Pick Bassists Shunned by Finger Bassists?

[BassBehemoth]

Is it just me or do the other finger style bassists here have less respect for bassist's who use picks? Personally I think a lot of them are wannabe guitarists.:mad:

[Lord Arioch]

Originally posted by BassBehemoth
Is it just me or do the other finger style bassists here have less respect for bassist's who use picks? Personally I think a lot of them are wannabe guitarists.:mad:

Like Araya :D

[BassBehemoth]

Originally posted by Lord Arioch
Like Araya :D






:p ....Yes and no, I give him credit for being the "frontman" of Slayer at least..

[Tattered]

Well using a pick on bass is frowned upon, here.

[MetalPoldi]

I prfer finger-style, too.
It's harder so i like it more. :D
But some sounds you just can get with a pick.

[Lord Arioch]

Originally posted by MetalPoldi

It's harder so i like it more.


Well not true actually it depends
Some rythmics figures are way easier to play with fingers than with a pick.
for example triplets.
This is for me at least

Originally posted by MetalPoldi

But some sounds you just can get with a pick.


Yep that's rigth
try to play fast trash metal songs with your fingers
and some brutal death with a pick
you'll understand what I mean

[BassBehemoth]

Originally posted by Lord Arioch

Yep that's rigth
try to play fast trash metal songs with your fingers
and some brutal death with a pick
you'll understand what I mean



I don't know, I don't play guitar on a regular basis but personally I don't find it hard to tremolio pick..however it look me a while to get my three finger technique down..I'm currently slowly attemping four fingers.(Mainly because my pinky just flails and it looks kinda stupid. ha)


*Shakes fist at guitarists(My friend in peticular) who pick up a bass which is an "easy" instrument and attempts to pluck strings with one string...pathedic..*

[Buganeer]

har har..i play bass with pick only...and now, shun me :) i mentioned it in an earlier thread, i play maiden with pick, now that may sound heretic to all of u finger players, but well, its the way i learned playing and it's way more easy for me.
I think that almost 'crusade' tween finger n pick bassmen is useless, after all we are all bass player n have to stick together :beer:

[Def]

well I use both techniques, I love to play the spider without pick :P its really fast, maybe just as fast as with a pick....

playing with a pick has a more brutal sound to it though, that's allways good....

I usually play without a pick though.

[artofnothing6]

Originally posted by Def
playing with a pick has a more brutal sound to it though, that's allways good...

exactly. Plucking pulls the string upward. With a pick you can slam down on the strings pushing the string down, which gives a way more aggressive sound.

And the araya subject. I give him all the respect he should have, yeah, he plays with a pick, but look what else he does, yelling out fast lines, and having to remember fast bass lines. Not that easy.

[BassBehemoth]

I shun you all! Wheres the guys with the fingers the ladies love?:eek: :cool:

[MetalPoldi]

Yeah, three-fingers-technique on a clit is cool. :D :D :D

[Def]

hehe I use the spider ;)

http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Articles/Hanging_Ten/

[Tattered]

I still cant do the four fingered technique, ive pretty much mastered the triplet technique though, but my pinky is too small to clip the string. :(

[Def]

aww, you must have a mini pinky?

I've got huge hands so that comes in handy..

[BassBehemoth]

Originally posted by MetalPoldi
Yeah, three-fingers-technique on a clit is cool. :D :D :D


Hahaha, Personally I could never fit my 3 fingers up there....:smash: :D

[RottingSwill138]

i play bass and i feel that it what ever works best.i switch cause i do metal and metal is fast so sometime i need a pick.

[BassBehemoth]

Originally posted by RottingSwill138
i play bass and i feel that it what ever works best.i switch cause i do metal and metal is fast so sometime i need a pick.





Challenge yourself damnit! I play metal(death/thrash) with no pick, you got no excuse!:angry: :behead:

[Def]

Originally posted by BassBehemoth
Challenge yourself damnit! I play metal(death/thrash) with no pick, you got no excuse!:angry: :behead:

Agreed :beer:

[Damien-X]

heh I play bass with fingers, picks are too easy to play with......... I've tried playing with a pick before and honestly it's annoying........... playing with fingers you have more control and freedom I guess....
I play thrash, power, prog, death and black metal with fingers, although it is harder to get such speed with fingers as you do with picks....... I'd rather a fucking challenge! not an easy way out.

[BassBehemoth]

Originally posted by Damien-X
heh I play bass with fingers, picks are too easy to play with......... I've tried playing with a pick before and honestly it's annoying........... playing with fingers you have more control and freedom I guess....
I play thrash, power, prog, death and black metal with fingers, although it is harder to get such speed with fingers as you do with picks....... I'd rather a fucking challenge! not an easy way out.


Fuck yeah, it's a lot harder to play really fast and to figure out what finger goes where instead of just stumming notes with the same plastic pick..

[SoulSlayer]

I play with all 4 fingers and i must say i can get at least 4 times faster with fingers than anything i can play with a pic. I never ever use a pic anymore. Why are some people saying they play with fingers because a pics too easy?? thats pretty stupid, if you can play easier with a pic then use a god damn pic, i play with fingers because i can play faster and more accurately. And now for a speed argument, fingers are faster than pics anyday :)

[Anubis]

Meh, both are good. Some finger bassists shun pickers, but for me there are respectable bassists that use either.

Finger:
The almighty Cliff Burton
Steve Harris
Gezzer Butler
Frank Bello (He switches sometimes though.)

Pick:
LEMMY
D.D. Verni
Jason Newsted
Rex Brown (He sometimes switches too)

[artofnothing6]

geezer goes crazy on his damn bass, i feel sorry for it sometimes, Even though the notes and shit he plays sound great, and he's a great player, but his basses take a beating.

[Rattlehead]

Originally posted by SoulSlayer
I play with all 4 fingers and i must say i can get at least 4 times faster with fingers than anything i can play with a pic. I never ever use a pic anymore. Why are some people saying they play with fingers because a pics too easy?? thats pretty stupid, if you can play easier with a pic then use a god damn pic, i play with fingers because i can play faster and more accurately. And now for a speed argument, fingers are faster than pics anyday :)

I agree, if you can play faster with a pick, do it, but personally I feel no freedom using a pick, plus using fingers is much faster. Four times as fast is a gross exxaferation, but personally I'd still say finger picking is faster. With pick, there are two actions that make a note (up and down obviously), but with finger, there are four, so if you can move one finger as fast as you move the pick down, you should technically be able to go twice as fast using four fingers over a pick.

Keep trying it slowly Tattered, it will come, I use my pinky, and I bet I have smaller hands than you.

The only thing I don't like about not being able to use a pick, is I can't recreate the sound of one. I'm not going to try a pick, because last time I used a pick I embarrassed myself, I'm just about as good as someone that just started playing. Oh yeah and one more reason you might want to learn using a pick, is if you want to let a note ring while playing one string up (down gravity wise), obviously because the finger would rest on the string that's supposed to ring and mute it.

Picking speed is one thing, but no matter what you can always pick faster than you can change notes with the fretting hand, so it's equally important to get speed for fretting, unless you just want to play roots really fast. I don't know any Slayer, I learned Hell Awaits and got bored of it and decided not to learn Slayer anytime soon. Maybe I should give some a try again, but it seems that he never does anything but follow the rhythm guitar exactly, or strum the roots real fast, which can get pretty repetetive and boring.

[UndeadPaperclip]

Fingers give me much more range, more versatile. if I want the "Twangy" sound Ill play closer to the bridge

[daggerfall]

I am trying to use fingers because I get more powerfull sound with them...
But I get easely tired.

[Rattlehead]

Originally posted by UndeadPaperclip
Fingers give me much more range, more versatile. if I want the "Twangy" sound Ill play closer to the bridge I can't play well close to the bridge, the strings have too much tension and not enough 'give' (room to move is the best way I can explain it :p )

[BassBehemoth]

Yeah, I play right over the pickups like you should.



:beer:

[x2xAtreyux2x]

Originally posted by daggerfall
I am trying to use fingers because I get more powerfull sound with them...
But I get easely tired.

Do hand exercises to up your stamina

[Comfortably_Numb]

I practise at home with my fingers,
but when i'm jamming with our band, i usually use a pick, because my fingers can't move as fast as i'd like them to and the sound seems to be duller(?) with my fingers.

