pick or no pick?

[lfmn16]

Thanks for your replies guys. For me, i don't know why i am so sloppy with fingers. I don't even know how to slap. I use pick all the time coz my rythm is a thousand times better with it, and yes, it sounds heavier.

If you've been playing with a pick for X number of years, you can't just start playing with your fingers and expect to sound as good. Same with fingers. It takes a lot of practice to sound good with either and many of the skills don't transfer from one style to the other.

I started out playing with my thumb, went to one finger, then two, then tried a pick. 40 years later I can use either adequately, but am still most comfortable alternating index and middle finger.

 

[Razzmatazz]

Both. just depends on the song

This!^^^

Especially with the Megadeth stuff. Lots of downstrokes picking with palm mutting. I started playing with a pick but learned to use my fingers for the challenge at first, and realised that an essential tool if you want to be versatile as possible.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I've found that using picks or fingers really unintentionally affects my phrasing. I tend to play more traditional walking style phrasing for blues and jazz pieces with fingers and when I use a pick I go to a more guitar-like phrasing, and usually more rock style. And for funk, it's fingers all the way.

I can definitely play faster with a pick, but I normally only even push for fast in rock pieces.

The peaky attack of a pick helps cut through a loud rock band, but the rounder, softer attack of fingers blends better with a blues or jazz ensemble.

I prefer fingers, because I prefer the type music I use my fingers for, but I can and will use a pick.

 

[aseksysasquatch]

Just use what suits the music.

+1

 

[BassPlayer900]

Fingers or die.

-You don't need to acquire picks.
-You don't need a pick to play.
-You are more "free" when you play. You are not bound to the plectrum.
-You don't need to worry about what to do with the pick when you do two hand tapping riffs.
-Slapping.
-It differentiates bassists from guitarists. You won't look like just another guitarist that picked up a bass.

Basically: if you are a talented, self respecting bassist, you will not play with a pick unless you are just messing around for fun.

When I first picked up bass, I was originally a guitar player who used a pick, so one of the first techniques I ever used with bass was pick playing. I noticed it is very common for a guitarist-turned-bassist to use a pick. One of the reasons I started playing fingerstyle as my main technique was because of posts like these that said fingerstyle is the real way to play bass and pick is just for guitarists.

Then I ended up not believing anymore. And when I started listening to Yes, I was amazed at the things a pick can do.

And at one point I realized that I can still use different techniques while holding a pick. I can grasp it in my other fingers and play using my index and middle fingers. In fact, I can even slap using that technique.

Also, I use a pick for when I am tremolo picking. I can do that with my fingers but it sounds much better to me when I use a pick.

The only reason my main technique is fingerstyle is because I think it sounds good on my bass, but when my fingers are sore, or if I just want a different sound, I grab a pick.

 

[NOT]

I usually play with a pick, but for the past few months I have been playing fingerstyle while playing along to Rush, T. Rex, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, etc.

With my band, I use a pick, being that it blends in with the mix alot better.

 

[Duke21]

I usually play with a pick, but for the past few months I have been playing fingerstyle while playing along to Rush, T. Rex, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, etc.

With my band, I use a pick, being that it blends in with the mix alot better.

I play Rush with a pick. For sure Geddy play with fingers, but I can´t play Rush with fingers. Also, Geddy´s sound is more like pick then fingers

 

[Varcolac]

Both. Some passages demand pick attack. Some demand fast fingers. Thumbpick lets me do both in the same bar.

 

[M.Mannix3]

A good chunk of bassists use or have historically used picks, but I think it comes down to personal preference just as much as your tone knob is your preference. I personally can't stand the clank of roundwounds with a pick (unless you're in a punk band or something) but think a pick on flats can sound beautiful. I normally use my fingers thought just because I don't really like picks and that can be a disadvantage sometimes if I don't get as much attack as I need but that is a rare case.

Also there is this mindset with bassists (atleast most of the ones I know) that a real bassist doesn't need a pick. That is a crock because there are some sounds that are almost literally impossible to achieve without a pick, but to each his own.

 

[Script3d Mus3]

I agree that some sounds are impossible with a pick...I can't stand seeing players use them...

Just seems like the easy way out to me, even though I play hardcore/post-hardcore I've never used a pick...if you want the defintion I just roll the high mids and highs on my pickups and head just a touch...

Just me though

 

[ksandvik]

Pick or not pick, it's a matter of rage quit.

 

[GM60466]

I do both. I used Fender extra HEAVY picks with all my hollow bodies and fingers with my Jazz and P basses

 

[icecycle66]

I play with both, depending on what sound I want. I'd say i play half and half fingers vs pick.

When I'm just sittingon the couch thumping around I always use my fingers. I like the way the strings feel as they roll off my finger tips like greasy peanuts out from between chopsticks.

 

[deeptubes]

For the past 26 years, I've played with my fingers. I can play with a pick (obviously, I'm not as proficient), but I prefer the tone and control I get from my fingers. Picks just add too much twang for me.

 

[tsar nicholas]

I play guitar with a pick, but use my fingers for bass -- I like the fatter tone that the fingers can facilitate, and don't like pick noise in my bass sound (whereas pick attack is a key part of my guitar sound)

Also, tone aside, I find it easier to to typical bass moves like disco octaves using fingers instead of a pick

 

[carlthegroover]

Because most people don't care about " heavier"

What people? If anything I still think playing fingerstyle, with a pick, slap, whatever is a matter of choice, not of right or wrong.

I guess it also has to do with the genre(s) you play, and what sound do you want to attain for your band overall. For instance, I play pick with my band because I think it sounds better, but when we play blues or blues-rock tunes, I use fingerstyle because I think it fits better. For funk, I either play with a pick or the thumb, next to the bridge (all bass and treble up). I don't like to slap (and I'm no good at it), so I prefer that method.

 

[Kaa]

I'm converting to mainly pick because of tendonitis in my right thumb and index finger.

 

[Kaa]

Both. Some passages demand pick attack. Some demand fast fingers. Thumbpick lets me do both in the same bar.

Every time I try the thumbpick route I end up with it hung up on a string, LOL.

 

[Herrick]

My main influences did not use picks so that's what I did. I prefer direct contact with those nice bass strings I think picks can sound very cool but they're just not for Herrick.

 

[Varcolac]

Every time I try the thumbpick route I end up with it hung up on a string, LOL.

You just have to stick at it: practice makes perfect. I didn't use it live until I was sure it would enhance my playing instead of being a hindrance.