Picking/plucking technique?

[DonK]

I've been playing electric and acoustic guitar for over 30 years, so on bass my fingers naturally want to gravitate to the technique I use for fingerpicking on a regular guitar. I'm a pretty decent acoustic fingerpicker, and I use a hybrid plectrum-and-fingers approach on electric. In both cases I pluck the strings with a bit of nail (very little, mostly the flesh of my fingertips), but I use a very definite "picking" approach. It seems that bassists favor just brushing or rolling the fingers over the strings unless one is consciously aiming for a snappier, brighter sound.

 

How do you guys do it?

[Death Hands]

Do what feels comfortable and allows you to make the sounds you want to hear.

 

 

I do all sorts of {censored}.

[Super_Donut_Man]

 

Do what feels comfortable and allows you to make the sounds you want to hear. I do all sorts of {censored}.

 

 

+1

 

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[poomwah]

oh my god, don't make me think about how I do it, then I wont' be able to

[Renfield]

 

Do what feels comfortable and allows you to make the sounds you want to hear. I do all sorts of {censored}.

 

 

Yeah, I've used a pick, fingers, both at the same time, "classical" guitar style with a finger per string, open palm slapped across strings, beat with a screwdriver. If there's a way to make a sound, I'll try it.

[dogman]

Yeah, I've used a pick, fingers, both at the same time, "classical" guitar style with a finger per string, open palm slapped across strings, beat with a screwdriver. If there's a way to make a sound, I'll try it.

+1

[countrybass]

 

Do what feels comfortable and allows you to make the sounds you want to hear. I do all sorts of {censored}.

 

 

Exactly

[Emprov]

Personally, I keep the nails on my hands cut pretty darn short, I don't want any of my nails touching the strings.

[guitargod0dmw]

 

I do all sorts of {censored}.

 

 

+1...

[jackcheez]

Play the instrument that's in your hands at the time.

[pickinatit]

My brother-in-law plays fantastic bass using an accoustic fingerstyle.

It enables him to play some very, very fast little riffs that I can't come close to using fingers or a pick.

[Tucson Bass]

My brother-in-law plays fantastic bass using an accoustic fingerstyle. It enables him to play some very, very fast little riffs that I can't come close to using fingers or a pick.

 

 

Sounds a lot like what Wooten does. It feels funny when you first start doing it but it works. Hasn't held Victor back!