• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Pick or Fingers

How do you play da bass?

  • Pick

    Votes: 34 7.9%

  • Fingers

    Votes: 209 48.4%

  • Both

    Votes: 180 41.7%

  • Neither (o rly? explain)

    Votes: 9 2.1%
  • Total voters
    432
#63
3rdBass said:
Funk is in the fingers. I can use a pick for speed and use the nail of my index finger the same way, but I prefer the feeling of being directly connected to the strings.
Click to expand...

Au contraire my friend, the funk can be abundant with a pick as well! Tom Risell (MarloweDK) has a couple of lessons about playing funk with a pick. You can get a lot of really cool feels by strumming straight 16ths and muting. Give them a shot:



Enjoy!
 
#66
This topic has been discussed many times on TB...there are no winners....it always devolves into he said...she said....or something like that.

Nothing to see here....time to move on....
 
#70
I was a guitar player first and when I first bought a cheapo Peavey milestone I played it with a pick but soon moved to fingerstyle. It gives you more 'thump' and more bass content in your note (it is a BASS after all). If you are worried about speed, it just comes down to practice. Check out Rob Trujillo or Steve Harris and many others.
 
#71
When I see a bass player using a pick, I consider him a beginner, or that he'd rather be playing a guitar.:rolleyes:
I don't care for the sound of a flat pick on bass, if done by an expert bassist, it's all the more unpleasent.:rollno:
When I started on bass, yes I wanted to play guitar instead, and believed I needed to play just as fast as a guitar, fast was the cool guy way.:help:
After I actually learned what bass was, I outgrew using a pick.:cool:
Bill
 
#73
BuffaloBill said:
When I see a bass player using a pick, I consider him a beginner, or that he'd rather be playing a guitar.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

There I was thinking I used a pick because I liked the attack and extra note definition. Turns out it's because I'm a beginner.

Thank you so much, you've really opened my eyes and shown me how wrong I've been for so long. You are my new hero. Are there any other words of wisdom you have for me? :)
 
#75
donut said:
There I was thinking I used a pick because I liked the attack and extra note definition. Turns out it's because I'm a beginner.

Thank you so much, you've really opened my eyes and shown me how wrong I've been for so long. You are my new hero. Are there any other words of wisdom you have for me? :)
Click to expand...
sling your bass up high enough that your Deodorant rubs off on the body. else you're an amateur.
 
#76
donut said:
There I was thinking I used a pick because I liked the attack and extra note definition. Turns out it's because I'm a beginner.

Thank you so much, you've really opened my eyes and shown me how wrong I've been for so long. You are my new hero. Are there any other words of wisdom you have for me? :)
Click to expand...

DizzyExiled said:
sling your bass up high enough that your Deodorant rubs off on the body. else you're an amateur.
Click to expand...

Apparently I should just quit now. I play with a pick about 80% of the time and wear my bass at my waist :bawl:
 
#78
I chose fingers because that's my preference for about 99% of stuff. It's easier for me to feel the music, the vibration of the instrument etc. But occasionally, I find something that I just can't play without a pick! (too fast/complex, whatever)
 
#80
I use both depending on the song. I prefer to play with a pick because I like the tone, but there are a lot of songs that you really need to play with your fingers to sound right. Most of the songs my current band is doing I can use a pick and that suits me. I've been playing for over 30 years, but I can be a beginner too I guess.

I don't slap very well and generally only try it when no one is around.:D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back