I just realized, that I get much more attack when I play with a pick. I have problems playing fast technical shit with my fingers (like Lamb of God songs, for example) and my fingers just can't keep up and my arm starts to get really tired.

But anyways, why do a lot of bass player hate playing with picks?

I don't hate playing with a pick. I just like the sound a bass makes when played with the fingers. The tones a lot deeper and I think you get a bit more bass sound out of it. Using a pick isn't bad, its great for playing extremely fast. The sound is a lot more twangy to me and it seems it can be overwhelmed a bit easier because it CAN sound too much like a guitar.

I have nothing against a pick, I just like the tone I get from my fingers. It just feels thicker and I feel more control as well.

It's just up to preference really, some people like the punchier sound from the pick and can modify their EQ to get that tone I guess. As far as I am concerned, some instances would sound better with a pick such if you are playing with heavy distortion or that twangy effect.

You should look into Victor Wooten's bass lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSB0yDlS54&feature=related

If i want to meddle around on the bass, i'd use a pick, but i like the fingered bass sound more, even though i almost despise playing fingerstyle guitar, the tone gets too fucking fat. it's the bass's job to sound fat and full and lay down the foundations for rhythm and lead guitar.

though i do enjoy Ian Hill and Joey DeMaio's tones(Joey has some damn SICK bass riffs), and they both use the pick.

Written by Introspekrieg on 10.11.2008 at 13:24

You should look into Victor Wooten's bass lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSB0yDlS54&feature=related

Man, I had a question if anyone tried that on a previous thread. I think its a weird way to play, but I guess it has its pros since you probably wouldn't get as tired.

3 reasons

1. its harder to play with your fingers
2. your arms get stronger, faster if you play without a pick
3. your sound is better.

Written by Introspekrieg on 10.11.2008 at 13:24

You should look into Victor Wooten's bass lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSB0yDlS54&feature=related

I can play about the first 8 seconds of Classical Thump, then I'm stumped.

I play bass with pick and nothing's wrong

Just a matter of personal preference. I use both my fingers and pick playing, it just depends on my mood. If I want to work on finger speed or play some funk (Slap and pop technique) then I use my fingers. If I just want to play fast leadlines for the hell of it, pick it is.

I, like most respectable human beings, have nothing against a different technique on an instrument. I, for one, play with my fingers due to how comfortable it is, but I LOVE the sound of a bass played with a pick. The pick tends to add that 'snarl' (usually just a bit more attack due to a slight treble boost) to your signal that you can't quite achieve with your fingers, no matter how well you EQ. If I could play with my fingers with the tone of a picked bass (somewhat reminiscent of Jason Newsted's bass tone in his AJFA [check out the youtube videos of some AJFA tracks with the original bass track added back in] and "Black Album" days, I would be a happy camper.

I had a pretty hardcore jam session last week. I didn't notice how fast the time passed, but soon enough I glanced at my watch and noticed we've been playing straight 2 hours and my arms/hand were tired. Took someones pick and went back into the jam, forgot how much fun the picking effect has.

I played bass without a pick forever until recently I switched to a pick because I like it's tone better for Death Metal and it's alot easier to accurately pick alot of the fast technical patterns that a bass player without a pick would probably play by playing only the root notes. It all depends on what type of tone you'd like to achieve with your playing and what style of music you're playing.

Using a pick is not that bad, I think it's the best that every bass player should master both techniques, each has it advantages.

It's harder to play with finger.... and u can play faster with pick, but i just love the fingered bass tone... sounds crunchy

It may be harder to play with your fingers, however if you are able to play with speed and precision it is a more natural sound. I prefer not using picks.

The biggest issue I've had with using a pick is of course, pick noise. I've tried thin picks, medium, thick and even felt picks which were suppose to give a sound similar to playing with your fingers (not true I found out).

Finger technique differant sounds the best IMO, sounds a lot smoother, natural and has it's own character.

My first ever bass lesson as a young lad, my wise teacher said you have one pick or four fingers... which is better?

Easy choice, so much more can be done without a pick, the tone is also so much warmer.

