Finger or pick

[Mike Barrow]

How many bass player use a pick?
How many bass player use their finger!
I finger pick always have but I tried to use pick but didn't like it. I also play guitar and I finger pick it.
But how do you get the speed on bass with a pick. With my finger I have speed and more controll. I just don't like using a pick. One thing is my hand go's to sleep if I use a pick and then I drop it. My first gets just know what strings to pluck its something I had from the start. I have natural rhythm and that helps.

 

[bucephylus]

OP better for the technique forum.

That said, IME, it's not an either/or type of Q. Learn them both. They are simply techniques. The more the better.

 

[Kro]

It's great to be proficient with both. You can never have too many tools at your disposal when it comes to expressing yourself.

I say this as a bassist who never learned to slap very well (shame on me)! Maybe one day...

 

[EricMordus]

both, depends on the song

 

[lz4005]

Fingers sound like fingers and picks sound like picks. A competent player knows how and when to use both.

 

[Bodeanly]

my hand go's to sleep if I use a pick and then I drop it.

If your hand goes to sleep when using a pick, you are A) not using it correctly or B) have an underlying medical condition.

 

[Kro]

Fingers sound like fingers and picks sound like picks. A competent player knows how and when to use both.

The attack and tone is a big part of it, but I find that when it comes to writing, I also approach parts differently from the get-go depending on which I'm using. Find what works best for your goals and rock it!

 

[Julien63000]

Pick for agressive midrangy sound - Fingers for round and warm bassy sound - Slap for percussive and trebly sound . In conclusion learn all the three !

 

[Kro]

If your hand goes to sleep when using a pick, you are A) not using it correctly or B) have an underlying medical condition.

And this. I'd say maybe get that checked out, or double check your technique. At the end of the day though, it's all about what works best for you. If a medical condition necessitates use of fingers over pick, there's nothing wrong with that either.

 

[Mike Barrow]

I have plates in my neck and rods in my back. I had an accident at work in 1985 that ruptured a disc in my neck. Then in1999 I was rear ended in a car and ruptured another disc in my neck. I have nerve damage in both arms. My hands go to sleep al the time. But I play on. I will never stop .

 

[Julien63000]

Have you tried anchoring your hand to have more control and be more comfortable ?

 

[quindecima]

If your hand goes to sleep when using a pick, you are A) not using it correctly or B) have an underlying medical condition.

That sounds like Tunnel Carpal IMO

 

[Mike Barrow]

Have you tried anchoring your hand to have more control and be more comfortable ?

I just always finger pick. But I 'll try that thanks.

 

[Mike Barrow]

That sounds like Tunnel Carpal IMO

Yeal I have that too

 

[Mike Barrow]

That sounds like Tunnel Carpal IMO

Yeal I have carpal tunnel both hands

 

[lermgalieu]

Both. I'm still not a good picker, but I can get by. Practice, practice, practice

 

[lfmn16]

Inhale or Exhale?

If you've been fingerpicking for years, you probably aren't going to be able to grab a pick and be proficient in 5 minutes. Depending on your dexterity, it could take months of daily practice to get really good at it.

If your hands go to sleep when you pick, you need to analyze what you are doing. Try the Carol Kaye Method. You might be squeezing the hell out of the pick without even realizing it.

 

[Wesley R]

OP better for the technique forum.

That said, IME, it's not an either/or type of Q. Learn them both. They are simply techniques. The more the better.

Both is best.

 

[byronic_zero]

I unintentionally became a pick player in my last band in part because as a performer I felt "boxed in" playing with my fingers. Playing with a pick seemed to open up more expression in my right hand. Obviously the "right" answer is learn to do both, but there are also factors beyond sound in deciding how to express yourself as a player.

 

[mobeme23]

i like the rhythmic expression of a pick for certain styles of music, that i can't get with my fingers or thumb. especially when combined with some palm-muting, i can add a lot of rhythm to the mix. Tonally, it's a completely different approach, and tends to require a different EQ and/or instrument direction for me.

i started out playing a pick, and have been learning to appreciate finger style more and more these days, as my strength and speed improve.

definitely worth practicing with a pick, at least occasionally.