Bass Playing Techniques

    The following is an essay that I wrote for an English Composition class.  I am an intermediate Bass Player, and the opinions expressed here are my own.  Please don't criticize this work, it is only my view on it.
 
 

    For the past fourteen years, I've been playing the electric Bass Guitar.  During that time, I've found that there are two distinct approaches to playing  the Bass:  using a Guitar pick , and playing with your fingers.  Both techniques are commonly taught to beginners, and then it is up to each individual student as to which approach is more comfortable.  While using a pick, there is a limited range of motion for the hand.  The more flexible approach is to use the fingers.  Not only are you able to do all the things you would with a pick, but you'll find that there is more variety to attacking the strings, giving the player more creative freedom.
 
 

    Typically, the pick is held between the thumb and index finger.  Use of the middle finger is also acceptable.  You then strike the string(s) in a downward or upward motion.  The sound you get from a Bass Guitar, while using a pick, can be compared to the lower octaves of the Guitar.  Like the Guitar, the Bass can be strummed or individual strings can be struck singularly.  The pick gives the tone of the instrument a bright, sharp quality.  The ear-splitting scratch that you sometimes hear in music is produced by sliding or raking the pick down the length of the strings.  By going against the windings of the string, you cause a loud scratching noise.  Why would someone want to play a Bass and sound like a Guitar?

    Through the little research I've done, I find that the Bass Player who uses a pick is either trying to be heard better, with more distinction, or finds that deeper guitar type sounds are required by the song.  Secondly, in my own opinion, pick users are those people who are not as coordinated as the more fortunate group where I reside.  Sometimes using a pick can really get the sound of the Bass right up front; in your face, pounding away.  What styles of music do you commonly hear this in?  I'm glad you asked.

    Country music is one example of when a pick can be used to emphasize the beat, while laying down a steady rhythm.  Rock music is another example; hard pounding rhythms building the foundation of the song.  Because you can usually find more Rock bands with only one guitarist, you will also find just as many Bass Players trying to fill up all that empty sound.  By picking the Bass, you will get the low end heard, and the higher end out as well.

    Jazz is another form of music where you'll find this style of playing, though not as often.  A Jazz Bassist tends to lean toward the acoustic Bass sound, forgoing the pick entirely.  You will find a pick being used when the Jazz Bassist wants to make unusual sounds such as tweeting, or crying.  This is done by squeezing the string between the finger and the pick.  Artificial tones are also created this way.  So what's the advantages or disadvantages of playing with your fingers?
 
 

    Unlike using a pick, playing with your fingers allows your hand greater mobility and flexibility.  Usually, the thumb sits on a thumb rest, parallel to the strings.  Technically, all five fingers can be used, provided you have all five.  Since almost all acoustic (or stand up) Bass Players have to have great mobility to play the entire length and girth of the neck, it was a natural transition for the musician to adapt to the much shorter Electric Bass.  By using your fingers on the electric, you can almost perfectly reproduce the warm, mellow tone of a stand up.  With your hand free from holding anything, you also have the ability to "Slap" the Bass.  "Slapping" and "Popping" are the sounds you hear when the thumb strikes the string like a drummer would strike a drum.  The popping is caused by pulling the string away from the neck, like a person would do to a Harp.  Slapping the Bass gives the tone a bright and lively quality, typical of funk styles.

    Finally, but not of least importance, is Tapping, Hammer-ons, and Pull-offs.  You can tap a string much like a piano player would strike a key.  Oddly enough, with some practice, you can almost fool someone into believing you were playing the piano.  along with Tapping, comes the Hammer-ons and Pull-offs.  Hammering-on is just like tapping, except you raise the other hand, the one resting on the fretboard.  Pulling-off can be done only after a tap or hammer, releasing the string from depression.  These techniques complement the tap, and all can be used to make a Bass sound more like a piano.

    In conclusion, there are only two popular ways to play a Bass, with a pick or your fingers.  I've purposely omitted the use of playing with a bow because you would typically find that in an Orchestra setting.  Even then, the better choice would be to use a Cello, not a Bass.  Either way of playing is acceptable, it just depends on what the Bass Player wants to get across.  Personally, I like using my fingers.  I get the physical freedom to play all over the instrument, and I do.  Lastly, if you or anyone else wants to learn more about the Bass, I can give lessons.