[Sodomaniac]

I play with my fingers because I find it sounds better than with pic ! But you have too practice your fingers to play fast a while !!

[Unlord]

Shunning me, shunning you. Shala lala la la. *Deep voiced*.

I play both styles. Both pick and pickless. Mostly finger style though. I think that's more natural and gives you more freedom, especially when playing funky shit.

For straight ahead 16th note stuff I prefer a pick. Could do without one easily, but it just has a really nice raw edge. Oh and one thing, if you play distorted, a pick will sound better. I'm referring to Type O Negative's sound.

A guy like Flea plays with a pick nowadays. And that man is known for his thumb 'n finger style. He's just exploring new area's and possibilities of music. Hell, Peter Steele often plays with a wine bottle! Go try a comb, a fridge or even a flame thrower yourself. :flame: To hell with common sense. Everything for a good, fresh sound.

Shun yerself first. :smash:

[pure_0xygen]

Finger or Pick .... I prefer the sound of finger but then if you cant use your fingrers and are a lazy shit who won't practise then picks the only one ... but i like finger sounds more sexy.

[P§ÝÇHÕ]

I play with my fingers because I utilise a lot of slapping in the music I create. Apparently picks have their place, but I don't know where - maybe with bass chords (which I use often), but I haven't really found a need for a pick yet.

[BlackLeshii]

After playing guitar for 14 yrs or so, I obviously find the pick easier to perform with, especially when its straight tremelo picked guitar. However, I usually refuse to use the pick - somehow finger style feels right. The tone is punchier, I have more dynamic control, and I don't feel like a guitarist trying to play a bass... though that happens sometimes when I realize that I'm still a beginning bass player :(

I can thrash pretty well with my fingers, but my 3 finger technique needs work... so death metal is very tough on my speed for now.

I guess I do kinda shun pick style bass, even when it comes to myself using one as a crutch sometimes.

BlackLeshii
4 String Forest Demon

[P§ÝÇHÕ]

geezer goes crazy on his damn bass, i feel sorry for it sometimes, Even though the notes and shit he plays sound great, and he's a great player, but his basses take a beating.

Geezer has an extraoridinarily weird playing style. Having said that he's a fucking great player so I'm not exactly paying out on him.

[Chirs]

I just started to play bass, and I use a pick, whenever I try, i know this will make me sound like a weakling, my fingers its hard, and the pick is much easier, should I really put the effort into learning how to use fingers, or is it alright if I stay with pick.

[P§ÝÇHÕ]

I just started to play bass, and I use a pick, whenever I try, i know this will make me sound like a weakling, my fingers its hard, and the pick is much easier, should I really put the effort into learning how to use fingers, or is it alright if I stay with pick.

Like any instrument, it is all a matter of learning the right technique. You are in a very enviable position. Seek bass lessons from a proper bass teacher as soon as possible - you will not regret it later on, especially when you realise you have a good bass technique down pat.

The idea for beginners on any instrument (including bassists), is to develop the right technique from day one. A person who had mediocre skill but the right technique will always be a better player than somebody with horrid technique and talent.

[Gloominati]

I suppose it's because I played classical guitar before I approached the bass, but from the beginning I naturally played spider. When I want a sound with more attack, I just hold my pointing finger as though it were a pick itself, and I use my nail.

[Tattered]

I just hold my pointing finger as though it were a pick itself, and I use my nail.

ive tried that before.. and it fucking hurts.. :D

[Gloominati]

ive tried that before.. and it fucking hurts.. :D

Drink lots of milk. ;)

[Tattered]

hahaha i do man, but why wud that help? :confused:

[Gloominati]

hahaha i do man, but why wud that help? :confused:


Stronger nails and skin.

[P§ÝÇHÕ]

Calcium.

[KB_CANS]

Hahaha, Personally I could never fit my 3 fingers up there....:smash: :D


he was talking about a clit....no up there about it....or do u think a clit is inside the vagina?

i love the word vagina.

[Rattlehead]

Damnit finger picking is becoming difficult for me. Oddly enough it is not my pinky that's bothering me, it's my ring finger. I just can't seem to attack the string with enough power on that one, and this makes 1/4 of the notes I tremolo less loud, which sucks. I'm trying to stregthen it but I'm not sure what's the best way to go about doing that.

[Undying_Hatred]

If you have to use a pick to keep from sounding like that retarded nigger from Korn then Ive got your back all the way

[P§ÝÇHÕ]

If you have to use a pick to keep from sounding like that retarded nigger from Korn then Ive got your back all the way

Idiot.

[RBV]

I started off playing with a pick and it was good, i could play fast and it sounded sweet but i got board and tryed finger picking and now i wouldent even think twice about goin back 2 pick. i can play twice as fast now and it just seems 2 make my music better! also i don't think there if much need 2 use a 3 finger or 4 finger technique. 2 fingers is all u need. unless im missin out on somthin...... :drunk:

[Tattered]

Yeh.. true.. 2 fingers is all you need.. in 80 percent of the bass playing out there.. and 3 is a bonus, and 4 is a bonus/bonus..

[BOSE]

i use both and i do mean both at the same time. but who cares im more accurate with my pick i use my fingers for flavor and pluck while i pick, and as for anyone who thinks their fingers are fasters than my pick your fooling yourself.

[Disincarnate]

i started with a pick...but after a day or two i started using my fingers....i use 3 finger technique and mute using my thumb and my pinky....pinkys for muting the string above while the thumb acts like palm mute :beer:

[Misanthropy]

Play bass with a pick sux. One of the best things about bass is u play it different than guitar. Plus if you try to play maiden with a pick that is just like say fuck you to Bass Playing God: Steve Harris that is why I never have played with a pick and never will. I use three fingers and am trying to get my pinky in on the action too.

[Trendkill_420]

If you have to use a pick to keep from sounding like that retarded nigger from Korn then Ive got your back all the way

he's a good bassist.
just not your preferred style.
don't be ignorant

[Tattered]

Yeah to be totally honest i started with a pick it lasted 4 months.. till i went to a bass teacher and he inspired me to use fingers.. and since then ive never used a pick.. i frown upon it, jaco pastorius is a bass legend and the stuff he plays just shows u playing with fingers on bass is what and how it should be.. u cant play slap with a plectrum.. u cant double tap with a plectrum.. and u cant play decent harmonics with a plectrum...

[DemBonez]

Yeah to be totally honest i started with a pick it lasted 4 months.. till i went to a bass teacher and he inspired me to use fingers.. and since then ive never used a pick.. i frown upon it, jaco pastorius is a bass legend and the stuff he plays just shows u playing with fingers on bass is what and how it should be.. u cant play slap with a plectrum.. u cant double tap with a plectrum.. and u cant play decent harmonics with a plectrum...

I always find it wierd when people want to be like Jaco by playing like him. The thing that made him special was his break from normality into something great. He added harmonics into music, both artifical and natural. He was pretty much the first to have a bass solo, atleast one listenable.

I don't see whats so wrong with a pick on a bass, as long as the person is comfortable with it. It was people like Larry Graham who made it ok to not be the stereotype bassist.

[fuskitzo]

I know when I started bass every other musician I knew encouraged me to start with my fingers cuz they regretted not startin that way....so I did took a bit of gettin used to though cuz I was used to playin guitar.. Hmmm :(

[hearken]

yes any true bass player plays with his fingers period!!! let's face the facts playing with a pick is easier point blank. and if you played guitar and then switch to bass that's self explainatory. personally i do lose respect when i see a so-called bass player using a pick. i consider it cheating. it takes style and a whole hell of a lot of practice to get fast with your fingers. the only aspect i envy with those who play with a pick is there sounds are killer because they are using a thick pick that doesn't give. that doesn't justify playing with a pick though.
all the more respect to bass players who play with there fingers because it's tough being consistent, particularly with the fast stuff. my 2 cents!

[FearFrost]

im the best bass player in the world.

I TAPE PICKS TO MY FINGERS!!! :D

[Tattered]

yes any true bass player plays with his fingers period!!! let's face the facts playing with a pick is easier point blank. personally i do lose respect when i see a so-called bass player using a pick. i consider it cheating. it takes style and a whole hell of a lot of practice to get fast with your fingers.


