Pick or Fingers?

[shakedownstreet]

I play a variety of styles and I would say I use a pick 90% of the time. What do you use? If both, what's the breakdown?

[Invincible]

I never use a pick, I prefer the nice soft and warmer tone of my fingers, I also find it easier, people always say to me that they can play faster with a pick but (probably because I'm crap with picks) can play a hell of a lot faster with my fingers and change between strings alot easier.

[Dave Martin]

95% of the time, I use my fingers, 3% I'm slapping, and 2% I use a pick. (Yes, I'm making these figures up...)

 

I'll mostly use a pick at the end of a long weekend (Like the last hour of a 2 night 5 hour gig) when my fingers are sore, but also if I either want to do a muted thing (with the palm of my right hand resting on the strings) or if I'm playing with a cover band and the original was done with a pick.

[jeremy c]

According to recent research

80% fingers

19.99% thumb

.01% pick

[davebrownbass]

Fingers and thumb. No pick.

 

I use a variety of plucking techniques, to include one finger (a la Jamerson), two finger, thumb alone, fingertip, finger-"side", finger nail, finger in and out strum (a la Chuck Rainey,) two finger and thumb as a classical guitar, and alternating second finger and thumb...a la pick, but without the pick!

 

And of course, there's slapping, which I think I used in performance on one song at Christmas last year!

 

But I do believe picking is a valid way of playing, even in slow music. Listen to the incredible production technique of David Gates with Bread (and a bunch of other artists.) He was a firm believer in picked bass and you can hear examples on everything from Glen Campbells "Wichita Lineman" to every thing Bread ever recorded.

 

On the other hand, the rapid picked technique commonly used in hammer music (a more descriptive term than "metal," doncha think?) sometimes becomes sterile and lacking in variety...to my ears, anyway.

[Pernax]

I use fingerstyle 100% of the time, and I mostly play metal, so I'm somewhat of an oddball in the scene. My bass teacher was a firm believer in fingerstyle, and that view has sticked with me. Sure it would be easier to get some fast paced "hammer music" parts like Dave would describe it down using a pick, but it's not for me.

 

-Pernax

[Afro_Man]

It usually depends on the sound im looking for, but its getting more towards fingers cos im always losing my picks and i've only lost my fingers once, but that was because i'd fallen asleep on my arm and i couldn't feel them when i woke up.

[fig]

because i'd fallen asleep on my arm and i couldn't feel them when i woke up.

LOL...I HATE it when that happens...

 

Fingers or thumb for me anymore. I think the last time I used a pick was to play "Roundabout". But that was many moons ago.

Actually, at a country gig, I used a pick together with right-hand muting, for a couple of old country songs. A great effect.

[Max Valentino]

Thumb, index, middle and ring fingers..in various combinations.

Mostly I play with an adatpted "apoyando", classical/flamenco gtr, technique using my thumb and all three fingers in combinations of up/downstrokes. Similair to Gary Willis and Matt Garrison.

I do, sometimes, use the traditional two-finger plucking technique, and thumb slapping (tho my slapping technique is also somewhat modified).

 

I do consider using a pick quite a valid technique. I have always felt very clumsy with one. Yet, I do use a picking technique where my righ hand holds an imaginary pick, and I use the same wrist motion, but my "pick" is actually the nail of my thumb (coming up) and the nail of my index finger (going down). It makes for a very convincing pick-sound, and allows me to incorporate that texture into other right hand techniques I play.

 

Max

[fig]

Wow, there's an echo in here!

(Wow, there's an echo in here!)

 

Max broke the internet!

(Max broke the internet!)

 

Sorry Max, I just had to bust on that double post (which happens with me on occasion).

 

Like you and davebrownbass mentioned, there's great guitar techniques that can be used for bass.

I've not had the balls to do any of that stuff in public, but at home, just noodling around, I've played some interesting stuff with the techniques I learned from guitar.

[Dave Martin]

I started out playing with my fingers (many moons ago), and at one point in my early teens, a bunch of us used to get together and jam for 8-10 hours straight (well, we really weren't straight, but we played pretty much the whole time). At one of these maathon jams, I got blisters on the first two fingers of my right hand, and stole one of the guitarplayer's picks and kept going. I used a pick for about 6 years after that, and then went back to using my fingers. But part of the time I played with a pick was during the era that Al DiMeola came to prominence - first with Chick Corea's band and then with his own solo records. I ended up picking up a lot of that style (really, really fast modal licks with the strings kind of muted). I was sitting around the studio the other day, and realized that I still have the musle memory to do that sort of thing - not as fast perhaps, but the same muted modal licks. Fortunately, I've developed enough taste that I don't want to.

[Connie Z]

Pick: 100% of the time, on flatwounds.. on Rockin' Oldies tunes!

 

I'm still a relative newbie, so I assume that I will at some time work on using fingers, but so far, when I've tried it, I didn't like it!

 

 

... connie z

[pumpcat]

It totally depends on the style of music, and the tone I'm going for.

 

In the funk-soul band I play fingerstyle on all but one song, where I use a pick for a tighter, more defined sound, and a slap solo in another song.

In the wall-o-guitars rock band I use a pick about 75% of the time. I find that it cuts through the guitars better.

In the punk-jazz trio, it's about 50-50 between pick and digits, and one slap song.

