Tips or pads?

[SteveCS]

I don't know how to evaluate it.

For sure 3 of 4 don't seem to be doing much beyond 'flying', but it's just another one of those static images that captures a split second of a dynamic process. Who knows what was happening in the preceeding 1/20th of a second (I haven't watched the video to find out!), but I suspect we could pick holes in the best technicians' handshapes if all we had to go on were badly-timed static images. I think I have a pretty good left hand but I've seen a few freeze-frames of my own that might say otherwise! Heck, even my avatar shows a bit of thumb poking out, but I know what I was playing at the time and I've no cause for concern. YMMV

 

[Whousedtoplay]

but it's just another one of those static images that captures a split second of a dynamic process

N.B. Tal Wilkenfeld is a Superb and Accomplished Pro Bass Player.
There is a limited time frame from that video that we can see Tal's left hand.
It's not just one episode of 1/20th of the second.

 

[Lobster11]

I've been a fan of Tal's since she first appeared on the scene, but in all honesty her technique makes me cringe. She regularly plays with such a sharp bend in her left wrist -- and often also her right -- that I seriously worry about her career being cut short by CTS.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I've been a fan of Tal's since she first appeared on the scene, but in all honesty her technique makes me cringe. She regularly plays with such a sharp bend in her left wrist -- and often also her right -- that I seriously worry about her career being cut short by CTS.

And I truly support your message.

 

[enricogaletta]

That’s a great question. Personally, it depends on the area of the fingerboard. In the lower positions, especially within the first octave, I almost always use the pads of my fingers. Maybe when I move towards the higher strings I use the fingertips a bit more. But once I’m playing in the second octave or higher positions, I tend to use my fingertips almost exclusively, regardless of the string.
In the end, though, I think it’s totally subjective. What really matters is that you’re comfortable, your tone sounds good, and you’re playing in time. If those three things are there, everything else is secondary.
Let’s Groove.