How to Play F on E String on Bass Guitar

One of the first parts of learning how to play the bass guitar is figuring out how to play notes on the fretboard. As a quick and easy introduction, the F note is very easy to find, and beginners can use the F note as a little practice for finding notes and for bass guitar technique.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Take your index finger and put it on the lowest string.

2. Now take that finger and move it to the "first" fret. That's the first open space beyond the headstock of the bass guitar. If you're familiar with playing strings "open", you'll see that the first fret produces a note 1/2 step higher than the open note. Since E has no sharp, the half step above E is F.

3. Press down firmly with your finger, holding the fret for the F note. On a bass guitar, you don't have to worry so much about your fingers brushing other strings, but take care that you are pressing your low string firmly against the neck, otherwise the note will "buzz" or be less clear.

4. With your index finger firmly on the first fret, experiment with hitting the string with your right hand, whether plucking or slamming the string. You are now playing the F note.

5. Experiment with a hammer-on F note. Another reason the F is a good start is that it demonstrates how good players can use flair to liven up bass guitar play. In this case, hitting the string with your right hand and then immediately pressing the first fret with your left will cause a "hammer-on" sound from E to F. When you do it right, you'll hear it, and recognize it as a classic technique of bass guitar players of both jazz and rock.