Picking Survey

[jackajesusfreak]

I was curious to see the percentage of bass players that use either a pick, thumb, or fingers to play. I saw a recent video of McCartney on top of the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theatre playing, 'Helter Skelter'. He was using the Hofner but was also using a pick, which I found quite interesting.


Please weigh in on this survey:

What is your style of playing your bass guitar?

1. Use a pick
2. Use my thumb
3. Use my fingers

I just graduated from the pick to my thumb. I have not mastered the finger picking style as of yet. Still not comfortable and confident with it.

God bless.

Jack

[Telesavalis]

Depends on the song. I use all of those techniques. But mainly use fingers.

[Lerb21]

I can use either of the three just as well.

I prefer the sound of fingers or thumb, but sometimes it's easier to play with a pick.

[psychetelec]

Been playing bass since 1976, professionally since 1980, and have never ever played a song WITHOUT a pick. it gives the tone I like so I have no need/want for any other method of playing.

I'm curious why you found McCartney's use of a pick "quite interesting". As far as I can tell(and trust me, I've done the research), he uses a pick about 99% of the time.

[F6_FullMelt]

im a miserable bass player, but use all three techniques - depending what my goal is of course. pick, alone. thumb and fingers together like a guitar! sometimes a little thumb slappy and assorted finger plucky...

[sonserve]

If our worship leader asks for an agressive sound on a tune I will pull out a 2mm Dunlop. Otherwise I rest my thumb on the edge of the fingerboard and use two fingers. It just feels natural. On guitar, usually hybrid.

[robb3566]

Originally Posted by psychetelec

I'm curious why you found McCartney's use of a pick "quite interesting". As far as I can tell(and trust me, I've done the research), he uses a pick about 99% of the time.

Yeah, Macca has pretty much always used a pick. Ever heard this isolated bass/drum track of 'A Day in the Life?' Pretty cool...

[Kestrel]

I always use a pick when playing bass. It's just my preferred way of playing. Feels more natural to me as a guitarist anyway.

It's just my speculation, but perhaps McCartney's use of a pick is based on the fact that he was a guitarist at first. Stu Sutcliffe was the bassist in the band. I remember reading that Macca didn't want to be the bassist after Sutcliffe left the band and that the remaining members sort of looked at him saying well - it'd better be you.

[geoff_in_nc]

Longtime guitarist now turned bassist here. Started using pick alone on bass. Decided I wanted to be able to use fingers and have concentrated on that only, more recently. In fact play with fingers on all songs our band is doing. I joke that I like the fact that I don't worry about dropping a pick now, but that wouldn't ever stop me from using a pick if warranted.

On guitar, I was taught to use all 5 RH fingers early on for jazzier comping stuff and fingerpicking. I think having the ability to use a broader range of tools is valuable.

[Tim Armstrong]

I added the poll above, picking option four myself!

I'm about 75% fingers, 24% pick, and 1% thumb (there's this one song, see...).

Tim

[tom grossheider]

I know I'm an oddball, but I primary play guitar and could never get used to playing bass with a pick. For a bit more aggression I turn up the tone and pick nearer to the bridge on my Pbass. I'm sure if I tried I could do it more often, especially if the tune demanded it. Just never thought about it too much, bass is for fingers.....

[91xlntS-3]

Being an "ocassional" bass player, I use picks (felt) or sometimes fingers. I'm more comfortable with a pick, but can do some things with my fingers. I find that using a Dunlop Felt Pick gives me a similar tone to fingers, with the comfort of using a pick.

[woodman]

i'm not a real bassman, but i play one in my home studio. being a guitarist, i generally use a pick unless it's something really slow and mellow ... i admire you guys who can frail with three or four fingers at top speed, but it's beyond me.

[4mal]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I added the poll above, picking option four myself!

I'm about 75% fingers, 24% pick, and 1% thumb (there's this one song, see...).

Tim

make that 95% 1% and 4% and I'm there ...

[redstringuitar]

Usually my fingers, sometimes slap a bit with my thumb and use a pick when I want that snotty growl.

[Mike Bruce]

Whatever works. Usually fingers, especially on fretless. When I use a pick it's either a heavy flatpick or a Fred Kelly brand thumbpick. The thumbpick is convenient in that it can be worn and available when fingerpicking. At times I use thumb and fingers, especially for dyads and chords.

Mike Bruce

[jackajesusfreak]

Originally Posted by psychetelec

Been playing bass since 1976, professionally since 1980, and have never ever played a song WITHOUT a pick. it gives the tone I like so I have no need/want for any other method of playing.

