Learning to play bass is a great way to bring some music and rhythm into your life. While starting to play a new instrument can seem very difficult, learning the basics on your own can be easy and rewarding.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Bass
Step 1. Choose the number of strings
Since this is an electric instrument, the bass body can be any shape or color and still have a beautiful sound. What is important, however, is to choose the number of strings that best suits your skills. As a beginner, you should start with the classic 4-string bass.
- The bass is originally composed of 4 strings, the basic model. More or less all bass lines can be played with 4 strings, and as it has a narrower neck than 5-6 string basses, it is also easier to handle.
- A 4-string bass usually has the classic Mi La Re Sol tuning, but if you want you can use the tuning of the 5-string one (Si Mi La Re Sol).
- 5- or 6-string instruments are great because they allow you to play a wider range of notes. However, they need more control to reduce the resonance of the other strings, and the ability to physically reach all the frets.
Step 2. Choose the scale
The scale refers to the distance from the bridge to the nut, basically the length of the strings. A long scale has longer strings and produces a deeper sound. A short scale, just the opposite. For beginners a short scale is easier to manage, but does not allow you to reach the depth of sound offered by the counterpart.
- Most basses have a 34-inch scale, but you can also find shorter (30-inch or less) or medium-sized (30-33-inch) ones. Then there are the extra long ones that can exceed 35 inches.
- Choose according to the size of your hands, but generally stick to a 34-inch scale.
- If you decide to buy a 5 or 6 string bass, turn up the scale if you want a better sound. Choose a bass with a scale of at least 35 inches.
Step 3. Decide if you want a keyboard with or without keys
The frets are those metal bars that you see along the fretboard (and therefore the notes) on the neck of the instrument. If you buy a bass, you can have the choice of whether you want them or not.
- A fretless bass does not have metal dividers, but a smooth, continuous fingerboard.
- A fretless bass is more difficult to play because you don't have visual references on all the notes.
- For beginners it is always best to choose a bass with frets for guidelines. Over time, you can switch to a fretless one to measure your skills or explore new sounds.
Step 4. Choose the material
Basses can be made of different materials, including different types of hard or soft woods, or synthetics or composites. Each type gives the bass a slightly different sound and look.
- Hard woods such as maple, walnut, ebony and rosewood give it a more percussive sound.
- Soft woods such as alder, linden and ash give a softer, warmer sound.
- The most popular synthetic materials are graphite and luthite. Non-natural materials almost all sound the same because they are not susceptible to structural changes like woods.
- Most basses are built with a mix of different materials for the fretboard and body. This is another good option, so don't feel pressured to look for a bass made from a single material.
Step 5. Find an amplifier
To play the bass, you need to connect it to an amplifier. An amplifier consists of three parts: a pre-amplifier, a power amplifier and a loudspeaker. The simplest thing to have all three of them is to buy a combo. While this solution doesn't have the same power as more powerful amps, it is the easiest for a beginner to handle.
Step 6. Decide whether to play with your fingers or with a pick
Many recommend learning the two techniques in order to become a more versatile bass player.
Part 2 of 3: Playing the Bass
Step 1. Hold the tool correctly
To sound best, holding it in the most appropriate position matters. You should always use the strap to support the bass, so you can focus only on the hands and the sound.
- You can sit or stand, but make sure you maintain proper posture. The important thing is that the bass is always at the same level with your body, regardless of the position you are in.
- It should be located between the hips and collarbones. Many place it at navel height, but it comes down to personal preference.
- You should hold it at a 30 ° angle to avoid unnatural wrist rotations.
Step 2. Agree it
The standard tuning in a 4-string bass is Mi La Re Sol, where the G is the highest string and the E the lowest. You can learn to tune it by ear, although you will often be inaccurate, or you can get an electronic tuner. To pull or loosen the strings, turn the tuners located on the headstock.
Step 3. Practice plucking the strings
The bass lends itself much more to this technique than to picking. It is important to practice a lot to get the best possible sound. You can also decide to play the bass like a guitar, it's just a matter of preference.
- Always keep your nails short. The fingernails influence the sound of the bass.
- Plucking the strings with two fingers improves efficiency. Alternate the arpeggio with the index and middle fingers. It doesn't matter which finger you start with, the only thing that's really important is to keep your time and speed constant.
