Picks vs Fingers for Bassists

Bass Picks vs. Fingers for Bassists

When you play the bass, deciding whether to use your fingers or a pick will
determine the overall sound produced and your playing experience.

While finger picking is customary for bassists, there are many benefits to using a pick and many established bassists who use them.
A new bassist should learn finger-picking, and then learn to utilize the pick to branch out with new techniques and sounds.

In this article, I will cover what you need to know about fingerpicking, using bass picks, the differences, and what to look for when deciding on the right bass pick.

Different Sound Quality

The right hand fingers and the bass pick are like paint brushes for a painter.
Just as the same shade of blue will have a different texture depending on the bristle,
a bass line will differ in sound in terms of color, rhythm, and style.

 

Finger Picking Technique

When playing without a pick, your index and middle fingers will move upward through the string, using the string directly above as a stop.
Your thumb anchors on a lower string or the pickup.

This can be a very fun playing experience when speed and accuracy has been built up.
I think this simple technique adds to what makes playing the bass such a unique and fun instrument.

With this method, the strings are muted using the fingers, as opposed to palm muting.

String skipping can be easier when this technique is developed,
players who prefer this style argue that they have more control over the sound produced.

This could be that by eliminating the pick, the sound quality is now entirely dependent on the skills and accuracy of the right hand and its joints and fingers. This also conversely makes mistakes much clearer and easier to make.

Players and Genres Who Utilize Finger-picking

Jazz, funk, blues, are genres where fingerpicking is commonly used.
A smooth and soft attack is evident and appealing among the bass lines of these genres.

Bass lines played in this manner tend to be more legato, which means they sound more connected, and flow with ease.
Bassists such as Flea and Geddy Lee are acclaimed for their bass skills, and are showmen for bassists who don’t play with a pick.

Bass Pick Technique

Many guitarists who venture out into the bass realm may take their picks and playing style along with them.
They like the familiar feeling of chugging with a pick, and aren’t interested in learning a new technique.

Many players prefer guitar picks when playing bass because it increases their speed by using up and downstrokes.

Players and Genres Who Utilize Guitar Picks

Many bass players have adopted the bass pick over the years, using a pick is becoming more and more acceptable.
Genres like punk, rock, and metal use picks almost exclusively.
Some examples of popular bassists who use a pick are Paul McCartney and Matt Freeman, from Rancid.

Players like to take advantage of the muddy and deep tones offered by the pick, and create a heavy sound paired with some gain and distortion.

What kind of pick should a bassist use?

If you’re a bassist looking for the right pick for you, here are some helpful suggestions.

A thin and flimsy guitar pick won’t suit your needs, so we recommend a thicker pick, somewhere 3mm or over to combat those thick bass strings.
A pick with beveled edges will really enhance your playing by gliding off your strings upon attack.
A thick and durable material like acrylic would make sure your pick lasts much longer than just a few practice sessions.

Conclusion

A good bassist is one who is versatile and can play with or without a pick.
Learning to be comfortable with both means you are on the right track.

What style you decide to use on a regular basis will depend on the player's preference and what suits the song he or she is playing.
Choose to use a pick, or don’t use a pick, either way is just a different way to play the same instrument.

What is your take on the bassist debate? Do you use a pick with your bass? If so, which do you like and why? 

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