Are finger players a dying breed

[Tim Skaggs]

I just watched 2 hours of rock videos and not one bass player used his fingers. All pick players I have nothing against pick players I think it looks cool.i play only fingers the only picking I do is my nose I did notice that all of them were under 40 years of age. I guess a new generation thing or they were guitar players at one time

From your opening statement; I just watched 2 hours of rock videos, it's clear the sample of players that generated your question wasn't very diverse.

 

[T Bassman]

Of course not. Thats a bit general to be honest.

 

[AlexBassMP]

The best out there...

 

[hopwheels]

I use both finger style and a pick for rock. Pick for sharper and more percussive attack to support a song style or even passage in a song. Just depends on the song.

 

[Rock Salad]

Then there is Chuck Rainey... and that double thump thumb thing...
Strumming motions with no pick. I like those.

 

[BassChuck]

 

[AJ78bass]

Well, I'm a guitar player that more recently is learning to play bass, and I almost exclusively am learning to play bass with my fingers. From the first time I picked up a bass (after playing guitar for several years) i could play one with a pick.
..so for me the greatest learning curve is the finger techniques. So I'm working on getting my 2 right hand fingers to sync with my fretting hand, my slap bass, etc... to me being able to play with your fingers IS playing bass!

 

[Wfrance3]

Dying???? I hope not. I didn't even know I was sick!!!....

 

[AdamR]

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Absolutely not, we just have an influx of guitarists playing bass now because they've finally realized how cool we are.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I honestly don't care how this guy does it but he does it well.

 

[red_rhino]

No.... but it seems critical thinking is a dying art.

And that was as far as I needed to read this thread.

 

[ferarayabass]

never

 

[Killed_by_Death]

This could have been a great poll.

 

[Jokei]

This guy:


from this band:


This dude:




from lots of heavy bands.

 

[rohi]

Nope. Realistically, there are uses for both anyway. Depends on the situation.

 

[Rock Salad]

And what about thumb pick?

 

[4dog]

thumb pick???....yep its a goner!

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

It's true. We pick players are taking over by any means necessary. ANY. MEANS. NECESSARY. We've already taken out all the finger players on the OP's TV, and we're coming for all of you next. It ain't gonna be pretty.

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Bow before the Glorious Pick Playing Master Race!

 

[socialleper]

I just watched 2 hours of rock videos and not one bass player used his fingers. All pick players I have nothing against pick players I think it looks cool.i play only fingers the only picking I do is my nose I did notice that all of them were under 40 years of age. I guess a new generation thing or they were guitar players at one time

You sort of answered your own question:
First of all, sexist. . Kidding. I know the rock field is dominated by men. I think the split between men and women using a pick is about the same in that regard.
The strong presence of picks in rock-subgenres is nothing new. It became more common in the 80s when players wanted a sharper attack that would pop out of the mix, or third rate guitar players became bass players. In genres where you want a very consistent, heavy attack you will see more use of picks. Or where quick tremolo picking is desired. Then there are other genres where no one uses a pick because it isn't ease to adapt to complex patterns on big strings.
Outside of rock, I don't think using a pick is all that common.