Fender Precision is the Bass Guitar For Beginners

It is vital to know the type of bass you playing and as much about its background as possible. Getting to know your bass will help you to understand much more about it as well as learn how to better take care of it. For instance, one of the very best bass guitars for beginners might be the Fender Precision.

If you have selected the Fender Precision as the bass guitar for beginner to play on, then you will want to find out all you can about that bass. You will want to know that the Fender Precision was created by The Fender Company and that the Precision was actually the very first bass that they produced and it is still one of the most popular basses on the market today.

The reason for this is simply the bass tone that the Fender bass is able to produce. It is the most recorded bass tone. In fact, as far as a line that basses are judged on the Fender Precision guitar sets that line. All other basses judge their bass tone by the Fender Precision bass guitar, and if you are playing this bass guitar for beginner then you are setting the margin for other bass players.

However, you would not have know that if you would not have studied or researched the bass you are playing. In fact, the Fender bass is responsible for defining the sound of the bass in the rock band arena. So, so far you have found through your research of your bass that it has set the world standard, it is easy to play, and it is the most popular on the market.

One thing about the Fender Precision bass is that if you can not make it sound good, then the only real thing wrong with it other than it needs to be tuned is that this is a bass guitar for beginner who needs to practice. This is a an excellent instrument for a beginner to learn on, plus it will give you a professional quality sound.

With the Fender Precision bass guitar, even the older ones seem to go up in value. This is a bass that you can learn on as well play for life, because it is that high of a quality bass. The Fender Precision is now available in two different styles. The original, which is known as the Standard Precision, and the American Precision. With two different styles you have much more to of a selection to choose from.

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How to Learn Bass Guitar Online

If you have an interest in learning to play bass guitar, you will find it to be a very rewarding instrument to play. The bass guitar player is an important member of the band. The quality of the group's playing depends largely on how well the bass player keeps in time. Not only are the demands heavy but the rewards are great. It only takes a short time to get up and running as a bass guitarist and once you have learnt a few basic bass lines and worked out whether you are a plectrum player or a plucker, you will be able to start improvising your own bass licks.

There are two ways to learn bass online. One is to take advantage of the many free bass lessons on the web. These online bass guitar lessons will help you to understand how the place of the bass guitar in a band, music theory, reading sheet music and tabs as well as giving you basic rhythms to play. Some of the bass lessons you find will have some kind of interactive component where you can play along with riffs or a backing track.

Of course, many of the bass guitar lesson sites are offering paid courses, but there are also some good free lessons. If you do a search for "online bass guitar lessons" (without the quotes will give you more results) you will be able to compare the various paid lesson courses for bass guitarists, and you will get a chance to compare them with the free courses. If you decide to learn to play bass guitar for free you will probably need to find yourself some free bass guitar tabs on the internet. There are many places that offer bass tabs for popular songs. Another option for the bass guitar student on a budget is YouTube. If you go looking for online bass lessons on video you will probably find about a thousand clips, all offering something of value to the beginner.

As a bass player you must learn to play in time. A newbie guitar player can spend years playing guitar with the tempo and timing all over the place because he does not have to play with other musicians. The bass guitarist's job is to play in a band so the sooner you get any little rhythmic or timing peccadillos ironed out, the better. For this you will need a metronome. Type "free metronome" into a search engine, find one you like and bookmark it if it is online, although there are metronomes you can download for free. The same goes for a tuner. There are quite good bass guitar tuners online. You will also be able to find free backing tracks for guitar online. Playing along to these is a great way to get the feel of playing in a band. You can tell the program what chords to play and the time signature, and you can play along to the looped track online or download it in mp3 format. For more inspiration find video clips and mp3's by leading bass guitar players like Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Waylon Tisdale, John Pattitucci, Mike Mason or Miroslav Vitous.

Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.

How to Play Bass Guitar - Fun and Easy

Playing bass guitar isn't always about becoming rich and famous; it can be just as easily learned for fun. The skills involved with learning bass guitar and playing a part in writing songs has enabled millions of people to be happy and this is why bass guitar lessons can be great fun. The more intensely you practice the better you will become but it is possible for all different people to have a great time from learning bass guitar.

When you consider the bass guitar and the great bass players who have become famous over the years, there are many people to be influenced by. Many people consider Paul McCartney to be a huge influence on their bass guitar playing and his style may be one you use when learning this instrument. Sometimes you just need a starting point so taking influence from someone you admire greatly can be a great way to get your bass playing skills off the ground. Perhaps The Beatles weren't your thing and you may prefer a heavier sound like Metallica or Iron Maiden. It doesn't really matter what type of genre you like to listen to, it is all about what you want to learn and how much fun you can with playing the bass.

How to play bass guitar and have fun

If you are new to music and are unaware of what to learn, you should not think that all songs and bass guitar lines can be played in the exact same manner. Many people choose to take up bass guitar lessons in order to learn as many new skills and styles as they can before they decide which style to keep playing the most. This wide reaching approach of learning music can open up people's eyes to genres and style they possibly were unaware of. Learning bass guitar has its difficulties but it becomes simpler once you start to understand the nuances and similarities involved.

Learning all about playing the bass guitar can be difficult but it should also be fun and this means you should try to find the approach that works best for you. Just because one style or approach doesn't work for you doesn't mean that nothing will. There are many different styles of lessons available for the bass guitar these days and taking time to find your perfect match will help your skills improve quickly. The trick is to try something and if it worked then great but if it doesn't, you can always move on and try to learn in a different style.

Its how to play bass guitar that counts

The bass guitar is very different from the six string guitar and although there are some similarities it doesn't always follow that a person who can play one can play the other. Everyone has different skills and talents and you may be more suited to playing the bass than any other instrument and if you are, try to develop these skills. Taking bass guitar lessons to build up a better level of skills and techniques should be encouraged in every user and learning bass guitar should be something that never stops.

The bass guitar may not be for everyone but it is an excellent instrument that can bring many hours of fun and enjoyment to a great number of people who learn how to play it well.

With so many different types of bass guitar lessons available, it can be hard to choose just what one is right for you. Our website has a full run down of the options available and will be perfect to help you decide the best way to learn how to play bass guitar. Feel free to visit us to find out more about the bass guitar.

How to Buy Your First Bass Guitar

Have you been considering buying a bass guitar? If so you have made a great choice as far as musical instruments go. Bass guitars have a great deep sound and are very easy to learn how to play. Before you rush right out and buy one, here are some buying tips to give you some peace of mind. Online bass guitar purchases are just fine, but before buying I suggest you visit your local music shop to get a feel for what is out on the market. You want to see how the bass guitar fits you and feels in your hands. Most music shops will let you plug it in and play around with any guitar right in the store. If you know any experienced bassist, see if they do not mind tagging along with you, as most sales associates merely want to sell you any bass. Listen for the tone and quality of the sound that matches your taste.

Make sure you have a budget in mind before making a purchase, as a brand new bass guitar can cost you anywhere from $200 to $5000 depending on the brand, quality, and wood finish. Used basses tend to range from $100 to $1500 and are often just as good, although pricing and selection will vary from one locale to another. Consider buying a used bass. Most used bass guitars drop in price over the years and can offer much better quality and sound as a new bass would.

When you think you might have found a bass you like, do a search for that model on the internet to see if any reviews have been written from people who have already purchased that same model. Bass players are usually pretty straight forward on the bass guitars they have played and purchased.

Some great starter brands include Rogue, Squier and Epiphone. These brands of basses both look good and play great for the price. Fretless , acoustic and five-string basses each have their own type of sounds and pluses, but it is easiest to learn on a four string electric bass. Most beginner tutorials are written with the four-string bass in mind. Other brands of popular basses include: Fender, Gibson, Washburn, Ibanez, Rickenbacker and Yamaha to name a few.

