We recommend having at least some familiarity with playing both ways. Many bassists who use picks also use their fingers, and vice versa, Depending on what the song calls for. Both techniques can be perfect, depending on how you want the bass to fit into a song.

In broad terms, when you play bass with your fingers, you are “pulling” the string with the soft flesh of your curved fingertips. That lends itself to warm, round notes with a soft attack. When you play bass with a pick, you are “striking” the string, which means a stronger attack and edge, often more definition.

Both of these techniques and sounds have their uses. Does the song need a driving, hard attack on the low end? Use a pick. Would warm, sustaining bottom end add to the song? Try your fingers. You may also find you can play faster using a pick versus fingers, or fingers versus pick.

You may prefer one way of playing over the other, but for maximum versatility, having both options available will open up more possibilities.

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Should I Play My Bass with My Fingers or with a Pick?

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