Fingers vs. Picks

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bass_reaper

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This has probably been posted a billion times but I wanted to talk to the experts directly, so here goes.

What is the preferred option for YOUR right hand? What genres are finger picking suited for and what genres are picks suited for? What pickups compliment each style? (e.g. J pickup for finger picking)

Thanks in advance! :)
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

Fingers mostly. I get a wider dynamic range with them. You can get a soft and fleshy thud with your thumb or skin or smack them down and use your finger nails for more bite and volume than a pick will give you.

Fingers can't do everything a pick can do though, listen to Bobby Vega for some examples. Picks on bass tend to give a really consistent honky midrange sound that growls differently. I love the sound of old school muted pick bass playing too.

It's best to learn both. I like not having to carry picks around and worrying about losing them.
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

There's a time and place for using a pick on bass, but I find myself enjoying the sound of fingerstyle and slapping a lot more than picking.
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

To me it depends on the song/genre; for punk and rock I use a pick mostly, and a much thicker pick than I could ever play guitar with comfortably. Finger style has its place especially in stuff like reggae
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

Right hand, schmight hand.

Adopt Chapman Stick hammer-on playing techniques. The right hand might not be needed at all.


EDIT - Why no mention of the bow?
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

Learned on fingers. Used a pick very rarely, usually for multi-tracking a second bass part with intervals in the part (usually 5th chords or octaves). About 7 years ago, I joined a band that had music that sounded better with a pick, so played with a pick for several years with them. Finally got sick of it and now do all the same songs with fingers, and it sounds and feels better.
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

Pick 9 times out of 10, because it makes certain playing styles much easier. I usually cut the higher frequencies made from the pick hitting the strings, so I don't think it sounds all that bad. I also hit my bass strings hard, and I'd destroy my fingers trying to play the way I do with a pick. I don't consider myself a very good bass player though. I mainly use the bass as a song writing tool (for me, a lot of riffs start on the bass), and to carry the mix by filling up the gap between guitars and drums.
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

Trying to keep a tight metal rhythm with a pick is a task. It can be done with fingers, but you must be quite proficient.
 
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I use my fingers probably 80% of the time, but usually will try using a pick if I'm recording something.

Funny, I was just watching an episode of "Rock Icons" on cable today that featured Geddy Lee and it made me think about trying to use my fingers more like he does (rasgueado technique).
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

^^ One of my idols too, but so is Chris Squire, and he uses a pick. I think D.D. Vernie does too.
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

Thanks for the info guys but I had a few further questions.

@falloffthebone - I've learnt a bit of both but I prefer fingers. But I agree with you that picks give a consistent growl. As for getting more bite out of your fingernails, how do you manage to slap when you've got long nails? I can't keep nails because of the problems appearing when you slap.

@gibson175 - tongue? xD

@blueman335 - do you play faster WITH a pick?

@demanic- ikr man! Playing metal riffs with a pick is quite a struggle. Do you play them with your fingers?
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

bass_reaper said:
Thanks for the info guys but I had a few further questions.

@falloffthebone - I've learnt a bit of both but I prefer fingers. But I agree with you that picks give a consistent growl. As for getting more bite out of your fingernails, how do you manage to slap when you've got long nails? I can't keep nails because of the problems appearing.when you slap.
Click to expand...
Don't use long nails unless you want a particularly shimmery tone. It's how you angle them to pick the string. I keep them medium length but curve the fingers in more, so that you kind of scratch the string. Minimal effort since you don't have to drag your skin across the strings and a lot of treble bite. Then there's that Lee, Butler, Entwistle way of striking the strings so that they counce off the fretboard and sound more percussive, similar to slap bass. So the trick there is to not apply too much force to the string, because that will slow you down, but it's in the SPEED you attack the string. Lighter touch but move fast, exactly like how chiropractors wwork: they don't just manhandle your spine, the moves are very specific and quick. Both of these give me more top end detail than when I use a pick.
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

I find it much easier to play songs where you have to flip over strings (octaves) with fingers than a pick. (Immigrant Song)
 
Re: Fingers vs. Picks

Fingers also allow you to play octaves, or a cord that doesn't include a note on the A or D string, simultaneously.
 
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