• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Finger, Pick, THUMB?

Relayer71

Relayer71

Jun 25, 2009
4,336
8,324
NYC
#1
I'm relatively new to the bass after many years of 6 string guitarring and I think I'm actually a pretty decent bass player CONSIDERING how long I've been playing.

Anyway, I REFUSE to use a pick and am trying to learn to play with my fingers but I always end up playing with just my thumb - for some reason it feels more natural, I have more control, and I prefer the tone I get. I will use my index finger in addition to my thumb occasionally when playing a really fast part but it's mostly my thumb.

Am I the only person playing this way??? Is this a bad habit I'm forming?

Now I'm currently playing bass because after 18 years of guitar (and a 1 year fling with the bass 14 years ago) I feel that the bass SHOULD have been my instrument all along. So it's basically sort of my middle-age awakening/re-evaluation (well I'm 37) and currently doing it just for fun.

But I will eventually use it to write/record at home but am also entertaining the possiblity of joining or forming a band (I'm into 70s Progressive Rock, "post rock" (silly term imo considering how different from each other many of the so-labelled artists sound - but basically instrumental stuff), Ambient and Fusion).

Anyway, should I force myself to break out of the habit? Is this seen as poor form amongst bassists? As bad as playing with a pick? (although that's good enough for Chris Squire!!!).
 
#4
There's no problem using your thumb, per se, many great bass licks originated that way, and it was presumed that was the way electric bass would be played way back at the dawn of history.

My thoughts are along the lines of why you're using your thumb. More natural and better is good, but the tone part you might want to examine. A lot of modern basses with roundwound strings do make it difficult to get a "vintage" sound with your fingers (much less a pick). The mids and mid-highs are much brighter, much more growl, much more ringing. If what you want is primarily the sound you get with your thumb, you might explore flatwould strings and some EQ settings that might take those aggressive mids out when you use your fingers. The thumb can also help simulate the "padded" sound (where a foam pad is used to mute the strings), since it puts your palm in place to do that muting, but if you're doing that most/all of the time, you might explore an actual mute.

I say that from my own experience, where I leave my bass by default with a more modern sound for my cover band, and used to use my thumb to get that more "vintage" sound. By trial and error, I've found that I can use a VT pedal to change the tone so that I'm getting the "thumb-sound" when I play with my fingers, and, if we're doing a Motown jam or something, I can get that sound just using bass and amp EQ, it's just harder to get to a modern sound with those settings.

Welcome to the bottom end. May you find your own groove.
 
#5
Using your thumb is fine, but you are limiting yourself quite a bit by not learning to use your other fingers as well. The more you use your other fingers, the more comfortable you will become with them and the more you will be able to control the tone they make; even though you like the tone your thumb gives best, if you think about it, the great majority of the bass tones you've heard on record were not made by thumb plucking alone.

And there's nothing wrong with using a pick at all. I regret never learning to use a pick when I started because it's almost impossible for me to use one now.
 
#6
Get proficient with as many techniques as you can. It'll make you a much more versitile player.

Also, there is NOTHING wrong with playing a bass with a pick. It is absolutely an acceptable technique, and for some music styles, the most efficient way to get the right sound out of your instrument. Being a proficient pick player is just one more tool in a competent bass player's arsenal - as is fingerstyle, slap, and thumb

There's also nothing wrong with using just your thumb - this technique has been used by reggae bass players forever. It's the most efficient way to get the right sound for the style of music.
 
#7
I tried playing with my thumb, but for some of what I had to do, I needed to alternate index/middle finger to keep up. I love playing that way.

I do one thing that’s odd, though; I use my fingernails, same as when I‘m picking the guitar.

I never developed the skill to get a good consistent sound from the pads of my fingers.

I should mention that I haven’t been playing that long.
 
#8
Depending on the gig or studio date, I'll use fingers, my thumb, or even a thumb pick. Different sounds, different feels, different ways to get a certain "style" of sound from your instrument. Also, don't forget about the tonal variation you can get from where you play - closer to the bridge, brighter - closer to the neck, fatter - up on the fingerboard, complete fatness.
 
#9
Marko5657 said:
I tried playing with my thumb, but for some of what I had to do, I needed to alternate index/middle finger to keep up. I love playing that way.

I do one thing that’s odd, though; I use my fingernails, same as when I‘m picking the guitar.

I never developed the skill to get a good consistent sound from the pads of my fingers.

I should mention that I haven’t been playing that long.
Click to expand...

i would recommend getting out of the habit of using you nails and work on getting the tone from the pads of your fingers.
 
#11
I say force yourself to use your fingers - Learn the skill, then use it when you want to. Right now, you're *learning* and learning means doing things you might not otherwise do. Get good with your fingers, then play with a pick/thumb/fingers whatever servers the song... if you just do what is comfortable, you won't learn a new skill, right?
 
#13
When I first started playing I used to just use my thumb too!

After a while I found myself getting blisters so someone out the band suggested me trying a thumb-pick (like you use with an acoustic guitar). I tried one and it was brilliant, used one for some years. You do get quite a good attack on the strings with one, very effective.

I no longer use one as my playing style changed and now I use my fingers. If I were you I'd give a thumb pick a try (a plastic one, not a metal one) and see if you can find a slender one as a lot of the modern one's I've seen are quite chunky and you won't be as articulate in your playing. I got to be able to play quite fast with one.
 
#14
Practice all three until you feel comfortable either way. Each has it's own pro's and con's. I use the hook mostly. 2 fingers less often. Every now and then throw in the 3rd finger. And sometimes use the thumb or a pick. If I am throwing guitar type leads then more fingers or a pick come into play. It's all good !
 
#16
Ive always thought bass to be very versital for methods of playing. "Standard fingers", slap, pick, thumb... or where u want to pick for rest your thumb for playing with your fingers like on the edge of the neck or top of a pick up... Anyway its all about your sound, comfort and tone, IMO.

I play with an old guy who loves old blues and 50's swing, early rock and he uses his thumb on an old p-bass. let me tell ya he can lay down a grove and keep the beat locked up tight with a thick tone. He can really move on that thing and wont touch a pick. lol so yeah man its ok! Screw "proper technique" cause in all reality I dont think there is when u can get the job done well.
 
#17
Guess I should focus more on my fingers, I'm probably using the thumb as a crutch since it feels effortless.

Pick isn't an issue really, just prefer not to play with one (played my 6 string mostly with fingers too) but I really should develop finger strength & dexterity.

I really appreciate all the responses and advise, thanks!
 
#19
Relayer71 said:
Anyway, should I force myself to break out of the habit? Is this seen as poor form amongst bassists? As bad as playing with a pick? (although that's good enough for Chris Squire!!!).
Click to expand...

Definitely not! if its confortable to you, then go for it. By the way, Sting plays with his thumb quite often. James Jamerson used one finger only.

Playing with a pick or playing with fingers is the age old question. There is no "correct" way to do it. If you're comfortable with fingers, use them -- no matter which ones they are. If you prefer a pick, great, use it.

But remember, you will get slightly different sounds depending which method you choose. A particular song may call for a pick sound over fingers, or the other way around. That's why its good to know how to use both.
 
#20
I play with my thumb and fore finger. I can't play with a pick myself, I don't have any feeling in my thumb, fore finger or middle finger so I would always have to look if I dropped them (which I did all the time). I kind of chicken pick when I play. It's an advantage sometimes for muting and fast tremolo grooves. I think if it works for you go with it. But if you can use you fingers that would be a plus and maybe make you a more flexable player... either way welcome to the low end :hyper:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back