Modern Bass playing: No finger love?

[joekickass]

So I've been playing bass for about six months now. At first I was a pick player, because I had just switched from playing guitar. I like playing with my fingers because it makes the bass fell unique from guitar, and it presents a challenge that goes against what most people say about the bass being way easier to play than guitar. But alas, when I was watching the end of the year rock countdown, almost every band's bass player was using a pick. The strokes, the Vines, breaking benjamin, even my beloved Hives! The only exception being the guy from Muse, who coincidentally was the best bass player on that list. The players that got me into finger playing were Robert Trujillo of Metallica (DAMN good bass player) and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers (the best bass player in modern rock). I'm just asking the question: are finger players a dying breed? :help: .

[ChaoticKiller]

finger playing is where its at. not all the hives songs use a pick with the bass but i love the hives but hate the strokes and love white stripes.

[joekickass]

finger playing is where its at. not all the hives songs use a pick with the bass but i love the hives but hate the strokes and love white stripes.

I thought he used a pick on all of his songs.

[EliDubya]

I never use picks, which is probably why my right index and middle finger nails are worn down. I probably could figure out picks quickly if i wanted to, but I'm lazy by nature. I can get up to 16ths with bare fingernail, though. I guess the upside is that i can be more flexible, but i really should figure out picking.

[BeetBeatCarrot]

well, can be. It comes down to what kind of sound your trying to achieve. Picks have a very distinctive tone that works well in certain songs/genres, but sounds like crap in others. I think the reason it seems that finger players are the better players is that finger bass players are usually schooled in jazz. Once you can play jazz, regardless of instrument, you can play any style or genre. I prefer finger-style, but a pick definitely still has its place for some stuff. :insane:

[sparrky]

ya ive noticeing that too. but there are alot of finger players out there. slap is what is dying. i hear no slap players. except metal, but that doesnt count.
slapping is why i picked up the bass. i usually play with my fingers and slap occasionaly. but if i could slap better i would do that the majority of the time. picks are for guitars. not bass's.

[drone]

Fingering bass is alot like fingering a pussy, you dont pick it with a pick.

[boff]

dude fingerplaying is harder at first but its the way to go, picks have a differenct sound true, but i think its just a crutch for slow fingers , learn to play using all your fingers on like a 5 string like classical guitar style. thats skill, check out the guy from Cannibal Corpse, or John Myung (one of the best) from Dream theater, his five finger tapping in the song Instrumedly from the Live at Budokan album is sick

[banjo1735]

I started playing guitar too, but I use my thumb, so it was natural to use my fingers.

My style is weird, though, because I almost always use my middle finger to play. The only time I use my index is when I need to play soft.

[Liquid Tension]

[QUOTE=BeetBeatCarrot] Once you can play jazz, regardless of instrument, you can play any style or genre. /QUOTE]

I dont really know what you mean here. Musically, if you can understand all of jazz's concepts, you should be able to understand all of the other styles musical concepts. But when it comes to technical ability, each genre has its virtuosos that spend their entire lives studying that particular genre and still not have it all. There are many things that jazz doesn't teach you with technique, for guitar anyway...

[dragon1552000]

I don't know what it is. But I hate bassists that use their fingers. Picks are the way to go in my book. Yes, fingers have a nice sound but picks have a better sound. What are you guys talking about with finger nails? Guitaring of any kind doesn't require finger nails... Gosh I hate slap bass. Sounds like shit!

[thebassman]

ya ive noticeing that too. but there are alot of finger players out there. slap is what is dying. i hear no slap players. except metal, but that doesnt count.

[Liquid Tension]

Guitaring of any kind doesn't require finger nails... !

Classical Playing requires fingernails for the tone to be correct. 99% of classical player grow their fingernails out on their picking hand.

[DerekSmalls]

Personally I find it easier to play with fingers rather than a pick, which is OK because I prefer that sound anyway. I can't really play slap very well though :(

[Frostdaddy]

I personally hate using picks. Fingers make a much better sound IMO. And, in relation to the point of the thread, I see many a bass player use fingers.