I like what your saying here, and i totally agree, the other night i saw this bassist who had some nice fills/grooves and fretting style and he sure as hell was tight with the drummer, but he was using a pick, it totally knocks down my respect for them, if he was using his fingers, he would of had a much better tone, style and overall respect.

[Tulvox]

I usually play with my fingers, but recently I'm using a pick till my fucking blistered finger heals :bawling:

[Disincarnate]

finger picking rules.....i wish i could get better a sapping and popping

[Sodomaniac]

I usually play with my fingers, but recently I'm using a pick till my fucking blistered finger heals :bawling:

oh yeah, that's so true. But I hate to play with pick because it's sound not as good as with fingers.

[Tattered]

I feel fake and guilty whenever i put a pick to a bass string.

[Tulvox]

I feel fake and guilty whenever i put a pick to a bass string.

It's the truth

[Zionist]

Why do bass player use picks anyways? They can maneuver alot easier and you hit the string alot faster if you use your fingers.

[Sodomaniac]

Usually all bass players use their fingers but the rock and metal music brought the pick to the bass. The bass player used the pick to could play faster and to save their fingers for blisses and pain ...

[Anubis]

Well, I taught myself to play with a pick, and use that for the majority of the time. I enjoy it, especially, when doing some of my blues stuff. However, I'm trying to master three finger picking, and it's coming along, but I still enjoy the pick more. I do use my fingers when playing fuck or jazz though, as I play with slap/pop style.

Yeah, I may not be the "truest" bass player around, but I think I've come a long way since never knowing a fucking thing.

[axzed]

Ouch-Hurts, I know. Hey, when you r totally together with the right
bass & gear it has its merits. As a guitarist running a Hard Rock & standard covers band with the compromises of live paramaters fingers don't hack it. Stuart Ham is great & our guys nailed him on their £2.5k Warwick 6 strings, BUT a pick gets clarity, definition, 8ths, 16ths, & hard usable tone (withot mush,rumble,stumble & muffs ) that sits tight with the kick & give passion, drive & energy. I love slap & stuff but you gotta back the unit first & formost. Any serious bassist is besotted with fingers yet they CANNOT use a pick & keep up with me or the double kick! I've given up asking. WE had one guy with massive T.E. & he hacked it. The others couldn't get such gear to the gig (if that was the issue) & so, sonically, didn.t deliver. Picks serve a purpose & the concept aint to be scorned & trashed.
Anybody learning from J. Bruce & Andy Frasier these days?

[Tattered]

I do use my fingers when playing fuck

Wow you play fuck? ;)

[BLS]

fuck is HARD shit to play... check it out :p

[Tattered]

haha, damn i wish i had Power tab editor, but i only have GP4

[BLS]

then get it http://www.power-tab.net/downloads.php

[TruthDevoid]

fuck is HARD shit to play... check it out :p

rock on

[Anubis]

Shit, now I'm leaving all kinds of stuff out. Fucking typos.

[Wes]

I play with my fingers... And I have question... How many fingers do u use? 2, 3, 4 or 5... I can use good only 3 fingers...

[Sodomaniac]

I play with my fingers... And I have question... How many fingers do u use? 2, 3, 4 or 5... I can use good only 3 fingers...

with my left hand 3-4 and with my right hand usually with 2 sometimes I try to play with 3. I play on a right hand bass.

[Tattered]

Left hand 4, right hand 3 (but only normally use 2 in everyday playing)

[Wes]

Cliff Burton use 5 fingers... it is him technology... :p I try playing 5 fingers, but I can't do it :(...
Left hand use only 3 fingers... right too...

[Tattered]

Left hand only 3? what finger cant you use?

[Wes]

I cant use little finger :behead: This finger so weak :( How I can training?... :bawling:

[Sodomaniac]

I use my 4 fingers when I play notes behind the 7. fret. Before it I use only 3.

[Tattered]

I cant use little finger :behead: This finger so weak :( How I can training?... :bawling:

Well you just practice with it, and the muscles with the strengthen and the skin will harden, say if your doing a riff with your index and ring, try it with your index and pinky instead.

Hope that helps. :beer:

[Wes]

Well you just practice with it, and the muscles with the strengthen and the skin will harden, say if your doing a riff with your index and ring, try it with your index and pinky instead.

Hope that helps. :beer:

Thx... I try it... After guitar I cant play by pinky on bass...

[arvina]

right handed.4 fingers on left hand.2 or 3 for regular playing and thumb for pops.

[Zionist]

4 on my left. 2 sometimes 3, sometimes even 4 on my right.

[Rattlehead]

I'm surprised that anyone who plays metal can say they don't use the pinky (on fretting hand). To me, the pinky might be the most important finger. When I'm playing someting high (around 12th or higher) I often use the pinky to reach higher notes, like at the 17th fret. And when playing Death metal or thrash, it is very important to be able to play a minor third (this means if you're playing in F 1st fret on E string, you want to play an A flat on the fourth fret) quickly without having to move your hand. A good way to get strength in your pinky is to use the diminished scale, which is all minor thirds. Only use the index and pinky. Here's an example of the scale
G-------------5-8-
D---------4-7-----
A-----3-6---------
E-2-5-------------
Even though I was not good enough to play it, when I was younger I would try to play "Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead" by Cannibal Corpse. Often he taps really fast with the pinky and pulls off to the index. I still can't do it properly (that is, if Webster is playing the same as the guitar), it's so damned fast, but I do have lots of strength in my pinky. Another way to give it strength is to do alot of bends with it.

Anyways I pick with four fingers, but I think that my only advantage in doing so is that I might have more stamina.

[Chris Rezendes]

I'm surprised that anyone who plays metal can say they don't use the pinky (on fretting hand). To me, the pinky might be the most important finger. When I'm playing someting high (around 12th or higher) I often use the pinky to reach higher notes, like at the 17th fret. And when playing Death metal or thrash, it is very important to be able to play a minor third (this means if you're playing in F 1st fret on E string, you want to play an A flat on the fourth fret) quickly without having to move your hand. A good way to get strength in your pinky is to use the diminished scale, which is all minor thirds. Only use the index and pinky. Here's an example of the scale
G-------------5-8-
D---------4-7-----
A-----3-6---------
E-2-5-------------
Even though I was not good enough to play it, when I was younger I would try to play "Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead" by Cannibal Corpse. Often he taps really fast with the pinky and pulls off to the index. I still can't do it properly (that is, if Webster is playing the same as the guitar), it's so damned fast, but I do have lots of strength in my pinky. Another way to give it strength is to do alot of bends with it.

Anyways I pick with four fingers, but I think that my only advantage in doing so is that I might have more stamina.

Alex Webster is good stuff. If he ever left Cannibal Corpse, they would suck immediately. You heard it here first.

[McCalister999]

I don't think I could survive playing pretty much anything fast without using my pinky on my fretting hand. It's just so necessary to play pretty much anything that spans more than three frets.
I can't stand picking though. It just feels so wrong to be desecrating my bass with a guitar tool. :behead: I also find it hard to pick fast due to the width of the strings, especially on shit like Iced Earth or Testament.

[shimbolla]

It all depends on the sound. I love the idea of just using fingers. And I used to always do that. But with fingers, the bass will usually have a bit more of a flat sound. Not much edge to it. A little blurry and dead, too. But with the pick it makes it sound sharper, clearer, louder, and at times heavier. I have to make up for both bass and guitar. I use a Digitech RP200 (for good distortion) with my bass and it sound like a guitar, but also a bass. Kind of like Meshuggah's eight-string guitars. But with just fingers, it doesn't sound as much like a guitar. So I'm forced to use a pick to get the sound I want. I love just playing with fingers, but to make it so I don't have to have a guitarist I must make sacrifices. And it's not like my fingers are upset. They still get to go at it. Just with a pick. But if I were to choose to play with a guitarist, the pick would get the boot.

[Tattered]

It all depends on the sound. I love the idea of just using fingers. And I used to always do that. But with fingers, the bass will usually have a bit more of a flat sound. Not much edge to it. A little blurry and dead, too. But with the pick it makes it sound sharper, clearer, louder, and at times heavier. I have to make up for both bass and guitar. I use a Digitech RP200 (for good distortion) with my bass and it sound like a guitar, but also a bass. Kind of like Meshuggah's eight-string guitars. But with just fingers, it doesn't sound as much like a guitar. So I'm forced to use a pick to get the sound I want. I love just playing with fingers, but to make it so I don't have to have a guitarist I must make sacrifices. And it's not like my fingers are upset. They still get to go at it. Just with a pick. But if I were to choose to play with a guitarist, the pick would get the boot.

