Switching Between Fingers and Pick Quickly?

[CauliColin]

I am trying to get back into the pick, but some parts of songs I can only play with fingers. Right now I can only switch from pick to slap, but not back. Good for Rage Against The Machine, but not much else. I have heard of a bassist who uses pick, fingerstyle and slap in the same song, and I am hoping for that kind of thing. Thanks!

[jgroh]

Use a thumb pick...one that attaches to your thumb so you can pick when you want or quickly use your fingers.

[funkingroovin]

I have a friend who plays like that. He holds his pick between thumb/index,and plays finger style with his middle and ring fingers. When switching to slap,he drops the pick and slaps away. He keeps several picks "wedged" between the pickguard and the body,along what would be the "top" edge when wearing the bass. When he's done with the slap,he slides out another pick,and keeps going..

[Masashi is God]

I switch from finger to pick when playing two songs. I have a fender jaguar so I wedge a pick in the active/passive switch select, it,s pretty easy to just grab it. That only works if you have a toggle switch on your bass though :-)

[Lakland55]

When I use a pick in a song that I also use my fingers, during the switch I manipulate the pick between pinky and inside of my hand allowing my fingers ability to access the necessary strings. (Pick is a Jim Dunlop Tortex L3).

[Ron G]

Originally Posted by CauliColin

I am trying to get back into the pick, but some parts of songs I can only play with fingers. Right now I can only switch from pick to slap, but not back. Good for Rage Against The Machine, but not much else. I have heard of a bassist who uses pick, fingerstyle and slap in the same song, and I am hoping for that kind of thing. Thanks!

Check out Bobby Vega.

Bobby Vega - EBD 2010 - part 3 - YouTube

[moles]

I do this all the time. I use the bigger tortex triangle picks, because they're easier to palm while playing fingerstyle. The pick kinda gets held in between the first knuckle joint on the inside of my ring finger, and the fleshy part of my palm. Sometimes I have to do the Jamerson one-finger type of thing if I'm holding the pick, and that still has some limitations for me. It's getting better though. Just work on it.

[bassman314]

I use picks rarely, but I keep them in the pocket between the pickups and the body of the bass. I use a stainless pick and a brass pick.