How to Do Advanced Finger Picking on Bass Guitar

The strings on a bass guitar may be played in several ways, including finger picking for melodies and slapping or popping for accompaniment. Picking is the use of one finger at a time to pluck a single string. The following steps will show how to do advanced finger picking on bass guitar.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Pluck the strings one note at a time by pushing down with the thumb (if used) and pulling up with each finger. If the thumb is not being used to play, it will typically rest on the bass to provide stability and support for the playing fingers.
2. Imitate the use of a plectrum on a guitar. Although a plectrum is rarely used on a bass guitar because of the heavier strings, a good finger-picking technique can sound as if a plectrum is being used.
3. Use two fingers for slower bass lines. Many bass parts may be played simply by alternating the middle and index finger. The thumb also may be used with the thumb, middle and index finger being the most common sequence.
4. Play many solos with three fingers. The usual pattern with these fingers is the ring, middle and index fingers. Again, the thumb also may be used to begin the sequence.
5. Use all four fingers and thumb for faster pieces in the following pattern: thumb, little or fourth finger, third or ring finger, second or middle finger and first or index finger. This is theoretically the fastest technique but also the most challenging. In practice, few bass players use this technique well.