There are great places to buy bass guitars online. eBay and Musicians Friend are great starting points to begin your search for that special first bass and you can usually purchase cheap bass guitars there as well.

Dave Cherry is an avid bass guitar player.

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Let's Hear 'Em Bass Guitar Chords

You've heard a lot about rhythm and blues, but it's the bass that makes you want to dance. It's the thumpa-thumpa that gets your groove on, your head bobbing up and down and your feet a-tapping. Indeed, it's all about the bass - the lower notes that give guitar music the texture and body. In a band, it's the bass player that closes the gap between tempo and harmony. That's from endless years of practice perfecting the craft, which beginners can learn from bass guitar chords.

Hearing bass?

If you have heard the songs of Metallica (who hasn't?), you've definitely heard the heavy tones that prop up all throughout, giving them that distinctive sound that only Metallica can offer. Finally, bassists have entered the front door, and are no longer asked to pass through the kitchen door. Playing bass guitar chords have given bassists the tickets to the front door.

It is easy to learn to play the bass guitar, but mind you, the bass guitar is very difficult to tame. If you are dreaming to hold a bass guitar onstage, then practice playing a note at a time. You will be surprised to discover that before you can pluck a note, you will have to master some hand exercises to speed up your guitar playing.

What's the big deal about bass guitars and bass guitar chords?

A bass guitar is unlike a regular guitar. It has four strings and is an octave lower than the bass strings of a regular guitar. The bass guitar has a longer neck for longer scales. Most bass guitars have hollow bodies, and the sound that is bounced back has a different resonance and tone. The bass sound provides the low-pitched bus runs and bass-line typical in different music genres - jazz, fusion, rock, and funk. A sturdy guitar can take all the punishment, as well as give the best bass bellow.

Chords refer to the collection of tones when played together simultaneously. This can refer to any type of fretted string instrument. There is no fuss about bass guitar chords, really. They are plainly guitar chords played on the bass.

Bass guitar chords always have 12 keys. It must show the major, minor, diminished, minor 6th, and major 7th. The suspended 4th added 7th must also be learned. Bass guitar chords also have notations - names and locations of the notes on the frets and strings, as well as the enharmonic equivalents and the positions of these notes within the bass clef. As you learn the different music styles from bass guitar chords, you will soon be going into bass runs, low pitched bass lines, and soloing.

Raring to play the bass guitar?

If you think the bass guitar is yours to tame, you have to get a good instrument to practice the bass guitar chords with. Check out the different bass guitars to suit your needs. Some of the most popular ones used by professionals are the ESP B50, Squier Standard Jazz, Yamaha RBX260, Epiphone Accu Bass, and Ibanez GSR200. If you are thinking about a good investment, get a Tobias Growler 5-string electric bass guitar. This is expensive but will withstand all that picking, plucking, and slapping. If you see yourself playing the bass long term, then this is the guitar for you.

One can say that behind the great bass guitar chord playing, is also a great bass guitar, and player. The formula also calls for dedication, determination, and enthusiasm. Without these, neither great bass guitar nor bass guitar chord can be played. Get lessons, a songbook, and download bass guitar chords from several guitar sites online. Now, let's hear some bass.

Yes, bass guitar chords [http://www.aboutplayingguitar.com/2007/09/02/what-are-bass-guitar-chords] can be learned online. You can also visit aboutplayingguitar.com for free guitar sheet music. Check out this site now for free guitar chords [http://www.aboutplayingguitar.com/2007/08/30/where-can-i-find-some-free-guitar-chords], and start playing your guitar.

Learning to Play Bass Guitar - 4 Guitar Playing Tips

Playing the guitar is one popular pastime nowadays. For some people, it is also a way of expressing themselves and elevates the hobby into an art form or sometimes, science.

Playing the guitar, however, is no joke. It requires a lot of patience and practice. For some people, they would rather study playing the bass guitar than the regular guitar. Here are some tips on learning to play the bass guitar.

1. Feel the beat

Playing the bass guitar differs primarily from playing a regular guitar because it entails an emphasis on the beat of the music. One can compare the bass guitar into a drum or percussion set that is made into a guitar. Beats are very important in playing bass guitar because this type of guitar gives depth and timing to any song.

If one grasps the notes of a regular guitar through his ears, a bass player grabs the notes of a bass guitar through his chest. The bass guitar pounds on the heart and gives it feelings through the depth of the music.

2. Learn the notes (single chords) on a regular guitar

The main thing about bass guitars is that they are tuned like ordinary guitars. The difference is that most regular bass guitars only have four strings which are far thicker than ordinary ones. This kind of strings allows the bass guitar to go very deep in terms of tone.

Take a regular guitar (which is tuned from the thickest to the lowest string- E - A - D - G - B - E) and exclude the two thinnest strings at the bottom and what is left is basically a bass guitar with thinner strings.

Bass playing is usually note-oriented and not chord-oriented. This means that single notes are hit more often in bass playing and this scheme is the essential element of bass playing. One should be familiar with the tunings and the notes in a regular guitar to be able to decently play the bass guitar.

3. Finger placing is important

Hitting the bass guitar fret board with the left-hand fingers is very important since it is a major factor that will determine the wholeness of each note. Try to place the fingers such that they are close to the fret on the right. The right hand should also be practiced so as to give bass guitar playing a holistic approach.

4. Strengthen your grip

Another important thing to develop in bass playing is the strength of both hand's fingers. The bass guitar is a sturdy and solid musical instrument, strength is needed to play it.

In playing the bass guitar, one should always take one lesson at a time. Bass playing requires repetition and there's no sense in hurrying the learning process. One should feel the notes through his soul and through his heart and become one with the bass guitar.

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History of the Bass Guitar

As far as instruments go, the bass guitar is one of the newest on the scene. It's a completely original component of today's bands and modern music and has not even been in existence for a century. Don't let the name "bass guitar" fool you either, the bass guitar is not actually derived from the guitar.

While electric guitars were developed from acoustic guitars, bass guitars were developed from the double bass instrument. They were originally known (and are still sometimes called) electrical bass instruments or the electric bass.

The original double bass, or simply the bass, are the massive, classical instruments that have been around for several hundred years. They are played with the instrument resting on the ground, using a bow across the strings.

The bass guitar is of course held with a strap on a musician's body and is played using one's fingers. As opposed to the back and forth of the bow on its predecessor and the strumming with a pick of an electrical guitar, the bass guitar is typically played with either plucking or slapping movements of the fingers.

It is tuned to sound the same as an original bass with of course the added benefit of being able to be amplified. In the early part of the 20th century, as music was getting louder, the bass was being drowned out and was unable to be heard. And so the quest for an electrical bass began.

Leo Fender and the Creation of the Bass Guitar

Leo Fender was an amazing man, a visionary and is one of the single most influential people in modern music history. All of these things and many more is Leo Fender. However, one thing he is not is the inventor of the bass guitar.

In 1935, it was Paul Tutmarc who developed the first incarnation of the electric bass. It was to be played horizontally and held like a guitar and could be plugged in for amplification. However, his instrument never truly caught on. It was in 1951 that the bass began earning its spot in modern music.

Leo Fender created his Fender Precision Bass, which was mass produced and skyrocketed in popularity. Gibson followed shortly there after and the bass guitar became an important component of jazz ensembles and today, nearly all musical styles and bands.

Just as with the electric guitar, Leo Fender capitalized on previous inventions, tweaked them to his own specifications and mass produced them to extreme success. While he should be remembered fondly for his contributions, let's not forget the original inventor of the electric bass, Paul Tutmarc.

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What Is The Best Bass Guitar For You?