Thats true, the pick on a bass does get a very clear distinct tone, that you get using fingers, its a nice sharp same leveled tone, but i enjoy using my fingers, and can acheive more with them, and i prefer the bassy tone to the trebley tone..

[hellrazor213]

i use both the Finger-style and Picking Technique...I have found myself going more and more to Finger-style as of lately, but I love the sound and speed of the pick...dont limit yourself, do both!!!

[Kylito]

Both techniques have their uses. After seeing John Alderete of Racer X play live I will never again slam someone for using a pick.

[YOUR_GOD_IS_DEAD]

I see the difference in the two methods. I use both methods, whatever sounds good to me. I know an example of the finger vs. pick thing. My friend thinks his band is better because he plays bass with his fingers and the other bassist doesnt. He got pissed off at a Pantera video because he though he saw Rex playing with a pick :rolleyes: . Yet he admires the bass player from slipknot....

[YJM04]

dont worry all the ladies like fast moving fingers!! :birthday:

[YJM04]

I see the difference in the two methods. I use both methods, whatever sounds good to me. I know an example of the finger vs. pick thing. My friend thinks his band is better because he plays bass with his fingers and the other bassist doesnt. He got pissed off at a Pantera video because he though he saw Rex playing with a pick :rolleyes: . Yet he admires the bass player from slipknot....
slipknot sucks ass

[Tattered]

Come on now, everyone knows that, but if you cant say something nice, dont say anything at all ;)

[Tulvox]

But can you really say anything nice about slipknot? :p

[YJM04]

But can you really say anything nice about slipknot? :p

fuckes up his tuning and startes playing. is that nice enough?

[Tulvox]

thats too nice...

[Tattered]

You know what i mean .. dont turn this thread into a ''Slipknot suck'' lecture.

[YJM04]

You know what i mean .. dont turn this thread into a ''Slipknot suck'' lecture.
ok. u got a point there cuz its comon fact. i guess pick bassists cant finger tap and thats all i gotta say.

[Panterabasser71]

Yeah, the only way to play bass is using your fuckin' fingers. All these pop-punk and emo bassists I've shared a venue with use a fuckin' pick all the time 'cuz they're pussy like that. But I must admit that I do use pick on occasion for tonal purposes only...NOT physical. C'mon its all about fingers. With a pick its TOO easy to play fast. And I can play speed metal with my fingers.

[h4x5k8]

yea, i play guitar 99% of the time, but my friend asked me to play bass for him a little for the band, and right now were workin on shit like art of shredding by pantera and some of our own stuff, and I try to play with my fingers but once it gets to some of the parts im not fast enough to use my fingers, Im used to playin with a small ass pick on the guitar (jazz3), so its hard for me to play bass with fingers. I guess im a pussy... :rolleyes:

EDIT: Also when i use my fingers it gets sloppy and the strings thunk around and makes clanks sounds and shit and somtimes i cant hit the note hard enough with my finger to make it stand out, or somtimes i hit it to hard.

[Tattered]

Your not a pussy, if you play guitar 99 percent of the time then you just need to adjust to the whole 'fingering' technique, there are wrong ways of doing it.. and a clanking sound coming from the bass is one..

Unless the bass has really bad action then i guess your doing typewriter fingerstyle when your slightly pressing downwards with your fingering hand.. instead of just walking and coming directly off the strings. If not then, just keep practicing with your fingers.. and if you dont want to, dont.. your a guitarist, its completely natural for you to not totally get the finger thing unless youve tryed it before..

But if its too weird for you, and you cant get a decent sound/feeling out of the bass, then just go with the pick, who cares what other people say.. your a guitarist ;)

[YJM04]

Your not a pussy, if you play guitar 99 percent of the time then you just need to adjust to the whole 'fingering' technique, there are wrong ways of doing it.. and a clanking sound coming from the bass is one..

Unless the bass has really bad action then i guess your doing typewriter fingerstyle when your slightly pressing downwards with your fingering hand.. instead of just walking and coming directly off the strings. If not then, just keep practicing with your fingers.. and if you dont want to, dont.. your a guitarist, its completely natural for you to not totally get the finger thing unless youve tryed it before..

But if its too weird for you, and you cant get a decent sound/feeling out of the bass, then just go with the pick, who cares what other people say.. your a guitarist ;)

same here i play guitar 99.9% of the time, just i try other genre's like flamenco, i suggest that to any guitar player thinking about switching or trying to play to bass.flamenco(spanish style) is a new thing that im trying to make a connection to metal with. sorta like malmsteen/becker/rhoads classical music. especially the rasgdo's that might break strings on a bass but its still gives it a more evil and more serious sound on a guitar than just normal strummes. if u play bass then just think of the strings as the bottom 4 strings (thats what my friend that playes bass told me) on the guitar, cuz the notes are the same just lower.
E
A
D
G

[Subsonic6string]

In my 23 years of playing bass, never once have I used a pick. I've always been of the opinion that bassists with picks are just guitar players that couldn't cut it. I use 2, 3, and alot of the times, all 4 fingers to pluck the strings with. If I'm going for full balls-out speed, then I'll use all 4 fingers (index - pinkie - ring - middle - index - pinkie......you get the idea). If there are tight chugs or gallops, I'll use 3 for the triplet feel, and if there are scalar runs, then I'll use 2 or 3, depending on the needs at the time.

Later.

:beer:

[LordPestilence]

I don't understand you guys...why the hell does it matter how you play? I play with my fingers but I don't see what the big deal is about how you play. If someone is good at playing with their fingers then that awesome, likewise for if they can play well with a pick. Just all be friends, have a beer, and share a joint. :stoned: :beer:

[Tattered]

I dunno, its just whenver i put a pick to bass i feel like one of them crappy pop punk bassists like blink 182 or new found glory, that just play bass because they have to for the band, they show no love in the instrument if you just put a pick to it and play root notes, or even fills with a pick..

or even a great huge sweeping solo with a pick on bass, i just feel crappy and fake.. but thats only my opinion, your free to think what you like.

[Subsonic6string]

I've got to agree with Tattered on this one. When I see a good player using his (or her) fingers, I feel that they really ARE a bass player, someone that took the time and effort to learn the intricacies of playing with their fingers. When I see a player using a pick (good, bad, whatever) I immediately think that there goes another ex-guitar player that couldn't cut it, so they think they'll just "down-grade" to a bass player. Most of the talentless bassists out there use picks, just as most of the more talented bassists out there use their fingers. To me, this is self-explanatory.

On top of this, I think the sound (tone) of using a pick is just too harsh. Using my fingers, and with a bit of creative EQ-ing, I can get a clean, tight sound, or a soft, mellow tone. My choice. So for someone to say that the only way to get that "attack" is by using a pick, this just tells me that they don't know their equipment, either.

No doubt I'll get a world of criticism for this post (hehehe...) but that's just my informed opinion, based on over 23 years of playing with my fingers.

Cheers

:beer:

[MurderLegendre]

I'm a strictly fingers player, but i've no objection to using a pick: it's just another technique to be used, like slapping or playing with the thumb. The only reason i don't do it is i find it quite difficult, especially octaves and string skipping. The sound can be quite nice on certain songs, just not the ones i write!

Oh, and hello to everyone! ;)

[Subsonic6string]

The only reason i don't do it is i find it quite difficult, especially octaves and string skipping.

This is very true. I've seen quite a few pick-using bassists screw up when they try to jump a string, or bounce between the root and octave, but with my fingers, never seem to have a problem.

Cheers

:beer:

[aggressor27]

I go either or, but pick mostly on fast parts. It'd be nice to be able to finger in triplets at 130 bpm, but I can't keep the tempo going for more than 3 or 4 measures.

[Wes]

I play 50% fingers and 50% pick... I like pick sound... Joey DeMaio (Manowar) play only pick! And i like how he play! I think with pick you can play faster than fingers! Pick tremolo faster than 4 fingers :rolleyes:

[Disincarnate]

actually i think it depends a lot on how much u practice.if you finger pic and practice alot then its possible that you can pick as fast with your fingers as many ppl who use a pick.also i think that the bassist who is your favorite also affects the way of your playing to quite an extent...if he uses his fingers then chances are that you want to play aswell as him and also in the same style that he plays in

[TheChocolateFactory]

I just play with my fingers until they hurt, then I switch to pick.

