Pick Versus Fingers for Bass Players
The battle rages on. The never-ending debate of pick versus fingers. This article discusses using a pick to play the bass guitar versus fingerstyle bass playing.
Table of Contents
Comparing Pick Versus Fingers
Alright, let’s dive into the world of bass guitar playing styles, focusing on fingerstyle and pick playing. Each has its own vibe, so we’ll break it down for you.
Fingerstyle Bass Guitar Playing
Benefits:
- Nuanced Dynamics: Fingerstyle lets you play with the feel of the music, giving you control over the dynamics and expressiveness of each note.
- Versatility: You can easily switch between soft, mellow tones and more aggressive, punchy sounds.
- Natural Groove: It’s easier to lock into a groove with fingerstyle, making it perfect for styles that rely on a tight rhythm section.
Weaknesses:
- Volume Limitations: Sometimes, fingerstyle doesn’t cut through the mix as strongly as a pick, especially in louder, dense settings.
- Technique Demands: It requires good finger dexterity and strength, which can be a steep learning curve for beginners.
Styles and Genres:
Some styles and genres lend themselves to playing fingerstyle bass guitar:
- Jazz and Funk: These genres often rely on the nuanced, expressive possibilities of fingerstyle for their complex rhythms and soulful grooves. Think of players like Jaco Pastorius or Marcus Miller.
- Reggae and Dub: The laid-back, syncopated bass lines in these styles often benefit from the warmth and smoothness of fingerstyle.
Jaco Pastorius
Marcus Miller
Playing Bass Guitar with a Guitar Pick
Benefits:
- Attack and Clarity: Using a pick can give the bass lines a more pronounced attack and clarity, making them stand out in the mix.
- Speed and Precision: For fast, intricate passages, a pick can offer more speed and precision than fingers.
- Consistency: A pick can provide a consistent tone and volume, which is great for recording or playing live in genres where consistency is key.
Weaknesses:
- Less Tonal Variety: You might find it harder to achieve the same level of expressive tonal variety as you can with fingerstyle.
- Physical Limitations: Long sessions with a pick can be tiring for your wrist and might not feel as natural as using your fingers.
Styles and Genres:
Some styles and genres lend themselves to playing the bass guitar with a guitar pick:
- Rock and Metal: The driving, aggressive bass lines in these genres often benefit from the sharp attack and durability of pick playing. Think of players like Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead or Jason Newsted of Metallica.
- Punk and Pop-Punk: The fast-paced, rhythmic precision required in these styles makes a pick an ideal choice for cutting through the mix.
Lemmy Kilminster
Jason Newsted
Pick Versus Fingers?
As usual I have my own strong opinions on this matter. For the most part, picks, or plectrums as some folks call them, are a shortcut to practicing and attaining the necessary skills to play Bass correctly.
At this point, defenders of the pick will usually chime in stating that their favorite players – insert name here — often use a pick. This prompts my question to them “Do you think they chose to use a pick, or do you think they need to use it?”.
The truth of the matter is that when a pro uses a pick, the only reason they will use them is to get a sharper attack. Some will also argue that it changes the tone as well as the attack.
It is my belief that tone is better controlled with the electronic sections of your rig. It is my opinion that finger playing with practice has advantages over picks in every realm except “attack”.
Versatility and Speed
The main argument for the use of picks is that they are faster and more accurate. The simple truth is that practice is what will make you faster and more accurate.
The finger technique with practice will, in the end, be more accurate, more versatile, and faster, than using a pick.
David and Goliath
When I started playing Bass I started with the finger playing technique and let me tell you, IT HURT!!! One of the hardest, and most important lesson a fledgling Bass Player can learn is to let the equipment do the work. A swift, light attack will beat a lumbering pounding every time.
There is no reason to hit the strings with a force akin to hitting them with a hammer, this brings unnecessary pain and sometimes blood into the picture, when you can get the same sounds by a simple and accurate drive-by stroke.
I’m not saying it won’t hurt, it will, but after calluses build up and you perfect the technique, it will hurt a lot less and allow you more mobility, accuracy, and speed.
(The Slow Race) Please Try This at Home
I ride a motorcycle and one of the things many bikers do to keep their skills honed is the “slow race”. That is to see how slow you can go and still maintain control of the bike.
The next time you practice your Bass playing, I challenge you to see how “light” you can hit the strings and still maintain sound levels, control and accuracy. It’s frustrating at first, but I promise you the benefits in bandages alone is worth the effort.
Bass Players - Pick Or Fingers In a Nutshell
- Picks are a substitute for practice and skill and in the end there is no real substitute for practice and skill.
- Practice and get good at a swift, light finger attack and you will be a force to be reckoned with.
- When you see a “Pro” using a plectrum, analyze why they are using it and add that knowledge to your repertoire.
Pick Versus Fingers Context
There is no right answer. There is only the right answer for you and for the style of music that you play. Fingerstyle bass has a rounder, warmer tone. It lends to more intricate pieces ranging across the neck of the bass guitar. A plectrum achieves an edgier tone, harder with more attack. It lends to music that goes with that sound and where the bass player wants to play fast passages or where the bass cuts through other sounds. That is why it is popular in rock music, especially at the heavier end and the edgy sound of punk.
Pick Versus Fingers Conclusion
So, whether you go for fingerstyle or pick playing depends a lot on the music you’re into and what feels right for you. Each method has its own charm and challenges, and the best bassists often know when to switch between them to suit the song. Keep on grooving!
Related Articles
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