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The bass is a crucial instrument in the rhythm section of any band. Find out how to play the bass from an experienced musician and music instructor in this free video series on playing the bass.
There are 10 videos in this series:
Although electric bass guitars were first made in the 1930s, they did not become popular until Fender released an electric bass in 1951; this bass was much easier to carry around to gigs than an upright bass. Learn how the popularity of the electric bass coincided with the rise of rock and roll in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
To play bass guitar, place a thumb on the pickup and pluck the strings with the fingertips of the forefinger and the middle finger, alternating fingers when playing notes. Learn how to play bass with alternate fingering with the basic practice exercises and fingering techniques demonstrated in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
The acoustic bass is a cross between an electric bass and an acoustic guitar, held and played like an electric bass though it produces sound the same way as an acoustic guitar. Play an acoustic bass by resting the thumb of the strumming hand on the top string or against the bass body, according to the tips in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
Bass tabs, or tablature, is a way to write music without standard music notation, with numbers instead of notes for each string, numbers that indicate which fret to play. Find out how to write and play music on the electric bass without using traditional musical notes in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
Tune a bass guitar by hand by tuning the E string first, using a piano or a guitar, and then tuning the other three strings to the corresponding notes on the E string. Find out how to match pitch and compare tones when tuning a bass guitar in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
A five-string bass adds a low B string in addition to the standard bass strings of E, A, D and G. In order to tune this extra string, match this low B to another instrument or a tuner with the tips in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
A six-string bass adds a low B string, in addition to a high C string, to the standard bass strings of E, A, D and G. In order to tune these extra strings, match the low B and the high C to the corresponding notes on another instrument or a tuner with the tips in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
Tune an electric bass guitar by tuning the E string first, using a piano or a guitar, and then tuning the other three strings to the corresponding notes on the E string. Find out how to match pitch and compare tones when tuning a bass guitar in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
When tuning a bass guitar with the Qwik Tune Auto Guitar and Bass Tuner, pluck a string and adjust the pitch until the tuner registers the correct note for that string. Find out how to use an electronic tuner to find the notes for the strings of a bass guitar in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
When stringing an electric bass guitar, do one string at a time, making sure the string is in the right position over the saddle and leaving five inches of string that extend beyond the tuner. Find out how to restring an electric bass without damaging the instrument in this free video music lesson from a bass guitar instructor.
The bass has a bit of a chip on its shoulder. Many people think that the least talented musician in a band is assigned to the bass. But fewer strings does not necessarily translate into less creative impact. While much of pop music has relatively simple bass lines, even the most basic of these lines are crucial to creating a solid rhythm section. In more progressive forms of rock music, as well as in jazz, the bass maintains the timekeeping function while adding a subtlety and depth to a band’s sound nearly impossible to achieve with the more intrusive lead instruments. In funk and hip hop, the bass steps up to center stage, pounding home dance floor rhythms. And in reggae the bass takes over, with the guitar keeping the beat as expansive bass runs dance all around it. In this free music lesson video, learn how to string, tune and play an electric bass guitar. Also find out about the history of the electric bass and learn how to read tablature for the bass.
Steve Bauman Steve Bauman has been playing bass guitar for 15 years. He instructs on his own time as well as for Summerhays Music located in Murray, Utah.dkdk
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