Picking Tehcniques

[Fapper]

I've played electric guitar for three years, and never previously played bass guitar. I am now playing bass guitar in an indie/rock band, and am picking with a hard guitar pick.

Nothing sounds wrong with what I've been playing to me, but I wanted to know if it's really worth learning to pick with my fingers, or if it's okay for me to continue using guitar picks.

[funkyhoney]

No, it's not OK to continue using a guitar pick. Desist immediately.

[IPolkaLikeThis!]

First, learn to play with your fingers.

Second, learn to slap.

Then go back to picking.

At that point, when the time comes, you will know what to use to get the sounds you like.

[Fapper]

Okay. Thanks.

[psbassplayer]

First, learn to play with your fingers.

Second, learn to slap.

Then go back to picking.

At that point, when the time comes, you will know what to use to get the sounds you like.


this.

also slapping can sound good on guitar when done correctly.

[Sablate McNuff]

this.

also slapping can sound good on guitar when done correctly.

Agreed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzsEzD2fVwE

[DaveMustaine12]

You should definitely learn to pluck with fingers. Not only you might prefer it instead of picking, but the more techniques you learn the more of a complete bass player you become.

[Phalanx]

Plucking with fingers gives you a lot of tonal variety due to how easy it is to apply varying levels of pressure.
On the down side, if you like to play metal, the sound a plectrum makes against a bass does sound pretty good but it's not essential.

[naut]

First, learn to play with your fingers.

Second, learn to slap.

Then go back to picking.

At that point, when the time comes, you will know what to use to get the sounds you like.

kind of stupid. he already picks. might as well get comfortable with that on bass first. then he can move on to other techniques to expand his versatility and possibilities, if he so desires.

[tomtom]

do whatever you want dude.

although, it's never going to hinder you knowing more than one technique.

and it's fine to keep using a pick if that's what you want, although consider then band, and what using a pick brings to the table, cause if fingers sound better, then that's probably a better choice.

[Duncster]

Listen to naut.

[Tripp_chaos]

It's all depending on how you pick to because if you like my last guitarist and think picking a bass is like picking a guitar with sweeping motion it's not...

[Matthews2250]

Do whatever feels and sounds best to you. I play with my fingers but sometimes yearn for the sound of a pick - I'm practically useless with a pick though so I don't have the option. Definitely worth learning to do both if you have the patience, but so long as you're happy with the sound you're making there's no reason to change things up just for the sake of it.

[:amaze:]

there's nothing wrong with playing with a pick. i do probably 80% of the time in my band these days. you aren't any less of a bass player, and anyone who says you are needs to get off their high horse.