Bass: pick vs. fingers?

[Incin]

I have played guitar for a long time and want to try my hand at bass. I have always used a pick for guitar and on Bass it just sounds so much cleaner. I have also heard a lot of bass players say that to use a pick is cheating. For most death metal doesnt the bass player just play what the guitar is doing anyway?

[InertialGrind]

I mean isn`t Mr. Casperson playing on your new cd ? He kills it man.

[Phoncible]

easy. whatever floats your boats!

[shroudofimpurity]

both. like Murray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[INCINERATE]

As for finger playing, I think if you've got a good bass tone, that's not all muddy, and you're hitting the notes cleanly, you should be able to hear the notes fairly well. Look at Erlend's playing for instance.

But no matter who you are, I think if you use a pick it's going to sound like it has a faster attack. On the other hand if you use a pick, you're always going to be thought of as a guitarist that's playing a bass. At least that's what crosses my mind whenever I see a bassist using a pick.

[shroudofimpurity]

As for finger playing, I think if you've got a good bass tone, that's not all muddy, and you're hitting the notes cleanly, you should be able to hear the notes fairly well. Look at Erlend's playing for instance.

hahaha... not many fools play like dirty Erlend!!!!

[INCINERATE]

hahaha... not many fools play like dirty Erlend!!!!

Honestly, after seeing all the death metal bands I have seen over the years, I've concluded that most death metal bassists suck imo. Erlend just happens to be damn good, so he blows most bassists out of the sky with ease.

Finding a quality bassist is damn near impossible.

[Phoncible]

As for finger playing, I think if you've got a good bass tone, that's not all muddy, and you're hitting the notes cleanly, you should be able to hear the notes fairly well. Look at Erlend's playing for instance.

But no matter who you are, I think if you use a pick it's going to sound like it has a faster attack. On the other hand if you use a pick, you're always going to be thought of as a guitarist that's playing a bass. At least that's what crosses my mind whenever I see a bassist using a pick.

what do you mean by faster attack? i recon for really fast playing, its easier to hear the attack if you use fingers, whereas a pick usually shines more through on slower stuff. fingers also generally sound fatter to me. its just two completely different things.

[shroudofimpurity]

Honestly, after seeing all the death metal bands I have seen over the years, I've concluded that most death metal bassists suck imo. Erlend just happens to be damn good, so he blows most bassists out of the sky with ease

Murray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

[INCINERATE]

what do you mean by faster attack? i recon for really fast playing, its easier to hear the attack if you use fingers, whereas a pick usually shines more through on slower stuff. fingers also generally sound fatter to me. its just two completely different things.

I guess what I mean is that when a pick hits a string and then leaves that string, along with the fact that a pick is harder and touches less surface area on the string, it's typically going to attack the string faster and cleaner than a finger.

A finger is wider, and much softer, and is typically going to be on the string for a longer duration of time when it's hitting a string than a pick would be.

I don't play bass though, so I could be wrong.

Don't get me wrong though, I'd totally prefer a good finger player over a pick player. But I'd take a good pick player over a slow/sloppy finger player.

[INCINERATE]

Murray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

Oh yeah, he's a good bassist as well. So is Risha, the dude from Inherit Disease, the dude from Origin, and many others I'm sure.

[InertialGrind]

Mike Flores is inaudible except for that little fill in Mental Torment (III version). Live he is really clangy, loud, doin all sorts of acrobatic shit. Not sure what to think. Hmmmmm. Cool ass dude though.

[ChAAPY]

it's not cheating if you play with a pick. it's just a different sound. go with whichever one you want.

[stabwound]

Murray fucking rules. He was originally a guitarist right? That guy from braindrill is pretty fucking good too.

[mikeb]

It all comes down to preference really. There are advantages to each way of playing. Personally, I prefer finger style as it allows for more creative options: tapping, slapping ect.

[InertialGrind]

New cephalic carnage dude is amazing.

[BZM]

Yeah, Cephalic's new bassist is absolutely nuts... Ion Dissonance's old bass player was pretty nuts, but he plays with Negativa now so it's all good \m/. And of course let's not forget Mr. Derek Boyer...

but yeah, I've always been a big jazz fusion guy, etc, so I've always preferred the tone of fingers personally... I'm all about Sean Malone, Digorgio, etc when it comes to that nasty fretless bass tone... mmmm.

[Vriend]

There are advantages to each way of playing. Personally, I prefer finger style
The attack of a pick can be usefull, but I just play fingerstyle. It feels more natural to me sort of speak. More connection with the bass you know.

[Disincarnate]

Fuck all the people who say bassists playing with a pick is cheating. thats bull.Personally i use 3 fingers since ive always been a huge Steve Digiorgio fan and seeing him i picked up the bass directly and not even touched the guitar.

