How to Play Bass Guitar
The standard bass guitar varies from a normal guitar in certain obvious ways, one being they normally have 4 strings. The strings read g,d,a ,e and are strung across frets like a conventional guitar. Ever wondered how to play the bass guitar?
Beyond the lack of strings the way the guitar works is the same as a basic guitar, the sounds come from the vibration of the strings being vibrated by strumming and some other methods, the chords are also formed on a bass guitar by pressing down the strings to the frets.
As with a conventional guitar you learn how to play bass guitar by working out to how hold the instrument in the most comfortable way, a way that allows you to reach the strings comfortably. Work out if you are better sitting or standing, and at what angle you are able to hold the bass.
It may be worth playing random sequences before learning them properly in order to get your fingers moving and to get the feeling of the strings. You will need strength in the fingers and will find you may get blisters at first until the skin gets harder, which it will with repeated use.
It’s more common to play the bass with plucked strings rather than using a plectrum, if you use this style you will need to build up strong skin on both hands. This is not a rule to determine how to play the bass guitar though as some do use plectrums.
There are some notes played purely by playing one string without using the frets at all, for example the top string is an e, played as an open note. Play each string separately to make their individual note, then place your other hand so that all strings are depressed at the extreme top end, now play the strings one by one, after each group move your fretting finger down to fret at a time. This will start you on the basics before you start on the more complicated stuff, that folks is how to play the bass guitar!