I'm curious why you found McCartney's use of a pick "quite interesting". As far as I can tell(and trust me, I've done the research), he uses a pick about 99% of the time.

Well, because I've been a 6 string guitar player for 40 years and just started playing the bass since February, I guess I have a stereotype about playing the bass. I always thought watching and listening to bass players during my 40 years of 6 string guitars, that a 'real' bass player, played with his fingers to get the 'true' sound. Only rookies play with a pick, because it was a no no to have the plucking pick sound associated with a bass guitar. Now keep in mind I said that it was my stereotype assumption. Now that I've been in playing and learning for awhile, and have spent time in these forums hearing how other bass players play, I see that those were just old wives tales. That's why I assumed that McCartney played with his thumb or fingers.

I do wonder what dictates the ones that use all 3 styles. In other words what type of songs would dictate a pick as opposed to fingers or thumb. I know you aren't the one to ask since you use a pick, but I would pose this question to the ones that use all 3 styles.

[jackajesusfreak]

Originally Posted by Lerb21

I can use either of the three just as well.

I prefer the sound of fingers or thumb, but sometimes it's easier to play with a pick.

Is it easier to use a pick when you are playing faster?

[jackajesusfreak]

A lot of great input and I've learned a lot in this thread. I'm glad I started it. Here's the problem I ran into using a pick on the bass. After playing 6 string guitars for 40 years, I had a hard time using a pick on the bass because I couldn't get used to how far apart the strings were. I found that playing with my thumb I had a much better 'feel' of the space between the strings. I just had to work up to the thumb gradually because I did not want to get a serious blister on my thumb that would prevent me from holding a pick to play my 6 string acoustic-electrics. I have ministry/business where I go into nursing homes and entertain. After I got the callus on my thumb I kind of put the picks on the back burner.

So I have learned that I was wrong about all 'real' bass players used their fingers. I don't know exactly why I had that stereotype. I guess because most bass players I knew played with their fingers and thumb. Anyway, thanks for the input guys. You've helped this old rookie out!

[robb3566]

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

I always thought watching and listening to bass players during my 40 years of 6 string guitars, that a 'real' bass player, played with his fingers to get the 'true' sound. Only rookies play with a pick, because it was a no no to have the plucking pick sound associated with a bass guitar.

Don't tell that to this guy:



Lemmy has his own Dunlop 'signature' pick now, but I read once that he used to use a piece of brick.

[ricplayer]

I've been playing bass for about 30 years and started off with a pick because of the type of music I was playing (Beatles, Jam etc). Recently I have been playing with my fingers but just don't like playing with my thumb at all.

[Tidepoolbay]

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

I was curious to see the percentage of bass players that use either a pick, thumb, or fingers to play. I saw a recent video of McCartney on top of the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theatre playing, 'Helter Skelter'. He was using the Hofner but was also using a pick, which I found quite interesting.


Please weigh in on this survey:

What is your style of playing your bass guitar?

1. Use a pick
2. Use my thumb
3. Use my fingers

I just graduated from the pick to my thumb. I have not mastered the finger picking style as of yet. Still not comfortable and confident with it.

God bless.

Jack

My thumb and fingers. Man god made your hands! Just look at them and what they can do!

[casterway]

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

Is it easier to use a pick when you are playing faster?

Yes. It is.

[barkley]

Bass is to be played with the fingers!!!
I played guitar with a pick for years before playing bass but it just felt wrong to use a pick on bass.
I get way better tone with my fingers, can play faster, and can limit the attack to get a more balanced feel.
How can you do octave stuff or play 2 or more strings at once with a pick? it just sounds muddy to me.
Haven't mastered the thumb yet

[Tim Armstrong]

Originally Posted by barkley

Bass is to be played with the fingers!!!
I played guitar with a pick for years before playing bass but it just felt wrong to use a pick on bass.
I get way better tone with my fingers, can play faster, and can limit the attack to get a more balanced feel.
How can you do octave stuff or play 2 or more strings at once with a pick? it just sounds muddy to me.
Haven't mastered the thumb yet

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say "It works better for me to play bass with the fingers!"?

As for your specific questions, I guess if I was playing with a pick and wanted to play more than one string at a time, I'd do what I do when I play guitar: use pick AND fingers!



Tim

[psychetelec]

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say "It works better for me to play bass with the fingers!"?

I have found, from reading these SILLY pick vs. fingers threads(why do I read them?), that it usually divides up this way. Pick players say something along the lines of "I like the sound with a pick but you should play however you wish to". And "finger" players usually say something like "Bass is to only be played with the fingers, using a pick is for pussies", or some other close-minded BS.

