, 11:11 AM

I started with a pick... easier to play Metallica with when your fingers have no strength.

After a while, I found out I could play pretty fast with 3 fingers.

I stick to my fingers these days, mainly because a huge part of my playing style involves slapping. I've kind of traded my picks for my thumb (which is pretty fast, after years of doing this).

After figuring out a way to play 16th notes fast with the right accents (T-3-2-1) I never looked back.

MaddAnthony_59 · #4 12-19-2006, 11:14 AM

Which do you prefer?

I prefer FingerStyle, or Walking. I usually use 3 fingers on my attacking hand, and all but my thumb on my neck.

Do you use the other?

Rarely, but I also play some guitar, so I have decent picking abilities. I usually flick the pick after making a couple of mistakes...

How did you get started on playing Bass?

I started playing guitar with my friends in 9th - 10th grade. This was in Goose Creek, SC. EVERYONE Played guitar. My friends Mom's played guitar. Their little sister's played guitar. And to be honest, MOST played better than I did. I took note that there were 3 "GOOD" bassists in the area, and they got to pick who they would play with. Once we started breaking into "Bands", I saw the demoted guitarists picking up the bass, and for the most part they still sucked. I saw a chance to excel, and decided to become the Next "GOOD" bassist out of Goose Creek. I sold my Univox Les Paul, and bought an Aria Jazz copy and a Peavey TNT 100 amp. I took lessons for 3 months from a Navy guy who thought the bass line to Car Wash was the best thing he'd ever heard. But after 3 months he taught me some solid basics that are still with me today. My big break came when one of the better bands had broken up because the lead guitarist had become too much of a Diva/Prima Donna. (Billy Brailsford, anyone?) He was booted, and outcast. I told him I was learning bass, and would LOVE to help him start a new band. All he had to do ws teach me the songs he wanted to play, and I would back him up without question. We jammed everyday after school for about 4 or 5 months. I learned some cool stuff. Finally we got a drummer, and a 2nd guitar. We landed cheezy gigs that actually paid us money! Suddenly I was the guy being invited to Jam. And as long as it didn't interfere with The Band, I rarely turned a session down. I moved to California about 18 months later, and have been playing bass ever since. Starting on guitar has been a Plus. I can typically watch a guitarist, and play along to his chord changes.

Poop-Loops · #5 12-19-2006, 11:16 AM

I still can't play bass with a pick, even though I've been playing guitar for a few months. I just can't. The bigger strings make it really difficult. So I play with 3 fingers. One of the reasons I started playing bass was to play with my fingers anyway, so I'm fine with that.

Relic · #6 12-19-2006, 11:35 AM

Mostly pick as I get more speed and attack that way + both Paul McCartney and Chris Squire are pick players and of course I had to emulate

These days I also use finger style when I need a sweeter more organic tone. I'd say I'm about 60/40 pick vs fingers.

Why look down on either style though? That can limit you. No reason to. Both have merit and obviously work very very well. Trick is to know what works best for what you're playing!

MarkTAW · #7 12-19-2006, 12:51 PM

I prefer fingerstyle, and for the first few years that I played there was the whole "pick vs. fingerstyle" thing but eventually I got over it. I'll whip out a pick now & then when the song calls for it. Nothing else sounds like the sound of a pick.

Phalex · #8 12-19-2006, 01:57 PM

Almost exclusively fingerstyle. Although I do swing both ways.

arbarnhart · #9 12-19-2006, 02:04 PM

Fingers. It's a personal preference and because of experience with guitar and mandolin, I can and do pick, but I just like the fingers for some reason. Not because it is better; just a personal preference.

My wife, who is a good musician on a few instruments, has watched me struggle on a few things and suggested to me that I try bass because I like that head bobbing rhythm. I was playing mandolin with neighbors who come over to jam and one of them offered to loan me a bass and get me started.