- Pinch the strings near the neck if you want a flatter, warmer note. If you move towards the bridge instead, the sound will be more percussive. When exercising try to always stay in the same area without moving too much.
- Do not pull the strings with your fingers, but slide your fingertips. If you want to increase the volume, increase the volume of the amplifier without forcing the way you hit the string.
Step 4. Mute the strings you don't play
To make a clear note and avoid suffocating it, you need to stop the strings you don't use by putting your finger on them.
- Keep your thumb as close to the E as possible, so that when you don't play that string you can leave your finger on it and change it.
- If you switch from one string to the other as you play, use your free fingers to mutate the others.
- Remove your finger from the E to change other strings if you are playing higher ones.
- Don't push too hard, just put your fingertips to block the vibration that generates the sound.
Step 5. Learn how to play the tonics
These are the main notes on which a chord is based. A chord is the simultaneous reproduction of several notes. Typically, you will begin playing the basics by focusing on playing the root of each chord.
Step 6. Learn how to play octaves
All music is made up of 12 notes which can be played in higher or lower versions. The various pitches of a single note are called octaves.
- To play a note one octave higher, move up two strings and two frets.
- To play a note one octave lower, go down two strings and two frets.
- You can play the lowest octave with the index and the corresponding highest octave with the middle. Use your other fingers to change strings that aren't being played.
Step 7. Learn to play root and fifth notes together
Once you understand the concept of tonic, learn to play fifths as well. The fifth is the note you play five tones away from the root on the scale. They are typically played together to accompany another instrument, be it a guitar or a piano. Finding the fifth is quite simple.
- To play a higher fifth, move two frets to the next string.
- To play a fifth below, stay on the same fret but on the lowest string.
Step 8. Keep the pace as you practice
The most important job for a good bass player is to keep the beat. Bass gives the music personality, but it is essential to always be in time. Once you are comfortable with playing the notes, invest the time in sticking to the beats.
- Listen to the bass lines in your favorite songs to understand how time is held.
- Purchase a metronome to help you practice. It is a small instrument that emits a click with a certain frequency, thus giving you the reference of the beat. You can set it at different speeds.
Step 9. Practice regularly
The best advice when studying a musical instrument is to get a lot of practice. Playing just a few minutes a week certainly doesn't help you excel. Committing at least 10-20 minutes every day will not only help your hands move with greater ease, but over time will also help you improve your sound.
Part 3 of 3: Continue Studying
Step 1. Learn to read tablature
The tablature is the visual scheme that teaches you how to play the notes if you are unable to read the score. Since many are unable to read music, tablature is becoming more and more popular.
Step 2. Learn the scales
As boring as they may be, scales are really important in learning any instrument and becoming a serious musician. As you practice, you will improve your agility and finger speed and help you improvise and solo.
Step 3. Try playing solos
It is a passage of the musical piece in which a musician plays improvising, varying the piece and making it unique. It's a difficult technique, but it's worth it.
Step 4. Start composing your music
When playing other people's music all the time begins to get bored, it's time to create your own. Composing takes a lot of time, practice and false starts, but being able to compose your own songs is priceless.
Step 5. Learn more advanced techniques to improve yourself
Some include sweep picking (finger picking or pick - finger picking is more difficult), tapping, vibrato (harder to play with your hands than picking) and slap.
Step 6. If you feel the need to have different basses, go for it
If you are at this point, it means you know your business. Always changing pitch or tuning with one bass solo can be annoying, so having two or three can save you some time.
Advice
- Play your favorite songs while you listen to them. It's a great exercise and it's easier because you already know the song!
- Interacting with other musicians will help you develop your skills.
- Always check your technique. Performing any technique correctly from the start will save you a lot of time and effort to correct mistakes later.
- Look for a good teacher. A great bass player is not necessarily also a good teacher. A good teacher will test your skills and help you understand and get to know the instrument.
- Pressing the strings well with your left hand is essential for getting full notes. Try to put your fingers near the key on the right side. You should also practice your right hand, to be able to play as naturally as possible. Study bass to elevate your hobby to an art form. Practice, have patience and be curious - this will bring results.
Warnings
- You may feel frustrated at some stages of your learning process. Don't make it a reason to quit!
- Hold the tool correctly. You could get bad wrist or hand injuries if you don't maintain the right posture. Also, you would waste time correcting your mistakes.
- You will get blisters. Keep playing, and eventually they'll go away.