Written by distorted rage on 01.10.2009 at 12:42

My first ever bass lesson as a young lad, my wise teacher said you have one pick or four fingers... which is better?

Easy choice, so much more can be done without a pick, the tone is also so much warmer.

I agree that its warmer, many people contest that in saying the EQ can always be amended to sound like a pick/finger attack, but the fact is that unless your fingers are as narrow and hard as a pick, the sound will definitely sound different.

Hah, I dont know if four fingers is better, I think it really depends on the person. I dont really have big hands, so my pinky and ring finger are usually very inconsistent physically even after practicing continuously with them. Of course, it would be better to use more fingers in terms of fluidity, but I'm perfectly fine using two fingers.

Written by Panterica on 29.08.2009 at 17:00

I think it's the best that every bass player should master both techniques, each has it advantages.

The wisest post of this thread.

I also play with pick becouse it's so hard to play Technical or Brutal Death with fingers, and i think the picking is much better for the the extreme genres, damn you alex webster again

JD you MUST learn to use your fingers man, trust me.. you'll struggle with the pick.
its almost IMPOSSIBLE to pluck such thick strings with a thin piece of plastic and do it quickly.. the 'resistance/pullback' from the strings would cause a dramatic drop in your speed ... nothing beats playing with your fingers, soft, fast, and clean-sounding (the pick makes horrible fuzz noise) .. so, use your fingers, and come to Egypt so we could form a band !

I play the bass guitar with both the pick and the finger...I was playing the bass with a pick for the last few months and my calluses took a break...I played a bass guitar today without using a pick and now I have a nice red dot of a callus on my right pointer finger

Written by Zombie on 02.08.2010 at 03:27

JD you MUST learn to use your fingers man, trust me.. you'll struggle with the pick.
its almost IMPOSSIBLE to pluck such thick strings with a thin piece of plastic and do it quickly.. the 'resistance/pullback' from the strings would cause a dramatic drop in your speed ... nothing beats playing with your fingers, soft, fast, and clean-sounding (the pick makes horrible fuzz noise) .. so, use your fingers, and come to Egypt so we could form a band !

for me picking is easier than using fingers, but i should learn how to use fingers, it does't hurt if i play the both techniques, and no dude am not coming to Egypt why don't you come? you already have many friends here

Alex Webster must be the bane of all people wanting to learn death metal bass!

Im not a bass player, but in general, I prefer the sound of bass played with fingers. There are a small amount of bass players I love who use picks though. Dave Ellefson probably being my fave. xD

The guy from dying fetus, i dont know his name.. but he sweeps like a janitor !

^ yeah sean beasleys pretty good

Written by [user id=28526] on 23.07.2010 at 22:07

I also play with pick becouse it's so hard to play Technical or Brutal Death with fingers, and i think the picking is much better for the the extreme genres, damn you alex webster again

agreed :thumbsup: I tried playing Aborteds Meticulous Invagination without a pick... wooh big mistake ... i also find that its WAY eaiser to playe triplets of quads with a pick, but i also have short and stubby fingers... so....

Written by Boxcar Willy on 01.01.2011 at 23:26

Written by [user id=28526] on 23.07.2010 at 22:07

I also play with pick becouse it's so hard to play Technical or Brutal Death with fingers, and i think the picking is much better for the the extreme genres, damn you alex webster again

agreed :thumbsup: I tried playing Aborteds Meticulous Invagination without a pick... wooh big mistake ... i also find that its WAY eaiser to playe triplets of quads with a pick, but i also have short and stubby fingers... so....

Aborted, Dying Fetus, Krisiun, and many bands that i like their bassists plays with pick, that's why i chossed picking even though i have tall fingers, but you can't do slaps with pick

Pick for bass- big no no to me. Pick for sound- no, with a god ampeg/SWR theres no need to sacrafice playing with pick for the soud. As far as technical death goes- i use my fingers. Indeed, its harder and takes a lot of practice, but once u master it everything is easier. If i ever had a speed problem, id PRACTICE instead of running for a pick.