How to Play Chords on a Bass
Although the bass guitar is typically played one note at a time, bassists can play chords the same way guitarists do. Playing chords on a bass can add depth to the music by creating a "fatter" sound. It can be more difficult than playing chords on a guitar, however, because bass strings are thicker and farther apart.
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Instructions
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Learn the notes on your bass. You can purchase a chart that will show you the note names on the neck of your guitar. The strings on a bass, from thinnest to thickest, are G-D-A-E. These are the same notes as the bottom (thickest) strings on a guitar, except they are lower in pitch. You can also find a chart online that will show you the note names on your bass (see Resources).
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Purchase a bass guitar chord dictionary from a music store or use one of the many free bass chord references online (see Resources). Any chord a guitarist can play using the four lowest strings can be played on a bass. This means you can use a guitar chord dictionary in a pinch.
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Memorize chord shapes rather than trying to learn every chord in every key. Learning these patterns and knowing the note positions on the neck of your bass will open a world of chords with a minimum of memorization and effort. You can move these few chord shapes anywhere on your bass and play a different chord without having to change the pattern.
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Tips & Warnings
Pay attention to the notes you choose. Bass notes are heavier and the strings are thicker. Adding too many notes to a chord can muddle the sound of your bass part, especially if you're playing at a loud volume. Two or three notes is the maximum.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit leaveeye/morguefile.com