How can you do octave stuff or play 2 or more strings at once with a pick?

This question makes me thing the person who asked it is clueless.

[Tele295]

Why is there no category for bow?

Oh, bass guitar....

I'd say it's probably 90% fingers and 10% pick (fast, Little Richard type grooves)

[ravindave_3600]

Primarily a guitarist, but I love playing bass and only use my fingers.

Originally Posted by robb3566

Mac is great, creative, a touchstone, etc, but does anyone else think his tone on that is just DEAD?

[robb3566]

Well I think he's muting the strings with his palm to get a kind of muffled sound.

[psychetelec]

Originally Posted by robb3566

Well I think he's muting the strings with his palm to get a kind of muffled sound.

Pretty tuff to palm mute on a Ric, but Paul was well known for using the bridge mute on the Ric.

[ravindave_3600]

True nuff, but that doesn't change the fact that his tone is thin and plunky.

[barkley]

Tim Armstrong:

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say "It works better for me to play bass with the fingers!"?

Yes sorry , that would be more accurate, i thought i implied it was just my opinion.

As for your specific questions, I guess if I was playing with a pick and wanted to play more than one string at a time, I'd do what I do when I play guitar: use pick AND fingers!

For real? I cant even see how this would work. you mean hold the pick with thumb and index and fingerpick with the other fingers? I hold a guitar pick with my middle finger, so Id find that difficult.

Pychetelec:

This question makes me thing the person who asked it is clueless.

Come on, really? Maybe we just got different bass styles, but i would find it pretty hard to , say, hit the E string and the D string at the same time with the one pick without hitting the A sting aswell. By 'octave stuff' i mean sycopated rythms and funky riffs. whats so clueless about wondering how others acheive this with a pick?

I have found, from reading these SILLY pick vs. fingers threads(why do I read them?), that it usually divides up this way. Pick players say something along the lines of "I like the sound with a pick but you should play however you wish to". And "finger" players usually say something like "Bass is to only be played with the fingers, using a pick is for pussies", or some other close-minded BS.

Thats because fingers are the best!

Just joking!! Of course play how you want to, its your bass!

No reason to call names, i'm new, you'll hurt my feelings

I still wonder, how do you limit the attack to get an even tone with a pick?

[barkley]

Mac is great, creative, a touchstone, etc, but does anyone else think his tone on that is just DEAD?

I reckon its partly due to the 'noise reduction' and isolation. The drums sound wierd and 'mechanical' too. In the sgt peppers recording with the whole band that bass line sounds fat and juicy!

[robb3566]

You Tube videos aren't really known for their sparkling sound quality either...

[NewGuy410]

I almost always use my fingers, but occasionally will use a pick.

Using a pick on bass makes me think of punk rock music.

[Post Toastie]

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

Is it easier to use a pick when you are playing faster?

It's too bad we can't ask John Entwhistle that question. He played w/o a pick and faster than anyone else.

[DanofTucson]

I have done both extensively. I prefer pick for short scale basses (like Hofners). And fingers for long scale P-Bass, and stand up Basses (obviously). But I have used pick on a Jazz Bass for country or surf sounds.
Generally I like fingers better 'cause they're always there and I don't have to look for a pick. ; - )

[psychetelec]

Originally Posted by Post Toastie

It's too bad we can't ask John Entwhistle that question. He played w/o a pick and faster than anyone else.

He played with a pick and with fingers and was fast on both.

[Cas_SB]

I use a thumbpick up by the bridge when I play unplugged acoustic, it is the only way I've found to be heard. I hold it like a pick, but being attached to the thumb I can really drive the attack in.

I sometimes do a full banjo style setup with thumb and fingerpicks and try and roll it. Well sort of, I suck at banjo. However I've found this technique really works pretty good with a slide, although I haven't found a good bass tuning for a slide. DADG doesn't work right on the top, DADF# sounds hollow on the bottom. I'm sure the limitation is me, although I'd like to believe it could be fixed with all kinds of new gear :(

[gpmedium]

Originally Posted by barkley

I still wonder, how do you limit the attack to get an even tone with a pick?

Same way you get an even tone between your index finger and your middle finger, practice.

When I first started playing bass, I played with a pick. I didn't start on guitar, BTW, I started on bass. I found the pick to have either an even sound or very aggressive sound, depending on how I picked.

However, when I used my fingers they tone was uneven and mushy. I had to practice quite a bit to get a nice even tone between the two fingers and to be able to get good sound.