Thumb plucking....

[Badwater]

I like to use thumb on some bass grooves. It all depends on the bass line. Some songs have bass lines that work great with the thumb. Those songs can be done with pic as well. And some work best with fingers. And yet there are songs that work with thumb and fingers like Travis picking in the Mississippi John Hurt style.

Thus, it all depends on your personal preference. Pick, Thumb, Fingers, they all can be used to attack any song. Some songs are easier to play with thumb vs fingers, and some are easier to play with pick. Thus, use what's easiest for for you for each song.

 

[minddrain]

Question is, what do you do for songs that were obviously played with a pic? Like you hear the pic sound in the song. Do you approximate it, let the notes ring, pluck faster?

 

[Bboopbennie]

New here guys so go easy.
Never had lessons, so I play the bass left handed, strung right. Played for years with only the thumb. After years
of seeing the 4 finger picking, I thought I was all screwed up. Now I see all kinds of players doing the same thing.
Crazy how we think there is only one way! Now I use the thumb, 3 fingers + thumb and a pick. As I got older the
pick is a lot easier to play fast rock licks. I am amazed at how many finger pickers have trouble with the pick on this site,or cant do 64th with the thumb! Bottom line, do what you can starting out, but don't just limit yourself
to the thumb only. Record your self and listen to the thumb, fingers and the pick. Every song has a sound and you have to find it.