I played guitar for 5 years before I started playing bass. I already had my pick technique down by that time. As soon as I made the full time switch to bass, I put down the pick and forced myself to play finger style. There are a lot of very subtle things you can do playing finger style that you cannot do with a pick. You will not regret playing/learning finger style.
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finger vs. pick
- Thread starter jcwillcanada
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Think of playing with your fingers as driving a 5-speed car - once you learn it, you can always grab up a pick later (that would be the "automatic") and figure it out. Learning fingers first will enable you to to understand techniques for both hands - muting unused strings, positioning fingers, etc. I use a double-pick technique for driving bass lines and it definitely saves my fingers over the course of the set/rehearsal/studio session.
I started off using a plec, due to the fact that I had odd difficulties in co-ordinating my fingers. But really, it is so much easier playing with fingers if you don't have a specific sound in mind- for starters, you don't have to scrabble around under the bed or actually clean your room looking for picks, you can just pick up your bass and get funky. Of course, some styles are best played with picks, especially those that use mainly root notes (ie a lot of punk bands- Rancid being a notable exception) as it gives a much cleaner, sharper sound. Also, unless you're capable of moving your fingers like a hummingbird, songs like Parallel Universe by Red Hot Chili Peppers are just impossible without one. Still, for most styles, jazz, blues, funk, and perhaps indie/rock the fingers sound best- the 'fatter', more rounded sound suits them a little better, I think. But you should certainly develop both: then you can show off whatever the situation!
Theres no reason why you cant use both techniques as each has a different effect on your sound and the way you play, but no one way of playing is better than the other, allthough one style may suit a certain type of music better than the other for example fast punky kinda tunes may sound better when played with a pick while a ballad may sound better with fingers for a softer warmer tone.Above all find what works for you and what gets the sound u are happy with, but just enjoy playing bass coz thats what its all about!
I use mostly fingers; but every once in a while I see it nesessary to use a pick. Unfortunately, I've never been very sucessful at using one, so I end up using the tip of my index finger and it wokrs great for me. It works because I'm able to switch styles in the same song without having to grab or let go of a pick.
I suggest that you hear and see other bass players use both styles. I recomend Chris Squire from YES (pick), Jaco Pastorious (two fingers) and Billy Sheehan (three and four fingers). There are instructional videos by each of them.
Good luck!
I suggest that you hear and see other bass players use both styles. I recomend Chris Squire from YES (pick), Jaco Pastorious (two fingers) and Billy Sheehan (three and four fingers). There are instructional videos by each of them.
Good luck!
As I've stated on previous occasions, I used to be a finger purist and looked disdainfully on the pick brigade. To me they always just screamed "FRUSTRATED GUITARIST!!!".
What I do now is wear a thumb pick and use the pick )sparingly) for accents or just to break up the tonality in a major way, often at an unexpected point in a specific tune.
bye,
s
What I do now is wear a thumb pick and use the pick )sparingly) for accents or just to break up the tonality in a major way, often at an unexpected point in a specific tune.
bye,
s
i dont know were i got this but i like it
"a pick is for the frustarated guitarist"
i mean i relitivly new to bass (only played a couple of years)but feel im well versed in the styles of funk rock and jazz.i mean i understand the clean sound and improved speed that you gain from playing with a pick but for me anyway there is a definate lost in dextarity and overal tone quality
mabey im a moran you see ive never played a regular guitar with the exeption of some alien ant farm song that my guitarist showed me (wich was incredibly easy by the way 5 3 7 hammeron 8 hammer off 8 back down to 3 and reapeat)so mabey i dont realize the full potential of a pick.
but all i see is tone loss and loss of a connection between you and your instrament its like wearing a condom on your finger that sensation is just gone
"a pick is for the frustarated guitarist"
i mean i relitivly new to bass (only played a couple of years)but feel im well versed in the styles of funk rock and jazz.i mean i understand the clean sound and improved speed that you gain from playing with a pick but for me anyway there is a definate lost in dextarity and overal tone quality
mabey im a moran you see ive never played a regular guitar with the exeption of some alien ant farm song that my guitarist showed me (wich was incredibly easy by the way 5 3 7 hammeron 8 hammer off 8 back down to 3 and reapeat)so mabey i dont realize the full potential of a pick.
but all i see is tone loss and loss of a connection between you and your instrament its like wearing a condom on your finger that sensation is just gone
We do? I hadn't noticed.
Maybe people who don't play with a pick haven't got a clear idea of what's possible with one, because I never have any trouble with four-string arpeggios or parallel octaves. And I prefer a pick for chords and double stops.
I use both styles, of course - there's no substitute for that fingerstyle sound.
I was once too proud to play any of my original stuff with a pick.
But after sucking it up and using one, I find it actually enhances some riffs.
Some songs work for it some don't.
