How To Play The Bass Guitar

If you have any knowledge of music, you can quickly learn how to play the bass guitar. The bass guitar is similar to a regular guitar except it only has four strings (sometimes five) and is plucked to keep the rhythm of a song. Once you learn the notes, you'll be able to keep the rhythm of your favorite rock and pop songs.

To learn to play the bass guitar, you will need:

• Bass guitar
• Strap (optional)
• Pick (optional)

1. Learn the notes on the strings. If you are learning on a four string bass, the lowest note is "E" (the top string) and the highest is "G" (the bottom string). The notes, in order from top string to bottom string on a bass are E, A, D and G. You can come up with a mnemonic device such as "Every Alcoholic Drinks Gin" to help you remember the string notes.
2. Learn the first twelve notes on the strings. The neck of a bass has frets. When you press a string onto a string at a fret, you change the note of the string. The note goes up one half step with each fret. For instance, if you press the E string at the first fret and pluck the string, you will produce an "F" note. If you press it at the second fret, you will produce an F sharp note.
3. Sit and hold the bass on your lap. Hold the neck with your left hand and drape your right arm over the base, so you can reach the strings. You can wear a strap around your neck to help support the bass.
4. Try plucking a rhythm. Without pressing on any frets, pluck a rhythm on the bass. Pluck the strings towards the base of the guitar away from the neck. If you like, you can use a pick to pluck.
5. Press the frets with your left fingers to change notes as you pluck the strings. Learn a simple riff to practice with, which you can play over and over. Pluck the open E string twice, then press your finger onto the third fret of the G string and pluck. Press your finger on the fifth fret of the A string and pluck. Repeat this series of four notes over again.