rhythmic consistency - pick or fingers?

[araw]

I am a beginner on electric bass. Is there a consensus as to which method of playing is easier for rhythmic consistency: pick or fingers??? I am trying to play rock bass (mostly eigth notes and those tricky quarters!), and wonder what the experts players have found for themselves.

[nicoli]

I don't think there is any reason one would be stronger than the other if you practiced them equally. I'm better with my fingers, but that's probably because I play fingerstyle most of the time.

[BullHorn]

It doesn't matter.

The only difference between playing with a pick or with your fingers, in the long run, is your tone. Use whatever you like more.

[Audiophage]

I'd imagine that whichever you practice more often would be more rhythmically consistent.

[ihassiphilus]

The difference isn't rythmic consistency, it's tonal. The pick tends to be more even than two or three fingers. One finger tends to be stronger than the other(s). You can work at it, but there's always going to be a little difference.

[Audiophage]

Originally Posted by ihassiphilus

The difference isn't rythmic consistency, it's tonal. The pick tends to be more even than two or three fingers. One finger tends to be stronger than the other(s). You can work at it, but there's always going to be a little difference.

You also don't strike the string at the same place with your 2 adjacent fingers.

[Tenma4]

I've never been able to completely overcome the tonal difference from one finger to another. I agree some of it is due to plucking the string at a different point. Most of it for me is that my middle finger is much more fleshy than my index. I've used a combination of fingers 1-2, 1-2-3, thumb-1, thumb-1-2, and thumb-1-2-3 for years. After 8 years of playing I went to primarily pickstyle plus fingers 2 or 2 and 3.

FWIW, I know this is not "normal", but fingers plus a thick pick is something I can live with and love. I say master fingers and pick. Then really try both.

[Solarmist]

Being you're a beginner try both ways, and see what comes natural. I started out with a pick 17 years ago, and like the pick tone much better. I never use finger style ..... I'm not very good at it, but can fly with pick.

[standupright]

since i started on and continue to play upright, and later picked up slab bass, i will never play anything other than finger style. i find it to be much more versatile than playing with a pick.....this is just my opinion, and i know that you are just beginning, but you never know where your musical journey will take you. my vote is to learn fingerstyle and master it.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by ihassiphilus

The difference isn't rythmic consistency, it's tonal. The pick tends to be more even than two or three fingers. One finger tends to be stronger than the other(s). You can work at it, but there's always going to be a little difference.

Sorry, not true. If you work at it, you should be able to get just as consistent with fingers as pick. If not, you need to practice more until you are.

[Michael Case]

Originally Posted by araw

I (mostly eigth notes and those tricky quarters!)

I find whole notes pretty tricky.

[thetawaves]

Originally Posted by Audiophage

I'd imagine that whichever you practice more often would be more rhythmically consistent.

my thoughts exactly. Personally I'm a fingerstyler, my plectrum playing isn't abysmal but I don't pride myself on it

[Rudreax]

Use whichever you like to use, and practice as much as you can. If you do, it won't matter which style you use.

[Alan Vorse]

Originally Posted by ihassiphilus

The difference isn't rythmic consistency, it's tonal. The pick tends to be more even than two or three fingers. One finger tends to be stronger than the other(s). You can work at it, but there's always going to be a little difference.

Rocco Prestia on line 1!