7 Simple Bass Guitar Tips for Beginners

[acfiorentina]

There must be something genetically different in the hands of bass players and my hands, as I can't possibly stretch my fingers over the fretboard and apply enough pressure on the strings... Dang... I'll be a lousy 2 finger player...

[greenishblue]

@acfiorentina It takes time, your fingers need to get used to it, if you regularly warm up, (obviously don't hurt yourself) but as good as you can for a while each day, you should start to build up more dexterity and over time gain better navigation over the fretboard using all you fingers.

[acfiorentina]

@greenishblue Thank you for the encouragement. Perhaps I should take a few lessons and learn how to properly use my left hand's fingers on the frets.

[TheVideoMixxer]

How can i slap? =_=

[greenishblue]

@TheVideoMixxer watch my video of slap bass techniques!

[iCassie123]

Awesome thanks! We have the same strap xD

[FillHellMouth]

Thanks for the tips. Keep up the good work.

[gunnziboy]

I always get so sweaty on my hands! why's that?

[greenishblue]

@gunnziboy that i can't answer, maybe you just get clammy hands, could be humid where you play :S

[gunnziboy]

@greenishblue awh :(

[jpcc94]

what is your bass?

[greenishblue]

@jpcc94 it's a musicman stingray 5

[RecklessRelentles]

you did a million times better than those dipshits on expert village.

[LittleLolitaPrincess]

:D what kind of bass do you have?

[greenishblue]

@LittleLolitaPrincess musicman stingray 5

[HeadacheVillain]

Pretty Kool.

[SnakeEyesAndSevens]

Tip # 7 is probably the best one for beginers.

[mssippijim]

Great video and tips.

[modey99]

cool video, just got my first bass..cheers

[xxhollydaniellexx]

I love your accent and shirt.. and your bass :p

[greenishblue]

@xxhollydaniellexx thanks xxxx

[Goose1418]

Also you should be versatile with all instruments there is nothing wrong with using a pick. I use my fingers as well because one less thirdly have to worry about bringing with a bass and you can manipulate a lot more using your fingers but a pick is just a different way o playing it's personal preference and none is better than the other. Unless you plan on learning slap bass like I am currently focusing than you need to learn to use toe fingers obviously

[greenishblue]

@Goose1418 very valid point, but i do think to become an overall well rounded bass player you should learn to play with your fingers as well as with a pick, but obviously picking is required for certain genre's, tones etc.

[Goose1418]

Very good information but stretching your fingers like that from the first fret to say the fifth is bad. It can lead to hand strains and other associated injuries. You should use your index middle and pinky and shift your hand while playing lower on the fret board until you can without stretching use all four fingers. Using that method is a bad habit to get into and also when your fingers are stretched like that can reduce pressure on re frets cause strings to buzz and can slow down your speed

[FrostedDonut9]

Cheers for the vid dude. Octaves and tunings noted! Now... to become the best bassist in THE WORLD! mwuhahaha... x

[BonzoKepzzig]

Try to play like Nathen Maxwell with your fingers dude... not that easy.

[cadmusbane]

No offence, but, what are you doing with your face while you play?

[chobbernobber]

@cadmusbane it a bass face there are some amazing ones in the world haha

[ConfuzedwithaZ]

I like to play with my thumb and my index finger is resting on the bottom of the 1st string. My other fingers are placed on the body. I play guitar the same way. Should I get used to the thump on pickup way?

[greenishblue]

@ConfuzedwithaZ play whatever way feel's comfortable to you, this is merely a guide, bare in mind that different tones and texture can be achieved by playing on different parts of the strings i.e. nearer the fretboard will give a fat dub bass sorts of sound, and nearer the bridge will give a vibrant high end sound

[kitt1507]

give some tricks not speaks

[Neodude991]

You should always learn the 4 finger per fret technique lower down the bass say near the 5th and 7th fret. More tension higher up etc..Bad habit to learn.

[zomgitskevin1]

nice accent dude lol

[ShockwavePictures]

If you use your bass for rock genres, then its best to use a pick though.

[FlyBird]

Chris Squire, Paul McCartney and Glenn Hughes use a pick

SCREW YOU! =P

[tommytube101]

could you suggest some songs to learn please thanks

[KohakuAkuma]

I had recently gotten my bass guitar about a month ago and I've been playing orchestral bass for about 4 or 5 years now.I absolutely love the instrument but I never realized what a difference it would actually be.Also,I'm a girl and have smaller hands,what do you suggest me to do because I can only reach 3 frets with 4 fingers,my friend that plays guitar said that my hand would get used to it but I don't think its possible to stretch my hand any further.

[redrounin]

@KohakuAkuma your friend is correct. I've been playing guitar for over 10 years now; you'll be surprised how far and how fast your fingers will learn to stretch :)

[AussieSirGT]

Thanks mate, I found this very helpful. I do have one question tho. My 3rd finger (next to middle and little fingers) is really unco, Do you have any tips so i can strengthen it and get it doing what i want because atm it isnt doing the same as my other 3 fingers. And yes this is a genuine question.

Thanks

[PhilDY6]

Another problem I have is that when I fret a string, particularly on the thicker strings I get a clatter. I have played lead guitar for quite a few years (only in my home studio) would this have a bearing on this problem?

Phil

[greenishblue]

@PhilDY6 its not uncommon to have clatter and buzz, if you have a studio you must know stuff about EQ, the clatter will come through more if the treble is way up. if the clatter is really quite bad and un-natural it would be a setup and intonation problem, some bassists like a bit of a buzz too add a sense of character and humanisation to their instrument and playing, but it can sometimes be a bit to much, take it to a workshop, ask what you want and they'll sort it out :)

[PhilDY6]

Ahh, I feel better about it now, I was wondering that I might be fretting a bit hard as you need to on a lead guitar. Maybe I need to be a bit gentler but it wil be hard after years of lead ;o)

[PhilDY6]

At 5:17 - 5:21 you keep your finger on the pick-up whereas earlier you said to move your thumb down to the string above the one you are playing. What is going on?

[greenishblue]

i was speaking for good habits there, i myself stay on the pick up a lot, but it's considered generally a bad habit, sort of a technical thing.......

[oOBulletsaint]

These tips are for 4 string basses too right?

[Rakomarou]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only difference between a 4 and 5 string bass is that a 5 string has a string that's lower than the E, the neck is also wider because of this. Meaning yes, these tips work with a 4 string bass as well.

[greenishblue]

Yup that person ^^^ is right, i did reply to this comment lol saying pretty much that, but i guess i didn't go up, sowwie ^.^

[greenishblue]

@oOBulletsaint yup

[haggis325]

pro helpfulness

helped me loads bro 5*

[31337c0wk1ll3r]

Thanks very helpful. But I do wish you would've put more octave instructions.

[rtinsley73]

Great Lesson!  It was really helpful. I just picked up the bass and it really helped.