Am I severely limiting myself by pick playing?

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by Pablo Fanque

I'm concerned there will be a lot of things I won't be able to play without using my fingers.

Like what?

Play what is comfortable and develop your own sound. The world has enough clones.

[Floyd Eye]

First of all, there is nearly nothing that is finger style that you can't play with a pick. However, you will be doing yourself a great service by learning to play both ways.

[Mr_Music90]

I would say no At first I was thinking bad about Jason Newsted using a pick all the time, but when I heared in a interview he couldn't pluck with his fingers, because his fingertops bursted open, even when there were thick layers of callus on his fingertops I thought : hey, who am I to judge?

Anyway, back to the topic : I think that you should do what you prefer. If for example you like it cause it makes you bass more alive, then why not? Or if you band request that kind of bass lines, made with a pick, then do it!

No one that can stop you for doing what you enjoy!

[TigerInATrance]

Your individuality as an artist is nothing more than the sum of your limitations.

[Fergie Fulton]

In the three and a half years since the OP, maybe they have found out nothing limits a player but their imagination.

[4dog]

Severely ,,, no,, youll be like me and a lot of other bassist,,, you just want a change and you will add fingerstyle to your style and then your choices will get broader,,, thats all.

[Kenzy]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

In the three and a half years since the OP, maybe they have found out nothing limits a player but their imagination.

Wha...but...wow. I didn't notice that at all!

[Floyd Eye]

I know I posted in this thread too, but for real I can't even believe people post in these threads anymore. How many friggin' times do we need to have the same discussion. Any second now an Original/covers thread is going to pop up.

[RobbieNuke]

My knee-jerk response to the question would be "NO". My first few years as a performing bass player I used a pick exclusively. There are legions of professional bass players who use a flat pick in live performances. Currently, I start off with finger picking but will go to a flat pick if I feel a need to be louder... before I start turning my amp up... or if the style of bass I'm covering requires it.

Of course there were always those who came up to me and said "You know you should be using your fingers, not a pick." My response was usually "Thanks. And I'll be glad to pass that info onto Paul McCartney too. He'll be glad to know he's got it all wrong."

As a teacher I would introduce different techniques and exercises for each one, but would never insist a student work on things that were uncomfortable... just be aware of the different playing techniques as options to get different sounds. When I first started playing kit drums the "matched" grip (of holding drum sticks) was still frowned upon. The traditional grip was the "proper" way.

[funkybass]

I've always played with my fingers, but I cut my index finger really bad a month ago and had to use a pick at a gig. Now I'll use the pick sometimes too. It's good to be able to do both.

[Kenzy]

I'm still concerned about the "exploding fingers"...

[Rockin Mike]

It's easier to do beginner stuff with a pick.
Then it's easier to do the next level with fingers.
Then there's a level that's really hard to do with fingers but a decent pick player can handle it.
Then there are the super monsters like Vic Wooten who almost invariably use fingers.

so, whatever.

[PimasterPearson]

Originally Posted by Phalex

You're only as limited as you feel.

Ding ding ding!

I play 98% of my basslines alternating between my index and middle fingers. It feels right, and I think it usually sounds better. My band has about 20 original songs, and one of them has one part that I just have to play with a pick. It's a fast 16th-note riff up at the highest range of the G-string, and it just doesn't sound right when I fingerpick it.

You need to develop your own signature style, while also being open to trying new things... unless you want to be in a cover band or be a studio player, in which case you need to master every technique under the sun.

[thebeerleader]

After 20 years of playing fingerstyle bass, I'm just starting to spend more time learning to use a pick. There's a whole range of tone and feel that I've been missing out on. I imagine, however, that I could say the same about fingerstyle if I spent the last 20 years only playing with a pick. To answer the OP's question I think that even if you're used to one approach, you should have at least a basic knowledge of as many others as you can. I wish I used a pick sooner.