Can't seem to master finger style

[mambo4]

The fundamental approach to master any technique is simply too slow it down until you can play it accurately, then you incrementally increase the speed each practice session. The speed should never be the primary goal. The focus should always always be correct and accurate execution. The speed will just take care of itself.

Failure to execute at speed comes from an underlying lack of awareness of what our body is doing, we have to train our "6th sense" of proprioception. Focusing only on hitting a targeted speed distracts us from observing our body and really physically sensing what the accurate technique requires in terms of movement. When we slow down and don't stress out on hitting the target speed, we can spare the attention needed to understand and train the mechanics of our body better.

 

[lfmn16]

There's nothing to it but time. Start playing more of the songs you already know with your fingers. Do it until it sounds right.

+1

It aint rocket science. The same advice as someone going from finger style to a pick.

You aren't going to play finger style as well in nine hours, or nine days, or nine weeks as you play with a pick which you've been doing for nine years. I'd keep the practice sessions under an hour, but practice every single day, not 7 hours one day and then not again for a week. There are no tricks, secrets or short cuts; it just takes practice and concentration.

 

[EricMordus]

I made the switch from pick to finger style around 6 years ago after playing with a pick for almost 30 years. It's not very difficult, it's all repetition. Start easy, simple songs that you KNOW like the back of your hand. It's going to take time, so dont expect to whale away on "The Real Me" any time soon. It will come though. I can still switch between the two, but i'm 95% fingers now, pick playing feels strange to me now.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

That's true! Like most things, I seem to have learned this skill bass akwards...

When I started playing I used a pick. When I landed my first working-band gig, I eventually moved to playing with my fingers… and gave up using a pick.
So, get better with your finger technique... but don't lose you pick chops. Wish I still had some.

 

[Chrisenbacker69]

Thanks to all for the solid advice. It looks like I have some work to do. As an aside, Using a pick came naturally to me right out of the box. I assumed it was that way for everyone and that I was the outlier because finger style was a challenge right out of that same box. Strange...