In this material we shall take a look at some of the things you should look out for when buying a bass guitar. This will help you in better understanding bass guitar descriptions and reviews. We shall talk about different types of body styles, necks, scale lengths, tuning machines, intonation, bolt-on necks, neck-throughs, fingerboards, number of frets, pickups, woods and finishes. We shall explain what each of these features are all about to help you decide what is the best bass guitar for you.

Body Style:

Most electric bass guitars are solid-body electrics. But if you're looking for a rounder and more acoustic sound you should buy a semi-hollowbody bass instead.

Fingerboard:

Another thing to pay attention to when choosing the best bass for you is the fingerboard. If you're looking for a warm, natural sound, you need a bass with an uncoated fingerboard. With a coated fingerboard the sound produced is whining and trebly and it sustains longer.

Neck:

How do you know what neck to choose? It's pretty simple. The type of neck you choose is dependent on the size of your hands. There are different shapes for you to choose from including round, flat back, oval, "vee" and asymmetrical where the neck is thinner either on the treble or bass side. Naturally, four string basses usually come with smaller necks than 4 string or 5 string basses.

Scale Length:

The scale length is the distance between the nut and bridge saddle. It is the vibrating length of the string. The longer the scale the more distance there is between the frets. The scale length chosen is important because it is what influences the tonal quality of the notes and the tension of the string when a note is played.

What scale length is best? Is it a short scale of 30 inches, medium scale of 32 inches, standard scale of 34 inches, 5 string long scale of 35 inches, or an extra long scale of 36 inches? Well it all depends on the instrument you're thinking of getting and the tone you desire. Let's say you're interested in getting a five string bass for example and want a defined low B string sound. In that case the longer the neck, the better. For a four string bass a shorter scale will do and it helps you get the most out of the G string. If you have small hands, a short scale bass is probably the best bass guitar for you.

Intonation:

Pay close attention to intonation. This is what determines whether the various notes on your bass play in tune. On some basses, the distance between the frets can be a little off and as a result these basses don't play in tune, usually when you pass the 12th fret. As far as I'm concerned these basses are useless and you shouldn't waste money on one.

Tuning machines:

In choosing the best bass guitar for you, you must pay attention to the type of tuning head your bass guitar has. This is what you use to fine tune your instrument and hold pitch. Ensure that you get the best one available. An enclosed machine heads are better than open tuning machines. They resists rust and airborne corrosives and you therefore don't have to maintain or replace them often.

Number of Frets:

The number of frets you choose is also a matter of personal preference. You can choose between 21, 22, or 24 frets. Personally, I do not worry about this too much since most playing takes place in the lower frets anyway.

Pickups:

When it comes to sound, pickups are perhaps just as important as the strings on your bass. No matter how good the wood of the bass is, if the pickups are lacking, it's pointless. But you need the right pickup for your bass since one pickup may work very well on one bass and not on another. You also need the right combination of strings and pickup. There are many pickup models available and they are either active or passive. If you choose one that is active, keep in mind that you will have to keep replacing batteries.

Bolt-on necks and neck-throughs:

In terms of neck, the best bass for you is all about your personal preference. If you want one that is stronger, has better sustain and note resolution, buy a neck-through bass. But for a punchier sound, nothings beats a bolt-on neck; the only limitation is that they are more prone to having dead spots.

Wood:

When buying the best bass guitar for you, choice of wood is important. The wood you choose will affect the tone and weight of the instrument. If you're gonna be standing up to play it's wise to have one that is lightweight. Swamp ash wood is a lightweight soft wood that produces low mids and a punchy tone. Alder is another lightweight wood except that the tone it produces is more crisp. At the end of the day, although you should pay attention to the weight of the instrument, it's all about whether or not you like the sound.

Finish:

You can choose any finish you like since it doesn't really affect the sound of your electric bass.

All the best in finding the best bass guitar for you. As long as you have a clear understanding of what you need it should be easy to find the right bass guitar.

Mantius Cazaubon is a successful author and publisher of Bass Guitars Guide. A resource for bass guitar tips, reviews and information on choosing bass guitars.

The Art Behind Bass Guitar Tabs

Playing bass (or any guitar, for that matter) is more than pressing strings and fancy strumming. There's a lot of technicality involved, technicality that's religiously safeguarded by bass guitar tabs. After all, the only way the instrument can be played right is when there's a guideline, right? It's no Egyptian papyrus, but it's close enough.

Tabs or tablature?

When glossing guitar songbooks you see the phrase guitar tabs a lot. Have you ever wondered if this is a close relation to tablature in music? Well, it's not rocket science to tell that tablature and tabs are exactly the same, tabs being merely a nickname of sorts.

In guitar, tabs are musical notations that guide players where to place their fingers along the strings and in which fret. Tabs are frequently used for guitars and other stringed and fretted instruments. This is the more popular reference for learning guitar for pop and rock music. This also has several advantages over the tedious musical notations. In contrast, classical music is steeped in staff notation for accuracy in rhythm and timing.

Reading your bass guitar tabs

A bass guitar will have four strings. The first uppermost string is the G string (no, it's not underwear), followed below by the D string, which is tailed by the A string. The last string, E, is the strongest of all the bass strings. These strings are represented by four horizontal lines. The numbers below the lines are the frets where the notes are played on. You will observe the frequent appearance of the "O" which indicates that the string should not be fretted or pressed against a fret. If there are numbers above the fret numbers - the note has to be played on that fret.

If a number appears above a number on top of the fret, the strings are to be played at the same time, this time like a chord. Most bass guitar tabs are accompanied by legends to help the player understand some of the unfamiliar terms. In general, bass guitar tabs are easier to learn than the formal guitar musical tablature.

More guitar enthusiasts are finding bass guitar tabs convenient to use when attempting to understand the rudiments of bass guitar playing. There is no need for them to understand the underlying principles of guitar tablature because they want to learn how to play the bass guitar fast. Bass guitar players who dream of making it big opt for formal lessons in the fine art of bass guitar. A lesson in bass guitar will introduce them to the formal musical scales meant for stringed instruments. With experience and a solid background on musical theories, bass guitar players can switch easily from bass guitar tabs to scales.

Start with easy pieces

If you want to start a band, you should start with easy song pieces. Try out guitar pieces with simple bass guitar tabs. You will gradually progress on all fronts, from rhythm to bass, with constant practice and lessons. If there are difficulties along the way, you can always ask advice and opinions from the pros.

Practice your hand speed, slapping, and picking. Bass guitar tabs will require fast playing and switching of notes. You can add a dash of your own style by adding slaps. The faster you can go, the better you can play your bass guitar. Start practicing with free bass guitar tabs. You can have access to thousands of bass guitar tabs online and offline. Just decide what song pieces you want to learn but always start from the simple to the complex to avoid developing bad guitar habits that will ultimately be too hard to shake off.

Indeed, bass guitar tabs are easy enough to learn. After all, they're not hieroglyphics.

You can learn to play the bass guitar fast with bass guitar tabs [http://www.aboutplayingguitar.com/2007/08/30/where-can-i-get-the-bass-guitar-tabs-of-my-favorite-bands]; Visit aboutplayingguitar.com for the latest bass guitar chords [http://www.aboutplayingguitar.com/2007/09/02/what-are-bass-guitar-chords] You can also go to this site now for free guitar sheet music on almost any song.

Start Learning Bass Guitar

What is it about this particular guitar form that has whetted your appetite to start learning bass guitar? Is it that you want to be a little different to most other people playing guitar? Maybe it isn't, but learning bass guitar does set you apart. It is the lead guitar that usually takes the plaudits as the face and voice of a band but behind all that it is the bass guitar that contributes the pulse that gives life to that same band.

Working together with the drummer the bass guitarist makes it his place to set and maintain the rhythm and the pace around which the whole of that band functions. It is quite normal that at most gigs the limelight and the applause goes to the lead guitar and vocalist with the drummer occasionally breaking up that monopoly with a display of his skills playing a periodic fast and furious solo routine.

