Choosing fingers or a pick based on the song

[easyj]

I have been playing bass for a while now. I’ve been in a couple of bands and I am getting by pretty well. When I first started playing, I was clearly told by several people: FINGERS. I like to do things the best way, so I’ve been using my fingers pretty much exclusively. I am a guitar player, so I can pick, but I want to be a bass player, not a guitar player that plays bass. I pass no judgement on pick players, there are so many excellent ones.

Lately, I have been finding myself trying to emulate a lot of songs exactly, and if the bass player is using a pick, I’ve been deciding to learn the song with a pick. I mean, if that is the way the song was recorded and played, and you can actually HEAR the pick, I think I am doing the song justice buy choosing to use one.

How many here know exactly what they are doing with their fingers, but choose a pick whenever a song calls for it?

 

[Stevorebob]

Well, yes. I mostly play with a pick. I prefer the sharper attack and the ability to thumb and palm mute. When a song calls for it, I play with my fingers, thumb, slap, pop, strum, whatever.

 

[Torrente Cro]

I play 50/50, depends of a song and a sound I'm after, I use fingers for soft playing or slap and pick when I want heavier sound.
Many times my keyboard player suggest to use pick and he is usually right (he is a very nice guy and a great friend and I don't mind taking suggestions).

 

[Kro]

I was clearly told by several people: FINGERS. I like to do things the best way, so I’ve been using my fingers pretty much exclusively. I am a guitar player, so I can pick, but I want to be a bass player, not a guitar player that plays bass.

This type of thing IME doesn't exist in the real world of gigging musicians, at least not that I've encountered. Choice of technique is a creative decision and is not something to be criticized as right or wrong.

Even when covering a song, choosing a different technique than what was used on the original is, and should be a creative decision.

The only wrong way to approach things is with a one-size-fits-all mentality.

Being a bass player vs. a guitar player that plays bass is mostly a matter of state of mind - and it certainly has nothing to do with use of a pick.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'm also a guitarist turned bass player, so a pick isn't a problem for me. I don't however play all pick songs with a pick, nor all finger songs with my fingers. I've recently been having some sort of problem with my fingers where they're getting cut up, no matter how softly I play - and that has forced me to reach for my pick more than I ordinarily would. What I found is that with my playing, some songs just sound better with a pick and some with fingers, regardless of what the original artist did. I do however try my best to stick with whatever was done by the bassist who recorded the song.

 

[easyj]

This type of thing IME doesn't exist in the real world of gigging musicians, at least not that I've encountered. Choice of technique is a creative decision and is not something to be criticized as right or wrong.

Even when covering a song, choosing a different technique than what was used on the original is, and should be a creative decision.

The only wrong way to approach things is with a one-size-fits-all mentality.

Being a bass player vs. a guitar player that plays bass is mostly a matter of state of mind - and it certainly has nothing to do with use of a pick.

I started playing with a band that did not really play much rock, so using my fingers was often the obvious choice. We had our own mellow sound, so it worked. I really like the sound of fingerstyle bass, to the extent that I would often prefer to use it on a song that may have been originally performed using a pick. Now, I am playing in a rock band, and I don’t think I can really capture the vibe of a lot of the songs using my fingers. I consistently find myself trying to hit the exact style and sound of the original, and I was wondering how many other bassists here just take that approach.....especially after reading so many “fingers vs. pick” threads.

 

[DirtDog]

I prefer fingerstyle but on certain tunes I need to use a pick. For tunes where I’m on lead vox, I always use a pick. I treat the bass almost like a rhythm guitar when I sing - not strumming like a guitar but picking and often palm muting.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I use a pick for chords, because I think raking chords is sloppy.

 

[Groove Doctor]

When gigging a passive P bass I'll swap between using finger pads, fingernails, side of thumb, using a pick and sometimes slap techniques. All are good and useful.

Pick + Flats = more articulate tone.

Pick + Rounds = more grindy tone.

 

[biguglyman]

Buddy of mine is a guitarist turned bass player. He used to play with a pick only. I teased him unmercifully until he learned to play with his fingers. I still tease him but I think it made him a better bass player. Personally, I'm pretty much with you. I try to cop the vibe of the original recording so pick on picked songs and fingers otherwise with the slap thrown in occasionally for good measure. We play a lot of Beatles in my band so I've been trying to go all pick on those with my Horner. Whatever you feel does the song justice...

 

[BBox Bass]

I'm a semi-ambidextrous lefty with a slightly dumb right hand (I play right handed). I started out as a fingerpicking guitarist and initially only used my fingers for bass. At one point I realized that a pick was easier for some songs, so these days I use whatever requires less effort.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I usually use fingers, but if the tone calls for it (i.e. Rocket Queen) or if the whole song is just repeating 8ths, I'll use a pick.

 

[easyj]

I'm a semi-ambidextrous lefty with a slightly dumb right hand (I play right handed). I started out as a fingerpicking guitarist and initially only used my fingers for bass. At one point I realized that a pick was easier for some songs, so these days I use whatever requires less effort.

A true guitarist....always play it the easiest way. I'm starting to take that approach now, but only because I am confident with my fingers.

 

[jamro217]

I started out as a guitarist who uses a pick exclusively. When I first began on the bass, I tried to approach it as a different instrument altogether and only used my fingers. Four decades later I still use a pick on guitar and fingers on the bass. I've tried reversing the techniques to no avail. I have gained a reasonable amount of proficiency using fingers only, but still can't slap to save my life. When using a pick I sound like a novice. The job requires notes to be played on time and in tune. How any player achieves that is their business. For me, it's fingers or fail.

 

[easyj]

I really appreciate the many insightful comments on this topic.

 

[DD Gunz]

Although I am well versed with my fingers, I play 90% of songs with a pick in my current project. Nothing wrong with doing what feels right either way.

 

[BAG]

I'm predominantly a pick player but I'll use fingers when i think out sounds better.... usually on the more mellow songs. With most upbeat songs i prefer the attack of a pick with strings.

 

[BassJuju]

I will use whatever is required to get the tone for which a song calls. It's all about the song.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I think it depends on the song and the sound you want. For me, I used to play exclusively fingers unless I played punk. I played sometimes with a pick and sometimes with thumb. I now play mostly with a pick due to chronic tendonitis and locking trigger finger in my right index finger. I play in church and the sound man prefers the clean attack of a pick plus the extra low notes on a 5 string. I can relate to Joe Nerve's dilemma with wanting to play finger style but having to adapt due to physical problems. Nothing wrong with using a pick. With the right technique and eq settings you can still get a nice fat sound.

 

[el murdoque]

I strongly prefer finger style for myself and play fingers 95% of the time.
It has gotten to the point where a pick does not feel right any more, an alien piece between me and the bass.
While that is okay for me, I also regard it as a weakness. A competent bassist can play both.

If I were to run across a song that strongly demands a bass played with a pick, I'd rather practice my picking than just try and emulate the sound with fingers.