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Pick vs. Fingerstyle - the missing factor...ENJOYMENT!!!

blastjv

blastjv

Jan 8, 2010
1,465
20
Philly Area
#1
The Pick vs. Fingerstyle thing gets discussed a lot obviously, but I don't think I've seen this specific aspect discussed before (or maybe I did, and my mind was completely numb from reading the same old arguments over and over....)

I started playing fingerstyle when I first got a bass as a kid 20 or so years ago. I found that with a pick I played a lot better and preferred the tone I got at the time better for the music I was playing and the sound I was going for. I played in a band for years with a pick, and like to think I played well and sounded better. ;)

Even with all that, I still had a little inferiority complex about being a 'pick player'.

Nowadays, I find that I still play better with a pick, but I'm preferring the sound of fingerstyle better (I also switched from being a dedicated P-Bass guy to a Jazz Bass...there's another old argument).

SO, the realization I came to is this: I play better with a pick, and I really like the sound of picked bass, and a pick would definitely work for the music I'm doing, but I just ENJOY playing fingerstyle more, so I'm trying to stick with that as long as I can hang in with the music we're writing right now (which can be fast and difficult).

IT'S JUST FUNNER!!!!!


-John

PS - There is one line in one song that I am not playing the way I think it should be played because I just can't play fast enough with my right hand. That bugs me, but I'm getting closer...... That's the one thing I DON'T want to do, sacrifice what should be played for a particular part because of inadequate technique...I'm still trying......
 
#3
Not gonna argue, but here's another angle. I play what the song wants. Sometimes that's a pick, others it's fingers, still others it's thumbs - and at times it may even be with the neck of a beer bottle.

Remember - a pick is not a crutch unless you let it be one!

My point is that limiting you concept of yourself as a player based on whether you use a pick or fingers means (to me) you put yourself before the music. What if you're really comfortable playing with a pick but that picked sound really isn't right for the song? You have to play in a way that you don't 'identify with' or sacrifice 'fun' in order to play what the song requires? That's a bummer deal.

Personally, I get the most enjoyment out of playing what's needed to make the song sound best.

Again - not trying to be harsh - but the only people who care if you play with a pick or not are people who are way to sensitive about their own perceived limitations who have aligned on the 'other side'.

Play with your fingers - play with a pick - play whatever makes the song stick.
 
#5
I'm a pick player by necessity, not choice. I'm a lefty player with no left hand, figure that one up in your head...But I like the way finger-style sounds. It all depends on the sound and style of music your playing. I have two differant picking rigs that I use, depending on the style of music I'm playing. If I'm playing rock style music, I use a rig with a Dunlop .88mm Tortex pick mounted in it. If I'm playing a softer (finger-style), I'll use my pick rig with a Wedgie 3.1mm Hard Rubber pick mounted in it. Is it right? Probably not, but it sounds good to me...
 
#6
I play finger style most of the time. When I do play a tune that calls for a pick, I just grab a quarter out of my pocket and go. Nothing like the attack of a pick on a set of new rotos!
 
#7
I generally feel the same way.

I play in an indie/pop 3-piece and it just suits the music more to play with a pick. I actually do think that fingerstyle is a way more satisfying style of playing, but my right forearm just gets way too tired during certain songs. I guess it just takes a lot of practice and getting used to.

Talk about inferiority complex.. I play with a pick on a short scale bass. I sometimes feel like my playing is a bit of a joke, but I always just tell myself that it's perfect for this band – simple and solid. I switched over from the guitar and just got used to playing a small instrument with a pick, but I'm totally getting into proper bass playing, and will eventually be looking at getting a 34" scale again.
 
#9
Gravedigger said:
I'm a pick player by necessity, not choice. I'm a lefty player with no left hand, figure that one up in your head...But I like the way finger-style sounds. It all depends on the sound and style of music your playing. I have two differant picking rigs that I use, depending on the style of music I'm playing. If I'm playing rock style music, I use a rig with a Dunlop .88mm Tortex pick mounted in it. If I'm playing a softer (finger-style), I'll use my pick rig with a Wedgie 3.1mm Hard Rubber pick mounted in it. Is it right? Probably not, but it sounds good to me...
Click to expand...

1,000,000,000.......,000,000 kudos
 
#10
Thanks, Mr Sore Fingerz!

I'd encourage everyone who considers themself to be a bass player open up to the idea of trying to sound like a lot of different bass players. Everything from the dull, palm-muted thunkieness of 60's era Motown to the gritty, power saw on steel sound of metal and all points in between.

For me when I was starting out, Geddy Lee and Chris Squire epitomized the ideal bass sound to me. But I quickly realized that you really could only play in Rush or Yes and get away with sounding like that all of the time. Very limiting... Fortunately I also love John Paul Jones and Paul McCartney and Stanley Clarke - so I never associated playing finger style as 'more correct' than pick style or 'thumpin' 'n pluckin' (as we used to call 'slap bass').

Point is, if you're that hung up on pick vs. fingers, you're probably squandering your bass playing opportunities. Listen to and embrace all the wonderful ways to make the bass sound cool! There's LOTS of them and they're all 100% as good as any of the others. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

The only 'wrong' way to play is the one that makes the sound sound sucky.
 
#11
After 20 years fingerstyle, I enjoy the pick because it's fresh & exciting for me. I've come to crave that extra attack, too - for certain situations, there's just nothing like it.

But I also have no problem, switching back to what's old hat for me & playing with the fingers. I do this when when taste dictates, or when I know my fledgling pick chops will not suffice. (I'm enjoying the new technique but I don't care so much for the total crash & burn. ;))
 
#12
I agree with all the previous posts... the style and tempo of the music comes first.

A good combination of the two techniques is employed by older Bassist... in which you- grow, groom & protect your fingernails on your plucking hand.

As such... you can use your fingernails for fast-attack, harmonics, strumming, etc. While the finger itself offers warmer tone and quick response. Jaco DVD's will help those learning technique.
 
#15
Jeez. I'm not sure I made myself clear. I am NOT stating that I'm playing 100% fingerstyle from now on regardless of the style or song I am playing. I am saying that when I am playing my own music on my own terms I will most likely be playing fingerstyle because at this stage in the game what is most important to me is that I enjoy what I'm doing. I have two young children and work a full time job. I have very little time for playing, but I make the time because it makes my life better. I had stopped playing for years, but have gotten back into playing over the last year because I finally remembered what I was missing. If it does not provide enjoyment and enrich my life, I ain't doing it. I am really not interested in playing covers (unless it's a song I LOVE and just gotta' play) and the tone and style of music I am currently writing works perfectly well with fingerstyle bass. Also, 'fingerstyle' still provides for MANY tones and variations, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on much when I don't also include a pick. Sometimes I do still use a pick, I just don't enjoy it like I used to...

I was just trying to remind myself and everyone else of why we play in the first place...because it's friggin' FUN!!!! I feel like somewhere along the way my post got characterized as me being some stubborn prick standing on the stage insisting on playing Roundabout with my thumb...

I'm playing original music that I'm currently writing with another guy. We constantly give each other feedback on style, note choice, tone, everything as we go through the songwriting process...we both make tons of sacrifices for the sake of the songs we are writing. We also remind ourselves that the song comes first...well, second after our enjoyment of writing and playing the song.....


-John
 
#18
I use both - matters what the song calls for. I was always a finger player but over time realized that the pick is a useful tool. Next step has been morphing frm thin ones to thicker. I guess I do about 60 to 70% of the songs on fingers.
 

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