But behind all this frenetic activity the heartbeat that gives life to the whole body of the band continues to beat on as the bass player coolly goes about his craft. Rarely the star but often the hero the bass player steadfastly keeps his cool as he continues to put out that life giving beat to the music.

The unique quality of the depth and richness of tone brought forth when a bass guitar is properly tuned and played is truly captivating. To be the one playing your own bass guitar and to be able to create such a sound yourself is a greater excitement still.

So if you have now made your decision to become part of that elite club of bass guitar players and want to start learning bass guitar what should be your next step? If you are going to start learning bass guitar you had better get yourself kitted out! Certainly the most exciting step and one you should take your time over and not hurry. Its time to choose your new bass guitar!.

Look up a specialist guitar retailer because that is where you will get to view the biggest selection of guitars and get the best advice in buying the right guitar for you. Ask them to not only show you all the different options, but allow you to hold them and find out which ones are most comfortable for you. A bass guitar has a bigger body and longer neck than other types of guitar and you must be able to hold it and reach the farthest frets comfortably. Your new bass guitar will very likely come to be your best friend as you spend many happy and intimate hours with it in the years to come. So it is vitally important that you get it right. Having identified a couple of bass guitars that you like the look of and that are comfortable for you to hold and play, ask to have each one played through an amplifier so that you can hear and get a feel for how they sound. Only when you have gone through this process diligently will you be sure that you have found the right guitar and ultimately have found a new soul mate for yourself.

Choosing your new bass guitar is the beginning of your dream. Splendid as it is, you won't be able to play it unless you find a way to hear it!. Every electric guitar has to be played using an amplifier. Again get the retailer to show you a selection that fits within your budget and ask him to plug your new guitar into them so that you can hear the soul of your new bass guitar connecting with you. See it, try it then buy it. That's the rule. Not, see it, buy it then try it or buy it, see it then try it! You are going to be using up a lot of your cash to buy and you are going to be spending a good deal of your time in learning bass guitar. So obviate any problems by getting it right first time.

There are still things you need to buy though before you can start learning bass guitar. You will need a guitar lead to connect the guitar to the amp. Also a comfortable strap to support the guitar on your shoulder as you play it is a wise investment.

Keeping your guitar properly tuned must become a daily routine for you and the easiest way of accomplishing this is with the use of an electronic tuner. They are definitely great value for money and they do make the job quick and easy.

One other thing. Your understanding of timing will be quite an important part of learning bass guitar.

It is fundamental to your development as a guitarist that you can learn a good sense of timing. It will be your sense of timing that you show when you play your new guitar that makes you a success or a failure at any future auditions you try for.

When you start learning new songs for your guitar you will have the most success if you play the number at perhaps half speed until you feel comfortable with playing it and then little by little increase the speed up to the normal pace for the song. So if you will only take one piece of advice away from reading this it should be, get yourself a metronome!

Metronomes are still made as the traditional mechanical device but electronic versions are probably the best value for money now. Be sure you have a chance to listen to those that you see on offer, as lower quality ones can have an aggravating tinny click or bleep rather than a nice satisfying woody tick. Also it is well to obtain one with beat increments of one beat per minute allowing a very measured increase in tempo which will be more suitable for you when learning bass guitar songs.

Don't be tempted at this stage by all the many accessories and add-ons that are put in front of you in magazines and shops. These are best left to another time when you have gained a better feel for which of those things you might really need.

Having made a commitment to start learning bass guitar and having equipped yourself with the guitar of your dreams and your amplifier, how do you actually start the process of learning and mastering the techniques and skills necessary to realise your ambition of playing in a band?

To have private tuition from a good professional guitar teacher on a one to one basis will certainly be the very best option open to you. If you are able to locate such a teacher near to your home and you can run to his fees and can fit his lessons around your lifestyle then this is your way forward.

There are other options available to you though.

For not much more than the cost of a couple of private lessons you can purchase a truly comprehensive multimedia home study course that can deliver fantastic results.

These courses are structured for you to start learning bass guitar at home at your own pace and be studied and practiced at a time to suite you.

As is always the case some are better value than others and some represent a greater investment than others. If it is right for you to take this route and you have invested in the right guitar and the right amplifier then it is only sensible to make sure you make the right investment in your course to start learning bass guitar and you buy into one that has a proper structure and is very professionally produced.

Can I suggest that you take a look at the Learn & Master Guitar course? Here is an in depth award winning multimedia suite of instruction written and hosted by renowned guitarist and teacher Steve Krenz. Learn & Master Guitar comes from the Legacy Learning Systems stable of home instruction courses and is without doubt the best of the best available to you today.

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Learn to Play Bass Guitar

There is a secret you must know if you want to learn to play bass guitar. It is in the name. The guitar is a musical instrument where you learn notes and melodies and chords and all that musical stuff. A bass guitar plays the same notes but in practice it should be approached as more of a percussion instrument which needs to be felt and interpreted mostly by the body rather than the mind and the emotions. Right from the very beginning when you are practicing your bass guitar you need to be aware that you are communicating with your audience in the same way the drummer is.

So how do you begin to learn to play bass guitar? Just the same as if you were learning the regular guitar. Take lessons for a while. Get the callouses on your fingers and learn the notes on the fretboard. As a bass guitar can be played with either a plectrum or with the right hand fingers you could try learning the rest stroke used by classical guitar players.

As part of your bass guitar training you should learn all about the basic chords and scales as they are played in rock music, and maybe take a look at the way folk singers play the guitar to accompany themselves singing. This will give you a basic understanding of where the bass notes are in regular guitar playing and how they fit in with the rest of the music.

Once you have a basic understanding of guitar playing you need to choose which type of bass guitar interests you most and how you are going to play it. The four string bass is tuned an octave lower than the six string guitar with its four strings tuned to E A D G. The five and six string bass guitars can be tuned in many different ways to give a wide range of how you express yourself through your music. Now is not the time to make the decision about which bass guitar you choose, you will find out as you experiment and gain some experience playing in groups.

When you play your bass guitar you will possibly be using a plectrum. Usually this will be one of the heavier picks but they are available in a range of weights to suit the music and the player. If you choose to play the bass guitar with your fingers you will be learning a range of plucking, slapping and snapping techniques using the fingers of your right hand.

The type of bass guitar you choose to play and the technique you use to play your bass will be the methods you use to turn musical notes into bass guitar music. As the bass player you have the job of giving your group the extra thump it takes to get the dancers dancing and the audience swaying. And the great part is you do not have to be a technical virtuoso to do it. You can have fun inventing your own bass lines and making use of chords and arpeggios, but keep it simple. It is an old joke amongst rock and roll musicians that the bass player has the least technical ability, and sometimes there is an element of truth to this, but the rhythm is best expressed by simplicity.

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There are some common elements of guitar playing that I cover such as learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, how to learn guitar scales, how to play guitar fast.

As a learner guitarist you will find guitar lessons, videos, articles and reviews to answer your questions, calm your fears and help you play the guitar the way you want to play it. I have the resources you need to learn how to play the guitar for free.

Bass Guitar Basics

There are basic bits of equipment that you need to include when you buy your first bass guitar. The guy in the guitar store is going to want to sell you a boatload of accessories but you only need a few basic things to make up your basic bass guitar kit. Buying your very first bass guitar is an occasion you will remember for the rest of your life. You have finally made the decision to but a musical instrument and to practice until you can play it. Maybe you've already had some experience at playing the guitar. If so, you will find the bass a little easier to play from a technical point of view but learning how to be a bass player does include some challenges. The first is to get out of the guitar store with some money left in your wallet.

