pick or no pick?

[RazorSpeakers]

i was just wondering if using a pick made any real difference to your technique or if it is just easier on the fingers.

[baba]

Originally Posted by RazorSpeakers

i was just wondering if using a pick made any real difference to your technique or if it is just easier on the fingers.

I'm sure there are a million opinions on this in Technique. Do a search in there.

[xcental34x]

Pick! Gives you more precision and faster playability with a sharper and brighter sound.

[Mud Flaps]

No pick. It's a bass, not a guitar.

[Jonki]

Originally Posted by Mud Flaps

No pick. It's a bass, not a guitar.

ditto

[bassturtle]

Originally Posted by Mud Flaps

No pick. It's a bass, not a guitar.

+1

Picks are for noses not for basses.

[fatbassjazzer]

Originally Posted by Mud Flaps

No pick. It's a bass, not a guitar.

+2
Me and my bass guitar!

[infect]

Use both techniques. For loud rock music, a pick is almost essential if you want to be heard. But for other styles, a pick just doesn't work. I jam w/ 2 guitarists w/ fullstacks now and find myself using a pick w/ my stingray.

[xcental34x]

A mandolin isn't a guitar either, but you can also play it with a pick. Think outside the box, folks. Just because the bass was made with fingers in mind, doesn't mean you can't use other techniques to play.

[TxBass]

Originally Posted by Mud Flaps

No pick. It's a bass, not a guitar.

yep

[Mon Rominee]

Both techniques, and more... geez, talk about laughably close minded people...I use funk fingers too, you all gonna call me a drummer now?

BTW, it's not called a bass or a guitar. It's called a BASS GUITAR. Even Fatbassjazzer admitted it.

So friggin there!

[Sporadic]

I prefer using my fingers, but I use picks on occasion.

I think that one of the main reasons people buy basses are because they're different from normal electric guitar and they have a variety of playing styles, like fingering, slapping, ect. I mean, if you're looking for an instrument for a variety of picking styles, wouldn't you just get a guitar?

Of course it's your preferance. Maybe you just like the sound the bass makes with the pick. Or maybe you like it with the fingers. It really is up to you...

[Cacklingjackyl]

Learn both. Learn as many styles as you can and use what sounds best for the song. I use a pick, my fingers, and just learned to use my thumb as a pick. Make yourself a versatile bassist.

[Mon Rominee]

Originally Posted by Cacklingjackyl

Make yourself a versatile bassist.

Absolutely perfect. To not invite variety is to cut your own lifeline.

[Fuzzbass]

Steve Swallow uses a pick. Dannnn Glennnn has never been worthy to carry his gig bag.

Use whatever you want. Learning to use both is an excellent idea.

[dees]

If you ask me: fingers, all the way. although I sometime practice with a pick, but my fingerstyle is much better.
People saying that a pick is faster than fingers, well, I seriously doubt that. Ever played fingerstyle with 3 fingers??? (I'm practicing on it, but it isn't simple)

[michele]

Fingers + 1!
Hey, it's like makin' love with the one you love ... you have to TOUCH !

[jammadave]

I practiced last night with a pick for a solid half-hour, just cuz I felt like doing things a little differently than usual. Came up with stuff I never had with my fingers, plus got some new tones. I always like to have one around even though I primarily play with fingers. So, as most will tell you, just another technique to have in the toolbox.

[fozzy]

Originally Posted by Mud Flaps

No pick. It's a bass, not a guitar.

Pick is for girls.

[McHack]

I see usage for both styles, i use primarly finger style, w/ some slap. Steve Howe used a pick, so that should be good enough proof for anyone in here, that using a pick is NOT unheard of...

However, lets get back to the original question... does using a pick make a difference in style? Of course it does, the mere fact of using one make a HUGE difference in style. Can you imagine anyone playing slap,, w/ a pick?