[Tulvox]

that gRim and nekro and kvlt :smash:

[Tattered]

Haha, after playing hard and heavy with fingers and them hurting i still dont go to pick.. no pain no gain buddy! ;)

[Local_Hero]

Sometimes I use a pick for playing fast shit. I am currently working on using 3 fingers so I can ditch the pick.

But meh, using only a pick is gay, haha.

[IlikeRiffseveryone]

I pick when i want a bit louder, more articulate sound. But Finger Picking techniques are just plain cool.

[Disincarnate]

Haha, after playing hard and heavy with fingers and them hurting i still dont go to pick.. no pain no gain buddy! ;)

Agreed

[YOUR_GOD_IS_DEAD]

i burned 2 layers of skin playing as fast as i could once. i just put sand on my fingertips, then some talcum powder. then relaxed for a few minutes. then picked up my war-hammer and played again :guitar: <--we'll just pretend its a bass.

[Zionist]

Has anyone else got blisters and calluses?

[Tulvox]

I've gotten a blister on the same finger twice...it's now callused up thankfully.

[Tattered]

I had a couple of blisters when starting out.. but now its just calluses..

[scourge]

on topic -> i think that the rounder, smoother tone of fingers is awesome... but picks are good too... just look at clayton ingerson from dysrhythmia... he plays great... and he goes the pickway...

off topic (kinda) -> something i would like to know is if theres any change in the sound of a fretless played with a pick (yeah... kind of a waste, dont u think?)... has anyone tried/liked this?

[Disincarnate]

too be honest i havnt seen any one play a fretless with a pick

[MurderLegendre]

I've messed around on fretless with a pick, although like i said before i'm not particularly skilled with one. You can get some interesting sounds, trem picking (which is always completely different with a plec soundwise) whilst sliding up and down is good fun.

[Tattered]

You put a pick to a fretless?! :sickface:

[Tulvox]

:eek: Why? How could you do such a thing? :bawling:

[Tattered]

Exactly.. *shakes head*

;)

[Zionist]

http://www.quovadis.qc.ca/Photos/3r_gallery/images/d33.jpg

:p

[Disincarnate]

and ive only seen bill"buddha"dickens slap/pop on a fretless.......im not really into slap/popping ...im more of a finger style player

[Tulvox]

http://www.quovadis.qc.ca/Photos/3r_gallery/images/d33.jpg

:p

Who is that?

[Zionist]

Who is that?

The bass player for Quo Vadis. He's good, check them out.

[Zertonshfits]

speaking as a guitar player, i believe that bass is easyer with a pick for fast playing and easyer with fingers slow... i think bass is easyer on your fretting hand but harder on the picking or "fingering"(?) hand... when i trem pick on bass smetimes i dont get all the notes in cause the strings are bigger and i dont get accross it in time before i need to hit the next note....

it soundes stupid i know but its what happens

[Subsonic6string]

Has anyone else got blisters and calluses?

You can't get calluses without going through the blistering stage...so just suck it up and be a bassist (aka...man) and not a guitarist (aka...woman) :rofl:

Cheers

:beer:

[Tattered]

so just suck it up and be a bassist (aka...man) and not a guitarist (aka...woman) :rofl:

Cheers

:beer:

Hahaha, fairplay, :beer:

[Tulvox]

You can't get calluses without going through the blistering stage...so just suck it up and be a bassist (aka...man) and not a guitarist (aka...woman) :rofl:

Cheers

:beer:
:rofl: :D :D :rofl:

[bloody_rotten_pig]

har har..i play bass with pick only...and now, shun me :) i mentioned it in an earlier thread, i play maiden with pick, now that may sound heretic to all of u finger players, but well, its the way i learned playing and it's way more easy for me.
I think that almost 'crusade' tween finger n pick bassmen is useless, after all we are all bass player n have to stick together :beer:



i use both fingers and picks but i like the sound better with fingers but im better with a pick probably becuase i started playing guitar but i learned bass by using fingers and i dont know what i like better :stoned:

[sixsicsix]

i switch between a pick and fingers although i am probably about 95% fingers, when i play lamb of god i have to use a pick, dont believe me? try playing ashes of the wake with your fingers i have trouble keepin up with the damn pick.

[Tulvox]

I play many songs off Ashes of the Wake. All with my fingers. Try harder.

[McCalister999]

I can play faster with my fingers than I can with a pick, it's just what you're used to.

[Tattered]

I can play all of Ashes Of The Wake with my fingers, just try.. and learn 3 finger technique, it helps the triplets..

[sixsicsix]

tulvox not the cd itself the song ashes of the wake try to play that at the same speed with your fingers tripplet 32'nd notes

[sixsicsix]

its not like i dont try hard enough like i said im almost 95% fingers

[Tulvox]

Easy. You just have to practice.

[sixsicsix]

ok :(

[Tattered]

Dont like practicing to get good?! Give up then! ;)

[Tulvox]

Dont like practicing to get good?! Give up then! ;)
Best advice I've heard in a long time.

[sixsicsix]

never said i diddnt like to practice lol im 2 stoop'd to learn 3 finger though lol

[aaron41284]

Is it just me or do the other finger style bassists here have less respect for bassist's who use picks? Personally I think a lot of them are wannabe guitarists.:mad:


Indeed :beer:

[iron_bodom]

I like both techniques. Mainly it is what ever I'm going to play, fast-very fast=pick and slow-moderately fast=finger. When i first started I made the mistake of not playing w/ fingers, so I'm spending all of my free time working of 3 finger technique.

[Subsonic6string]

I like both techniques. Mainly it is what ever I'm going to play, fast-very fast=pick and slow-moderately fast=finger. When i first started I made the mistake of not playing w/ fingers, so I'm spending all of my free time working of 3 finger technique.

Skip straight to the 4-finger technique, then burn your pick as a sacrifice to the gods of bass!!!

Seriously, you can't play faster with a pick than you can with 4 fingers, no matter what anyone tells you. I pluck with my fingers in the following pattern: I-P-R-M-I-P-R-M-I-P-R-M-I-P-R-M etc. (you get the picture) It takes a little while to get the proper attack with the ring finger, but when you get it, you'll never use that pathetic plectrum ever again!!!

Cheers.

:beer:

[McCalister999]

I actually use a pick when I play slower and want a different sound of attack, and I agree with subsonic. Using four fingers is wega faster than pick, no one can pick faster than that.

[Subsonic6string]

I actually use a pick when I play slower and want a different sound of attack.

Actually, that reminded me of the only time I ever used a pick in (now) 25 years...it was a slow, droning song on the Infernal CD "Unholier Than Thou". The guys wanted a specific sound of attack, and insisted I use a pick for it. It was a learning experience on a VERY limited timeframe...we were in the studio when they suggested it to me.

Forgot all about that! Must have blanked it from my memory as one of those traumatic experiences we all read about in the papers.

Cheers.

:beer:

[Downfall]

I play with a pick, its faster, and more aggresive. Since anger rules, I dig playing with a pick. Shun me if you like but i dont think we should be shunning each other. I mean c'mon, guitarists already look down on us. We should be able to rely on our fellow bassists for respect :cool:

[unforgotten_2]

i agree with that other dude you can only play music angrily with a pick but remember hand-slapping eg. korn :guitar:

[Tulvox]

Korn sucks.

[Zionist]

i agree with that other dude you can only play music angrily with a pick but remember hand-slapping eg. korn :guitar:
Ignorant post. I have the impression that you have no idea what you are talking about.

[unforgotten_2]

WHY THE HELL DOES EVERYONE HATE ME ON FORUMS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :behead: :behead:

[Rattlehead]

WHY THE HELL DOES EVERYONE HATE ME ON FORUMS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :behead: :behead:
Do I ........... Do I hit him?

[McCalister999]

WHY THE HELL DOES EVERYONE HATE ME ON FORUMS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :behead: :behead:
because you make stupid posts.

[feetunderwarpath]

Ignorant post. I have the impression that you have no idea what you are talking about.

obviously, he thinks Korn is angry or something like that, whatever the hell he was trying to get across. Either way he seems like a nu - metal fag, so I have no respect for him at all.

