Bass: Pick, thumb, or two fingers?

[CoreyT]

I must admit when I have tried bass in the past when I was young, or in a store recently I have used a pick.
I have seen many players use their thumb to "slap" the strings to get that slap sound, and also seen them using their index and middle fingers to play.

What are the advantages of each?
Besides using a pick like I am use to, I would think the thumb would be the next easiest to use before trying the two fingers.

 

[shinksma]

Using a pick is what you do if you want a harder sound (or if your fingers are getting tired ).

Thumb is good for keeping a simple rhythm, and what you probably want for that slap-bass sound, but you probably need to go to two (or more!) fingers to play anything complex. After a while, like normal guitar finger picking, you get used to it, but it can feel awkward at first.

Not surprisingly, the fingers need to learn some new technique and gain some strength to get "good enough", just like regular guitar.

 

[thieves&foxes]

There are no right or wrong methods

Personally I play 3 finger method as I find it a quicker and more fluid way of playing, it takes practice.
I personally don't like bass playing with a pick, it's just an easier technique to learn, you also get alot more high end and crisp mid-range IMO.
Never tried playing with my thumb, besides pure slapping, and that is easier to transition to when you're playing with your fingers

 

[veinbuster]

I use mostly fingers because I can offset the notes better.
I'll use a pick for a particular sound and have a pick with three distinct surfaces.
Thumb suits some music, but I don't use it much.

 

[watelessness]

2 fingers has worked well for me

 

[Sage]

Thumb and first two fingers. Occasionally the ring finger. If you know how to play guitar fingerstyle, then it becomes a relatively easy transition to bass.

 

[Deleted member 2284]

Always played with two fingers, with the thumb resting on the bridge pickup. It makes me feel much more connected to the instrument for some reason - like MUCH more...

It also keeps me from playing bass like I play guitar - just a mental shift that has tremendous impact on how I play.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Two fingers, the "claw", thumb, and slappa da bass technique.

No picks unless playing New Wave.

 

[László]

Depends on the song. I do all three.

 

[CoreyT]

I have seen this video many times, and it is pretty cool watching Tony playing with the Chapman finger sticks.
Anyone try them?
Tony Levin - Chapman Stick, bass
John Petrucci - guitars
Mike Portnoy - drums
Jordan Rudess - keyboards

 

[11top]

I have seen this video many times, and it is pretty cool watching Tony playing with the Chapman finger sticks.
Anyone try them?
Tony Levin - Chapman Stick, bass
John Petrucci - guitars
Mike Portnoy - drums
Jordan Rudess - keyboards

Well, no wonder Jordy can play that...........................Hell, he's got the sheet music.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Two fingers all day long, OK, sometimes THREE, just ask Geddy, Stanley, Jaco, John Entwhistle (unfortunately gone), Billy Sheehan, etc... And as far as Tony Levin (a MONSTER!!!), check "Papa Bear" website to purchase "Funk Fingers", or cut an old pair of drumsicks, and staple a piece of velcro to them, and, VIOLA, instant FF...!!!! Remember to cut one a little longer, so they are equal lengths at the point of attack on the strings.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

I SUCK at bass...usually takes me 6-10 tries to nail things even when I just lay scratch tracks. I have an 80s MIJ Ibby Roadstar Bass (RB650 I think) P&J style; I tend to rest my thumb on the top edge of the neck pickup and two-finger it that way.

I have a hard time getting enough of a bass-y sound with the pick, and it tends to make me play more guitar-ry, so I rarely use one with the bass.

I ain't nowhere near poppin n slappin territory. Saw RHCP back in college (Mothers Milk tour) and that was my first exposure to them. When I saw what Flea was doing, I was in awe.

 

[HANGAR18]

I stay in time better when I use a pick. I'd rather use fingers because it is a pain to look for a pick but staying in time is more important.

 

[11top]

Markie:
Did Dirty Toke (aka Ty Boy) use a thumb and two or three fingers with his bass?

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

The bassist of the Dirty Tokes would never use a pick. Fingers only.

 

[Johnnyboy94]

Used my fingers until one night, My fingers began to bleed. But the show had to go on......so I kept playing and bleeding. My Fingertips are scarred.

I use a pick now

 

[markie]

Dirty Toke (Ty Boy) uses his thumb & 1 finger for his Bass :rock: :rock:

 

[markie]

Markie:
Did Dirty Toke (aka Ty Boy) use a thumb and two or three fingers with his bass?

Dirty Toke used to play Bass with his nose .................... but had to give that up!

 

[11top]

Dirty Toke (Ty Boy) uses his thumb & 1 finger for his Bass

Something's fishy about your post.