I only play fingers but over the years have observed that some things work better with a pick. When I learned (sort of) in the 70's there wasn't much "slap," only some snapping and popping, for accentuation purposes. Somebody went crazy and started doing slap, and now we have that, plus tap too. Hate it, find it annoying, but that's just me. You do you.
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Should I learn to play with fingers?
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
Play what you hear but if you want to get out there, versatility is more a requirement.
Too much one way or another can limit you massively.
I don't use a pick because I worked my right hand to cover enough of what I hear and bare in mind if you have too many things to keep on top off, that can be quite a practice regime..
How about spending all your time slapping and then either hardly having a call to use it on a gig ...and having no real facility with fingers because of that...or trying to shoehorn slap into every fff song. I've seen that more than a few times..
So, for the OP....nothing wrong with 100% pick..
modern kit is able to deal with that soundwise..
as long as you can cover the music.
Of course, there are funk genres and styles, and metal etc which pretty much define how you 'need' to play. So, your call.
Too much one way or another can limit you massively.
I don't use a pick because I worked my right hand to cover enough of what I hear and bare in mind if you have too many things to keep on top off, that can be quite a practice regime..
How about spending all your time slapping and then either hardly having a call to use it on a gig ...and having no real facility with fingers because of that...or trying to shoehorn slap into every fff song. I've seen that more than a few times..
So, for the OP....nothing wrong with 100% pick..
modern kit is able to deal with that soundwise..
as long as you can cover the music.
Of course, there are funk genres and styles, and metal etc which pretty much define how you 'need' to play. So, your call.
I like pick playing rock but always missed the big fat fundamental bump of playing fingers. I found I could never get the full sound I wanted pick playing in a band and also felt less connected to the bass. With good technique and the appropriate EQ for finger style a PBass and all valve bass amp is a joy to behold and hear. Feels different as well
Starting in the late 60s, I used a felt pick. Then went to a guitar pick a year or two later.
Then in the early 70s, I made myself use the index and middle fingers.
Finally, around the early 2,000s, I went to the single index finger and use it for about 95% of my playing.
Sometimes, when necessary, I'll use 2 fingers for quick 1/16th notes.
Pick. Fingers. Or finger. It's up to you!
Then in the early 70s, I made myself use the index and middle fingers.
Finally, around the early 2,000s, I went to the single index finger and use it for about 95% of my playing.
Sometimes, when necessary, I'll use 2 fingers for quick 1/16th notes.
Pick. Fingers. Or finger. It's up to you!
Don't forget Bobby Vega, he knows how to use his fingers too, but he absolutely kills with a pick!
Or Justin Chancellor, who got a bass tone to kill for, and is no slouch either!
That said you migth find it useful to be able to play with your fingers too.
Or Justin Chancellor, who got a bass tone to kill for, and is no slouch either!
That said you migth find it useful to be able to play with your fingers too.
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I voted mostly no.
I'm in a similar boat. Same age, similar music, and the likelihood of me ever joining a band isn't zero, but it's so close there's no incest laws that cover it and the resulting offspring would be some unholy abomination.
I didn't want to play fingers, until one day I decided to do it. Now I do it sometimes, but I still prefer a pick. Do whatever's fun.
I'm in a similar boat. Same age, similar music, and the likelihood of me ever joining a band isn't zero, but it's so close there's no incest laws that cover it and the resulting offspring would be some unholy abomination.
I didn't want to play fingers, until one day I decided to do it. Now I do it sometimes, but I still prefer a pick. Do whatever's fun.