Use whatever pick/fingers or whatever the fuck that guy from behmoth uses as long as your comfortable in the way your playing and can play what you want to play.try out everything.see what suits you best.its all personal preference at the end of the day.

If you are thinking about playing with your fingers then youll need alot of practice to play 16ths at 240.what i suggest is that since youll be starting off with bass and arent used to playing with your fingers then use a pick and in the mean time practice the 3 finger or 4 finger technique to nail the speed at which you guys play.

EDIT:read my sig :P

[Erland]

hahaha... not many fools play like dirty Erlend!!!!


And I just got out of the shower and then I see this :emot-cryi Give Matt a Fail, Mike :emot-danc ( or maybe my socks stunk up your tour-van last year? :S )

[HeapsofRob]

I play both ways and both have advantages in certain situations. I started out playing with a pick because I started on guitar and found it easier. Fingerstyle sounds better to my ears, I used to like the sound you get from a pick but lately I 'm sick of it.

[Incin]

If you are thinking about playing with your fingers then youll need alot of practice to play 16ths at 240.what i suggest is that since youll be starting off with bass and arent used to playing with your fingers then use a pick and in the mean time practice the 3 finger or 4 finger technique to nail the speed at which you guys play.

EDIT:read my sig :P

That is what I have been doing but man my fingers are slow!! It seems I can do 16ths on a single note relatively fast but going to do any type of string skipping or a scale and it turns to mush.

The one thing I noticed about our old bass player who a lot of people said was great and stuff was during fast parts be was full on inaudible but during slow heavy parts he was loud and in your face where with a pick it seems to be more of a constant sound.

And yes Matt, Murray is sick and live they are an insanely tight band as well.

[Incin]

I mean isn`t Mr. Casperson playing on your new cd ? He kills it man.

Yes Erlend will be on the cd- this is not for Incinerate. I can't sing and play an instrument, let alone play the new material Scott is writing. At this point i'm just not that good.

[Subjugate]

i wouldnt say using a pick for bass is cheating, though originally i believe it was meant for your fingers.I like the sound of using your fingers better anyway

[GrindYourMind]

Do whatever suits you. Don't listen to anyone who talks about cheating or anything but if you want to be a showoff, you can do more with your bare hands.

[ChAAPY]

does anyone else kind of chuckle when they see a bass player playing a 6 string bass with a pick?

[JohnnyJihad]

Haha, yeah it is pretty funny.

Anyway I think your choice in picking style is what you make of it. I believe each style has a different sound and can be used as a means to whatever end you're trying to achieve.

I personally prefer the idea of playing with your fingers, and that's what I do. However it seems like it's much harder to sound good that way (playing fast that is).

I need more practice.

[telephonemoose]

i just know that because picks are skinnier they can tremolo faster than fingers, and metal defintely has a lot of tremolo. but if you want to skip strings, fingers are the way to go... or you can play cliassical guitar and get the best of both worlds with fingernails

[InertialGrind]

Yes Erlend will be on the cd- this is not for Incinerate. I can't sing and play an instrument, let alone play the new material Scott is writing. At this point i'm just not that good.

I meant aren`t you in touch with him ? I think if I had to pick a jedi master to train me, he`d be the one.

[Disincarnate]

That is what I have been doing but man my fingers are slow!! It seems I can do 16ths on a single note relatively fast but going to do any type of string skipping or a scale and it turns to mush.

The one thing I noticed about our old bass player who a lot of people said was great and stuff was during fast parts be was full on inaudible but during slow heavy parts he was loud and in your face where with a pick it seems to be more of a constant sound.

And yes Matt, Murray is sick and live they are an insanely tight band as well.

all i can say is to practice ,practice and practice some more.
try playing 321321 without galloping,use a metronome and increase slowly.
I thing that helped me become faster and increse my right hand strnght is that when your not practicing on your bass do the 321 pattern on the table,chair where ever your sitting.
and for the 16ths bit to become audible try hitting the strings harder like Mr Caspersen.

[InertialGrind]

Any advice for a guitarist who wants to pick up bass ? No pick either. Gimme a couple links to some good beginner exercises.

[Erland]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225211

[Phoncible]

it's not cheating if you play with a pick. it's just a different sound. go with whichever one you want.

eggzackly

[Phoncible]

The one thing I noticed about our old bass player who a lot of people said was great and stuff was during fast parts be was full on inaudible but during slow heavy parts he was loud and in your face where with a pick it seems to be more of a constant sound.

well, obviously its hard to hit the strings as hard when playing fast, but in general i reckon a good bass player should have an even attack (if thats what you're after), even if that ment easing down on the "slow" hits, so as to match the attack when playing fast.

also, the bass will obviously drown more in most fast parts, because its more stuff happening. Not necessarily a bad thing tho, depending on what you're playing, some times its just not right for the bass to shine through too much..