Bassic83 · #10 12-19-2006, 02:38 PM

Fingers. Actually, I'm a thumbslinger. Got my start listening to some of the best thumbslingers out there- Mark King from Level 42, and Vernon Porter of Above The Clouds. VP was my housemate for a couple years, off and on. He used to play for Kenny Loggins, Larsen-Feiten Band, and others. One of my dearest friends to this day, and he taught me a LOT about bass. I was a slapper before I could play fingerstyle. Took a few lessons with Jeff Berlin, and that totally twisted my psyche...

Vandelay · #11 12-19-2006, 02:51 PM

I switched from guitar to bass, and I started playing bass with a pick because I was used to it. But since my band plays mostly R&B, I'm making the committment to learning fingerstyle. I've been pick-free for 2 months!

rob2966 · #12 12-19-2006, 03:00 PM

I also moved to bass after being a guitar player for a number of years (still am a guitar player as well). However, I always felt that ANY guitar player could "hammer out eighth notes with a pick on bass" but that doesn't make them a bass player. Maybe not entirely true but that was my thought.

I always viewed bass as a unique instrument and felt the most appropriate way to play was with the fingers (and thumb for slap). I occasionally use a pick in studio if I want that attack in the song but live it is all finger (used to use pick occasionally live but stopped because I kept forgetting my pick).

Intrestingly enough, I also wear my bass a good 6-10" higher than my guitar, again, I see it as a very different, unique instrument and have learned to play it as such since day one.

Later
Rob

WillBuckingham · #13 12-19-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddAnthony_59

Which do you prefer?

I prefer FingerStyle, or Walking. I usually use 3 fingers on my attacking hand, and all but my thumb on my neck.

Whooaaa. Playing with your fingers, and playing "walking" basslines are definitely not the same things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_bass

A helpful article but a little myopic in not mentioning that the concept dates at least as far back as Baroque art-music.

Baryonyx · #14 12-19-2006, 03:03 PM

I started by using a pick, and would find that during the easier sections of songs I would be playing them with my middle finger because I prefer the fingerstyle tone. At some point I ditched the pick altogether in favour of fingerstyle. Then I got into slap and I do a bit of tapping too, so it looks like the pick is never coming back!

I can still play with a pick and on the occasion I use one just for the tone (if I need it). Mind you, personally, I'll never need it.

Bassic83 · #15 12-19-2006, 03:13 PM

I actually can't play with a pick- I end up dropping them, or they get ripped from my grasp!!! I tried all kinds, but my dexterity (or lack thereof) seems to take a HUGE hit when I am in possession of a plectrum of any sort. The only thing I use is fingers and thumbs, and occasionally a drumstick (the wooden kind, not the KFC kind!). Usually there is a drummer on the other end of the drumsticks as well, playing the strings while I handle the chords and notes, and muting. Different, but effective.

JimmyM · #16 12-19-2006, 03:52 PM

I started with a pick, then went to fingers. Nowadays I play about 80% fingers.

As for the pick snobs, as you admitted you yourself are, I really don't give a rat's ass what you or anyone else thinks. I recently had some idiot come up to me and say, "I thought you were a really great bassist until I saw you use a pick on one song." I told him, "Then I guess it's time for you to leave, huh? I'd sure hate to pollute your ears with my pick playing, because I'm going to do it some more next set." He sat his ass down in his seat and never said another word.

vindy500 · #17 12-19-2006, 03:59 PM

i play both some songs ask for a pick some for fingers

lemur821 · #18 12-19-2006, 04:09 PM

Mostly fingers, although I wish I used the pick more. I'm probably better with the pick, and I love the clear tone, but whenever I play I end up putting the pick down. I'm not sure why.

scottyd · #19 12-19-2006, 04:19 PM

Started with a pick Fingerstyle now because I like the tone way more.

cowsgomoo · #20 12-19-2006, 04:21 PM

actually i'm a snob in favour of using a pick... I think us pick players have crisper, tighter tones with a more pleasing attack to the sound than you woolly sounding finger wiggling girly men

if I see someone playing with their fingers I generally find myself thinking "oh great, two hours of inaudible indistinct thumping to look forward to"

you also look stupid with your basses up under your chins and your turkey-nodding stage 'presence'