The Bass guitar is perhaps the most fascinating string instrument which is omnipresent in most of the songs yet does not overwhelm any tune. It is just and ample use in music adds the right essence of bass that fills the void in the tracks. Though the instrument is mainly used in heavy metal and hard rock music, its influence has spread over every music genre with a rise in the number of bass guitarists around the world.
While it is always recommended to take lessons from an experienced instructor in the field, it is also possible to learn yourself. Obviously, it would take much time and effort to do it since you are making a DIY approach. Before stretching any further, let’s get down to business.
- Practice, Practice, and Practice
The famous saying, ‘Practice makes a man perfect’ is very true whenever you are trying to master something. To begin with, focus on the chord tones and patterns. The chord notes are mainly the first note, the third note, and the fifth one. In the case of c Major it is the C, E, and the G. In some music, you will find the B flat as well. Try to pick a chord every week and master the notes as most bass lines are composed with it. You can try to compose your own bass lines.
- Learn to mute thoroughly
Since a bass line is made with many individual notes, it requires playing cleanly to churn out clarity in composition. When a string keeps vibrating it overlaps with the next note. Therefore, learn to mute strings below the note you are playing. You can use your fretting hand to mute the strings above the note. Make sure to ring only one string while the other three are mute. It requires patience and effort to learn how to run your finger through every, not at the right time. So, don’t be hasty and try to focus more without getting frustrated.
- Metronome is the king
No matter which kind of guitar you are mastering, a metronome is the most important element for every beginner. It helps to improve rhythm and mastering time the concept of time in music. Bass guitarists are the ones who help to create the connection between drum beats and guitar sections. Being a part of the rhythm section, you would be required to play in time and be in synch with everyone. It can be only done by practicing notes along with the metronome. You start with a low tempo and eventually go faster with your practice.
- Pull-offs and Hammer-ons
These are the two most commonly used tricks to create more complicated dynamic bass lines.
- Hammer-on – pluck a string while the note is still vibrating and press your finger down the string in order to play a higher note by plucking it again.
- Pull-off – It is a more complicated style and works opposite to the hammer-on. Pluck a string to play a higher note and pull-off a finger a play a lower note.
With this method, you can get quicker in playing more notes in sequence without overlapping.
- Learn Tabs
Tablature notation or tabs help to learn songs and the bass line quicker and in an error-free method. Tabs are shown horizontally with the lowest string at the bottom and the highest on the top. Usually, the thickest string is the lowest one and the thinnest string is the highest. On the tabs, the notes are denoted by numbers. With a simple search on Google, you can find the tabs of the famous tracks and practice to have a good grasp. Start with simpler tabs and eventually grow your skill to try out the complicated tabs.
- Knowledge is crucial
Even if you are aware of the basics, you need to improve your knowledge to be a master bass player. Learn music theory and notation to be better at playing. However, it depends on whether you play for friends or want to pursue a career as a bass guitarist. Make sure not to brush up on your skills only, but knowledge as well.
- The significance of warming up
The bass playing is not an exercise but there are lots of hand and finger movements. That is why a minimum of 20 minutes of warm-up is needed in order to play smoothly without getting tired or fatigue. Gently stretch your arms, and wrists fingers to run them smoothly.
- Invest daily time in music
Spending time for music does not necessarily mean you have to play bass guitar every day but something regarding music. You can watch videos on YouTube, read books on music, or study some bass players for inspiration. That is how to dedicate a portion of your daily life to prepare yourself for playing bass.
“It’s the bass that makes them Dance”. Learning bass guitar is rocket science. If you put your heart and dedication to it, you will be able to make people dance without breaking a sweat. Follow the aforementioned tips and embark on your journey.
