Plec or Fingers?

[~Joanna~]

What is the better way to play bass? (If indeed, there is a 'better' way.) By this I mean what produces a better sound.

I play with my fingers, purely because I find it easier, but is it worthwhile practising with a plec?

[Camie]

I like playing with fingers as I "feel" what i play when i play the bass with my fingers. YOu get a decent sound by using a plectrum though.

[Monk Rocker]

All depends on the sound you want. There is nothing that can't be done with a pic that can be done with your fingers. If fact playing with a pic limits what you can play. The only time I use a pic is to get a certain type of sound.

[Alan Cynic]

I was originally a bass player, and used a pick for fast aggressive stuff. However, on the guitar I NEVER use one. I kept losing the things anyway.

[Jimmygoodein]

it is not better or worse to use a plectrum. It gives you a different sound

[feeble!]

Use both.

[Leckie Gilman]

i used to play bass in Gilman. Picks are they way for bass. You can play well faster plus it sounds better esp with a P-bass.

You'll have to use like your fingers for popping and slapping for like jazz or funk style stuff though.

However seeing as i don't listen to jazz OR funk jyst punk and other rock syle stuff i use a pick.

And why would you wanna play bass when you can play guitar? or any other REAL instrument?

joke.

[David]

they both have different sounds...

so learn both, then you can have the option of using whatever suits a song more

David

[bryn]

Fingers all the way if u ask me, except if u wana cover offspring...

[Guest pop-notmyface]

depends on what sound youre aiming for, i think fingerpicking gives a more "natural" sound, and is good for funky style such as slap bass. it also allows a little more freedom because you can pick several notes on non-adjacent strings simultaneously.

[Ewano]

its totaly fingers all the way!! for a true raw sound!! fingers r versitile and every note is played with a nice round sound. it sounds lik a "bass" should sound

[Graham]

I like using both. I tend to use a pick most of the time though as I use distortion alot and I prefer distortion with a pick, but if there's a part of a song where I'm just using a clean sound I'll use my fingers.

[Guest Salty]

Originally posted by Leckie Gilman:

And why would you wanna play bass when you can play guitar? or any other REAL instrument?

i totally agree

[Leckie Gilman]

oi you cheeky person.

and hey what would scott say to that?