Plucking is an integral part of bass technique.
Broadly speaking, most bass players use their index and middle fingers to pluck the strings one after the other.
James Jamerson used 'The Hook' (one index finger all the time), and players like John Myung, Gary Willis, and Billy Sheehan pluck with three.
So, there's a lot you can do and it's down to you to formulate the method you like best. Traditional index, middle is a good way to go most of the time.
This lesson is broken up into the following timestamps:
00:27 Alternate plucking
01:37 Raking
04:00 Arpeggio plucking exercise
05:39 What to do if you have a hand injury/arthritis etc.
06:00 Plucking octaves
07:15 Bach style scale exercises
09:11 Speed exercise
09:47 Total freedom! Articulations and expressive techniques
Scroll down to download the exercises and shapes you can use to practise.
- My bass technique book: Complete Fingerstyle Bass Technique
Bass Guitar Plucking Exercises
Here are more lessons to help master bass technique:
- Bass Guitar Plucking Exercise (Plus Fretting, Hand Shifts & Improvising)
- Beginner Bass Guitar Lesson: Rest Strokes & Free Strokes (Plucking & Chords)
- Jaco Pastorius Bass Techniques
