pick (plectrum) or fingers?
- Thread starter ginormous
- Start date
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
I play almost entirely fingerstyle. Generally, a mixture of the first and second. Just the second if I want the Geddy Lee effect. Picks are for special effects and Rickenbacker 4001 excursions. (First, catch your Rick 4001.)
I play almost entirely fingerstyle. Generally, a mixture of the first and second. Just the second if I want the Geddy Lee effect. Picks are for special effects and Rickenbacker 4001 excursions. (First, catch your Rick 4001.)
Rodney Gene
O.G.
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Both. They are both so valuable to me depending on what I need as the outcome. Both are a real art IMO.
Both. They are both so valuable to me depending on what I need as the outcome. Both are a real art IMO.
J
JohnJohn
Guest
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Fingers.
I find I vary the sound a lot more that way.
Since going back to bass a lot more I find I'm even starting to play guitar more without a pick as well.
I also find that I can be a lot more precise using fingers, but I know that's nothing practice wouldn't cure.
Fingers.
I find I vary the sound a lot more that way.
Since going back to bass a lot more I find I'm even starting to play guitar more without a pick as well.
I also find that I can be a lot more precise using fingers, but I know that's nothing practice wouldn't cure.
Last edited:
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Pick... I'm mainly a guitar player so its natural for me to use a pick and I find I get more rattle which I like when I'm using picks
Pick... I'm mainly a guitar player so its natural for me to use a pick and I find I get more rattle which I like when I'm using picks
Rodney Gene
O.G.
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
(Slap style aside) Some styles/riffs/runs etc. cannot be done using a pick and some styles/riffs/runs cannot be done using fingers. No matter which you are using, you have limits to how you lay the groove down. That said, whichever you use tends to lead to certain approaches as well. Nothing sounds like a tight soft finger groove and nothing sounds like a wide open pick attack.
Being influenced by players such as Geddy Lee and Nathan Watts, I gravitated towards fingers. There was no other way to get the feel of the note bloom and attack right.
Playing YES of course, brought me to a pick, then Sting and Mcartney helped refine that. Put on a set of flats, and try to play 'Silly Love Songs' with your fingers. Or 'Roundabout'.
Its just missing something (besides Paul and Chris).
Conversely try playing Sir Duke with a pick. Its just doesn't work. Cheers!
(Slap style aside) Some styles/riffs/runs etc. cannot be done using a pick and some styles/riffs/runs cannot be done using fingers. No matter which you are using, you have limits to how you lay the groove down. That said, whichever you use tends to lead to certain approaches as well. Nothing sounds like a tight soft finger groove and nothing sounds like a wide open pick attack.
Being influenced by players such as Geddy Lee and Nathan Watts, I gravitated towards fingers. There was no other way to get the feel of the note bloom and attack right.
Playing YES of course, brought me to a pick, then Sting and Mcartney helped refine that. Put on a set of flats, and try to play 'Silly Love Songs' with your fingers. Or 'Roundabout'.
Its just missing something (besides Paul and Chris). Conversely try playing Sir Duke with a pick. Its just doesn't work. Cheers!
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
I started on guitar before I played bass. If I was originally a bass player, it would be easy for me to use my fingers, but I'm not. The only time I use my fingers is when I'm playing slow stuff where I need to have a soft attack on the strings. the pick doesn't really do well with softer stuff on bass IMO.
I started on guitar before I played bass. If I was originally a bass player, it would be easy for me to use my fingers, but I'm not. The only time I use my fingers is when I'm playing slow stuff where I need to have a soft attack on the strings. the pick doesn't really do well with softer stuff on bass IMO.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Either, or. I can get any sound I need with either method, so if the rest of the band is laid back I can get by with my fingers, but if they're really laying into it a pick does just fine. Muting with the side of my picking hand lets me get to those softer sounds. When I do use a pick, it's a Dunlop Jazz 207...the big rounded ones.
Either, or. I can get any sound I need with either method, so if the rest of the band is laid back I can get by with my fingers, but if they're really laying into it a pick does just fine. Muting with the side of my picking hand lets me get to those softer sounds. When I do use a pick, it's a Dunlop Jazz 207...the big rounded ones.
Last edited:
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Slap-style if the choir is doing something exceedingly funky which requires that, which is still fingers (and a lot of thumb). Otherwise all traditional fingers (index-middle-occasional thumb). You just lose way too much thump when you go to a pick which creates all kinds of EQ problems for me. Plus a pick tends to be clumsy on such big strings.
Slap-style if the choir is doing something exceedingly funky which requires that, which is still fingers (and a lot of thumb). Otherwise all traditional fingers (index-middle-occasional thumb). You just lose way too much thump when you go to a pick which creates all kinds of EQ problems for me. Plus a pick tends to be clumsy on such big strings.
speed2dirt
Butterball
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Fingers! To me, you retain more of the feel and fit the groove better. When most people play with picks, they pound away like they're playing guitars and lose the role of bass. Obviously, there's a time and place for the pick, but more often than not, fingers are all one needs.
Fingers! To me, you retain more of the feel and fit the groove better. When most people play with picks, they pound away like they're playing guitars and lose the role of bass. Obviously, there's a time and place for the pick, but more often than not, fingers are all one needs.
