Pick or Fingers?

[rydin4lifebass]

I've been playing for about six years and I'm far from "good", and I've always played with my fingers. I've been trying to learn some heavy and fast lines lately and thought maybe I should add a pick to my playing (not that it's necessary, but just as a way to expand my ability). A lot of the guys I listen to use a pick (Cliff Williams, Twiggy Ramirez, Paul Gray) but I also like a lot of finger players (Steve Harris, James Jamerson, Tim Commerford). Certainly, those guys can switch it up, that's just what I see the majority of the time. Either way, it got me thinking how many of you guys play one or the other or mix it up....just curious.

 

[eJake]

I'm a fingers guy but there is a time and place for everything. It's less about what you're able to do with one or the other and more about the type of song and the tone you're going for.

 

[Chicory Blue]

I’ve always had a vast preference for the feel of the strings beneath my fingers, as well as a particular ineptitude with a pick, so it’s all fingers for me. Oftentimes I’ll use the back of my fingernails to simulate a pick’s attack when playing melodically, though.

That said, I think a bass player focused on getting better ought to try to learn both. You’re using different muscle groups and different muting styles, and expanding both your versatility as a player and your overall awareness of the instrument. Better to have that stuff in your toolbox than not.

--^@

 

[Bassbeater]

Fingerer. Rarely picking.
You can get the same consistency with fingers as with pick, but it takes a lot of work to achieve. If you are 6 years in and not satisfied with fingerstyle, go for the pick. There's no shame in it, maybe you were born to pick. Can't hurt to expand your skill set. The only drawback is losing your callouses if you go all pick.

 

[BurnOut]

Yes!

 

[2BitHack]

real bassists use the William Murderface technique.

 

[rymiraflores]

I only used picks for years then switched to fingers as it felt more comfortable with the bass hanging lower, tone was never an issue my tone is the same with pick or fingers but I do feel more connected with fingers , well mainly just index hahaha, and it seems easier to play without looking using fingers so basically I am now a fingers man.

 

[Tony In Philly]

I am an "all of the above" type. Two fingers, one finger, thumb it, flat pick, thumb pick, strict alternation, vague alternation. No rules - if I think too much about it, my playing gets stilted.

 

[NathOBX]

Mostly fingers, however sometimes that crisp pick attack is necessary. Some songs want that picked tone. Its best to have both in your bag of tricks.

 

[Swerve]

I use both, though fingers more. I noticed I write bass lines a lot differently with a pick and sometimes it helps when I’m in a creative rut. Also seeing pick players like Bobby Vega or Mike Gordon really get me inspired to pick more often.

 

[40Hz]

The song dictates what I’ll be doing.

Fingerstyle, pick, ebow, tapping…whatever is needed, or that IMO sounds best. If playing outdoors at loud festival or park type gigs however, I'll almost always reach for a pick. In that environment you need (or at least I need) that little bit of extra definition on the note attack to give it some edge and keep the bass from just sounding like a low rumble.

My default preference is for fingerstyle however. Goes for bass and guitar.

 

[rydin4lifebass]

Good info guys, thank you. I certainly don't feel like I'm missing anything by playing with fingers only. I just thought I'd try to explain my awareness and skill level. I could certainly just focus on getting much better with finger style. Thanks again for the input!

 

[FilTurd]

I've been playing since 1980? I never was into guitar and when I picked up the bass a pick wasn't an option from my teacher. I recently, 4 years ago tried to learn to play with a pick but it just mentally didn't feel right.

 

[XrisThaBassman]

I was always a fingerstyle guy, until I heard David Ellefson do a workshop, and I asked him about his use of a pick. He said that he can play both ways, but for Megadeth's style (especially on a bassline like "Peace Sells") the pick works best. So since then I've been less judgmental about pick, and have even used one from time to time. I don't know if it's totally needed (Geddy doesn't use a pick) but some of my other favorites (like Chris Wolstenholme from Muse) use a pick as needed, so there ya go.

 

[jamro217]

Fingers. I started as a guitarist using a pick exclusively. Began the bass as a new instrument using fingers exclusively. That was in the mid '70's. Still can't play either one any differently.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I cannot play with a pick and have been playing fingerstyle for 25 years. That is how I was taught.

 

[Artman]

It depends upon what the song calls for.
I played strictly by fingers for most of my life, and never could get the hang of a pick. Then I put my bass in it’s case for a couple of years and took some guitar lessons. I’m still a pretty weak guitarist, but now I can play my bass with either my fingers or a flat pick. No problem either way.
But I’m still a mediocre bassist. LOL

 

[HolmeBass]

All fingers but I want to get proficient with a pick. Some cool sounds there.

 

[Thudnar]

I started out with a pick, because I was clueless, then gradually moved to the fingers...thinking that was how real bass players played. Then I got old and started using a pick again on some of the "strummier" stuff. I wish I had realized, sooner rather than later, that the sound was more important than the specific method used to obtain it. There is some stuff that is nearly impossible to do with a pick; and other stuff that demands one.

 

[Kmonk]

I used a pick almost exclusively from the time I started playing in 1978 until 2002. At that time, I joined a touring blues band and remember reading that most blues guitarists prefer that their bass players use fingers. I met the band at a gig on Friday night and the guitarist / BL gave me an original CD. He told me to learn two songs and be ready to audition on Monday. I spent the entire weekend learning every song on the CD plus some covers playing with fingers. I showed up for the audition and the guitarist asked which songs I learned. I said all of them. He thought I was joking and said nobody could learn and entire CD in one weekend. I then asked him to call out any song from the CD. I was able to play it with no problem. I then asked the drummer to call out a song, then the keyboard player. I got the gig. The guitarist told me that I was the only bass player who took time time learn every song plus some covers and the only one who played with fingers. I have used fingers most of the time ever since. It depends on the song. There are some that I will use a pick.