Your new bass guitar is a valuable piece of equipment and you are going to want to keep it safe. So you will need to purchase a bass guitar case. If you are actually going to be transporting your bass guitar to different places for practice or for gigs it is best not to go for one of the cheaper cases. They're a bit on the thin side. Spend a little more money and get a case that has a hard outer shell and some padding inside.

Bass guitar strings come in several types: roundwound, groundwound and flatwound. The most common are roundwound which have quite a bright sound and can be used in all styles of bass guitar playing. Reggae or jazz bass guitar players usually prefer a fairly mellow sound so they will often choose flatwound bass strings. Groundwound strings are preferred by bass guitarists who do not like the finger noise that you get with the other two kinds of strings, and they don't have the extremely bright or totally mellow sound of flats or rounds. Whichever kind of string you use, buy a spare set or two. If you have not made a final decision yet, buy a set of each kind of string to try them out.

Bass guitar players play standing up, so you will need a guitar strap. They are made from vinyl, polyester or leather. Your guitar will probably have one but you might see something in the store that you prefer. There's not a whole lot of difference between the different types of guitar straps, so just make a personal choice.

There is one bass guitar basic accessory that you can go crazy over, and it's picks. Bass guitar picks are cheap and come in many shapes, sizes and colors, a lot like the girls who will be attracted to you when you start playing bass in a band.

A strict rule that all guitar players should impose on themselves is to keep your instrument in tune all the time. You can do it by installing a free tuner on your computer but if you are going to be travelling to gigs then buy one when you purchase your bass guitar. Just get a cheap one to start with. They come in a wide range of prices but they all do the same job.

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REVIEW - Bass Guitar Secrets Instruction Program

If you have ever thought about learning performance level bass guitar, then you might want to take a serious look at this review of the popular Bass Guitar Secrets instructional program by Alex Sampson.

The Goal of Bass Guitar Secrets: to play performance-level bass in the fastest time possible.

Who Will Benefit Most From This Program?: This bass guitar instructional program is designed for rank beginners to advanced players

What Kind Of Bass Guitar Is Taught?: 4,5 and 6 string electric bass.

The Contents of Blues Guitar Secrets:

2 Illustrated Instructional Manuals - 250 pages total, Over 350 Audio Examples, JamBox: 101 audio full band Jam Tracks, Fretboard Genius Training Software, Groove Station: 107 audio drum tracks, Insiders Guide To Chord Mastery, Bass Guitar Tuning Software, Free Membership to the BGS 1-on-1 personal coaching program, Free Lifetime Lesson Updates.

The Negatives:

Bass Guitar Secrets does not utilize video as a teaching tool. This does not necessarily mean that the content or quality of the lessons suffer but I do believe that some people, based on their learning style, may have to work a little harder to understand some of the lessons.

The Positives:

All Inclusive: This is a turnkey bass guitar lesson program. Everything needed to go from rank beginner to creating interesting bass lines for many different styles of music is included.

Beyond The Basics: This course is jam packed with tons of small but essential tips from learning to buy a bass to tuning it. You are not just told what to do but also given lots of detailed tips for learning to execute each lesson well.

Excellent After Purchase Support: Nothing is as frustrating as stalling out in the course because there is no way ask questions or request clarification. Bass Guitar Secrets has 5 avenues of support, (see the support section below for details).

Fun: Playing along side the very real (though recorded), Jambox band is the most fun and satisfying part of this course. The quality of the production and selection of the music both combine to give as much realism as possible while still remaining in the safe atmosphere of your own bedroom.

Computer Compatibility: Both Macintosh and Window PCs are supported.

The Price:

Option 1: $97 USD (as of this writing ), This version of Bass Guitar Secrets includes a convenient printed version of all the manuals. The software and audio files are provided on CD. The printed manuals come in handy if you wish to have quick access to some of the lessons with out having to boot up your computer. This version is a plus if you do not especially like to read from a computer screen.

Option 2: $59.95 USD This version saves you over $37 by not giving you a printed version of the eBook instruction manuals. All of the items mentioned above ,including the manuals, arrive at your house on CD.

Option 3: $49.95 USD This is the instantly downloadable version. All of the files for the written manuals, software and audio are sent instantly via the internet upon receipt of payment by most major credit cards, eCheck or PayPal. The surprising part about this low cost option is that nothing is left out. Absolutely all of the manuals, the audio files, jam tracks, bass tuner, etc. that are part of the $97 version are included.

The Cost Analysis:

Bass Guitar Secrets vs. a Local Instructor Bass Guitar Secrets by Alex Sampson contains the equivalent of 6 months to one years worth of guitar lessons if you were to space them out as if you were taking lessons from a local guitar instructor. A local instructor typically will charge anywhere from $20 to $50 per weekly lesson. Your minimum cost, (not including materials), at only $20 per lesson for 6 months would be at least $520.

The choice comes down to: Bass Guitar Secrets at $49.95 to $97 or a local instructor at $520 to $1040.

Guarantee: One full year.

Support: A free dedicated internet Support Site, A blog that allows you to interact with experienced bassists, Free Membership to the BGS 1-on-1 personal coaching program, Free Lifetime Updates for the two main instructional manuals, Two Free Video Tutorials for downloading and setting up Bass Guitar Secrets program.

The Bottom Line:

At first I was not expecting to like Bass Guitar Secrets because it does not include video in the lessons but, slowly I was won over. The lesson content and quality are definitely on the mark. Alex Sampson is a serious bassist that also has a flair for teaching and it shows in the details of his course.

The quality of the 400 plus audio examples and play along jam tracks are top notch which lends an essential degree of realism to the learning experience, (not to mention a great deal of fun as well).

I am pleased with the overall reasonable price but, I am especially impressed that even the lowest cost, instant download version ($49.95) of Bass Guitar Secrets includes everything and I mean everything that the more expensive printed version offers.

The bottom line is that Bass Guitar Secrets gets the job done at an excellent price. It has clearly earned my recommendation. The rest is now up to you.

For more details, samples, testimonials or to buy Bass Guitar Secrets please follow this link: http://www.CompareGuitarLessons.com/Review-Bass-Guitar-Secrets.html

Is the 5 String Bass Guitar the Evolution of the Electric Bass?

The 5 string bass represents a fascinating branch of the electric bass guitar class. Can you guess the name of one of the original bass guitar makers that held off on adopting the 5 string to its main product line despite introducing the first ever electric 5 string instrument? Read on to find out more about the 5 string bass.

Origins of 5 String Basses

5 String basses didn't really start to appear until the late 70's when Alembic, Ken Smith and (by his own admission) Michael Tobias built one. The first veritable production 5 string was the Musicman Sting Ray 5 which debuted in 1986. Within a couple of years, 5 string basses were surfacing in more and more low-priced models by major manufacturers such as Ibanez, Peavey, Yamaha and Washburn. Strangely enough, because a certain bass manufacturer stayed away from offering 5 string versions of its bass guitars until the1990's, a cottage-industry of lookalikes started to appear. Custom bass guitar luthiers began to rise in popularity by meeting the need for a 5 string bass guitar with vintage styling. Companies like Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland and finally Allevo Coppolla filled this void.

Companies including Spector, Warwick, F Bass, MTD, Ken Smith, Zon, Fodera, Pedulla and ESP offered 5 strings with their own unique designs. One particularly unique design is the fanned fret system used on Dingwall basses that helps extend the scale length of the low B string substantially.

Producing the perfect 5 string electric bass required some particular considerations, with the uneven number of strings, the neck had to be assembled for increased stability. Figuring out the best string spacing, neck width, neck radius, electronics and scale length took many years and a lot of different attempts. Early five string bass concepts often had necks that were too broad, or that attempted to cram 5 bass strings into the same size neck as a four string bass; neither of which were ideal for most players. 35" scale basses became progressively common as a method to 'tighten up' or add definition to the low B string.