Rodney Gene
O.G.
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
These are both pretty wide sweeping small-percentage statements that would apply to all fingerstyle players also.
Poor technique is poor technique no matter what you play with. You should check out players like: Andy West (Dixe Dregs) Chris Squier (YES), Adam Clayton (U2), Sting (The Police) Carol Kaye (Endless Motown Hits), Rick Dank (The Band), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Joe Osborne (Studio Musician), Paul Mccartney (Beatles, Wings), John Wetton (King Crimson), John Entwistle (The Who / hybrid), Scott thunes (Zappa), Anthony Jackson (Everybody).... honestly the list goes on and on. Some of the most articulate and dynamic players in our history.
Modern pick players may be more aggressive such as Justin Chancellor (Tool) Jason Newstead (Metallica) Mike Dirnt (Greenday) but that would be up for debate.
Picks are awesome, they just require attention and practice like anything else.
These are both pretty wide sweeping small-percentage statements that would apply to all fingerstyle players also.
Poor technique is poor technique no matter what you play with. You should check out players like: Andy West (Dixe Dregs) Chris Squier (YES), Adam Clayton (U2), Sting (The Police) Carol Kaye (Endless Motown Hits), Rick Dank (The Band), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Joe Osborne (Studio Musician), Paul Mccartney (Beatles, Wings), John Wetton (King Crimson), John Entwistle (The Who / hybrid), Scott thunes (Zappa), Anthony Jackson (Everybody).... honestly the list goes on and on. Some of the most articulate and dynamic players in our history.
Modern pick players may be more aggressive such as Justin Chancellor (Tool) Jason Newstead (Metallica) Mike Dirnt (Greenday) but that would be up for debate.
Picks are awesome, they just require attention and practice like anything else.
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
There is a way to get some hard articulation using your fingers -- catching the edge of your fingernails, like a classical guitarist. It's a delicate balancing act, especially if you don't want to yank your nails off. I'll do it on a ballad, or on a soft portion of a tune.
There is a way to get some hard articulation using your fingers -- catching the edge of your fingernails, like a classical guitarist. It's a delicate balancing act, especially if you don't want to yank your nails off. I'll do it on a ballad, or on a soft portion of a tune.
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
I prefer the sound of bass with a plectrum... it cuts through more, has more oomph and has that articulate and precise sound ... To each their own though right?
I prefer the sound of bass with a plectrum... it cuts through more, has more oomph and has that articulate and precise sound ... To each their own though right?
ItsaBass
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Both, but mostly fingers (1, 2, or 3, depending on the sound I want). Thumb too, sometimes (like classical guitar right-hand technique), usually when I'm doing octave things. If I do use a pick, it's the same one I use for guitar: purple or blue Tortex.
Both, but mostly fingers (1, 2, or 3, depending on the sound I want). Thumb too, sometimes (like classical guitar right-hand technique), usually when I'm doing octave things. If I do use a pick, it's the same one I use for guitar: purple or blue Tortex.
J
JohnJohn
Guest
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
+1 to classical guitar technique approach.
I studied that for a little while and found it really helped my technique and in turn my playing.
+1 to classical guitar technique approach.
I studied that for a little while and found it really helped my technique and in turn my playing.
BlueTalon
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
I started off playing with a pick, but haven't used one consistently for literally decades. Occasionally I'll fool around with one, but there's no way I'd think about using one on stage.
The tonal range of fingers is far greater than with a pick. There isn't a sound I can make with a pick that I can't get with my fingers, but there are lots of sounds I can get with my fingers that are just impossible with a pick.
I sometimes drop picks, or they'll turn a little in my grip when I'm using one so that the flat edge is hitting the string rather than one of the points. For some reason, I've never had a problem dropping my fingers, or having them inconveniently re-orient themselves on my hand.
If I'm playing octaves, it's immeasurably easier to do with fingers than a pick.
As I've gotten older and my wrists have gotten arthritic, I can only play for a short time with a pick before my right wrist starts killing me because of the angle it sits at. Playing with my fingers, my wrist is straight, and I can play for hours.
I started off playing with a pick, but haven't used one consistently for literally decades. Occasionally I'll fool around with one, but there's no way I'd think about using one on stage.
The tonal range of fingers is far greater than with a pick. There isn't a sound I can make with a pick that I can't get with my fingers, but there are lots of sounds I can get with my fingers that are just impossible with a pick.
I sometimes drop picks, or they'll turn a little in my grip when I'm using one so that the flat edge is hitting the string rather than one of the points. For some reason, I've never had a problem dropping my fingers, or having them inconveniently re-orient themselves on my hand.
If I'm playing octaves, it's immeasurably easier to do with fingers than a pick.
As I've gotten older and my wrists have gotten arthritic, I can only play for a short time with a pick before my right wrist starts killing me because of the angle it sits at. Playing with my fingers, my wrist is straight, and I can play for hours.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: pick (plectrum) or fingers?
Hell yeah. Mix of traditional 2 finger and occasionally the thumb comes in for some classic clawhammer style.
Hell yeah. Mix of traditional 2 finger and occasionally the thumb comes in for some classic clawhammer style.
