Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Do you like the full sound that a bass guitar can produce? Do you dream of being part of a band's rhythm section? Then teach yourself how to play bass guitar! As with other instruments, it does take time and training to master playing, but if you do a little bit of your best you can be playing along to your favorite songs in no time.

To step

1. Get to know the anatomy of the bass guitar. Learn to distinguish the main parts of the bass guitar. In the picture these are from top to bottom: body, neck, headstock, pickup, tone and volume knobs and bridge.
2. Learn how to tune a bass guitar. Tune the bass guitar using a reference tone from a tuner on a tuning fork. Seen from above, the strings are tuned as follows: E A D G, where E is the lowest note and G the highest. Tuning a bass guitar is very similar to tuning a guitar. Remember the sequence using this mnemonic:
   Eet alle D.agen G.roente.
3. Get to know your bass amp. Plug one plug of guitar cable into the amp and the other plug into your bass. Turn on the amplifier. Turn off your amp when you're done playing. Learn the difference between the volume and gain knobs on the amplifier. Turn the knobs until you have a nice sound. The basics of adjusting a bass amp are similar to those of a guitar amp.
4. Learn the correct posture. It is important that you hold the bass well both while sitting and standing. Adjust the guitar strap so that it feels comfortable. Place your right hand above the strings. You can rest the forearm on the bass. Look for a position on the strings where the sound is full, between the fretboard and the bridge.
5. Learn how to pluck the strings. Pick (pull) the strings with the index and middle fingers of your right hand. Try to move only your fingers, so try to minimize movement of your wrist and arm. Learn to alternate between your index and middle fingers. Practice moving on different strings in the W-M-W-M pattern where the W stands for your index finger and the M for your middle finger. You can optionally rest your thumb on the bass for support. Another way of playing bass guitar is with a plectrum. Most bassists use a thick pick for this. Hold the pick between your index finger and thumb. Then pick the string by moving the pick along it, up and down. Practice this movement up and down. If you don't know which technique you prefer, you can practice both techniques.
6. Learn how to mute strings with both hands. If you play bass guitar, one string should not sound when you hit the other string.
7. Adopt the correct attitude. Place both hands on the bass, your left hand on the frets at the end of your neck, near the comb. Place the index finger of your left hand on the first fret and your middle, ring, and little finger on the successive frets next to it.
8. Learn the notes you play with the first four frets of the top (lowest) string, including the open string: (E) F F # G G #. For the other strings these are: A (A # B C C #), D (D # E F F #) and G (G # A A # B).
9. Learn how to press the strings hard enough with your left hand to hear the correct tone when plucking. Avoid the sound of frets that are not properly pressed.
10. Learn how to play with the correct timing. Use a metronome for this. First, play the open E string on each beat of the metronome. We call this quarter notes. Start slow and tune the metronome faster as your timing improves. Then you slow down the tempo again and try to hit twice per beat of the metronome. We call this eighth notes. If that works well, we'll make it even more difficult: set the metronome to a slow tempo again and try to play 4 notes per click, so you play one note on the click and then three more notes before you hear the next click. These are sixteenth notes. Make sure all notes sound evenly.
11. Learn how to read a bass tablature. Search the internet for tablatures for beginners.
12. Learn the basics of music theory and develop your musical intelligence.
13. Learn how to play the scale of E major. These are all notes of the key of E, the easiest scale on a bass guitar. First play an open E string, then the E on the second fret, then the E on the fourth fret, then the open A string (or the E string on the fifth fret, they are the same), then the A- string on the second fret, then the A string on the fourth fret, then the D string on the first fret, and then the D string on the second fret. Then go down again in the same way, and up again, until playing the scale goes smoothly. You can then move on to other scales higher on the neck. For example, the scale of F major has the same pattern, but everything one fret higher (E string first fret, E string third fret, E string fifth fret, A string first fret, etc.). The scale of F # major starts on the second fret, G major on the third fret, and so on.
14. Learn the role of a bass player in a band. The bass player is usually seen as the link between the drummer and the rest of the band. This is because the bass player forms the rhythm section with the drummer, but at the same time the right harmonies must be formed with the rest of the band. So make sure you play well with the drummer and keep the tempo together.
15. Learn common techniques, such as "hammer-on". The "hammer-on" technique is a commonly used technique in which a note is played without striking the string. Try this by playing the E string on the third fret. If you can still hear the note, press the fifth fret. You can use this basic technique with all consecutive notes on the same string.
16. Learn how to play vibrato. Vibrato is a commonly used technique in music to apply texture. You play vibrato by moving the finger with which you press the string back and forth if you still hear the note sounding. Do this faster and faster, until you can no longer distinguish when the tone is slightly up or slightly down. By practicing a lot you can play long notes with vibrato this way.
17. Teach yourself to play a song you like. Try to use the correct timing and the correct intonation. You can search online for the bass guitar tablature, in which case you can use the "tab" to practice the song at a slower tempo before playing along with the song. It is more difficult to choose a song yourself without tablature, but certainly not impossible. Find out which chords are being played, and first try to play only the root notes of the chords at the correct tempo. Then you can add common bass lines between chords. That may not be exactly what the bass does to the song, but it probably sounds good.
18. Learn more songs, scales and techniques. Here are some great rehearsal songs with timeless bass parts: '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' by The Rolling Stones, 'You Really Got Me' by The Kinks, 'Crossroads' by Cream,' My Generation 'by The Who and' Eight Days a Week 'by The Beatles.

Tips

• Try to pick out a bass part by ear.
• Look at professional bass players. Where do they play on the strings, what fingerings do they use and what stance do they take? How do they dampen the strings and how do they hit?
• There are many videos on YouTube with instructions for bass parts of specific songs.
• You can also learn to write tablatures yourself.
• Get to know new music. You can do this by learning how to read scores and tablatures.

Warnings

• When you learn to play an instrument you have to train new muscles. Don't force this.
• If you feel like you're stuck, it's a good idea to take a class. Learning to play yourself is a good start, but you shouldn't underestimate what you can learn from a skilled bass player.
• Take regular rest breaks.

Necessities

• Bass guitar
• Amplifier
• Guitar cable with two mono jacks (6.5mm or 1/4 inch)
• Tuner or tuning fork
• Metronome (optional)