[Zionist]

WHY THE HELL DOES EVERYONE HATE ME ON FORUMS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :behead: :behead:
I don't remember saying I hate you, maybe you should think for a good 5 minutes before you post.

[Subsonic6string]

I play with a pick, its faster, and more aggresive. Since anger rules, I dig playing with a pick.

Hmmm...Need I mention a nice little band named Cannibal Corpse? I suppose Alex Webster isn't playing fast/angry enough for you? That has to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard!!!!! Outside of Cannibal Corpse, have you ever heard of the band Malevolent Creation? Jason Blackowitz plays with all 4 fingers, and is incredibly fast, AND angry-sounding...the list goes on and on.

Obviously you are either new to bass playing, completely ignorant, or, quite possibly, BOTH!!!

Bottom line: If you want to play with a pick, play guitar.

Cheers.

:beer:

[Tattered]

Well said, Subsonic.

:beer:

[bassist_of_light]

Angry pssshh thats retarded. Any great bass player metal and beyond knows that tone is most important and you arent going to get a good tone from a pick. I have played both. If you expect to play anything technical( like spiral architect/ cynic technical) you almost cant play with a pick!!!! lol angry lol the last angry bass sound I heard sounded like crap.. Ill take a clear sound over an angry sound anyday geeessshh :smash:

[bassist_of_light]

I play with a pick, its faster, and more aggresive. Since anger rules, I dig playing with a pick. Shun me if you like but i dont think we should be shunning each other. I mean c'mon, guitarists already look down on us. We should be able to rely on our fellow bassists for respect :cool:

faster, come on listen to steve harris, pete perez, alex webster, sean malone, they destroy most pick players any day. :flame: :mad:

[basstendencies]

personally id recommend everybody become proficient BOTH with your fingers and a pick. dont look down on playing with a plectrum if you cant muster it, and if youre strictly a pick player stop being lazy and learn to use your fingers (you can play anything just as fast sometimes faster w/ your fingers as a pick). versatility is key.

[BassBehemoth]

If I want a "pick" sound or am supplementing a riff, I pluck downstroke with my three dominant fingers. Fuck picks.

[Requiem]

I perfer finger picking sounds better and i can play faster without a pick,unless its a song that changes strings constintly.

[Party Time 2000]

Well, I am a guitar player but I play bass in a rock band. I use a pick on bass. For some slower songs, I try out some finger picking. I do not put in enough practice to learn finger picking on bass. I prefer to stick with the pick because of my guitaring priority. Anyone who watches me and knows what's going on will be able to instantly tell that I am a guitar player that's playing bass. I'm not going to hide it, that's for sure.

I'm pretty quick with the pick but I am sure that fingering would be much faster for string skipping lines.

I do sweeps on the bass and the pick helps out for that. You finger players, do you do sweeps as well???

[sixsicsix]

i believe i have one sngthat i just cant do without a pick.
cryptopsy: open face surgery

i can do the riffs its just my hand feels like its going to explode after about 3 minutes im doing a 3 and sometimes 4 finger technique but its still just to fast and its got trills and everything any suggestions would help.

[Tattered]

I do sweeps on the bass and the pick helps out for that. You finger players, do you do sweeps as well???

Yeah, i sweep, i use my thumb for sweeping up and down.

:beer:

[Rattlehead]

I do sweeps on the bass and the pick helps out for that. You finger players, do you do sweeps as well???
There is one advantage of pick over fingers that is pretty hard to dispute. Through my 'bass lifetime' I've literally played fingers for 99% of the time and pick for 1%, and yet I can sweep faster with a pick than with fingerstyle. I'm actually trying to learn pick right now for that very reason (it will take me a very long time to get used to though).
If I want a "pick" sound or am supplementing a riff, I pluck downstroke with my three dominant fingers. Fuck picks.That sounds interesting, but can you explain this more clearly? What I mean is, (I'm guessing you mean these three fingers: i, m, r) do you use a wrist motion or just use finger motions to pluck the strings? If it is wrist motion, isn't it exactly the same as using a pick except that you can't do upstrokes? And if it is by finger motion, I'd like to know if you have (or indeed if it is possible) to get enough power that way.

I would do this but you run into problems when you want upstrokes, it just doesn't work out well when you use your thumb and index to form a "pick" with the respective nails hitting on downstrokes and upstrokes, especially since the 'pick' that is formed is wider than the distance between two strings on 5 string (and maybe even a 4!).

[Rattlehead]

Yeah, i sweep, i use my thumb for sweeping up and down.

:beer:
Damn! you posted this before I finished my last post. Now I have more to add.

This seems to solve the problem (well, at least once you finally get used to this technique) but the big problem is that the nail gets in the way, so that downsweeps sound fingerpicked and upsweeps (since the nail hits the string) sound like pick sweeps.

[BassBehemoth]

There is one advantage of pick over fingers that is pretty hard to dispute. Through my 'bass lifetime' I've literally played fingers for 99% of the time and pick for 1%, and yet I can sweep faster with a pick than with fingerstyle. I'm actually trying to learn pick right now for that very reason (it will take me a very long time to get used to though).
That sounds interesting, but can you explain this more clearly? What I mean is, (I'm guessing you mean these three fingers: i, m, r) do you use a wrist motion or just use finger motions to pluck the strings? If it is wrist motion, isn't it exactly the same as using a pick except that you can't do upstrokes? And if it is by finger motion, I'd like to know if you have (or indeed if it is possible) to get enough power that way.

I would do this but you run into problems when you want upstrokes, it just doesn't work out well when you use your thumb and index to form a "pick" with the respective nails hitting on downstrokes and upstrokes, especially since the 'pick' that is formed is wider than the distance between two strings on 5 string (and maybe even a 4!).

Well...holy detailed question...the technique is mainly used to downstroke, and to my knowledge Les Claypool does this as well. I used to to quickly chnage from fingerstyle to "picked" chords. You can upstroke but the notes are a lot harder to hit because you have to snap your wrist away.

[Rattlehead]

Well...holy detailed question...the technique is mainly used to downstroke, and to my knowledge Les Claypool does this as well. I used to to quickly chnage from fingerstyle to "picked" chords. You can upstroke but the notes are a lot harder to hit because you have to snap your wrist away.
I see.

Also: I sometimes play chords fingerstyle by doing one upstroke with my finger over the strings I want. The problem with this is that, well, you just can't play chords quickly and it can get tiring pretty damn fast if yoy try, because the wrist motion that is required for every strum.
I guess that's another advantage of the pick, you can play chords quickly.

[basstendencies]

when you talk about sweep picking with your thumb, how fast are we talking? is it possible to play something from necrophagist using your thumb for the sweeps? if so can you elaborate on your technique, it sounds very interesting.

[Tattered]

Yeah of course its possible, anythings possible if you practice it..

The sweeping technique is pretty simple, right hand (if your left handed its the opposite which you are right?), with your thumb sweep it down across the strings like a guitarist would with a pick, and then back with your thumb for the upwards sweep.

[basstendencies]

yes i am left handed. it never wouldve occured to me to use my thumb for sweeps, im sure its a sight to see at high speeds. ill give it a shot. thanks. :beer:

[bassist_of_light]

i use my thumb when playing upward sweeps ( away from you) and my middle and index fingers to sweep down ( towards you). It is a little more difficult to master than one thumb, but has a much more even sound.. plus it looks really rad :cool:

[bassist_of_light]

Agreed :beer:

double agreed :beer: very true behemoth :smash:

[IRON90]

I don't really think that finger bassists are much better than pick bassists. I mean, just because you use a pick doesn't mean that you have to be a wannabe guitarist or fast like Billy Sheehan. That's just my opinion, correct me if i'm wrong.

Edit: But most of the great bassists plays with their fingers.

[Robbie Filth]

I play bass with a pick but then i do play guitar but i think finger picking looks better but i guess it doesnt matter as long as the stuff is played well.

[genocide circus]

I do like to use a pick for playing extremely slow doom/sludge stuff, it gives a more bludgeoning feel on downtuned strings (listen to Pieces of Quiet by Khanate)... but other wise i would rather leave the picks to the guy playing the smaller instrument

[iron_bodom]

fingers or pick, really doesn't matter to me. I think that a player should become fluent in both styles. Plus, just b/c someone plays w/ a pick doesn't make them a wanna be guitarist. Are guitarists that play w/ their fingers wannabe bassists? however, i do agree w/ iron90 most great bassists do play w/ their fingers.