I hate it when I have a song that has a pick riff and a finger riff in it. Hard to switch fast from one to the other. Have to put pick in mouth.... Tastes funny....
But after sucking it up and using one, I find it actually enhances some riffs.
Some songs work for it some don't.
I hate it when I have a song that has a pick riff and a finger riff in it. Hard to switch fast from one to the other. Have to put pick in mouth.... Tastes funny....
i switch between pick, fingers and slap all the time, sometimes using all 3 in one song. it depends on the sound you want.
for example, if you want a "hard", "flat" sound, then go for a pick. we've got a few songs where the best sound for the bass is a full-on, very rough, very hard, very flat sound. it's in your face, it's up there with the guitar, and it gives a harder atmosphere to the song.
we have other songs which are kind of darker, more harmonic, and i'll play with fingers. you can get a "fuller," "deeper" sound with fingers because the meat of the fingers is brushing off the strings instead of a plastic pick. even fingernails will give you a slightly different sound. i use this in some of our slower songs and our more harmonic songs where the bass should sound a bit "deeper" and "darker". it gives you a different emotion, a different feel to the song.
and lastly, i slap during parts of other songs for an entirely different feel. it's not so much upbeat as it is just more of a percussive feel. i play a 5 string, so on some songs, i drop down to the low b and start slapping my thumb on it over and over again (kinda like korn but not so poppy, it's still on the rythym pickup so it gives a deep thumpy sound) and adds to the percussion while still having its own unique bass sound.
it's all personal preference, but the best way to do it is to be able to play all of them. that way you can switch for everything you want to do.
i also use a pick for scratching on the strings, too. not all that often, but you can get a neat scratching bass sound sliding the pick around near the bridge. it's hard to hear without an enhancer pedal / effect or at least a really nice amp.
for example, if you want a "hard", "flat" sound, then go for a pick. we've got a few songs where the best sound for the bass is a full-on, very rough, very hard, very flat sound. it's in your face, it's up there with the guitar, and it gives a harder atmosphere to the song.
we have other songs which are kind of darker, more harmonic, and i'll play with fingers. you can get a "fuller," "deeper" sound with fingers because the meat of the fingers is brushing off the strings instead of a plastic pick. even fingernails will give you a slightly different sound. i use this in some of our slower songs and our more harmonic songs where the bass should sound a bit "deeper" and "darker". it gives you a different emotion, a different feel to the song.
and lastly, i slap during parts of other songs for an entirely different feel. it's not so much upbeat as it is just more of a percussive feel. i play a 5 string, so on some songs, i drop down to the low b and start slapping my thumb on it over and over again (kinda like korn but not so poppy, it's still on the rythym pickup so it gives a deep thumpy sound) and adds to the percussion while still having its own unique bass sound.
it's all personal preference, but the best way to do it is to be able to play all of them. that way you can switch for everything you want to do.
i also use a pick for scratching on the strings, too. not all that often, but you can get a neat scratching bass sound sliding the pick around near the bridge. it's hard to hear without an enhancer pedal / effect or at least a really nice amp.
i havn't been playing for very long at all, i usually play with a pick cuz i used to play guitar, but i'm practicing playing with my fingers now.
I personally like the sound of the pick better than that of the fingers, but this is probably because i really suck. Anyways, I use both and i think saying one style is wrong is f---ing close minded.
Since at this point i have played guitar longer than bass, this is probably why i am more comfortable with a pick. But i'm werkin' on it!!!!!!
Anyways, I use both and i think saying one style is wrong is f---ing close minded. Since at this point i have played guitar longer than bass, this is probably why i am more comfortable with a pick. But i'm werkin' on it!!!!!!
i think it definitely depends on the music you play and also the bass you play. If you like the pick sounds you get on your fender for example, but the finger sounds on your epiphone, then play the fender with a pick and the epiphone with your fingers. I personally stay away from playing with my thumb when I finger pick, but if you want to play with your thumb, that's fine, just harder to get the speed
for some reason i despise bass players who use a pick. i think that well... using your fingers is the naturual, best way to play bass, it just feels good! any guitarist can use a pick and pick up a bass and play, but it takes awhile to aquire a technique and speed with your fingers.
I felt the same way for quite a while, but I'm in therapy now, so I've learned to put aside my hatred towards the pickers and respect the pickers who can play
I play with both to give me more versatility in my tunes. So can love me or hate me. Either way.
Hmm...I can't believe I've missed this one so far. I find a pick gives me a much clearer more definite sound. It also looks cooler when you do the Hoppus-style jackhammer pick (if you can do it right without hitting 3 extra strngs).
I am a oddly closed minded person. I only use fingers while playing and i despise bassists who use solely pick. Its one think 2 be a part time pickist but i think the most natural and clearest example of how bass should sound is with your fingers. I think 80% of TBers aren't wrong. (For further proof of my theory check my sig lol)
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