 

I have never understood the anti-pick prejudice among some bass players. To me it's like saying you shouldn't play certain notes, or that only hacks adjust their mid-EQ. Playing with a pick is just another option in the bassist's tonal palate, and I could post a list as long as your arm of very accomplished players that use a pick.

[stettoman]

I started out at 13 100% pick-just couldn't coordinate my fingers to do the walking...Then at some magical moment in a magical place (a Golden Pawn in Tulsa OK, if memory serves) I picked up a bass and played it with my fingers. Never changed back.

 

I still carry a pick with me, just in case. Haven't needed it, but the day might just come...

[MartinJ]

FWIW, I use fingers (& thumb) 100% of the time. I like the feel, look and sound of hands on the strings. (Although I must admit I have never even held a pick in my hands - perhaps I'm missing out on something.)

[orphan wells]

I play exclusivly with fingers. 50% finger picking 50% slap. I found it necessary to learn how to use four fingers when finger picking especially when playing metal or doing fast riffs. As far as slapping goes, that's my favorite style and spend alot of time working on speed and technique. I think if you work on it enough you can get a finger style that will give you the same attack as pick playing. That's what i did only because I'm not comfortable playing bass with a pick. Whatever works!

[wraub]

Primarily fingers, say, 98.5% of the time. Picks are for specific songs ( almost all Yes songs), a specific tone, or a certain effect. I have also used pencils, coins, paper clips, bread clics, and other things for a change of pace.

That said, I always havea pick available...But I can't remember the last time I used it.

 

Peace,

 

wraub

[_Sweet Willie_]

For getting gunk out from between my teeth, a toothpick works better than my fingers when floss isn't handy.

 

For scaling glacier walls, I prefer an ice pick to my fingers.

 

Doing a stint on the chain gang? I really recommend a pick axe over fingers. (Breaking apart stone and clods of dirt with your fingers can be hell on your nails!)

 

For playing bass, I almost always use my fingers. I do keep a plectrum handy, though. You never know when it will be just the right tool for a tune.

 

Peace.

[dcr]

Fingers, 100%.

 

Years ago, I worked really hard at using a pick, but was hopeless at it. I couldn't keep the other strings muted & was just generally clumsy & awkward. I guess I should try again. But you can get a Squire-ific sound even with fingers; Geddy Lee did it for years. So there you go.

[Travis Harms]

Finger style for me. Just about all of my favorite players and all of my teachers have played with their fingers. I have never liked the tone of any players that use a pick (except maybe Steve Swallow), it just isn't the sound that I'm going for. Also I'm pretty clumsy trying to play with a pick.

[dcr]

Gotta admit that the sound of a pick on flatwounds is pretty darned tasty. Good on ya, Connie!

[Wally Malone]

Look out Shecky, Sweet Willie has been moving in on the comedy front. I think Tom has been spending more time playing bass than working on his comedy act, and that's a good thing.

 

Wally

[Mr. Phil]

i use a pick about 90% of the time I play in my band. I just get a better sound than with my fingers. We play heavy metal by the way... I do use my fingers on some parts of songs and on one whole song though.

 

I use my fingers any other time. Unless im foolin around at home...

[Basshappi]

I have nothing against pick style, check out Andy West great pick style player, But for myself I play 100% Finger style for reasons I have described elsewhere.

[prophetgtree]

add another for fingerstyle. I've tried the pick, but I didn't like it. There is nothing wrong with it. It just isn't for me. I also do the thumb, index, middle thing all classical guitar style thing as well. I've gotten good on the tri-pl-let rythms with those three fingers (or two fingers and a thumb, or whatever... ya know what I mean...)

[Dm711]

Fingers or slapping for every tune except for one... wait for it...

 

"I... WANNA ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT... AND PARTY EVERY DAY". (DOOO DOOO DOO DO-DO-DO)

 

http://www.kissonline.com/archives/photos/01/0316/image/f21.jpg

 

Yeah, I use a pick for that one.

[HiRoller]

I am not a pick player!! (not that theres anything wrong with that....)

[Timothy Lyons]

I'm primarilly a pick player. Just as versed in fingerstyle, just depends on the mix I'm trying to cut through, generally playing heavy metal, I have to fight three guitars by pumping my mids and getting the extra treble from a pick.

 

Just as often, I'll use fingerstyle, most often when just dabbling, and when I sing I usually use a pick, I prefer to solo with a pick, and stuff like that. Once again, I've found I'm rambling, so I'll just leave you with the thought that I'll play anyway but slap or thumbstyle on a regular basses

[Bytor]

just about 50/50. Mostly depends on the song, the tone needed, etc. If it's a cover, I'll stick to what the orig. player used.(except for Megadeth..I love the look on a new guitarist's face when I don't use a pick for Ellefson lines!)

[doc taz]

I use my God given digits most of the time. I figured, if Steve DiGiorgio and Alex Webster can do it, so can I! Also, I find it's easier to do certain tapped parts and chords (yes, I sometimes play chords on my 4 strings) if you're just playing fingerstyle. I also love to add some slapped stuff to emphasize certain lines, so it's the digits for me. That sounds great for some Meshuggah style stuff.

 

I do use a pick for certain tunes, though. If the song calls for it, then I use one. I've tried a little bit of everything for picking, but I usually use a 1mm or 1.24mm Dunlop Tortex triangle pick.