[Cassius]

In my opinion, a true bass player plays with their fingers. But I know a guy named Luke Coatney that plays with a pick, and he puts us all to shame!

[BassBehemoth]

In my opinion, a true bass player plays with their fingers. But I know a guy named Luke Coatney that plays with a pick, and he puts us all to shame!


lol, how you can say this guy puts us "all to shame"? I'd like to see his "picked" slap technique. :rolleyes:

[Yertle4]

As raised multiple times in this thread, I fail to see what is so much superior about either technique. Both have advantages and downsides as established. One might look cooler than the other or whatever In the end the sound comes out and every one is happy. The difference is so pathetically significant in the scheme of music - it's almost like the 'trOO kvlt' of bass playing to play fingers and be anti-pick.

Either way, whatever rocks your nuts.

[BassBehemoth]

TRoO KVLT OR FROST BITTEN DEATH!!!

[basstendencies]

i think the reason that you'll find a bit of snobbery towards pick playing is that plucking with your fingers is an art form. it takes years of practice to coax the perfect tone out of your instrument ,and your fingers will give you a tonal quality that a pick simply cant. i also think (and you might laugh at this) that playing with my fingers allows me to play better because i can feel what im playing better through constant and direct contact with the body/strings.

[Cassius]

lol, how you can say this guy puts us "all to shame"? I'd like to see his "picked" slap technique. :rolleyes:
He can play with his fingers, he just usually uses a pick. If he wants to play, then he uses his index and middle fingers ona four string, and his thumb on a five and six.

[Yertle4]

i think the reason that you'll find a bit of snobbery towards pick playing is that plucking with your fingers is an art form. it takes years of practice to coax the perfect tone out of your instrument ,and your fingers will give you a tonal quality that a pick simply cant. i also think (and you might laugh at this) that playing with my fingers allows me to play better because i can feel what im playing better through constant and direct contact with the body/strings.

I know, I play both. And I know for a fact there's a lot of things I write I couldn't with my fingers and can't be played with fingers and vice-versa. Just comenting on the general attitude of this thread.

[cw4119]

sorry if this has already been brought up, but i havent had time to read more than half the thread.

I personally despise the sound of a pick played on the bass. i hate it (especially amon amarth's and jason newsted). does anyone else feel the same way about that sound?

[BassBehemoth]

Yeah, that's a bif reason I despise pick playing...it sounds so generic.


Why play bass with your a pick when you can play with your fingers? It's was DESIGNED for you fingers! What would Charles Mingus say!!! :bawling:

[genocide circus]

People weren't playing metal in the 50s when the electric bass was invented, either. Especially Charles Mingus :p. I think saying that it was designed to be played with the fingers is going a little too far.. I wonder if guitars were "designed" to be played with the fingers and nails too, back in the day before anyone thought of using something rigid to rake across the strings. There's certainly no "pick vs fingers" argument among metal guitarists; if you started playing riffs with your fingers you would probably get laughed at :confused:

[BassBehemoth]

There's certainly no "pick vs fingers" argument among metal guitarists; if you started playing riffs with your fingers you would probably get laughed at :confused:


That's because you can't get the same speed tremolo picking on a guitar with fingers...

What about the classical/jazz/blues players that use their fingers?

[Otiz]

I play classical guitar, using a pick there is just stupid.

[cw4119]

People weren't playing metal in the 50s when the electric bass was invented, either. Especially Charles Mingus :p. I think saying that it was designed to be played with the fingers is going a little too far.. I wonder if guitars were "designed" to be played with the fingers and nails too, back in the day before anyone thought of using something rigid to rake across the strings. There's certainly no "pick vs fingers" argument among metal guitarists; if you started playing riffs with your fingers you would probably get laughed at :confused:

He wasnt saying that playing metal on bass is supposed to be with your fingers, he said that bass in general was designed to be played with fingers, whicch is true (as far as i know). And this thread has nothing to do with guitars, but as far as i know, guitar WAS originally used with fingers.

[bassist_of_light]

He wasnt saying that playing metal on bass is supposed to be with your fingers, he said that bass in general was designed to be played with fingers, whicch is true (as far as i know). And this thread has nothing to do with guitars, but as far as i know, guitar WAS originally used with fingers.

yep if you dont use your fingers on bass you are going against the utter history of the instrument.... i guess that would be saying guitar players should do the same, but i have seen fingerstyle guitar players who are just as fast as pick players ;)

[cw4119]

yep if you dont use your fingers on bass you are going against the utter history of the instrument.... i guess that would be saying guitar players should do the same, but i have seen fingerstyle guitar players who are just as fast as pick players ;)

Not to mention the fact that using a pick versus using fingers on a guitar doesn't seem to change the sound that much, but maybe thats cuz im a bassist. That sound of a pick being used on a bass just hurts to hear imo unless its on high notes. Guitars sound great with picks, but basses...well...... :sickface:

[Party Time 2000]

Well, i have longer than usual finger nails on my pick hand so i tried to finger pick bass last night. It sounds like i'm using a pick! I get a little 'scratch' just as i release the string from a pluck. I used my thumb and it has a very soft sound. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. for quieter songs, i try to to finger pick to keep it smooth. when the songs pick up, i get my pick in there just to keep up!

[Disincarnate]

fingers only for me

[sixsicsix]

cut your damn fingernails man..and practice your speed with fingers

[sixsicsix]

oh and if youve noticed there are no "great" pick bassists. i mean great as in recognizeable for playing bass with astounding skill

[antipunx]

sean fimmers from necrophagist is the only good player who plays with a pick

[JacksonGuitars07]

I play classical guitar, using a pick there is just stupid.

Word. Except it is useful on some of Paganini's caprices and Bach's Inventions. I can't fingerpick those studies at the tempo they are meant to be played at.

[Robbie Filth]

Word. Except it is useful on some of Paganini's caprices and Bach's Inventions. I can't fingerpick those studies at the tempo they are meant to be played at.
That's my main weakness i can't finger pick at all. :rolleyes:

[BassBehemoth]

That's my main weakness i can't finger pick at all. :rolleyes:

Practise....<unt.

[Tattered]

sean fimmers from necrophagist is the only good player who plays with a pick

Thats really odd, because ive got a couple of pictures of the Necrophagist bassist, and hes using his fingers.. maybe they have a new bassist?

http://musicweb.cz/data/1588/nahled_necro3.jpg
http://www.edgedesign.cz/web_payo/p_reporty/re0385.jpg
http://www.metal-underground.net/livepics/party_san/necrophagist_2.300x255.jpg

Nice bass he has too!

[BassBehemoth]

Nice bass he has too!


haha, that's usually the case oddly enough.

[antipunx]

Thats really odd, because ive got a couple of pictures of the Necrophagist bassist, and hes using his fingers.. maybe they have a new bassist?

http://musicweb.cz/data/1588/nahled_necro3.jpg
http://www.edgedesign.cz/web_payo/p_reporty/re0385.jpg
http://www.metal-underground.net/livepics/party_san/necrophagist_2.300x255.jpg

Nice bass he has too!

it has to be a new guy because their bass player now is right handed, he plays like a fender jazz or somthing like that

[Tattered]

Looks more like a custom Sadowsky or Lakland, and yeah that was the second thing i did notice, is that he was left handed!

[Yertle4]

Yeah, that seems to be the bassist Necrophagist had when I saw them last week - freakishly good as you'd expect, all fingers (probably because he did a good deal of tapping), 6 string bass and as bald as a peanut.

[basstendencies]

this guy is playing necro's catalouge with his fingers?! and hes a lefty? huge.cant wait to see them at the deathfest in may. talk about taking technicality to the extreme. this should be the definitive statement to every one who claims you cant match pick speed with your fingers.
ps thanks for the tip on thumb sweeps from this discussion guys, its coming along quite nicely.:lhdevil:

[antipunx]

Thats really odd, because ive got a couple of pictures of the Necrophagist bassist, and hes using his fingers.. maybe they have a new bassist?

http://musicweb.cz/data/1588/nahled_necro3.jpg
http://www.edgedesign.cz/web_payo/p_reporty/re0385.jpg
http://www.metal-underground.net/livepics/party_san/necrophagist_2.300x255.jpg

Nice bass he has too!


thats weird check out this vid foul body autopsy (http://www.youtube.com/w/Necrophagist---Foul-Body-Autopsy-%28Live%29?v=eSJ5u_mcC4o&search=necrophagist)

you can see there that this bass player is right handed

[Tattered]

Yeah, that was the old bass player.. but ive seen live Necrophagist video's from january 15th of this year.. and they have a new bassist, the guy in the pictures of one of my last posts in this thread, left handed player, very good! plays all the lines with his fingers, cant wait to see them live in bristol, if it gets confirmed, hopefully!

