How to Play Bass Guitar 101

Learning to play the bass guitar can be a fun and rewarding hobby.

The bass is used from hard rock to classical music. Whether you want to shred on the electric, improvise on the acoustic or create beautiful melodies on the upright, you will need to start with the basics if you want to learn to play well. The learning process will take dedication and commitment; count the cost of time and money before committing to play the bass before investing any time or money into learning. After you have decided to take the plunge, ask friends to play with you and go to concerts to keep you motivated to learn.

Instructions

Getting Started

1. Learn rhythm. Before making any investment in learning or purchasing a bass, make sure you have rhythm and can keep time. The bass provides the rhythmic foundation of a band or ensemble. To succeed in learning the bass, you must have good rhythm. If you don't feel you have good rhythm, you can still learn; it will just take more effort and discipline.

2. Purchase a bass, strap, amplifier and a tuner. Go to a music store to get tips on the best bass for you, considering your budget, playing style and goals. Purchase a new or used bass; keep in mind that you can always upgrade later but also consider the investment you are making and purchase the bass guitar you can afford.

3. Play some basic notes to get acquainted with the feel of your new bass. You don't have to sound great, just get comfortable with the instrument.

Holding the Bass

1. Place the strap on the bass. The strap should support and balance your bass and is an integral part of bass technique.

2. Adjust the strap so that it supports your guitar when sitting or standing, between your hips and your collarbone, wherever it feels most comfortable. Placing the guitar below your hips can lead to back problems, poor technique and even injury.

3. Place the strap around your neck and hold your bass at about a 30-degree angle. Keep good posture, keeping your spine straight at all times.

Plucking the Bass

1. Position your hands so your wrists remain as straight as possible at all times to avoid wrist injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Relax your plucking hand. Keep it loose and in a natural position.

2. Use at least two fingers, such as your index and middle finger, to pluck the strings. Alternate between your two fingers. Place your thumb on the face of the pickup of your bass (the box under the strings that picks up the vibrations of your bass's strings).

3. Pluck near the neck, then pluck near the bridge to hear the difference in the tones produced by each plucking position. Choose the tone you prefer, then keep your hand there until you want a different tone.

4. Roll your fingers over the strings as if you were just brushing the surface. Let the amplifier provide the sound, not the force of plucking the strings. This will result in a richer tone rather than the thinner, scratchier tone that results from pulling on the strings.

5. Pluck with a pick. A pick produces a different sound than plucking with your fingers, so experiment with both methods to decide what sound you prefer.

Using the Fretboard

1. Use the hand you are not using for plucking to play notes on the fretboard. Keep this hand straight to avoid wrist and hand injuries and to avoid poor technique.

2. Place your thumb in mid-way between the width of your guitar so your fingers can comfortably reach each string. Your thumb should point straight up. Do not touch the neck of your guitar with the palm of your hand; your thumb should be the only point of contact on the back of the neck.

3. Press just behind each fret to create clear, crisp tones. Press lightly yet firmly to avoid buzzing and muffled tones. Keep your fingers close to the strings, hovering over them, so you can quickly press down a string.

Practicing

1. Purchase a book to learn scales, chords and other basic music theory.

2. Learn the notes on your fretboard. You should eventually be able to know any given note on your fretboard without thinking about it; this is the key to improvising, creating music and being able to change keys on the fly.

3. Hire a personal teacher or take a class at your local university. The best way to learn to play the bass properly is to have a teacher who can critique your technique and help you improve. Note that just because someone plays the base well doesn't mean he's a good teacher; good teachers are often those who have taught many students in the past and can pick up on common mistakes quickly, suggest helpful exercises according to your strengths and weaknesses and can help you understand your instrument.

Tips & Warnings

• Your fingers will hurt after playing for a while but callouses will soon form on the tips of your fingers if you continue playing regularly. After callouses form it won't hurt as much to play your bass.

• Learn to play your favorite songs on bass to keep you motivated and help you have fun. Learning an instrument takes dedication, but it should also be fun.

References

• Study Bass: Lessons
• Bass Techniques: Home