Poll: pick or fingers or both...very unimportant but oh so interesting!! - Page 3

MammaryVest · #41 10-06-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThorBassManiac

I have five plectrum on my right hand... why use them to hold one?

That sounds like a riddle. If I were to venture a guess, I'd say the answer would be that your fingers don't sound like picks.

cheapimitation · #42 10-06-2007, 08:43 AM

Started with fingers, and still use both fingers and pick in professional situations, but the sound I love is pick with fretless. Hate the mwah, and the pick takes care of that. For years I tried to use my fingernails, but mine are soft, rip easily (I have a good diet, it's just genetics), and I found it impossible to keep a consistent sound with the. Also tried gluing on bits of ping-pong balls (a legitimate trick; didn't work for me), the Alaska Pik (fingerpicks), and silk wraps. In the end, a Dunlop tortex triangle seems best for me, plus with no nails, I can get the finger sound that is so useful in many playing situations.

mlowe · #43 10-06-2007, 09:45 PM

Always play with fingers, hate the sound of a pick but that's just me. I'm sure if the style of music I was playing was to require a pick sound it would be so.

I just find using fingers better to get instant ability to change tone more.

Even faster than changing pups.

All_¥our_Bass · #44 10-08-2007, 09:40 PM

Started with a pick, but now play both. But I'm still like 90% pick 10% fingers.

Lazylion · #45 10-11-2007, 06:27 AM

I switched from guitar, so I started with a pick. But I soon found out that when you drop your pick 10 seconds into the song, it's helpful to be able to use fingers!
When I used to do more recording, I found that a pick was sometimes requested.
So it's best for me to have both available. These days I typically play all fingers, and use a pick only when I tune. Once in a while my right index finger will be sore from playing a lot, and I'll roll off the highs and pick it. It's nice to have the variety.

ThorBassManiac · #46 10-15-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MammaryVest

That sounds like a riddle. If I were to venture a guess, I'd say the answer would be that your fingers don't sound like picks.

They don't and they shouldn't (God forbid)... although I do have a trick to get that sound without the use of a rather inefficient pick.

MammaryVest · #47 10-15-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThorBassManiac

They don't and they shouldn't (God forbid)... although I do have a trick to get that sound without the use of a rather inefficient pick.

And I'm sure you've found the philosopher's stone of bass to make fingers sound like pick and it sounds perfectly accurate and no one has ever thought of it before.

(inefficient?)

Rodr-Evil · #48 10-24-2007, 10:59 AM

Fingers of death for me!!!

sensible68 · #49 10-25-2007, 05:24 AM

I picked the bass back up a few months ago after a long lay off and I decided to relearn with fingers as I used to exclusively use a pick and I read here that with fingers you can 'feel your instrument' and that resonated a little.

It's really hard, the right hand keeps tightening up... coordination... and I can still breeze through exercises with a pick that present real problems pizzicato.

last night, having had a bit of a frustrating practice, I switched off for a bit and it seemed to come together, there was a period when it just seemed to roll along, which never really happened so intensely when playing with a pick. it was great

barbarbass · #50 10-25-2007, 06:07 AM

I started with -- and still find it easier to use -- my fingers. I also play some g*****r, so the problem I have with using a pick on the bass is the spacing between the strings. I just can't play as fast with a pick as I can with my two fingers.

When I started, as well, I had this instruction book (and a CD) from a jazz player who said that you want to produce a "smooth, round" tone -- which of course, is most easily accomplished by means of your fingers.

Howsomever -- I love the sound of a picked bass, especially when the strings are attacked right down by the bridge. It is one I've tried to emulate through all kinds of artificial means, i.e., EQ adjustments and speaker cabinet choice. It's not quite the same, however.

T-rent · #51 10-25-2007, 06:12 AM

We all know it depends on what the style of song we are playing requires!!! Doesn't it?

Dave Muscato · #52 10-25-2007, 07:26 AM

I propose that we just have the TB forum automatically start a new poll thread with this title once a month, just to make sure we don't miss any

It depends on the song, whatever is comfortable, blah blah blah, you guys go ahead and argue... if you need me, I'll be gigging