[antipunx]

Yeah, that was the old bass player.. but ive seen live Necrophagist video's from january 15th of this year.. and they have a new bassist, the guy in the pictures of one of my last posts in this thread, left handed player, very good! plays all the lines with his fingers, cant wait to see them live in bristol, if it gets confirmed, hopefully!



ahhh i see, well the lefty looks slightly more talented :eek:

[cw4119]

Ok i saw the new morbid angel pictures www.morbidangel.com and David Vicent was using his fingers.....didnt he play with a pick when he was in the band before tucker?

Wierd...i just clicked the link at the website and the site w/the photos isnt loading. oh well, anyways, he was using fingers and i could have sworn he used to use a pick. is this true?

[Requiem]

I fell like crap lol I used picks last night :bawling:

[sicknickbassist]

I don't know, I don't play guitar on a regular basis but personally I don't find it hard to tremolio pick..however it look me a while to get my three finger technique down..I'm currently slowly attemping four fingers.(Mainly because my pinky just flails and it looks kinda stupid. ha)

*Shakes fist at guitarists(My friend in peticular) who pick up a bass which is an "easy" instrument and attempts to pluck strings with one string...pathedic..*
:beer: :beer: :beer: i just cant my pinky down, my fingers are small cuz im a small kid and my pinky is hard to reach to play with four fingers, all i do all day in school is work up my speed with my three fingers and its working really well.its also funny if you watch your pinky when ur playing :D

[koglos]

Bass is meant to be fingered (not unlike bitches), that's why the strings are further apart than a guitar. I have bubbling blisters on all my fingertips from playing bass. It's fucking great .....

:uzi:

[YOUR_GOD_IS_DEAD]

whats wrong with picking a bass? is it not tr00?? :vampire: :rolleyes:

[koglos]

whats wrong with picking a bass? is it not tr00?? :vampire: :rolleyes:
Why don't you play drums with a pick, while you're at it ??

[sixsicsix]

exactly...
and maybe you should get some new strings dude i dont think your supposed to get "blisters"
callusses but not...blisters...

[Tulvox]

I've gotten blisters. I always get blisters before the callus forms.

[PST 88]

The correct analogue using drums for the pick vs. fingers debate would not be drumming with a pick as opposed to with drum sticks, but drumming with your hands as opposed to with drum sticks. In which case the argument seems less clear than you present it; actually the argument works against you, as very few people would argue for the purity of hand-drumming, despite the fact that drums were invented to be played by hand. You might want to try for something else when confronted with that question in the future.

[sixsicsix]

maybe you should get some elixers the only thing i've ever gotten a blister from was an upright and thats because i played a 4 hour psychobilly gig

[YOUR_GOD_IS_DEAD]

Why don't you play drums with a pick, while you're at it ??

why the hell would i want to do that? i use dont really use pikcs, but form my hand like im holding a pick and i seem to play well like that. i use finger and the pick thing. fuck that elitism shit, it gets nowhere.

[Disincarnate]

ive used fingers all along.maily because ive never played the guitar picked up the bass straight away..the low end allways attracted me more.never liked the guitar anyways ... hehe

[iron_bodom]

oh and if youve noticed there are no "great" pick bassists. i mean great as in recognizeable for playing bass with astounding skill
Phyll Lynet (sp.) of Thin Lizzy played with a pick and he was one hell of a player.

[koglos]

The correct analogue using drums for the pick vs. fingers debate would not be drumming with a pick as opposed to with drum sticks, but drumming with your hands as opposed to with drum sticks. In which case the argument seems less clear than you present it; actually the argument works against you, as very few people would argue for the purity of hand-drumming, despite the fact that drums were invented to be played by hand. You might want to try for something else when confronted with that question in the future.
The analogy drawn between bass and drums (as in a drum kit) is as follows:
1) Neither are designed to be played with a pick.
2) Both sound like shit when played with a pick.

Also those blisters I was talking about I obtained from playing too hard; I was using a shitty (read: "peavey") amp. My band kept complaining that they couldn't hear me, so I picked (using fingers, obviously) the strings really fuckin hard to shut them up. :stoned:

EDIT: Don't even think about telling me it's because of my eq's and shit

[iron_bodom]

Strings on a bass are spaced further apart so that when the notes ring out you get a nice deep tone. Bass was not really intended to be played with the fingers. Basses,cellos, etc. were originally intended to be played w/ a bow. I think I read this on this forum. Plus the whole argument over finger v. pick is a null issue. It's like argueing over 4 v. 5 v. 6 strings, & to that effect saying bass was designed to be played as a four string instrument & if you play a 5 or more stringed bass you might as well play guitar (just using as an example I own a 5 string & I can's stand guitar).

[PST 88]

Let's learn the definition of 'parologism' and avoid it in practice.

iron_bodom seems to have a pretty good handle on the situation.

[JesterRace]

Basses,cellos, etc. were originally intended to be played w/ a bow.

However, electric basses are not made to be played with a bow. They were originally played with the fingers not with a plectrum
:vampire:

[iron_bodom]

I know that e-bass wasn't designed to be played w/ a bow. However, some of the 1st bassists were former guitarists who when they made the transition brought the plectrum w/ them to the instrument (back in the '50s when the e-bass was born). Plus I can't really tell the difference between the 2 styles. Maybe it is because my amp or bass are cheapies or I'm becoming tone deaf.

[JesterRace]

well there is a huge difference between the sound of the 2 styles. I prefer the sound of finger picking, and its faster for me :P

[koglos]

Maybe it is because my amp or bass are cheapies or I'm becoming tone deaf.
is it a peavey? :p

[iron_bodom]

It is some crappy little fender that came in a pack. I've been told it is a guitar amp, but I don't think it is b/c i've played my bass through an actual gtr amp and the 2 sound nothing alike. I've been saving up far an Ampeg. I can play w/ my fingers (5 yrs.) and a pick (1.5yrs.). The only real thing I dislike about pick playing is the clicking sound when your hitting the string.

[BassBehemoth]

You have been told it is a guitar amp?? What settings are on the amp??

[JesterRace]

playing bass through a guitar amp is lame...

[koglos]

It is some crappy little fender that came in a pack. I've been told it is a guitar amp, but I don't think it is b/c i've played my bass through an actual gtr amp and the 2 sound nothing alike. I've been saving up far an Ampeg. I can play w/ my fingers (5 yrs.) and a pick (1.5yrs.). The only real thing I dislike about pick playing is the clicking sound when your hitting the string.
If it is a "Frontman 15B", or a "Rumble" then it is a bass amp. If it is a Frontman 15R, 25R or super chorus/deluxe reverb or some shit, then it is a guitar amp. Also, if you want to play with a pick, you might want to turn down your treble and mids in order to supress that plasticy clicking sound.
:beer:

[iron_bodom]

There are a volume, low/mid/high range knobs, and 2 jacks. I've tried messing w/ the settings and the tone is still crappy. The only way it sounds remotely descent is by having the volume knob set on 2, and the low end at max w/ a little mid range. This is not very loud, it's hard to hear it at all, because it is a 15 watt. The main problem is as i turn the amp volume up it goes from being somewhat bassy to more and more gtr. like in sound. Hence some of my friends (that are also bassist) and I pretty much came to that conclussion, it being a gtr. amp.

[JesterRace]

i always thought that a bass would blow a guitar amp? :rofl:

[koglos]

I think it can .... but if it's a 15 watt fender then the amp just blows period.

[JesterRace]

hah, you wouldn't be able to tell if its broken or not hahah :smash: :rofl: :D :stoned:

[Tattered]

i always thought that a bass would blow a guitar amp? :rofl:

Correct, you can play bass a certain volume through a guitar amp, but if you crank it up too much it will blow.. not good.