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Whether it’s providing rhythmic low notes or doing intricate riffs in a song, the bass guitar is a vital part of an instrumental group’s rhythm section. Here are some tips on getting started.
What you’ll need
Besides the bass guitar, you’ll need a bass amp, a patch cord, an extra set of strings, a strap, and an electronic tuner. A guitar amp will work but is not recommended; bass amps have larger speakers designed for low-frequency sound.
If you don’t already have these and need to buy them, take along someone who knows the instrument so they can check for things like tone, trueness of pitch, and ease of play.
Learning to play
Playing bass guitar requires a feel for music and a good sense of rhythm. If you already play six-string guitar, you’ll be familiar with bass tuning; it’s the same as the bottom four strings of a guitar (E-A-D-G), only an octave lower.
When you first start playing, your fingers will get sore and may even form blisters. Also, your hand muscles may become achy. That’s just part of the experience. Over time, the fingers develop calluses, the aching stops, and playing becomes much easier.
Bass playing involves “plucking” the strings, usually one note at a time. It’s generally done with the fingers directly, although some bassists use picks to achieve a certain sound.
There are, of course, many levels of skill. You’ll probably begin by learning simple quarter note patterns, then advance to slides and 16th note licks, then move forward to more elaborate progressions.
Fundamental bass playing is relatively easy to learn by ear, but jazz and classical music require a deeper knowledge of the instrument and the ability to read music. Courses in music theory may be necessary.
Ways to learn
- Take lessons from a good instructor. Make sure the instructor is well versed in the type of music you want to do. I highly recommend taking at least a few lessons to learn the basics: tuning, fretting, scales, basic bass patterns, etc.
- Take an online course. There are lots of free courses, tutorials, and articles available.
- Have a friend who plays bass give you a couple of lessons and try learning on your own. Play along with some of your favorite songs. Begin with simple rhythms and work yourself up to more difficult patterns. Pay attention to the bassists’ styles and learn some of his or her riffs.
- For those of you under 15 years of age: Some of the best bass players I know started off playing the acoustic (upright) bass in the Junior Symphony Orchestra. Later in life they decided they preferred rock ‘n’ roll to Beethoven and were a step ahead of the competition.
Final word
I’ve never met a bass player who didn’t love playing the instrument. It’s not for everyone; often the bass musician is in the background, and doesn’t get the attention that, say, a hot guitar player receives.
But the bass is one of the most important parts of the band. A good bassist can do awesome things with the instrument. So practice that bass guitar. Be patient and give it some time. It can be a very rewarding experience.
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