what do you use? Finger, pick, slap...etc?

madbassist666 · #1 03-21-2008, 10:09 AM

what right hand (left if your a lefty) style do you use?
pick, finger, slap, slap/finger, finger/pick, or all of the above?

buzzbass · #2 03-21-2008, 10:17 AM

1st 3 fingers on my right hand, exclusively. Palm of my hand to slap the headstock, or a clenched fist applied to the upper horn of the body, while holding a chord with my left hand. I've also been known to hold a chord with my left hand and then grab a mic stand and "apply" it to the neck of the bass. This last techique is only done on a crappy bass though. What can I say, Mark Mendozza (Twisted Sister) and Rudy Sarzo have neen big influences on my "style".

StanFan · #3 03-21-2008, 10:21 AM

I don't use a pick, but am not against using one. I'd say I slap if I was good at it

. Mostly, my right hand uses the index and middle finger, but I've been using the ring finger more and more lately especially for faster parts.

bassbrad · #4 03-21-2008, 10:24 AM

All of the above and more.

Phantopeth · #5 03-21-2008, 10:25 AM

All of the above: I use whatever is best for the given situation.

I rarely slap, though. I use to slap all the time, and now I'm sick of it

afinalfantasy · #6 03-21-2008, 10:38 AM

Fingerstyle

I honestly despise playing with a pick, though there are a few exceptions of bassists that I do pay attention to that use one.

tmw · #7 03-21-2008, 10:40 AM

Whatever the song calls for...

smogg · #8 03-21-2008, 10:46 AM

90% fingers 10% pick 0% slap

ba-dum-ba-dum · #9 03-21-2008, 10:46 AM

I would not want to choose between either fingers or a pick. I need both.

tyggis · #10 03-21-2008, 10:47 AM

Finger picking, although I am practicing pick playing these days.

nubs · #11 03-21-2008, 10:49 AM

finger picking, i don't find much need for a pick, even in situations where a pick would be best i can achieve the same result from fingers, i would love to slap but i can't make it sound good what so ever.

Stealth · #12 03-21-2008, 10:55 AM

Fingerstyle all the way. After a while the speed issue goes away, and the sound is easy to reproduce since my nails can survive steel strings.

ba-dum-ba-dum · #13 03-21-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth

...my nails can survive steel strings.

Woah, are you a super bionic radioactive man?!

CHILDISHGAMBINO · #14 03-21-2008, 12:15 PM

I play mostly fingerstyle. I slap a little but I suck at it and I just can't stand the sound I get with a pick which is weird because a lot of my favorite players use picks and they sound great.

Oric · #15 03-21-2008, 01:17 PM

90% finger, 10% slap. I should probably get more proficient with the pick, it has its uses. If I learn mandolin more, I'll get better at using a pick on that.

MoD_Scotty · #16 03-21-2008, 02:04 PM

Mostly finger, maybe slap 20% of the time. I sometimes switch it up when my fingers get tired at a show.

Surly · #17 03-21-2008, 02:06 PM

nose picking

Parabolic Box · #18 03-21-2008, 02:39 PM

Fingers or pick. Some things sound better with the former, others with the latter.

pizzicato16 · #19 03-21-2008, 07:05 PM

3 fingers on my right hand, slap, double thumb, and tapping mostly. I just can't get down with a pick. I understand it's a different sound, but it's just not a part of my sound.

Rudyboy98 · #20 03-22-2008, 01:26 AM

I play fingerstyle mostly and maybe slap the remaining 15% of the time.

I tried playing with a pick when I was a young pup. Didn't like it or get any benefit out of it. I consider the benefits of a particular technique and try to learn as much as I can from others.

But picking just isn't "suitable" for my playing IMO.

I love to pick when I play guitar! Sometime I tap. But that's neither here nor there.

'Nuff said!