Pick vs fingers in a hardcore/metal band?

Orderform · #1 05-31-2010, 11:30 PM

Hey guys I've just started learning bass so I can play in my friends band. They think I should play with a pick to get the more twangy sound but in the instructional dvd I've got the guy only uses his fingers to pluck. When I pluck with my fingers it sounds more organic which I guess isn't what the band is going for although I kind of like it.

Anyway I was wondering whether I'll be picking up bad technique by using a pick and whether there are many heavier bands where the bass player doesn't use a pick.

What are your thoughts?

standupright · #2 05-31-2010, 11:32 PM

pretty sure cliff used fingers.

Thunder Pulse · #3 05-31-2010, 11:42 PM

Cliff was also buried in the mix for the most part unless he was playing up high on the neck and/or using distortion.

Using a pick isn't bad technique, it's just an additional technique. It's going to be hard for you to be heard well in the mix playing with your fingers if you're playing with guitarists who drop tune or use 7-string guitars and play a bunch of chugga-chugga riffs.

ptolemny · #4 06-01-2010, 12:02 AM

IMO the attack and punch of the pick is better suited for that sort of music than the fatter, rounder sound of the fingers. I've also found it easier to play intricate rhythms at a fast tempo with a pick, but if you practice at it enough you can do it with yr fingers Steve Harris-like.

Muaguana · #5 06-01-2010, 12:02 AM

Nothing wrong with using a pick; if anyone says different just say "Squire, Chancellor" and they'll shut up.

waleross · #6 06-01-2010, 12:10 AM

Have to use both pick and fingers Even slap as well.

bassophil · #7 06-01-2010, 12:13 AM

Try to learn both!

I concentrated completely on playing with fingers when I started 15 years ago. I always knew I wanted to play Metal and I wanted to play with my fingers. But especially in the beginning it can be tough to play with fingers in a Metal band. Some stuff is simply too fast to play it straight AND with a nice punch when you just started.

When you can play both you can start a fast song with a pick at rehearsals and practice with your fingers at home on that song. This way you won't hold up rehearsals and you will learn to play both properly!

btw, I never learned to play with a pick properly and it really bothers me today. Not that I really need it but I'd really like to be able, just not enough to practice

Mr.Bassie720 · #8 06-01-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waleross

Have to use both pick and fingers Even slap as well.

Plus 17 on that one. Saw a great female bassist the other day(Emma Anzai- Sick Puppies) She employed all three,sometimes in the same song. Very effective. Wicked tone.

Ayliffe · #9 06-01-2010, 01:43 AM

You can get the same sound with your fingers if you use the right equipment and eq it properly.

Demystifying Metal styles, how to make fingerstyle playing heard in Metal

This should help.

drewfunk · #10 06-01-2010, 01:59 AM

Bit of overdrive, low action, and slap the strings down against the fretboard with your fingers. Its such a sweet clanky/twangy sound and cuts through the mix like butter.

Muaguana · #11 06-01-2010, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewfunk

Bit of overdrive, low action, and slap the strings down against the fretboard with your fingers.

Yeah, if you have the finger strength for it, you can easily get a hard-as-hell attack with your index and middle fingers. Just power through the strings with each stroke and it'll cut great with the right EQ (and, as drew said, OD would help.) You could also try Entwistle's typewriter technique, if you're familiar with it.

If it's really fast stuff and you still don't want to use a pick, break out that third finger and get tremolo-in'.

JimmyM · #12 06-01-2010, 03:09 AM

my thoughts are "whatever" and "if i listened to my friends in high school, i'd probably be in jail."

lowfreq33 · #13 06-01-2010, 05:13 AM

I've been in plenty of technical metal bands, and I never used a pick. For me fingers is faster and more precise, and offers a wider variety of technique than a pick.

Also bear in mind that you don't have to double the guitars note for note. If you want your bass to actually be audible in the mix, try creating different parts that complement what the guitars are doing. Good examples of this are Martin Mendes from Opeth and Ryan Martinie from Mudvayne.

