Pick or Fingers

[MikeyFingers]

I'm sure this has probably been done before, but I'm curious. I personally don't care how you play the bass. My belief has always been that you should play however you're more comfortable, it doesn't matter to me as long as you make it sound good.


That being said, how do you prefer to play? Picks or fingers?


Personally, as my name suggests, I use my fingers.


edit---I just realized I put this in the wrong section
Link Removed

 

[Lazylion]

I started with a pick way back in the 70s, but soon switched to fingers.
I was almost exclusively fingerstyle for years, but then I joined a Grateful Dead cover band. In order to get a sound more like that of the mighty Phil Lesh, I've started using a pick again, a lot with that band, and to varying degrees with my other bands.

Nothing wrong with a wider variety of tones!

 

[ogrossman]

I voted fingers because that's how I play 99.9% of the time. I've used a pick on only a hand full of tunes in my 38 years of playing bass (Roundabout, Ace Of Spades, ???).

 

[somegeezer]

I generally use my fingers. I can really feel what i'm playing. But with a pick I can get a brighter tone and play a lot faster. I think everyone should learn to use both, just in case.

 

[CPplaysBASS]

I consider the choice between playing with a pick or with fingers no different than choosing whether a song sounds better with an effect pedal on or off ... it results in a different sound and attack and some songs just sound better played a certain way.

But the fretting hand is still hitting the same notes, and just like using an effect, playing one way or the other comes down to personal preference (obviously).

The only thing wrong in my opinion are bassists who are totally closed minded to using a pick in certain situations. Learn both ways, have more options. Simple.

Personally, I play with fingers 90% of the time, but when I grab a pick it's because a bassline simply needs it.

 

[timber22]

I played some guitar years ago, with a pick. When I taught myself bass, I went pretty much exclusively to fingers and now I hardly remember how to hold a pick. Ideally, I should be able to use both equally well (or equally mediocre in my case).

 

[Matt Dean]

I started with my fingers in the early 70s... then in the 90's switched to guitar for a few years... then back to bass full time and now I use both depending on the song. However, I usually play finger style about 75% of the time.

 

[Paul262]

Depends... If it's fast picking, then a pick, I feel I have more control with the fingers since your fingers have more control, but recently I've started to use up-down fingering.

 

[nutso42]

Mostly fingers, but I do love switching it up a lot....

now slap style is another story.... haven't got nearly enough skill for that

 

[Tony In Philly]

I often use a thumbpick so I can switch at any time the mood strikes me.

 

[Fullmetal]

I play exclusively with a pick. I tried learning finger style but was never comfortable with it, so I tried it with a pick and it became so much easier. I love the brightened tone you get from it, and how the thickness can make such a difference to the sound.

I've played in metal bands before now and using a pick helped me cut through the wall of guitars with ease. Now I play in a hard rock group, where I can make the bass sit quite nicely in the mix without having to thump too hard. And I like being able to change picks, adds a whole new sense of variety You can't change your fingers.

 

[wideload]

Used fingers until I broke my neck. Now I use a pick because my right hand can't move fast or surely enough (nerve damage). Still playin', tho!

 

[ChrisBowsman]

Fingers.

I've played guitar over half my life, and just started taking bass really seriously. As soon as I start using a pick, I switch back into guitar mode. Plus, I dig the dynamics of using my fingers, and how connected I feel with the bass.

 

[addylewis]

I voted "Fingers"...but I CAN play with a pick if needed (and it has been a couple times) - my dynamics seem to go to crap with a pick though, theres just something about having what I think of as having "FULL contact" with the strings, y'know? (I could be wrong about the dynamics, but it seems you have so much more CONTROL with fingers!)

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

50/50 for me. There's no point IMHO to limit Yourself for the sake of "purity" or any other excuse .

Regards
Sam

 

[no1likesme]

I play with a pick about 95% of the time. Flats + med nylon pick + 2 15's with treble essentially turned off = thumpy happiness.

 

[MatticusMania]

I use both, but definitely pick more. I like the tone and the speed it allows me to play at, as I often use a lot of quick picking. I taught myself the bass while using a pick. I can play with my fingers, so I checked both, and it seems these days I use my fingers a lot more than I used to, maybe like 25-30% of the time.

 

[Ric5]

Use a pick, fingers, thumbs, or whatever you have to play your bass. Learn every style and method there is. Become as versatile as you can.

 

[mccartneyman]

As for pick vs. fingers, I started with my thumb ala Brian Wilson, moved to fingers within a year, and started using a pick when I discovered Chris Squire. I've switched between pick & fingers for years depending on the song. These days, I'm probably 98% fingers unless I play my Hofner. There are things I can do with a pick that I can't do with fingers and vice versa. I find damping easier with fingers as well as funk -- I can't play Motown worth a damn with a pick.

 

[Plantbrain]

Use a pick, fingers, thumbs, or whatever you have to play your bass. Learn every style and method there is. Become as versatile as you can.

+1 for sure.

Tom