How to Get Started Playing Bass

As a beginning electric bass player, keep your focus on finger technique and hand strengthening. Of course, you also need continuous rhythm practice. Here's how to get started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bass Guitars
• Bass Instruments
• Metronome
• Music Stands
• Sheet Music
• Amplifiers

Right-Hand Technique

1. Anchor your thumb on top of the pickup close to the bridge; you'll get a good attack in that position.
2. Pluck a few notes and listen to the different sounds.
3. Allow your wrist to move freely.
4. Keep your index and middle fingers straight but not rigid.
5. Pluck from the top of each string, not from underneath.
6. Play the following figure alternating between your index finger and middle finger on the E (lowest), A, D and G strings (Index finger = i, middle finger = m) counting 1-2-3-4 for each bar (4/4 rhythm; / = bar measure): E: i-m-i-m / A: i-m-i-m / D: i-m-i-m / G: i-m-i-m; E: m-i-m-i / A: m-i-m-i / D: m-i-m-i / G: m-i-m-i.
7. Play the same exercise playing triplets to create a blues shuffle feel (see "Play Blues on Guitar," under Related eHows): E: i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i / A: i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i / D: i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i / G: i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i i-m-i.
8. Now alternate between index and middle finger.
9. Use a metronome for tempo and rhythm and set it between 66 and 72 (see "Use a Metronome," under Related eHows).
10. Play the exercise slowly at first and then play it gradually faster.
11. Play the exercise on different notes on the fingerboard, using all four strings.

Left-Hand Technique

12. Use your left thumb as a guide and let it move around freely.
13. Use your other fingers to push down the strings, and let your thumb provide the balance.
14. Keep your thumb in the center of the neck, roughly opposite the middle finger. No matter what you might see other bass players do, don't let your thumb hang over the neck.
15. Let your wrist move freely, giving your fingers easy access to the strings.
16. Keep your fingers arched and almost perpendicular to the fingerboard.
17. Play with your fingertips.
18. Keep your palm off the neck.
19. Rest your fingers in the forward (toward the bridge) part of the space between frets, close to the fret, but not on top of it. This positioning usually gives you the best sound.
20. Make sure your fingers stay close to the neck of the bass. The further the finger has to travel, the more time it takes to get to the note.
21. Have each finger stay in position until you pluck the next note. This will help to make your playing smoother.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a commitment to practice regularly. It's the only way to become a better player.
• Be critical of all aspects of your playing: fingering, plucking and timing.
• Play slowly at first; your execution will be better when you increase tempo later on.
• Practice daily to strengthen your hand muscles.
• Do a daily practice routine and stick to it, but don't be too hard on yourself. Playing should always be fun!