**TheMutt** · #14 06-01-2010, 05:23 AM

I'll echo what everyone else has said in that you should probably learn to use both. I wish that I had done this earlier, as nowadays if I try to use a pick I miss strings and it feels very awkward and disconnected unless I am constantly staring at my right hand.

Beginner Bass · #15 06-01-2010, 09:22 AM

Look at the sticky. It has a lot on how to get good tone with your fingers. MY suggestion is work on all techniques, and then decide which one works best for what.

chokeslam512 · #16 06-01-2010, 09:31 AM

Can you keep up with the tempo and get the tone you want with your fingers?

Use your fingers.

Can you keep up with the tempo and get the tone you want with a pick?

Use a pick.

tZer · #17 06-01-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orderform

Hey guys I've just started learning bass so I can play in my friends band.

If that's the only reason you're learning to play bass then I'd say do whatever it takes to make that work for you.

If, however, you're learning bass because you want to be an effective bass player, I'd not purposefully box myself in by thinking so narrowly and shortsightedly.

My personal take is you should learn to play bass because you want to be a bass player - not just a member of one, almost certainly very short-lived band.

Mooch · #18 06-02-2010, 07:26 PM

I would learn with a pick then when comfortable with it switch to fingers. I rarely use a pick but we do have songs where I use both pick and fingers. But 99% of the time I use my fingers. I don't have any problem with my tone cutting through.

If you have the right eq and don't follow the guitar note for note you will be heard. Not to mention its a smoother sounding way to play IMO and can implement a lot of different things with fingerstyle.

But don't forget its also important to learn with a pick, something will come up and you'll want to use one.

Willem · #19 06-03-2010, 08:24 AM

I started in a metal band using only pick. One day I decided - when I saw Poalo from Trivium switched - I had to become a fingerstyle player. So I started learning it. Now when we go see other bands where the bass player uses a pick, my bandmates come tell me how lame that guy looks with his pick. And a great metal performance includes appearance and showing of...

And I think fingers are better soundwise too:
Pick might cut through better, but that's NOT what a bass is supposed to do in metal. With a cutting sound you will be turned down or mixed out.
Fingers get you a nice round tone which is easy to EQ under the guitars. That way you will be in the mix and be heard.
@Thunder Pulse: if you can't hear the bass on Master Of Puppets, you're deaf (or in need of better speakers/headphones). Listen 'under the guitars'.

And about the speed issue, I've heard it over and over. 'Now I play with fingers, I'm much faster then when I still used a pick.'

Good Luck my man!

tZer · #20 06-03-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willem

I started in a metal band using only pick. One day I decided - when I saw Poalo from Trivium switched - I had to become a fingerstyle player. So I started learning it. Now when we go see other bands where the bass player uses a pick, my bandmates come tell me how lame that guy looks with his pick. And a great metal performance includes appearance and showing of...

And I think fingers are better soundwise too:
Pick might cut through better, but that's NOT what a bass is supposed to do in metal. With a cutting sound you will be turned down or mixed out.
Fingers get you a nice round tone which is easy to EQ under the guitars. That way you will be in the mix and be heard.
@Thunder Pulse: if you can't hear the bass on Master Of Puppets, you're deaf (or in need of better speakers/headphones). Listen 'under the guitars'.

And about the speed issue, I've heard it over and over. 'Now I play with fingers, I'm much faster then when I still used a pick.'

Good Luck my man!

No offense intended, but there are so many example of both pick players and finger players in all forms of modern rock, metal, pop, etc. who both look cool/doofy, are fast/slow - and so on.

You "look cool" when you play with confidence and clarity. You "look cool" when you believe in yourself and show it in your demeanor and stage presence.

Whether you're holding a pick or not has nothing to do with how cool you look or how well you play.

DO NOT train yourself based on your perception of what other people will think is "cool". That's a losing proposition if there ever was one. Train yourself to play effectively, with confidence and clarity of purpose. I guarantee you you'll look cool if you do that even if you are playing with a stuffed bunny.