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finger vs. pick

Do you use a pick or fingers

  • finger

    Votes: 396 71.2%

  • pick

    Votes: 100 18.0%

  • funk fingers

    Votes: 33 5.9%

  • ball peen hammer

    Votes: 6 1.1%

  • carrots

    Votes: 21 3.8%
  • Total voters
    556
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#21
I've played using a pick for a good number of years now, but lately I've been using my fingers on more of our songs. You're right, it depends on the sound your looking for and the feel! I'd say learn both!

As far as speed goes I don't think it matters, I'm into Steve Harris and Billy Sheehan and don't recall seeing them use a pick regularly ( and to me they are 2 of the fastest players I know of!!)

I wish I'd practiced more with my fingers years ago, I'd be a better rounded and more versatile bassist! Now if only I can learn to slap.......
 
#22
Originally posted by mxpxbass182
Hey Jamie, i think you should do both i for one use a pick but that depends on the music u play. My instructor says that i should use a pick cuz i play fast punk and its easier. well n e ways you do wat u want peace

nick
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Jamie, I use the me-bass formula instead of the me-pick-bass formula
just in case I forget or lose the pick. That's going to be a decision for
your playing style and preference.
 
#24
I agree with all the posts here, learn both techniques!

I´ve never taken any bass lessons, but when I started playing about 8yrs ago I got used to using both techniques. It all depends on what song I´m playing wether I use the pick or my fingers. But I also use the pick as a backup. When I´m tired in my fingers, or I have a blister then I often resort to using the pick to spare my fingers the pain :-)
 
#26
I've been playing for about 4 or 5 years now, and I prefer to finger it. You have a lot more control, I think, and you never have to worry about losing or dropping your picks. However, there are some songs that require a pick if you can't finger fast enough. Also, the sounds made by fingers vs. picks are very different. Picks are very clean and sharp, while fingers are a little smooth on the edges, but you can do a great deal more with fingers. I'd say you should stick with the fingering. It's a great and essential technique. I usually frown on bassists who pick when they could very easily finger a certain song. For example... don't you dare pick a Chili Peppers song (except maybe Parallel Universe due to how incredibly quick it is). Anyway, there you go :)
 
#28
Originally posted by Oddfish
you never have to worry about losing or dropping your picks. ......I usually frown on bassists who pick when they could very easily finger a certain song. For example... don't you dare pick a Chili Peppers song :)
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1) double sided tape on the mike stand works wonders :-))

2)oddfish frowns upon pickers.......i`m scared!


anyway learn both ways and you can`t go wrong
you will find you need both styles anyway depending on the song. As for speed using 3 or all 4 fingers is usually faster than a pick (better attack, no bounce!)
 
#32
Originally posted by ZuluFunk


Sorry I left out the ; )

I'me sure you can play like Michael Anthony. I wasn't picking a fight.
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I'm glad you said that - I was trying to figure out what was going on :D

Good one.
 
#33
Originally posted by Oddfish
...and you never have to worry about losing or dropping your picks....you can do a great deal more with fingers....It's a great and essential technique.... don't you dare pick a Chili Peppers song ...
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(a) Fear of dropping picks is about the lamest excuse I've heard for not using one.

(b) You can do so much more with a pick. It's much more versatile and offers far more opportunity for personal expression.

(c) No technique is essential...unless you're a jazz robot who adheres to rules of jazz orthodoxy.

(d) Is that a threat? Oh wait, I get it, you mean pick as in select. No, I won't dare select a Chili Peppers song, I don't like emulating buffoons.
 
#38
Originally posted by lister423


(a) Fear of dropping picks is about the lamest excuse I've heard for not using one.

(b) You can do so much more with a pick. It's much more versatile and offers far more opportunity for personal expression.

(c) No technique is essential...unless you're a jazz robot who adheres to rules of jazz orthodoxy.

(d) Is that a threat? Oh wait, I get it, you mean pick as in select. No, I won't dare select a Chili Peppers song, I don't like emulating buffoons.
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My apologies if I'm missing some kind of sarcasm here, but if not...

This is the stupidest post I've read all month. Congratulations - I think you win a free T-shirt.

:insertthemosthumungaloidsunblockingestrolleyessobigithasitsownmoonrighthere:
 
#39
Originally posted by lister423
Oh come on, Pacman, surely you can do better than that! Come on, give us all the usual propaganda! You claim to be in favor of using both, right? Yeah, right. As long as it's Anthony Jackson.
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I was really trying hard not to point out the stupidity of your previous post. I am in favor of using both. But don't try to tell me that a pick is more versitile and that you can do more with it. That is patently untrue.

Originally posted by lister423



(c) No technique is essential...unless you're a jazz robot who adheres to rules of jazz orthodoxy.

 jazz robot? I can't think of a single genre that's less concerned with "orthodoxy" than jazz.


(d) Is that a threat? Oh wait, I get it, you mean pick as in select. No, I won't dare select a Chili Peppers song, I don't like emulating buffoons.
Click to expand...

Care to post some of your recorded work for everyone to learn from your playing? Can you back up any of your criticisms with actual playing?
 
#40
Originally posted by Pacman


I was really trying hard not to point out the stupidity of your previous post. I am in favor of using both. But don't try to tell me that a pick is more versitile and that you can do more with it. That is patently untrue.





Care to post some of your recorded work for everyone to learn from your playing? Can you back up any of your criticisms with actual playing?
Click to expand...

It's untrue as an objective fact? Really??? Do you have clinical proof? I'm expressing an opinion. Every time threads like this get started, you and your ilk say that fingers are of course more versatile, you can get much more variance in tone, blah blah blah, and you're entitled to that opinion. Mine is the opposite. I think fingerstyle is monotonous and limiting.

But maybe you're right. Just yesterday I thought I was listening to Chet Atkins and it turned out to be Yngwie Malmsteen! Well, ya know, there's only one pick tone, that's why I got confused! And I'll bet you can get it using your fingernail, right? (Note for those of you who still don't get it: this is sarcasm).

Jazz by its origin it ought not be concerned with orthodoxy. But you'd have to be living under a rock not to know that jazz today is governed by a rather rigid orthodoxy. It's of no concern to me anyway, nor to the music-buying public since jazz sells so poorly.

I would love to, but I'm a studio pro whose work involves uncredited overdubs and otherwise fixing others' inadequate work by getting a good sound to tape (I use my pick or my fingers as necessary). It's not my property to post.

Of course I could record something at the studio for you, but why? Are you one of Flea's friends? I doubt it. Your true colors are showing. You wouldn't ask an anti-picker to back up his views, would you? No, of course not.

The truth, Pacman, is that you're willing to throw a few crumbs of approval at pick players as long as they properly respect the undeniable superiority of fingerstyle, worship Jaco, and ride on the back of the bus. Perhaps someday you'll open your eyes and see that the bus has passed you by and that you and your fellow travelers don't control bassdom, never have and never will. Fire away, it doesn't matter in the real world.
 
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