Bass Fundamentals

Higher Ground 2016

Understanding the basics of bass guitar includes understanding what makes a bass a
bass and how a bass guitar fits into a band. In the right hands, the bass is a
tremendously powerful tool, because it gives a band its feel and attitude.
What is a bass guitar?
Bass guitars differ from their high-strung cousins (otherwise known as the other guitars)
in several significant ways:
Basses normally have four strings, while guitars have six. Today, you can find
five- and six-string basses etc., but four-stringers are still the norm.
Basses come in different flavors: electric, acoustic, or a combination of the two,
fretted, fretless, upright, short scale, long scale and micro-scale.
The bass strings are an equal distance musically from each other. The sound of
each bass string is tuned an equal distance from the string above it, making the
instrument perfectly symmetrical.
The bass has a lower pitch than the guitar. The deep notes of the bass fill the
lower end of the sound spectrum.
Holding and playing the bass
A Strap is essential. Your strap is what holds your instrument for you. This allows
your hands to do what they need to do without worrying about holding or balancing
your instrument. Invest in a comfortable strap and your shoulder will be very grateful
to you!
Adjust your Bass Strap to position your bass so that is the same height
whether you sit or stand. Everyone has varying likes on what angle or position
they like to play. Different angles can affect how you play. For a good starting point,
a 30 degree angle works great. Holding the bass level can cause posture problems
and also can put your wrist on your fretting hand in a bad angle which can lead to
carpal tunnel syndrome. Playing level makes your shoulder dip down and puts your
back in an unnatural position. By angling the bass guitar neck up, you can straighten
out your wrists, your back and level your shoulders. Find the angle that works best
for your height, and arm length
Right hand techniques. Some bass players begin playing with their thumb, but this
really limits fluidity, precision, speed, etc. Using the thumb technique is good on
some reggae style music while muting with the wrist for a dull thumping sound.
Alternating index and middle fingers increases speed, fluidity and precision and the
variety of tones that you can produce. Some players like to use a pick to brighten
their sound if their instrument doesn't have the brightness to cut thru a mix. There
are a variety of other techniques, such as slap, pluck and thump that are more
advanced in technique.

Left hand and wrist positioning. Stretch your left arm out in front of you. Keep
your wrist and hand limp. Without changing the angle on your wrist, turn your hand
over so that your palm faces up and your fingers are slightly curved. Position your
thumb so that it faces your index finger (or the area between your index and middle
fingers). Bring your elbow in to the side of your rib cage (without moving your hand
until the bass guitar's neck is the palm of your hand. (Don't close your hand yet.)
Place the tip of your thumb on the middle of the back of the neck. Spread your
fingers onto the strings with each finger close to an adjacent fret. Curl your fingers
until your fingers are on one of the strings. Be sure to keep the tips of your fingers
close to the frets as you play.
Keep it loose and relaxed and you will be able to fret the strings with the least
amount of effort. Individuals with large hands are able to use one finger per fret but
the third and fourth finger share the same ligament structure. It is perfectly fine to
reinforce the third finger with the fourth finger. Practice and give yourself time to
build up strength and muscle memory and you will be able to increase your
efficiency and ability.
Warm ups and proper playing position will benefit you for a lifetime and reduce
your chances for CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). CTS can cause a lot of pain and/
or surgery and can greatly reduce or even end your playing career.

The bass guitar players function in a band

As a bass player, you play a crucial role in the band. Everyone in the group depends on
your subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) lead. The following cover some of the ways
the bass holds the band together.
Making the link between harmony and rhythm: Youre responsible for linking the
harmony (chords) of a song with a distinctive rhythm (groove). This link contributes
to the "feel" of the music.
Moving the song along: Every song is made up of chords that are special to that
tune, and all the notes in the tune relate to the sounds of those chords. Most songs
have different kinds of chords in them. By playing one note at a time in a rhythmic
fashion, you set up each chord for the other players in your band by choosing notes
that lead smoothly from one chord sound to the next.
Keeping time: Keeping a steady pulse is one of the bassists primary functions.
Listen to them carefully and know them well.
Nothing works better than a metronome or drum machine at helping you develop an
unfailing sense of time. The steady click or beat that emanates from it provides an
ideal backdrop for your own note placement, be it on or off the beat.
There are many apps available for your smartphone, ipod, ipad, tablet, etc. on your
app store. Also Garage Band can be an inspiration with different drum beats and
rhythms you can create. This is a great tool to motivate and inspire you to play on a
higher level.

Establishing rhythms: As a bassist, you need to have a very clear understanding

of exactly how the rhythm relates to the beat and where to place the notes. Lock in
to the kick pattern your drummer is laying down.
Know your fretboard. Learn the note names of frets and their relationship to the
strings next to them.
Practice, Practice, Practice: If you do your part, then God can do His part.
Playing in a way that honors and glorifies God: As a member of the worship
team, we always seek to point all the praise to God. Some songs call for a lot of
great bass grooves but don't be a distraction. Be sure the well placed bass notes
are working together with the rest of the team and complimenting what they are
doing to build a atmosphere of praise and worship to God.
Don't play a note without consecrating every note you play to God: Regardless
of how masterful or simplistic you play your instrument, if you play it in pure worship
to God - He can bless it and use it to draw the congregation to a place in worship
where they are liberated, healed, etc. When you offer your talent and play for an
audience of One, He can use it and multiply it. The four lepers in 2 Kings 7 rose up
and did what they could. They went to the camp of the Syrians and found it
deserted. 2 Kings 7:6 says "For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a
noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host..... The
Syrians arose, fled and left everything behind and Israel was delivered from the
siege that the Syrians waged against them. What can God do with the sounds that
you've consecrated to Him?