Change from fingerstyle to pick technique

[freeridden]

First I want to say that this is not a fingerstyle versus a pick argument. I play for fun and I play music like dream theater, the aristocrats, and stuff from Simon Phillips. Don't get me wrong, I'm not that great. But recently I hurt my middle finger and it has some permanent damage so I cannot play fingerstyle well anymore. I don't want to quit, so I'm thinking about switching to using a pick. Is a pic only good for metal where you just play the same string quickly over and over, or are their bassists out there that can play prog music and or fusion with a pick? I don't care one bit about slapping and popping, but I do some tapping which I will have to do without my right hand middle finger. Any thoughts on this? Can you play complex music on bass with a pick? Or is it pick on bass just for playing super fast on one or two strings? And do you have any examples of someone playing prog-metal or complex music with a pick?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Pick is as aggressive as you want to make it. Then there is always just your thumb.

I've been using my thumb for a long time, and it does everything I ask of it, granted I do not play metal, punk, etc. Country, Pop, Rock and Praise is what I normally end up doing.

Try the pick or just your thumb, I think you may like it.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Didn't Carol Kaye record hits in many genres with a plectrum?

 

[JRA]

if i couldn't play with fingers anymore = i'd get my 'pick chops' together, post haste, and not look back.

good luck using a pick!

 

[Dabndug]

Chris Squire used a pick. I guess his lines may be complex enough.

 

[BBQV]

Check out Bobby Vega, he plays non-metal with a pick. Not prog, but complex enough.

 

[smeet]

Picks are actually perfect for playing fast and clean, and they will work in pretty much any style. And if John Myung used a pick, you might be able to hear what he plays. Almost all electric guitarists play with a pick, and they seem to do all right in the technique department. I have no allegiance to either side, I played with fingers only for about 25 years, and I'm about 50/50 these days. I choose based on the desired tone, or on how I'm feeling at the time.
Here are some good non-metal pick-wielding bassists (at least some of the time):
Andy West (Dixie Dregs)
Anthony Jackson
Chris Squire
John Paul Jones
Bobby Vega
Jerry Peek
Justin Chancellor
Greg Lake
John Wetton
Mike Rutherford
John Entwistle
Steve Swallow
Peter Cetera
Tiran Porter
Sting
Carol Kaye

 

[Lobster11]

 

[smeet]

Nolly Getgood:

 

[oren]

Phil Lesh. Barry Oakley.

 

[JMacBass65]

First I want to say that this is not a fingerstyle versus a pick argument. I play for fun and I play music like dream theater, the aristocrats, and stuff from Simon Phillips. Don't get me wrong, I'm not that great. But recently I hurt my middle finger and it has some permanent damage so I cannot play fingerstyle well anymore. I don't want to quit, so I'm thinking about switching to using a pick. Is a pic only good for metal where you just play the same string quickly over and over, or are their bassists out there that can play prog music and or fusion with a pick? I don't care one bit about slapping and popping, but I do some tapping which I will have to do without my right hand middle finger. Any thoughts on this? Can you play complex music on bass with a pick? Or is it pick on bass just for playing super fast on one or two strings? And do you have any examples of someone playing prog-metal or complex music with a pick?

First, sorry about your injury, that sucks. However, it should not stop you from playing finger style. By all means Lear to use a pick, it's a useful tool, something I use about a third of the time I play. But I must point out that James Jamerson, a finger style player, used only his index finger. John Paul Jones is on record as saying he used only his index finger for fast riffs like "Good Times, Bad Times" and the chorus of "Ramble On", as he felt his attack was cleaner and tone was more even when doing so.

So in other words, don't bail on finger style while making this forced adjustment to your playing.

 

[Skybone]

At the end of the day, it's your bass. You play it how it feels best to you.

If you need to adapt your playing style, for whatever reason, do it. It'll take a bit of time, and a bit of work to get used to it (and unlearn old habits), but it adds another dimension to your playing.

 

[Camaro69]

Hmm Joe Osborn


I have switched mostly to pick due to repetitive stress injury (work related)

Pick is gonna have to be it for me

 

[Fergie Fulton]

The notes you play are what is important....not what you play them with.
A wrong note is wrong whether played with a pick or with the fingers.

 

[vindibona1]

I could write 1000 words on the OP's question... but 1000 words is worth a picture- or a video. I think the vid provides the answer.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

 

[White Beard]

Bryan Ritchie - Violent Femmes
Mike Watt - Minutemen
MCA - Beastie Boys
Paul McCartney - Wings
Lou Barlow - Dinosaur, Jr.
Mark Sandman - Morphine
Chris Wood - Medeski, Martin & Wood
Fred Smith - Television
Jesse F. Keeler - Death From Above
Jill Cunniff - Luscious Jackson
Murry Hammond (thumb player) - Old 97's

 

[freeridden]

Ok thanks. You're all awesome.

A couple questions.

I understand how my thumb sits but what does your index finger look like? I watched the videos you all shared and they seem to hold it like my first picture. Is this correct? Or is the other way correct?

 

[freeridden]

Basically where does your index finger sit?

 

[Xad]

Basically where does your index finger sit?

Check out this old TB thread - lots of good stuff. And definitely check out the Carol Kaye site referenced in the first post in that thread.

I'm still working on my pick technique, and have found these resources really helpful.