While adoption of the 5 string attained mainstream acceptance in the 90's with players like Tom Hamilton of Areosmith, Jason Newsted of Metallica, David Ellefson of Megadeth and Billy Gould of Faith No More et al., many other celebrated bassists chose to remain with the four string bass. Bassists such as Geddy Lee, Flea, Marcus Miller, Billy Sheehan and Victor Wooten proceed to do the bulk of their recorded or live performances entirely with four string basses.

A recent movement towards detuned 4 string basses with a 35 inch scale that share the equivalent low notes as a low B equipped 5 string happened in the early to mid 2000s. While the five string bass appears to be here to stay, it seems that it has yet to fully replace the 4 string bass in the fashion that the electric bass essentially supplanted the acoustic bass in the 1960s.

5 String Electric Bass Tunings

The more common tunings for the 5 string bass are either E-A-D-G-C (high C) or B-E-A-D-G (low B) with the latter tuning embodying the most prevalent. Low B tuned five strings are popular in Gospel, Hard Rock and Metal music genres while the high C tuned 5 string bass is more common in Jazz, Fusion or bass solo recordings.

The Perfect Low B

With the low B string, 5 string electric bass players have fought to find the right amount of punch and presence to give definition to the lower frequencies without it sounding like 'mud'. Finding the 'perfect low B' in terms of sound and feel is a perpetual quest for many players - often warranting the expense of arranging a custom-made bass guitar from a luthier.

I hope you enjoyed this taste of what the 5 string bass guitar is all about. As for my question at the top of this article - Did you guess that the company was Fender? That's right, Fender introduced the "Fender V" in 1964 in limited quantities. It seems that this particular instrument didn't feature a low B string, and John Paul Jones was known to have played one for a time in Led Zeppelin.

Want to learn more about the 5 string bass guitar, bass guitar amps or even how to find the perfect bass guitar neck? Check out http://www.bassguitarrocks.com for more helpful information about bass guitars!

Playing Bass Guitar Made Easy With Bass Guitar Tabs

You need a manual to operate a new appliance. You need to read the rules before you play a new board game. Learning to play the bass guitar is no different. You'll have a manual like no other - the tablature.

Guitar TablatureLearning to play the bass guitar is made easy with guitar tablature. Anybody who has a guitar and is willing to spend some time learning the rudiments can get along fine. If you are new to guitar lessons, do not be confused about tabs and tablature. They mean the exact, same thing in guitar lingo.

Bass guitar tabs or other guitar tablature provide visual interpretation of the guitar's fret board so formal training is not necessary to understand guitar tabs. Bass guitar tabs are also easy to read and interpret; hence, application is faster and easier. Bass guitar tabs are musical notations that look like a written music document. Instead of the usual dots spread on a 5 line stave to show a specific note, the frets are numbered on a six line stave. The line represents a guitar's string. Therefore, the six lines are the six strings of the guitar. Bass guitar tabs are also read from left to right.

If you have a four-stringed bass guitar, the bass guitar tabs will show four horizontal lines representing the four strings. The topmost string is the G string, followed by the D string, the A string, and lastly, the E string. If you see two numbers (one above the other) on one string, it indicates that the string is to be played simultaneously.

Wake up those fingers

If you are reading bass guitar tabs, you will notice that you won't be determining the position of the fret board where you have to play the note. The bass guitar notes can be played in various left hand positions and on diverse strings. Bass guitar tabs are also easy to understand because the notations are clear. Instead of learning how to study the pitch, you are learning where to place your fingers.

Playing the bass guitar is taxing. It requires speed, and with all the slapping and sliding, the fingers should be exercised regularly to perform well. In addition, your fingers should be able to take the impossible chords and switch chords with ease and agility. Practicing the hand is basic in bass guitar playing. You have to achieve speed without losing accuracy with each pluck. You also have to get used to the sensation of holding the guitar without using your left hand. As you go along, you will discover that you won't be depending on your left hand to prop the guitar. Master this, and play all bass guitar tabs with ease.

Apart from the bass guitar tabs and acquiring fingering speed, bass guitarists have to learn the tapping, slapping, and popping techniques. These techniques support the song context, making the notes more appealing and distinctive.

Get those bass guitar tabs

The Internet has made it possible for almost everyone to get guitar tabs. They can choose the songs they want to play, or even entire albums of their favorite rock bands. Bass guitar tabs can be downloaded anytime. E-books and CDs on all guitar tabs and playing styles are also available for a minimal fee. Joining guitar forums can also boost your knowledge about bass guitars - tabs and all. Indeed, master the manual and you'll master the instrument.

It is now easy to play bass guitar with bass guitar tabs [http://www.aboutplayingguitar.com/2007/08/30/where-can-i-get-the-bass-guitar-tabs-of-my-favorite-bands], so visit aboutplayingguitar.com for bass guitar chords [http://www.aboutplayingguitar.com/2007/09/02/what-are-bass-guitar-chords] and free guitar chords [http://www.aboutplayingguitar.com/2007/08/30/where-can-i-find-some-free-guitar-chords]

All About an Acoustic Bass Guitar

There are different types of guitars producing various sound variations, offering different features. One of the most demanding is the acoustic bass guitar. This is a bass instrument with a hollow wooden body similar to a bass guitar, though usually somewhat larger than a steel string acoustic guitar. A steel strung acoustic bass guitar is louder and sounds brighter than a classical guitar. These guitars are constructed and made using various materials. Those guitars, which are expensive, have a solid top, solid back and sides. Normally cedar and spruce are the materials, which are being used for making the solid wood tops. Back and sides are often made from mahogany, maple or rosewood.

Entry-level acoustic bass guitars are generally constructed entirely from laminated wood. But mid range acoustic bass guitars may sometimes have a combination of solid parts, often solid top and laminated woods. Acoustic bass guitars are most preferably used while playing a folk music or a country song, though many pop as well as rock singers use this guitar quite often in their concerts.

A brief history

The first modern acoustic bass guitar was developed in the early 1960s by Ernie Ball of San Luis Obispo, California. Ball aimed to provide bass guitarists with a more acoustic sounding instrument that would match better with the sound of acoustic guitars. In the late 1980s, MTV unplugged show helped to popularize hollow bodied acoustic bass guitars amplified with pickups.

Information about the construction

The acoustic bass guitar usually has a hollow wooden body similar to that of the steel string acoustic guitar. This is quite unlike the electric bass guitar, which is generally a solid body instrument. The majority of acoustic basses are fretted. Semi fretted versions also exist, although they are quite rare. Frets are raised metal strips inserted into the fingerboard that extend across the full width of the neck. On a fretted bass, the frets divide the fingerboard into semitone divisions. The acoustic bass guitar commonly has four strings, which are normally tuned E A D G, an octave below the lowest four strings of the 6 string guitar. Most acoustic basses have pickups, either magnetic or piezoelectric or both, so that they can be amplified with an instrument amplifier. This is because it becomes difficult to hear an acoustic bass guitar without an amplifier. Piezoelectric pickups are non magnetic pickups that produce a different tone.

Conclusion

Acoustic guitars, which are an indispensable part of folk music and country music as well, are available in different types. The prices of these guitars also vary because of the materials used to make the guitars. The Earthwood acoustic bass guitar was introduced in 1972. The Earthwood acoustic guitar was quite large and deep in contrast to most instruments and gave more volume, especially in the low register. After a few years of its birth it became almost extinct. Some of the very famous guitar manufacturers, who make world class acoustic guitars, are Alvarez, Breedlove, Cort, Crafter, Jerzey, Dean, Eston, Gibson, and some others.

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How to Buy Your First Electric Bass Guitar Online, Along with Other Sundry Items

The stories are varied, sorted, and some, like all good steely yarns are mythical.

