Pick or Fingers

[Tom Howland]

The song will dictate what to use.
For recording I use about 50% 50%.
Live 75% fingers, 25% pick.

 

[denhou1974]

Depends on the song. There are some songs that really need that 'pick' tone.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

i started with fingers,but not after long i began using pick.now i use a pick more than my fingers only cause i like the way it brings out the true tone of the bass,but i still use my fingers.both for me.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

Ignorant fool. Put the cap lock off and get out.

i second this..

 

[MikeyFingers]

Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) is another great picker, although he uses fingers sometimes too. He's an awesome bassist all around.

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[Gus Borden]

I think of the electric bass as a modern double bass, not a low guitar. So in my opinion, both fingers and pick is ok BUT a bassist that CAN'T play with his fingers really sucks. I hate those bassist that play their bass like a wanabee guitarist. Apart from Chris Squire, I can't think of any REALLY GOOD bassist that uses a pick and who wasn't a guitarist before being a bassist (like Paul McC, M. Rutherford, Lemmy, etc...). You should be able to use both depending on the song, but you're not a real bassit if you're unable to play with your fingers. That makes you a bad guitarist.

Really - go back under your bridge.

 

[Gus Borden]

I voted both. I used to play exclusively with a pick, but over the years I've started using my fingers more as well. It's become a mix depending on what feel I am looking for.

 

[t0t0m]

fingers..better sounding with the fingers

 

[Gus Borden]

FYI - I spent the late 90's playing exclusively with a pick - trust me, I was never mistaken for a guitarist or a guitarist who failed at guitar and went over to bass. These days, it's a mix of pick and fingers, but really - how close-minded to think that if you don't play finger-style exclusively then you are a poor player or some such.

 

[Gerlan86]

I use both styles, gives me more room to create varied sonic diarrhea

 

[guli]

I play for 95% of the time with my fingers. I started out with playing with a pick because I thought that all basslines were as simple as Blink-182, Green Day and such pop-punk basslines. But I didn't really like the sound of the pick so I switch to fingers after like a week of playing or so.

But I do sometimes play with a pick if I need it.

 

[casanova2416]

I chooooose....... I choooossssee...... I chooosseee BOTH!!!!!
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All depends on the situation. For example, if I'm playing in the pit for Grease, a Rick with a pick is going to sound out of place. On the other hand, unless you have ungodly long fingernails, you're not going to get that aggressive Chris Squire tone without a pick. I moved from upright, so I started with fingerstyle before learning pick after touching on a little bit of guitar Junior year of HS. Currently, I'm rocking a Beatles bass as my primary (yeah, it's not recommended, but I love the tone and feel) so fingerstyle is pretty much out of the question. Learn both, practice both, and get the best of both worlds.

 

[skulletwhip]

Hell I switch between both section to section to section. It really is a tonal and feel thing.

 

[electracoyote]

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 (again)

It's all about tone, attack, dynamics. etc. With good alternate picking skills, good fingering skills, and some good ol' slap n pop, there aren't too many tones you can't achieve. Versatility is a virtue.

Case in point: Student comes in and shows me he learned "Danny's Allstar Joint." With fingers. He says it still doesn't sound right. I slap it for him. His eyes get as big as dinner plates. I may have created a monster.

 

[Gus Borden]

I've actually taken to tucking my pick into my ring finger and pinky when I switch to fingers - in between sections on a song. It's a newer goal to master that switch up so that it's seamless.

 

[Road Hat]

All pick, all the time, ever since I started playing bass in 1974. And yes, I do play guitar. Does playing bass with a pick make me a failed guitar player? Some here have argued that this is the case. I respectfully disagree. I'm equally proficient in bass and guitar, and my style on each instrument is informed by the other. I think it makes me a better player overall, as well as a better musician.

BTW - I play guitar with my fingers, ala Jeff Beck/Mark Knopfler. Go figure...

 

[Nuregami]

being a girl who likes having at least a little bit of nail on my fingers, I'm playing around with using my fingernails. I'm sure I'm not the first to try.
... though primarily I just play with my thumb.

 

[electracoyote]

Does playing bass with a pick make me a failed guitar player? Some here have argued that this is the case. I respectfully disagree.

Same here. That's like calling a guitar player who plays with his fingers a failed bassist. It's a silly argument.

A plectrum is just another option for putting a vibe on the string. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[caeman]

I guess I should have asked before answering, but is this using your OWN fingers or pick? Or someone else's fingers or picks?

 

[XtheDeadPawn]

I agree with 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.

And like he said you can change a pick not a finger.