Welcome to Session 4 of the Introduction to Electric Bass series.
This lesson covers picking technique — what the different styles are, where to position your right hand, and four practice phrases to get your picking motion solid.
Contents
What Is Picking?
“Picking” is the act of plucking or striking the strings to produce sound. There are several different ways to do it.
Common Picking Styles
Pick Playing
Pick playing uses a plectrum — the same kind of pick guitarists use — rather than touching the strings directly with your fingers.
The strong attack of a pick makes it especially popular in rock and heavier styles of music.
Finger Picking
Finger picking includes two main techniques: one-finger picking (index finger only) and two-finger picking (alternating index and middle fingers). It’s used across a wide range of genres — pop, jazz, and beyond.
Slap (Thumb & Pull)
Also called “chops,” slap technique combines two movements:
- Thumping — striking the string with your thumb
- Pulling — hooking and snapping a string with your middle or index finger
Originally rooted in funk and Black music, slap has since spread into many popular styles.
In this session we’ll focus on finger picking — it’s the most common style among my students.
Right-Hand Thumb Position for Finger Picking
“Where should my right hand go when finger picking?” is one of the questions I hear most. There’s no single rule, but here are the three most common positions:
① Thumb on the Front (Neck) Pickup
Anchoring your thumb on the front pickup stabilizes your hand and makes each pluck easier to control.
② Thumb on a String
When playing the 1st or 2nd string, the front pickup can feel too far away. In that case, rest your thumb on the 3rd or 4th string as a closer anchor point.
③ Thumb on the Rear (Bridge) Pickup
Anchoring on the rear pickup is also an option. Because string tension is higher near the bridge, this produces a firmer, brighter tone.
I personally move between positions ① and ②, shifting my thumb depending on which strings I’m playing.
Picking Practice Phrases
Let’s put this into practice. Work through each phrase slowly and focus on producing an even, consistent tone.
① One-Finger Picking
Use only your index finger for this exercise.
② Two-Finger Picking
Alternate your index and middle fingers on each note.
③ One-Finger — Different Rhythm
Still using one finger, but with a slightly more interesting rhythmic pattern this time.
④ Two-Finger — Rock Eighth Notes
Two-finger picking with a driving rock feel — straight eighth notes all the way through.
Want Personalized Feedback on Your Playing?
This is exactly the kind of thing that’s hard to fix alone — and where having a teacher makes all the difference.
At Line on Bass, I offer an online lesson service where you send me a video of your playing, and I give you specific, detailed feedback — every single day if you want.
Students from around the world are using this to fix exactly these kinds of issues and steadily improve their jazz bass skills.