Gene Simmons says playing bass with a pick is better than playing with your fingers

Gene Simmons of KISS thinks it is better to play a bass with a pick than with your fingers.

The subject of fingerpicking is a controversial one among all types of guitarists and bassists, with many either for or against it. For some, it has helped them develop a unique playing style, for others, it is simply a nuisance. There are also some who have dabbled in both techniques, such as the late Jeff Beck, although he mostly stopped using picks in the 80s.

However, Simmons argued that when playing a bass guitar, playing with a pick helps a live audience hear the notes better.

“With all due respect, studio musicians who play live with their fingers have no idea that we can't hear what they're playing because there's no actual definition of the note that's coming out,” he told MusicRadar in 2018.

“You can do it and love it and have no idea what he’s playing but you love the bottom end, or you can say: [late Yes bassist] Chris Squire and have a very bright sound where you can hear the attack and therefore the actual note played.”

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With that, he added that the “best tool” bassists have when performing live is a sound mixer who understands their style and the sound they are going for. And hopefully, the musician then doesn't have to worry about whether or not the audience can hear the notes being played.

In contrast, Flea of ​​the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fieldy of Korn are two examples of bassists who use their fingers when playing – and both produce very bass-heavy music.