Bass Guitar Techniques

The bass guitar is a vital instrument in rock, jazz, funk, hip hop, and many other styles of popular music. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked by musicians leading to a critical lack of knowledge regarding proper bass guitar techniques. Here are a few techniques and tips geared toward aspiring bass guitarists to get them on the right track.

One important aspect to think about when playing bass is the plucking hand. Should you use a pick or your fingers? Some professional bass guitarists even pluck with just their thumb. What is right for your particular style of playing depends on a few factors.

First, what kind of bass sound are you looking for? Plucking using a pick (known also as a plectrum) lends itself to a sharper, more treble laden sound whereas plucking using your fingers or thumb offers a smoother, perhaps jazzier sound. Although it may seem easier for an aspiring musician to use a pick at first, both bass guitar techniques can be mastered and utilized equally well.
Playing with a pick may work especially well with certain types of music such as heavy metal or punk rock.

Slapping is another great skill in any players repertoire of bass guitar techniques. Playing slap bass involves using the thumb of one’s plucking hand to slap the string, creating a specific sound used often in funk and hip hop. In order to slap properly, one should extend their thumb out from their palm at a 90 degree angle with the thumb now parallel to the string. For the best sound, slapping should be done with quite a bit of force, withdrawing the thumb quickly from the string. Aim for the end of the fingerboard for the most resonant sound.

Using proper bass guitar techniques may seem difficult at first but with a little practice you can be holding down the groove in no time!