I played almost exclusively with a pick most of my bass-playing life, because I found it easier, and it gave me a better sound for the music I was playing at the time (thrash metal/punk-type stuff). I was never fast enough with my fingers for that stuff (we can't all be Steve Harris). Now that I'm getting back into playing, and the material is a little more middle-of-the-road, I've been forcing myself to relearn finger style, just because I don't like the pick sound in most situations. I still use the pick once in a while, but now it's about 80/20 finger over pick. It's a struggle, but it's worth it to be able to do both.
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finger vs. pick
- Thread starter jcwillcanada
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i cant believe this thread is still going.....
i've been up for 46 hours....im going to sleep....
i've been up for 46 hours....im going to sleep....
I don't think this is necessarily true. Some people may prefer to play with a pick over fingers for various reasons. To imply that somone who predominately plays with a pick is any worse of a player than a fingerstyle player is simply not true. I am not saying that playing with a pick is any better or worse that playing with fingers, just different. You can't judge a persons technical ability by the way they play the bass.
I use a pick because I always have, I use it with as much versatility as some-one who's always used fingers.
I mainly use a pick as it gives me a more deffined tone, and louder sound.
I only ever use my thumb for slap, which I am a bit partial to
I mainly use a pick as it gives me a more deffined tone, and louder sound.
I only ever use my thumb for slap, which I am a bit partial to
for stuff i need to let ring with the hammer i pluck the strings really hard with my fingers but other than that im a punk bassist so i use a pick all the way.........FENDER PICKS BREAK 2 FAST!!!!!!!!
I use fingers, partly because I prefer the tone you get from it (except in certain circumstances eg Olive Me by NOFX), and partly cos I fully suck at using a pick anyway, so the point is moot in my case.
Go to Link Removed and look at Quintan berry on "new movies". He plays the bass on his shoulder with his fingers from under the bass, then tell me there is only one "right way" to play. Do what's comfortable to you and don't let anyone tell you itsd wrong. JUST PLAY, that's all any of us can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ive been playing for almost 3 years now.. i like using fingers better, i use 3 fingers when i play, 4 when i play slap. soon i will finish training in the pinky, thats a tough one to train
alot of people i knowplay with pick because of speed but i can usually match them anyway and sometimes outspeed them, but its all a matter of what you feel more comfortable with, its all about grooving, which i feel more connected with my fingers, however you think feels natural is the best way
alot of people i knowplay with pick because of speed but i can usually match them anyway and sometimes outspeed them, but its all a matter of what you feel more comfortable with, its all about grooving, which i feel more connected with my fingers, however you think feels natural is the best way
personally, i think using a pick is easier. ive been trying and trying to learn how to play without one and i just havent been able to do it. maybe its just because i started out on guitar and ive gotten so used to it, but from experience, if you learn with a pick, its hella hard to play without one.
I play with fingers, picks and slap.
I think playing slap and pop (or pluck) technique is the most fun but that might be the Primus lover in me.
I don't really like playing with a pick unless I play punk (which I only do when I am fooling around and playing powerchords, still I dont always use one).
As someone said, Do what you want but if you use your fingers it is alot easier to use different techniques at the same time. (like slap and pop with some regular finger picking).
Anyways I am going on about nothing. Hope all is well
I think playing slap and pop (or pluck) technique is the most fun but that might be the Primus lover in me.
I don't really like playing with a pick unless I play punk (which I only do when I am fooling around and playing powerchords, still I dont always use one).
As someone said, Do what you want but if you use your fingers it is alot easier to use different techniques at the same time. (like slap and pop with some regular finger picking).
Anyways I am going on about nothing. Hope all is well
I've been playing since around X-Mas too. I used a pick at first, but my insturctor started teaching me jazz at first, so I didn't use a pick. And I feel awkward with one now, even though I haven't even been playing that long. I don't play punk, I play more pop punk, which I find can still be done with your fingers ok. But I think it would be good to be able to do both.
As for speed, I don't know what's faster. I think it's on how you're used to playing, so one person might play faster with a pick while another might with his fingers.
As for speed, I don't know what's faster. I think it's on how you're used to playing, so one person might play faster with a pick while another might with his fingers.
hey there I say that u can use whatever you feel comfortable using. I started off with a 6-string and I learned using a pick so thats what I use. Thats just my personal opinion though. My friend prefers his fingers, so whatever you want really. Picks easier for me though. 
Well last time I saw Anthony Jakcson he wasn't using a pick. Also Vic is plenty fast and doesn't use one.
I agree that it's a matter of style of music which you use. I was once told that I wasn't really a good rock and roll bassist cause I didn't play 1/4 note root notes with a pick..........funny thing is I never claimed to be nor wanted to be like that.
Finger style stuff is the way for me, but it's where my head is at................it's up to you.
I agree that it's a matter of style of music which you use. I was once told that I wasn't really a good rock and roll bassist cause I didn't play 1/4 note root notes with a pick..........funny thing is I never claimed to be nor wanted to be like that.
Finger style stuff is the way for me, but it's where my head is at................it's up to you.
Anthony does use plectrums, just not all of the time. A plectrum is simply a tool. If I need that tone, I use one. If I don't, then I don't.
If you play fingers, then you can switch between a multitude of techniques...palm mute, slap, strum..anything. While a pick is perfectly fine, consider learning the double thump technique, it sounds a lot like a pick, because your thumb essentially becomes one. Then you can do everything and not have to search for your pick, bleeding 30 minutes off of band practice.
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