How to Get Started With Bass Guitar

Patience and practice are your most important tools in getting started learning the bass. You can learn a lot about rhythm, melody, and harmony by listening to others play. Devote as much time as possible to learning the bass guitar and you will be playing your favorite tunes in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Buy a bass guitar. The 4-, 5- or 6-string bass are the most common styles. Also, you'll need a cable to plug your instrument into the amplifier.
2. Choose a small, low-wattage amplifier to begin. Amplifiers range from small to large with varying wattage.
3. Choose a tuner for your bass. The most accurate is the electronic tuner. If you have a musical ear, you can use pitch pipes, a tuning fork or another instrument.
4. Keep track of musical time with a metronome. Learning the tempo of a song is something most beginning musicians neglect.
5. Get instructions on how to play. You can learn from books, DVDs or an instructor. A person may be the best way to learn because he'll work with you and push you to learn, while books and DVDs take you at your own pace.
6. Practice for a half an hour or more a day. The more time you spend with your bass the quicker you'll learn how to play.