[Poll] How do YOU play the bass?

[kenneffdupriest]

I use the thumb, index, middle fingers. I sing into the headstock, I scream at my pickups

and I dance with my eyes closed. Thats how I play bass.

 

[brumebat]

I can understand, to an extent, the whole down-picking mentality (even though most down-pickers still alternate for faster playing), but I would really like to know who is mainly just up-picking.

 

[wintremute]

I play in a mediocre manner.

 

[MattZilla]

I do all of the listed techniques, the dumb ones too much. Depends on the song and who's around. Lately I have been making a big effort to single-finger it, usually with my pointer. I've also been ripping off Wes Montgomery's thumb style on both guitar and bass, I really like the wide-open, colorless sound it gives. Oftentimes I can't do the Wes plainly for more than a few minutes before my hand turns first into a classical claw and then into the popslaphammer. That's my story.

 

[GregT]

Certain passages, I use just thumb and palm mute. Old school technique that still works for some things.

Sometimes I play just like I am holding a pick, but without the pick.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

2 fingers index middle mostly pick sometimes for effect slap n pluck rarely

 

[BazzTard]

mainly two finger, bringing in the ring and pinky for galloping Iron Maiden type stuff.

use a pick when warranted,up and down.

Starting to slap,am terrible at it so far

Sometimes use the thumb like a pick too.

 

[crucislancer]

Fingerstyle, either just my index finger or both index and middle.

 

[Belizaire]

I usually play with a pick up/down, but sometimes use index/middle fingers.

 

[BAG]

Don't know if anyone else has pointed this out but the percentages in the poll give a total of 243.8% Hmmmmmmm. Is this due to multiple votes??

 

[zontar]

Mostly I play with one or two fingers--depending on the rhythm & feel.
Sometimes I use my thumb or thumb & fingers, and sometimes I do use a pick--but probably 95-99% of the time I use one or two fingers.

 

[fearceol]

I'm curious to learn how you play!

I dont really see the point (apart from curiosity) of knowing how others play. Why not just play as you feel is appropriate ?

 

[ColonelZulu]

2- hand tapping
E-bow
Flamenco strumming
Thumb picking up and down
Fret hand tapping/hammer on - off
Pinch harmonics
Funk fingers

 

[Duke Damn]

2 fingers normally, 3 fingers for gallops, going to work on picking (alternating).

 

[Space Pickle]

badly

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Basic answer: Whatever gets the job done! I mostly played either two-finger style or with a pick until I saw Michael Rhodes using all five fingers. Now I'll use thumb and three fingers if that's what the song calls for. I play with a pick when I have to; I don't really like the sound otherwise. Although I saw a Carol Kaye video recently where she talks about disguising the pick sound. I might try to pick that up some day.

 

[Medicine Man]

I love the way a picked bass sounds, but I just need to feel the strings to play with ANY sort of feel. Sometimes when I'm drunk at practice I play with a pick and annoy my bandmates.

 

[orange joe]

I use alot of the double thumb technique (from Vic Wootens bass workshop dvd) in an almost flamenco style.Hard to explain but it allows me to play as fast or slow and hard or soft without really having to change positions

 

[JollySpudd]

All of the above, like many. Additionally I'll occasionally use ebow, RH finger tip tapping over harmonic points or over the neck in general in place of thumb slap - plus, I have an old Gizmotron I'd like to get running for that electromechanical bowing vibe

 

[bolophonic]

Mostly regular two finger style, but I add my ring finger into the mix for triplets.