-beginner question on left hand basics.

[l3ots]

Hello.
I just started bass a week ago and I have a really basic question about the proper way of holding down the strings.
Unlike a regular electric guitar, it seems to me that Bass guitar doesn't require to play chords or multiple strings at once, so when I'm holding down the strings, do I really need to bend my finger and pin down the string with the tip of the finger? Since there is no other strings to interfere, can I just lay my fingers little bit more flat and hold the strings with the part of my finger that is little below the tip?
I found it easier if I do it little below, but I was wondering if that will be a problem in the future as I continue to play my bass.

[Christopher]

Practice both ways. There are situations in which you need to finger the note cleanly with just the tip of the finger.

Other situations may require that you flatten the finger out to contact other strings in order to mute them and prevent unwanted notes from ringing out.

[Poop-Loops]

Sometimes you do indeed play chords or let strings ring out. However for the most part, you can play "sloppy". It will also help with muting other strings.

At least for me, I can barely reach my low B string on my fiver if I curl them perfectly. And people tell me I have fairly long fingers.

[l3ots]

thank you guys!! I'll practice both way from now on then.