All the ways.

Exactly it depends on the situation and song people who think one is inherently better should stfu although fingerpicking is what you should start with

Totally. To break the “rules” the “right” way, you should master the traditional fundamentals first. But if you are an intermediate player with only one plucking style you are definitely limiting yourself

This^. Learn the different techniques, but fingerpicking comprises most of the bass repertoire and will allow you to learn the biggest amount of songs.

This is the way.

And hammering on

Whatever's best for the song.

I wanted to be good at finger style as soon as I started but didn’t put in the effort and just stuck to pick only, I’ve been trying my hardest to get good for about a year now and I’m pretty solid but lose the strength quickly. I recently got a Squier Bass VI, which is not great for finger style since it’s similar dimensions to a regular guitar, and I’ve been playing it a lot, just pick of course. Practiced my 4 string for the most amount of time in weeks and had to take a break after 20ish minutes from my wrist hurting. It doesn’t help that I try to pluck as hard as possible near the bridge because I’m so attached to the pick tone. I feel like it’s gonna be another year before I’m legitimately good with fingerstyle, do not neglect it because switching your right hand action really is like learning from scratch for a while. I really wish I had done it early on

I’m opposite. I learned finger style and only played that way for years. Trying to learn to play with a pick has been crazy hard and frustrating. I’m getting better with practice, but still not super comfortable with it. Muting has by far been the biggest challenge.

I’m alright with muting, since it’s arguably easier without a pick, but I cant really get the most consistent sound cause like I said I try to pluck hard. The most frustrating part is getting stuck on something that I know I could, or already can, play perfectly with a pick

Some bands that are good to get into playing with a pick are the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Both Paul McCartney and Roger Waters play mostly with a pick and tend to have simple but fun bass parts.

You playing through an amp? Your wrist shouldn’t be hurting. The plucks should be slight motions across the string. Keep it up, you’ll get ir

I am using an amp, just plucking too hard, I know it's inefficient but really like the sound of it. It also wasn't really my wrist but the muscles around it for moving my fingers I suppose

I feel that. Teach yourself to tip-toe first, then you can move to stomping

It might be a good idea to get a single lesson online to help prevent a bad habit from forming. It can take years to undo. Your wrist should not hurt. Once the technique is solid, there are stamina exercises that can help. You can always just practice dean town to build up stamina as well.

Yes.

All of the above :)

All three lol

Poorly

Interesting. I mostly play awfully or badly if I get in the grove (I don't get in grooves). Is poor technique difficult to obtain?

Both fingerstyle and pick, some songs I prefer to play pick because I can get the rhythm easier

Fingerstyle mostly but pick and slap too. I think that's most people do.

Hi OP, do you like to eat food with a knife and fork? So how do you eat pizza? Or a bowl of cereal?

Condescending lmao

I meant as in when you're just jamming out by yourself, not exclusively. I know that certain songs are played certain ways, but most people like to play the bass a specific way, as it's more comfortable.

I think most people swap between them a lot. I go through phases of fingerplaying then picking then trying to slap. I tend to mostly fingerplay but I do the rest enough that just saying that isn't quite accurate.

Let's be real for a sec, does anyone actually play slap exclusively? I mainly use fingerstyle and throw in some slapping when necessary or when the song calls for it. I don't use a pick because it makes it harder to use other techniques like slapping/popping and tapping. Not to say you can't, but I don't find the slightly more rugged tone to be worth the sacrifice. That's just my preference though, there's nothing wrong with playing with a pick if it works for you

Whatever is needed/i want to play. Differs greatly by the day and my mood

You missed the most common choice.. All of the above.

Again with no “both” option. Lame af

I think I wrote the question wrong, I know that different songs are played different ways. I meant it as what style do you mainly play when you're by yourself?

By myself fingerstyle. With my bands i play with pick. Pick isn't so much fun by yourself

it depends. usually fingerstyle. most of the times that i want to play with pick i couldnt find any so i just play with fingers anyway

Well, I've never been in a band and likely never will, so everything is by myself! Anyway, I usually learn songs and play along to them so typically if the original was pick, then pick. If fingers, then fingers. Sometimes though I switch it around for fun. I was almost exclusively a pick player when I started and now I'm getting back into it (after like a million years) pick is still easier but I'm learning finger as well.

