There are many bassists who use picks use their fingers, and vice versa. In fact , that depends 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, which 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.