How to Play the Acoustic Bass

This instrument is tall and large, and it helps to have large, strong hands to play it. The acoustic bass is the foundation of the modern symphony orchestra and an essential part of any small jazz ensemble.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• French Bow For Bass
• Bass Instrument Cases
• Bass Instruments
• Block Rosins
• Metronome
• Music Stands
• Strings For Bass
• Sheet Music
• Tall Stools
• Butler Bow For Bass

Holding the Instrument and Playing Pizzicato

1. Plan to stand while playing the acoustic bass.
2. Get a tall stool to relax on when not playing.
3. Adjust the height of the instrument by using the floor pin.
4. Tune the four strings to matching pitches on the piano.
5. Be aware that the strings of the bass have the same names as the strings on the violin, but in reverse order. The highest string is G, then D, A and E all descending in pitch.
6. Rest your left hand on the upper part of the body of the bass.
7. Position the nut of the fingerboard near the left side of your head at eye level.
8. Allow the backside of the bass body to lightly touch your stomach.
9. Place your right thumb against the fingerboard at waist level.
10. Pluck the G string four times, using the pad of your right index finger.
11. Repeat this on each string while saying the name of the string.
12. Do this while mixing up the sequence of the strings plucked. This is pizzicato.

Using the Bow

13. Tighten the bow hair so that there is a 3/4-inch space between the hair and the bow at the closest point.
14. Place your right thumb on the bow at the inside of where the frog creeps forward and back.
15. Lay your three middle fingers on the outside of the bow with your pinkie on top or near the adjustment screw.
16. Rest the side of your index finger - the part just above its second joint - on top of the bow stick.
17. Place the frog end of the bow hair on top of the G string, slightly below the end of the bass fingerboard.
18. Apply a slight bit of pressure on the bow and draw a straight line while vibrating the string. Stop near the bow tip.
19. Move the bow at a medium-slow and regular rate of speed. Focus on producing a steady and sonorous tone.

Left Hand Fingering

20. Place your left thumb on the back of the neck about four inches below the nut.
21. Maintain an arch in your left index finger while pressing down on the G string with the pad of your finger tip.
22. Play two pizzicato notes (no fingering) on the open G string, followed by two pizzicato notes on the same string while pressing the first finger down firmly.
23. Listen to the sound. The first finger pressed down on the G string produces the note A. This note is eight notes (an octave) higher than the open A string below.
24. Play the high A with your first finger on the G string. Then play the low A on the open string below. How well do they match in pitch?
25. Adjust your finger placement on the G string to make the upper A match the lower.
26. Press down your second, third and fourth fingers on the G string when the first finger location is determined to be correct.
27. Pluck the string. This note is B, one step above the top line of the bass clef.
28. Play B - A - G - A - B - B - B and you've played your first tune, "Mary Had A Little Lamb."

Tips & Warnings

• Draw the string toward the right thumb, allowing it to "pop" loose to produce the pizzicato sound.
• Avoid pulling the string out and away from the fingerboard. This action will often cause a "slapping" sound.
• Keep the bow hair at the same point on the string while playing.
• There are two different bow construction styles. Some instrumentalists say the Butler bow affords more power for the production of a stronger sound. Some say the French bow, which is similar to a large violin bow, is better for agility and the accurate rendering of fast passages.
• Avoid drawing a curved arc when pushing or pulling the bow over the strings.
• Be relaxed and enjoy yourself.
• It is OK if the pitches or rhythms are not "exact." This will improve with regular practice and the development of good listening skills.
• Keep your thumb positioned in the same place on the neck at this stage.
• Lay the instrument flat on the floor near a wall when resting it rather than propping it up against a chair. It's easy to trip over the neck.
• Work on accuracy not speed during the initial learning stages.