We cover this song, I play it with my fingers. What riff are you talking about? Are you talking about the gallop in the verses?

Dave

Actually Dave I have nailed it.(with fingers) I think I was just frustrated as to whether I should tackle it with a plectrum. Is all good. Great song too.

As for me saying a plectrum is a personal cop out ..... bad choice of words. It certainly is not. And I hope I did not offend those who use a plectrum only. There are a couple of songs I play in the band that should be played with a pick to give it the required edgy punch. Anyways as I said, is all good.

...feels like a personal cop out though.

I think it might be a mistake to think of using a pick as a 'cop out'. You end up by closing off an area of experimentation that might lead to good things.

I don't personally use a pick but not because I think there's anything wrong with it. It's mainly because I not good enough with my fingers yet and I'm more interested in learning slap and pop at the moment. I will keep the idea of a pick handy, though, for the future.

Personally I'd use a drumstick or a violin bow if I felt it would give me the sound I was after.

Main thing is use the pick if it gives you what you want.

Amen. It depends on what the song is. Fingers sound great on some songs and on others the pick just sounds better. I rotate between picks and fingers all the time.

Just my two cents worth.....
Some things just sound better with a pick than with fingers. I am a fan of Bert Kaempfert and I think it is because of what I believe is the "picked bass" sound in his music. Just wondering who the bass player is/was on his albums. I've tried using a pick and frankly I'm awful with fingers, worse with plastic! (smile)

I use both. For songs like "A Town Called Malice" which has a driving motown-esque bassline I use a plectrum but for much of the rest of the set I use my fingers.

It depends on the song really. At the moment I am about 70-30% split with most of the bands set played with my fingers.

But tbh lots of tunes sound better using a plectrum. Sometimes fingers just have too soft a sound and the bassline needs that extra edge. Some great bass players like Paul McCartney used plectrum a lot and came up with excellent basslines.

^ My tuppence worth.......

in my case I am just so used to playing whit fingers, but yea not long ago i realized i was missing on something so now i try to use both depending on the song

You should learn to play with a pick, even if you use finger style most of the time....it's not a cop out....it's a different way to play....what if you broke your middle finger? Or got a big blood blister? Then what would you do? Learn both....the Queen has spoken...hahahhahaha

You know Lisa, Ever since 10 years ago you have been preaching the same thing and I highly agree. (It's stuck with me) Although I play with my fingers and thumbs (much more thumbing lately), I still remember your post. You are right, what if... and what about the songs that may "call for it". A pick is often times more consistent than some bass players fingering. Either way keep rocking. It's nice to see you post.

I really prefer the sound & feel of fingers, but I've got to put more time into picking; the different 'attack' of the note can really fit some songs.