After you have learned the basic components of the bass guitar Learning to Enjoy Bass Guitar - Do you enjoy bass guitar? A bass guitar is a four-stringed instrument that typically accompanies a lead guitar. Some bass guitars have additional strings, with 5 or 6 strings in total. Bass guitars produce lower tones, and an electric bass guitar is connected to an amplifier for enhanced sound. When learning to play the bass… , the next step is to learn some of the basic techniques that you should know in order to start playing like a pro.
Holding Your Bass Guitar
Always use a guitar strap whether you want to play standing up or sitting down. This will allow your back and shoulders to bear the weight of the guitar so that your hands can freely move up and down the fret board. Adjust the guitar strap so that the bass falls at a comfortable level across your torso. Ideally, your bass guitar should be at about the same level as your belly button. Mind your posture. Keep your back straight and try not to bend or slouch when playing. When sitting, the height of the seat should allow for your feet to be flat on the ground. A footrest is an excellent idea. A right-handed individual should have his headstock on the left side. Look at the strings of the bass; if you are carrying it correctly, the thickest string (E) should be closest to your torso and the thinnest string (G) to your feet. Take your fretting hand and hold the neck of the bass smoothly. Your thumb should be resting behind the neck of the bass, supporting your hand while your other fingers glide above the strings, ready to strum.
Fretting
To get ready to start fretting notes on the neck, place your thumb behind the neck and your fingers poised above the fret board. Cut your nails on your fretting hand. Long fingernails can get in the way of you pressing down each string fully. When playing a note, make sure that the string is pushed down between frets instead of directly on them. This is how the true sound of the note is produced. Instead of pressing down the string with your fingertip, try using your finger pad right below it. This will make it easier for you to hold the string down firmly. At first, pressing down the large bass strings may be difficult or painful and can give you blisters. But don’t lose hope, this is just natural. After a while, your fingers will become stronger and develop thicker skin, which will make fretting so much easier! Practice fretting the strings of the bass with each of your fingers. Though it may be tempting to do everything with your index finger, the rest of your fingers need strengthening too, so get them to work.
Plucking
Hold your plucking hand loosely over the strings with your palm turned towards the instrument. Put your thumb on the side of the bass that is closest to the neck. Your thumb can serve as an anchor while your other fingers pluck the strings.
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