How to Play Open Strings on Bass Guitar

Playing the open strings is the basic technique of bass playing. The open strings are played without pressing a finger onto the string. When played as an open string, the note created is the unadorned note to which the string is tuned.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick the open strings using the index finger on the right hand. The index finger is the first finger to use when playing any string on the bass.

2. Start by playing the E string. The E string is the largest string, which is on the bottom edge of the guitar. The bottom edge is the edge closest to the guitar player.

3. Move to the A string. The A string is the second largest string.

4. Play the third string, which is the D string. The D string is the second thinnest string on the bass.

5. Finish playing the open strings by playing the G string. The G string is the thinnest string on the bass and is located at the top of the bass.