Do you prefer the sound of plucking or rolling?

[TJ1]

That's not in breadmaking.

Although I find rolling the finger on the string makes it easier to mute the above string and gives a deeper thump, I find the action of plucking produces a slightly more varied sound.

Any thoughts?

[musicbassman]

Now I'm confused.

You'll have to explain what you mean.

Edited May 2, 2021 by musicbassman

[TJ1]

14 minutes ago, musicbassman said:

Now I'm confused.

You'll have to explain what you mean.

That is whether rolling the finger across the string or plucking from underneath produces a better sound? I am undecided.

[oldslapper]

34 minutes ago, TJ1 said:

That is whether rolling the finger across the string or plucking from underneath produces a better sound? I am undecided.

What do you prefer the sound of? That’s all that matters. 
 

[Cosmo Valdemar]

I'm not sure what rolling is, but if by plucking you mean the traditional reponse to a slap ('thumping and plucking'), that's something I'd only ever used very occasionally.

[oldslapper]

If you think of your fingers as legs and the strings as a treadmill, then “rolling them across” the top of the string is more “efficient “ for volume, tone and speed control. But whatever works for you, what do you prefer?

[musicbassman]

2 hours ago, TJ1 said:

That is whether rolling the finger across the string or plucking from underneath produces a better sound? I am undecided.

If you're somehow 'plucking from underneath' (and not as a part of slap and pop technique) then I'd suggest you are using a very unusual technique akin to fingerpicking on the guitar, which most bass players wouldn't recognise. Please tell us more !   😮

Edited May 2, 2021 by musicbassman

[TJ1]

3 minutes ago, musicbassman said:

If you're somehow 'plucking from underneath' (and not as a part of slap and pop technique) then I'd suggest you are using a very unusual technique which most bass players wouldn't recognise. Please tell us more !   😮

My main in experience is on the guitar so thats how I started off on the bass, until I learnt from various Youtube videos that this was incorrect both in terms speed, comfort and control

But it seems that flicking the string upwards from underneath produces a somewhat richer or cleaner sound, but maybe I've doing something wrong with the standard technique.

[Dad3353]

22 minutes ago, TJ1 said:

My main in experience is on the guitar so thats how I started off on the bass, until I learnt from various Youtube videos that this was incorrect both in terms speed, comfort and control

But it seems that flicking the string upwards from underneath produces a somewhat richer or cleaner sound, but maybe I've doing something wrong with the standard technique.

Why aren't you bowing like everyone else..? 

...

 

[TJ1]

13 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

Why aren't you bowing like everyone else..? 

...

 

I'm fed up with trying to be like everyone else. 🙂

[Waddo Soqable]

The title made me think it was some kind of Banjo playing enquiry... 

[Downunderwonder]

What you are calling rolling is plucking with less aggression than what you are calling plucking.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Downunderwonder

[Saul Panzer]

I like using the right tool for the job myself and prefer to dig in when I roll for that twangy edge. 
In terms of just listening to bass I'm more of a reggae guy so prefer a roll or thumb for the thicker sound.