Four Strings And You: How To Play Bass Guitar

Although the bass player isnt usually the star of the band, no rhythm section is complete without a stalwart dude (or lady) holding down the low end. If youve ever wondered what it would be like to pick up the electric bass, this article will give you the lowdown on how to play bass guitar in a few easy steps.

The first step is to get yourself an instrument. You can purchase a learner guitar for a few hundred dollars at any reputable music store. I started with a Hohner P-Bass and it served me well for several years. Youll also need a small amplifier and, for the comfort of your neighbors, a pair of headphones.

One important decision that every player needs to make when theyre learning how to play bass guitar is whether to use a pick (also called a plectrum) or their fingers. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. A pick will give you a louder, more aggressive sound, while playing fingerstyle gives a warmer, more agile tone to your performance. Either option is acceptable, so try them out and find what best suits the style of music you want to play.

The basic tuning of a bass is E A D G the same as the bottom four strings on a standard guitar. You can tune off of any other musical instrument. It can be difficult when learning how to play bass guitar to adapt to the lower octave of the bass the low E, especially, is hard to tune accurately. With practice, youll be able to tune more accurately. Once you have a grasp of the instrument, you can also experiment with alternate tunings like "Drop D," which is often used in heavy metal.
Some may say that if you are truly interested in learning to play the bass you should take lessons, but I know plenty of self-taught players. However, investing in a few lessons up front may help you avoid rookie mistakes and get you more comfortable with the instrument. In addition, there are many online courses available that purport to teach people how to play bass guitar, if no qualified instructor lives in your area. Some of the best advice I can give to anybody interested in learning how to play the bass guitar is to find a drummer to play with as soon as you can even if the two of you are just beginners and youre not actually playing the melody of the song, learning how to get into the pocket of a groove with a real drummer is the most important skill you can acquire.

The bass is an awesome instrument, and laying down the bottom end of a song and seeing the audience start to move along with your playing is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Good luck, young bassman!

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