How many use a pick?

[Gary Stevens]

Fingers only. I never cared for the pick tone.

 

[Gary Stevens]

Agree, index finger only. I play blues, motown rockabilly, classic rock.

 

[factory presets]

Nowadays I'm getting into some old bands for some gigs (Coronavirus permitting) and really need the pick sound.

After reading another thread on this sub-forum, I'm starting work on holding a pick with my thumb and forefinger while using the middle and ring fingers to play, well, fingerstyle lines for the reggae bridge in a punk song. Day one and I've discovered pinky muting won't work for me. Got to use a floating pick (I guess) technique.

Thank you Talkbass. You've been so helpful.

 

[Gary Stevens]

After reading another thread on this sub-forum, I'm starting work on holding a pick with my thumb and forefinger while using the middle and ring fingers to play, well, fingerstyle lines for the reggae bridge in a punk song. Day one and I've discovered pinky muting won't work for me. Got to use a floating pick (I guess) technique.

Thank you Talkbass. You've been so helpful.

 

[Gary Stevens]

I play fingerstyle. Right index finger ala James J. I mute lower strings with the side of my right thumb. Left fingers fretting and muting the upper strings. I had reconstructive surgery on my left hand after a skill saw accident decades ago. Left index is about useless, so it is 3 finger fretting. I make do with what I've got. Blues, classic rock, motown and some rockabilly. Celebrate the Low Life!

 

[Ric5]

Bass legend Carol Kaye: “98% of bass parts cut in Hollywood in the '60s were done with a pick on flatwound strings” | Guitar World

 

[Thundertips]

So how many use a pick? Or even a thumb pick like Jack Blades?!?! Or just fingers? Or a combination?

I use a pick cuz I learned how to play guitar first. I had to learn Bass quick so I could join a band. I figured, well I already play guitar with a pick so it'll be faster to learn with a pick as opposed to starting from scratch with my fingers. By the way, if anybody ever hassles you about playing bass with a pic... Just say I go two words for ya... Paul McCartney. Haha.