When fingerpicking, you should move only your fingers and not your whole hand because this gives you more control, precision, and efficiency. Moving just the fingers allows each one to pluck cleanly and accurately, keeping your hand stable and your playing consistent. If your entire hand moves, it becomes harder to hit the right strings, and you waste energy—which can lead to sloppy or uneven playing, especially at faster speeds.

Keeping your hand relaxed and in place also helps you develop good muscle memory and finger independence. It’s similar to typing—your hands stay steady while your fingers do the work. This technique makes fingerpicking smoother, more fluid, and easier to maintain over longer periods without fatigue.