"Dude, I walked in to this ol' fisherman's shop and there, hanging on the wall was the bass, the bass that would be the first and last bass of the rest of my life!"

Some are practical.

"ActiveMusician was having a sale, I picked the first one I saw, it was like blue, I like like blue, and hey, like blue for $150 bucks who could like argue?"

OK, OK, so we would all hope that picking out your bass would land somewhere in between these two extremes, somewhat mythical with just a hint of practicality. Either way it would be nice to have a good story but let's face it, you probably have a guitar player friend that wants you to join his band as the bass player. "How hard could it be to buy a bass guitar online?" he says. Well, the truth is, not very hard at all. Let's read on.

How to Buy a Bass Guitar

First, let's decide what it is you would like to do with your bass. Do you want to practice for 18 hours a day? Bring it home and be playing gigs within the week? (bad bass player joke withheld for editorial concerns). Hang it on a wall with a custom guitar hanger and never play it? Well, I would assume it's somewhere in the middle. As a long time bass instructor, I would encourage you to practice 18 hours a day but hey, that's just me. OK, 4 hours. 4 hours is OK? Then 5 hours - git back in there. I want 5 more hours before supper!

"OK, so my guitar player friend says I'm interested in the bass, how do I start looking? What do I look for? How much is this new interest gonna cost me?"

If you're unsure if your new band is even going to last through next week, there's a good crop of Squier basses for under $200, like the Squier Affinity P Bass, the Squier Affinity J Bass and the Squier MB-4. Very playable, solid sound, and very affordable. If you've already got next month's show booked, then I would recommend a mid-level bass, something in the $500 dollar range. The Fender standard four string is the kind of bass that will give you a professional sound right out of the box. It has professional, quality-made pickups, and for those of you who live in the warm climates of the South or the cold un-forgiving winters of Canada (hey, I'm from Canada), the neck will stay fairly straight and won't bow like a banana at the first sign of extreme weather. Fender has been building basses since the beginning of time and they're always a safe bet for your first instrument.

Buy yourself a tuner! Let's face it, playing the bass isn't rocket science (at least initially) and you'll be plucking out songs in no time and wanting to jam with that guitar player friend of yours. When the jam starts you'll want to be ready to play so a tuner (especially for beginners) is essential in getting you up and playing quickly. It will also help to make sure you're in tune with all those CDs you're gonna want to jam with (during your 18 hour practice day). I've had much success with the Korg DT-3 Guitar and Bass Tuner, which I actually picked up from this very site (thank you very much). It's sturdy, small, easy to use, and has nice large lights on it for old guys like me, and maybe you if this is some sort of mid-life crisis thing.

Next you want to get yourself a practice amp. In this area you want to think small, mighty, and preferably combo, which, for those that don't know, is the speaker and amplifier in one easy to lift package. Most people make the mistake of getting something that isn't loud enough, they truck it over to that same guitar player's house, this time a drummer's shown up (he convinced him too), and your bass parts (and yes, hopefully they're parts) become a distorted mess. Bass is meant to be warm, fuzzy, like a furry animal that you love and feed until it gets really fat and everyone drops by to pinch its cheeks. For this we need something that will comfortably fit in our practice area and still be loud enough for the perennial cheek pinching.

I generally tell people that if you can get a bass amp over 100 watts, you'll be safe. Behringer is making great combo amps these days and you can't beat the price. Check out the Behringer Ultrabass BXL3000A - 300 watts, a large 15" speaker and you won't blow a disc when lifting it into the rehearsal space.

After a while, you'll notice that the bass isn't sounding, well, all that great anymore. What ever could be the problem? That problem is old strings. Now I have my particular favorites and like any of you know who have made it this far in the article I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Basically, I don't understand steel strings at all - people say they last longer but I'm a nickel man and I'll tell ya why. For any of you who have tried steel strings, you'll notice that they feel like they have a sticky, dry kind of feel to them. For me, the fingers of my right hand feel as though they are literally sticking to the stings. For this reason, I recommend something like D'Addario EXP170SL Bass Strings. They are soft on your hands while you do dishes (OK, bad commercial reference for anyone over the age of 35) but really, they are silky smooth and they sound a lot brighter than steel!

Wanna know how to spot a Beginner? They're the ones without the gig bag. That's right, you know who you are. You've bought a bass and hey, the case is included! I say that's fine for protecting your bass when you move cross-country, but for everyday use, get yourself a gig bag. You'll look cooler and one arm won't become suddenly longer than the other on the repeated trips over to said guitar players house. The Fender Deluxe Gig Bag is the obvious fit for your new Fender bass. Wear your bass in style! People will stare, point, and say, "hey, now there goes a real musician!"

OK, hopefully that helped a little. Now go and buy that bass, and tell them Chris Tarry sent ya! I'll wait..... Got it? Good, now get in that practice room!

Rick Ferguson
Learn more about How to Buy a Bass Guitar

The Bass Guitar and Why it Rocks!

This post will introduce you to the bass guitar, touch on its history, its evolution and mention some of the amazing bass players that have graced the instrument. Read on to learn more about the electric bass guitar.

Welcome to the world of the low frequencies; if you're reading this then you've taken an interest in the electric bass and have decided to pursue it further. Maybe this post will reaffirm your decision to play the bass, or perhaps it will be the final argument for you to start playing it now.

It's a pretty cool instrument. It may not be as flashy as a drum kit, or command as much attention as a pimped out electric guitar, but it has a subdued, laid-back vibe all its own. A standard bass guitar has four strings and is tuned E-A-D-G; an octave below the lowest strings on a guitar to provide a sonic foundation for the melody to build upon.

While you may give up the fame and glory of the spotlight when you choose to become a bass player, you gain full control of the key of the music, and full dominion over the bass frequencies.

Bass Guitar Frequencies Move People

This is almost a mystical power that most people won't even realize that you have. Many won't even realize that it is the bass player and the way he chooses to play certain notes, leave others out, and the space and rhythms in between these that are hypnotizing them into dancing. It is a great responsibility that you take on - called the groove - without it; any music you play will be lame.

So besides this, why take on the bass guitar? What is it about the electric bass that is cool, or should be attractive to someone just starting out that just wants to play SOMETHING? 

Well, getting up and running with a bass is much easier than most other instruments. You don't have to have four-way independence as with drums, you don't have to memorize all the chord fingering patterns like you would with a guitar, and you don't have to spend years to get a sound that doesn't sound like a cat being tortured as you would with a violin. By comparison, you can pick up just about any bass guitar and start playing bass lines almost immediately - the good news is that the easier it is to play an instrument along to music you like when you're starting out, the more likely you'll stay with the instrument for good.

Another great reason why the electric bass is cool is that EVERYONE needs a bass player. You make the other band members sound good, and there are many styles of music out there that use the acoustic bass or electric versions. That means that if you're a good bass player, you're willing to work hard, learn and you have a great attitude -you're going to have many more job opportunities than many other musicians would have.

Being a bassist is as much a state of mind as it is a position in the band. You need to put the song and the other musicians before yourself. You are the glue between the rhythm and the melody - you straddle the line between the drummer and the guitarist, giving the music that third dimension that makes music so exciting. If you're willing to put your ego on the back burner, you can become a truly great bassist that is in demand.

Is playing the bass guitar easier than most instruments? Yes it is, but to master any instrument is virtually impossible. Playing the electric bass is initially much easier than guitar; you can outline chords one finger at a time as opposed to learning the fingerings for each chord. You also have fewer strings to change than the guitarist, but keep in mind that bass strings are thicker - so in some ways, playing high tempo music on them is more difficult because you need to play just as fast as the guitarists but with thicker strings. This means that you're moving more mass in the same amount of time or energy.

