How to Learn a Song on Bass Guitar

If you are learning how to thump a bass, you don't just want to follow along with your own notes. Learning songs on the bass guitar will allow you to have more opportunities with playing with bands, groups and individuals. The beginning to getting into the groove is to learn different songs on the bass guitar.

Things You'll Need

• bass guitar
• amp
• patch chord
• CDs / MP3s of your favorite songs

Instructions

1. Understand the mechanics of the bass. To start, you will want to figure out how the bass works. This is divided by the strings and the different pitches that the strings can make. Typically, you will have four strings on a bass, which are named E, A, D, G (from lowest to highest). This will be the name of the notes when you play them 'open', or without any other fingerings. Whenever you have your finger by a fret (the lines on the bass), then your pitch will move up a half step in pitch.

2. Find your song. You will want to start with a song that you like and that will be easy to pick up. Listen to it a couple of times the entire way through, and try to pick out the bass part by just listening.

3. Match the pitches with the bass line. After you have listened to the song a couple of times, start it over again, but don't play more than 8 beats of the song before pausing it. You will then want to try and repeat the bass line with your bass by moving your fingers to the different frets until the pitch matches.

4. Repeat. If you don't get the bass part the first time, repeat the first 8 beats until you can sing along with the line, and can match it in pitch on the bass. Keep doing this, not only with the first 8 bars, but also by dividing up the rest of the song.

5. Put it together. After you have 'digested' the song by breaking it down into 8 bars, start putting it together with the pitches and by listening to the song. You will now have something new to add to your repertoire.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick out patterns. If you are having a hard time finding the pitches and movements, than listen to the patterns. For instance, take note to whether the bass line is moving up or down in pitch, how fast it is moving and whether it is repeating any notes. This will help you to find where you want to move with the bass.