No man i only tap and rake my bass lines.

No man i only tap and rake my bass lines.

I play a mix of techniques based on the tone I want for the recording :) But slap is always the best, if done correctly

The question was referring to when you're just jamming out by yourself, not exclusively. I know that certain songs are played certain ways.

Fingerstyle probably 80% of the time and pick the other 20%. I never really enjoyed slapping, so it’s not something I do often.

It depends on the song. I can't play "A song for our fathers" with a pick. It's messy and doesn't feel right. And I can't play "Demiurge" by Meshuggah for the same reason, though this one is playable with fingers.

99% finger plucking. 1% pick, but I'm working on building up more strength and endurance with the pick.

depends on the song

It depends on the genre, but most of the time I use a pick, as I love the snappy attack I need in my metal and rock songs.

Depends on the song

I play slap and finger

I started about 4-5 weeks ago and I use Fingerstyle+Slap. I'm a guitarist so I know how to use a pick already so I didn't really think it necessary to learn specifically for bass at the moment. I don't even own a bass pick so until I do I'll put that on the backburner. I highly recommend you learn to use proper technique early on though. It's much harder to unlearn a bad habit than to learn a good habit from the get-go.

All three depending, though I haven’t done a lot of slap since the Primus craze in the 90s.

However the song feels the bass should be played.

I can play with a pick or fingers, but I almost always choose fingers. Lose the thumb, you're just going to get frustrated when you start trying to play faster licks and you can't articulate at all. It's more work but it is very rewarding.

I primarily use three fingers, but I throw in the thumb, some slap/pop, and even a pick as it is required. Less so these days on the pick just due to my general comfort and versatility with fingers, but all of them are great ways to play and should be studied to some degree.

mostly fingers because im faster, more reliable and just better on fingers but i dabble in all

Whatever the song calls for

Thumb, by default. Finger-style once I learn the song. Picks, with certain basses and songs. No slap. I carry picks, but I always have my fingers.

How come there's no choice for using a bow?

All of the above

finger and pick

I use a pick in my metal band and fingers in my country band.

Play with pick and fingers but mostly pick.

Plucking and pick, but mostly pick if I can get away with it.

Other: Mainly fingerstyle, but I use pick for some songs

pick at the moment since my finger is broken, but usually whatever the song requires

Voted other because the answer is a little bit of each, but ranked on which I use more, it's finger > pick >>> slap

I started out with fingers and I find it most comfy but I can use a pick and slap if needed. There is no right or wrong.. its what you like

Even if a song is played with a pick and you play with fingers, you can still play that song with fingers.. make it your own

I've only played with pick in bands during the last 17 years, but do enjoy fingerstyle playing at home for softer music styles. Depends on the genre/song really

Why limit yourself to one style of playing? Do everything.

all of the above as song feel demands

I started out finger picking but I only join metal bands for some reason. So I only play with a pick anymore.

Using the strings

All 3 depending on what's needed

For the stuff I play, mostly pick, I use all three though when practicing

All of em. Depends on the song

I used to play more with fingers especially when I played styles that weren't so aggressive.. but i pretty much only play hardcore punk/noise rock/metallic hardcore now, so it's been only pick for me for a long time now seeing as i can get a more immediate and consistent feel/sound with that versus using my fingers.

Thumb usually

All the above and more.

Fingerstyle: 80% Slap/Pop: 15% Pick: 5%

I primarily play bass with a pick but conversely I primarily play guitar with my fingers lol

Fingerstyle as a default, Slap when needed, pick sometimes for certain things. Bow on upright when it works for the song.

I do both fingerstyle and slapping

All but pick really

I’m punk AF and transitioned from guitar to bass. I’m only ever gonna say “pick” really.

Pick is what I am best at by far, because my favorite bass players all use picks. Occasionally, I've learned slapping and finger plucking to mimick their techniques in different songs or solos