How to Hold a Pick to Play Bass Guitar

Musicians consider the rhythm of the bass guitar as an integral part of many rock songs. Bass players play the bass in a variety of ways, including fingers, slapping or popping. Another method of play involves using a pick for a crisper sound.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bass guitar
• Pick

1. Realize that picking a bass guitar is different from picking a guitar. For one thing, the bass guitar is a heavier instrument with heavier strings.

2. Compare the many different sizes, materials and thicknesses of picks on the sound and the ease of picking a bass. Many musicians like heavy picks for bass strings because thin ones produce a tin sound. Most important is your comfort in gripping a pick.

3. Hold the pick between the thumb and index finger of your picking/strumming hand. For most guitarists, this is your right hand. Remember to use a relaxed grip that doesn't put too much strain on your fingers.

4. Rest the back part of your hand on the bass and use the pick to go down and up on a string. When you get comfortable with this, try strumming more than one string at the same time.

5. Focus on accuracy at the beginning, not speed. Working the strings quickly with a pick can be very difficult when you first start out.

6. Practice as often as you can. Using a pick to play a bass guitar becomes easier with practice.

Tips & Warnings

• Study music theory and apply it to the bass.

• While using a pick to play bass guitar is a great method, don't limit yourself from learning other techniques as well-taping, walking bass and spider picking.