What you may not know about the bass guitar is:

There is something to be said for a simple bass line that does what it's supposed to do, get some asses out of the chairs at the bar.

Electric basses can be beautiful and expensive, they can break your heart and if you get used to playing them - playing bass guitars can indeed be habit forming!

The Fender bass guitar was responsible for making rock n' roll music come to life in the fifties - the bass could now be heard (as well as felt!) and helped to drive the new-fangled rock n roll bands mercilessly into the spotlight.

The electric bass guitar started out with 4 strings and remained that way for several decades, before evolving to 5, 6, 8 and even 12 stringed versions beginning in the mid-70s. These multi-stringed basses owe a large debt of thanks to Anthony Jackson who helped open the door to more than 4 string basses by commissioning the first six string bass guitar to be built in the 1970s!

Some famous bass guitarists include Paul McCartney, Sting, Geddy Lee, Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Flea, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan, Stanley Clarke and John Entwistle.

You can get started with a bass guitar kit that includes a bass, a bass amp, a guitar strap, an instrument cable and a tuner for around $250 or you can even rent a bass guitar from many major music instrument retailers. Even if you don't know of any teachers in your town, you can surf YouTube and find plenty of lessons for free that can get you started. There's no good reason to sit on the fence anymore, playing the electric bass can be an affordable hobby that can actually make you some extra money if you choose to play out in bands.

Choosing to play the bass has given me plenty of opportunity to learn and grow as a musician and a human being. It's allowed me to experience the thrill of performing in front of large audiences while sharing the stage with some amazing bands and meeting terrific people. Playing bass guitar is a great way to be creative, relieve stress and have fun!

So what are you waiting for? Get out there, find an electric bass and start playing today!

Michael Ippersiel has been playing and performing on the electric bass for more than 18 years. If you'd like to learn more about the bass guitar or about how to buy your first bass guitar you can visit the author at his site: Bass Guitar Rocks.com.

Bass Guitar Necks For Small Hands

Have you been thinking about playing the electric bass but have been told that your hands may be too small? Have you been told to play guitar or perhaps even a ukulele instead? If despite all this you're still yearning to play the bass guitar, hope is not lost. All you really need is to find bass guitar necks for small hands.

Now I don't care if you're a small adult, a child, a woman or a man. Plenty of people feel intimated by the size of a bass guitar. The body and neck are significantly longer than a guitar and if you happen to be small in stature, you'll also notice that bass guitars are often heavier than their smaller six-stringed cousins.

But hope is not lost. Consider these options before giving up on your chance to play the electric bass even if you have small hands.

1. Avoid basses with more than four strings: Sorry for being painfully obvious here, but if you have small hands you definitely don't want to experiment with a five or six string bass in the early going. Stick with a four string and gradually work your way up from there if needed.

2. Avoid basses with a reputation for having thick necks: These include Fender Precision basses and almost any Gibson electric basses. This is a general rule, but I still recommend you play as many different basses and necks that you can because the width and depth can vary considerably from model to model.

3. Regular scale basses with thin necks: Check out Fender Jazz basses and Ibanez Soundgear four string basses. These basses are known for having fast necks that are easier to manage.

4. Explore short scale basses with thin necks: These bases are usually somewhere in the 30 inch scale length area, it'll still sound like a bass but will not be quite as long - a great option for a child that hasn't quite grown into a full sized bass guitar just yet. Investigate the Squier Bronco bass and the Fender Mustang bass guitar.

5. Go custom: Not for the faint of heart, but if you've decided to stick with the bass guitar thing and your hands just aren't getting any bigger, you should look into getting a custom bass guitar or custom bass guitar neck made to measure for you. One company specializing in smaller instruments is Birdsong Guitars and their prices are very reasonable for the amount of detail they put into their guitars. Lastly, you can attempt to shave down a regular bass guitar neck - it's a cheaper option then getting a custom made bass neck, but you'll need to pay a skilled luthier or repair person to do the work. It's also risky because if you shave off too much - you can't get it back.

The very last option for learning how to play bass with small hands is to just get used to it. There's a certain amount of pain involved in learning to play any instrument, if your desire is strong and you employ an intelligent approach (never play through pain on a regular basis or you're going to damage your body - perhaps permanently) chances are you'll find a way to adapt to the instrument.

Where there's a will there's a way!

So if somebody writes off your ability to learn how to play the electric bass just because your hands are on the small side, don't believe them. Today there are many options for those who are looking for bass guitar necks for small hands!

Want to learn more about how to find the right bass guitar neck for you and other electric bass related questions? Visit my site http://www.bassguitarrocks.com for more bass tips.

The History Of The Bass Guitar

In this material we take a look at the history of the electric bass guitar. When talking about bass history the first person that people normally think of is Leo Fender. He is credited with introducing the world to the Precision bass in 1951. The bass was called a Precision bass because of the accuracy of the notes. Players were able to play notes that were perfectly in tune because of the presence of frets on the electric bass guitar. To many people, this was the first real electric bass. This bass was mass-produced and very recognizable when it was created by Fender and up to this day it still is.

But while we give Leo Fender his dues for creating the modern electric bass, it must be said that way before 1951 there were at least five other prototypes that resembled the design of today's electric bass guitar. In talking about the history of the bass guitar we must talk about the double bass. In fact, today's bass is a direct descendant of the double bass, dating way back to the 17th century. Although it was really in the 20th century that one with a more practical design was created.

When talking about bass guitar history mention must be made of Lloyd Loar, known for designing the first electric double bass in the 1920s while working for Gibson. The bass used an electro-static pickup but there was no practical way of hearing it play. Unfortunately, bass amplification still had a long way to go.

The evolution of the bass guitar now takes us to the early 1930s when Paul Tutmarc built a more practical bass in terms of size. The first one came with a pickup and was the size of a cello but was too heavy, so the designed was changed to that of a guitar. This 42 inches long solid body bass was made of black walnut and came with piano strings and a pickup.

A few years later, in the mid 1930s, established firms like Lyon & Healy, Rickenbacker and Gibson began selling basses that, although less bulkier than the standard double bass, were still tall, unfretted and upright.

Around 1940 was the first time a large distributor handled the electric bass. The distributor was L.D.Heater Music Co. in Portland Oregon, and the basses were manufactured by Paul Tutmarc. This was a fretted instrument that was no longer to be played upright, but horizontal. It came with a pickup and was much smaller than earlier versions.

It was only then that Leo Fender came up with the modern electric bass. As said at the beginning of our discussion on bass guitar history, it was the year 1951. In the year 1957 the pickguard and headstock were redesigned and the pickup was changed to a split pickup. This took us to the year 1960 when the Jazz bass was designed. Unlike the Precision bass, it came with two separate pickups. The modern bass guitar became very popular.

The first 6 string bass was created in 1959 by Danelecto and the first 5 string in 1964 by Fender. The first fretless was created in 1965 by Ampeg, and in 1968 an 8 string bass by Hagstroem. Carl Thompson is credited with building the first fretless 6 string bass in 1978.

Many developments have taken place since then. For instance, Ned Steinberger introduced a headless bass in 1979. In 1987, the Guild Guitar Corporation launched the fretless Ashbory bass. This bass used silicone rubber strings and a piezoelectric pickup to achieve a "double bass" sound. The bass was very short, only 18 inches long.

Throughout the years, pickups have also evolved. In addition to single coil pickups, you now have several others such as humbuckers, hybrid pickups, passive and active pickups. These seem to be capable of producing every tone imaginable, from pure signals to the grittiest dirt sounds.

The electric bass seems to have become more popular today than ever before. For instance, when someone refers to a bass it's more common to think of the electric bass than the upright acoustic.

Mantius Cazaubon is a successful author and publisher of Bass Guitars Guide. A resource for reviews, information and tips on buying bass guitars online.