I love what Errlund does in Mephitication (brt, altered genesis album) tho, double thumping and da shizzl on the fast bits, so you can hear some funny bass sounds over it all :oddgrn:



edit: thats alot of butts and ifs! i guess i should have kept to "whatever works" :D

[Incin]

I totally appreciate all the real advice i got on here. I have begun tapping on everything 321 like you said- disincarnate and it was kinda like Duh why didn't i think of something that simple before.

I realize Erlend is the bomb diggaty but he has enough on his plate and I wouldnt want to take anything from him that would deter his working on Incinerate haha (not that he is the one holding back the Incinerate disc **cough Scott cough**) lol

[mikeb]

Another thing you can do is practice playing something easier, basic 8th notes for example, with just your 2nd and 3rd finger. Ideally, if you can get the same speed with any combination of 2 of your fingers, you can get going pretty fast when you incorporate them all (or at least 3) into your playing. You can even go as far as taping weaker fingers to stronger ones when you practice so they will develope a feel for the motion and better independance.

[Erland]

I totally appreciate all the real advice i got on here. I have begun tapping on everything 321 like you said- disincarnate and it was kinda like Duh why didn't i think of something that simple before.

I realize Erlend is the bomb diggaty but he has enough on his plate and I wouldnt want to take anything from him that would deter his working on Incinerate haha (not that he is the one holding back the Incinerate disc **cough Scott cough**) lol

My door is always open for you , my son. ( and don`t make any jokes about backdoors, plzkthx! )

[luciodeath]

I totally appreciate all the real advice i got on here. I have begun tapping on everything 321 like you said- disincarnate and it was kinda like Duh why didn't i think of something that simple before.

I realize Erlend is the bomb diggaty but he has enough on his plate and I wouldnt want to take anything from him that would deter his working on Incinerate haha (not that he is the one holding back the Incinerate disc **cough Scott cough**) lol

dude i wish i had started with 321 just like you doing!!! good luck with bassplaying bro.

[DeathMachineGun]

play with whatever works for you personally. im a finger player and always will be. started with fingers over 15 years ago. ive tried to mess with a pick but its just not for me.

a pick will almost always produce a bit of a cleaner or more cutting of a sound. aka. "attack". fingers almost always will give a deeper thicker and a bit lower of a sound.

as someone said to me a logn time ago, when you play bass with a pick your, "playing bass". when playing with your fingers you are "playing the bass". there is a difference.

thats also one fo the other reasons i play with fingers. a bass is supposed to be a bass. bass is low end to fill the music out. also, sure bass plays right along with guitar in most DM but it shouldnt be limited to it. nothing wrong with playing harmonies off of what the guitars are doing, or doing a slightly different rythm then the guitars. as long as all the notes are correct and work properly.

bass should not always just be another guitar playing right along but 1 octive lower.

my $.02

[Disincarnate]

lucio you play with two fingers right?321,4321,13,12 all that doesnt matter man.as long as you can play what you want and what your required to,its all cool.

[Disincarnate]

My door is always open for you , my son. ( and don`t make any jokes about backdoors, plzkthx! )

hahaha

[Dan_Nailed]

I don't get why a 6 string bassist with a pick would be funny?

[Vriend]

I don't get why a 6 string bassist with a pick would be funny?
Guitarist also use 6 strings and play with a pick.

[stabwound]

Do you guys with 6 strings tune the high string to a C or B?

[mikeb]

Do you guys with 6 strings tune the high string to a C or B?

If I had one I would definitely tune it to C. I dont think my brain could handle the pattern shift.

[GrindYourMind]

C, ERBs are way more symmetrical than a normal guitar as they are tuned in straight 4ths. When I write songs I tune the electric guitar an octave higher than a 6 string and it makes chording and harmony tons easier than standard.

[stabwound]

If I had one I would definitely tune it to C. I dont think my brain could handle the pattern shift.

:emot-LOL: Yeah, that makes sense.

[GonePostal]

Depends on what you are playing, obviously.

I prefer fingers.

[luciodeath]

lucio you play with two fingers right?

mostly. i managed to learn scarified with 2 fingers so i think it's good news. i'm currently practicing three fingers (321 pattern) to use on the tremolo parts you know?

[comorbid]

D Y N A M I C S !!

(knowingly opinionated) You can get a more consistent sound with a pick... and thats why i prefer not to use one actually. yeah tremelo is pretty hard at first with your fingers, but when you get that shit down, you can put way more feel on it.
besides, whenever i try to use a pick on my bass, i hear too much scratchiness on the strings.

[GrindYourMind]

http://www.stevedigiorgio.com/bin/column.pdf

A good little column on multi-finger speed picking for metal bassists by Big Steve Digiorgio.

Hope it helps.