How to Play
The bass guitar can be played in different ways, and I be focusing on finger-style, pick-style playing and slap-style playing. Firstly, I will examine finger-style playing.
Finger-Style Playing
When I refer to 'finger-style' playing, I am talking about playing with the use of index and middle fingers. This style can be heard in different types of music, such as rock, country, funk, jazz, and many others. Some noteworthy bassists that use this technique are James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, and Francis Rocco Pestia (Bass Guitar for Dummies). When one plays the bass, it is important to make sure that everything feels natural. When you wrest your striking arm on the bass, just let your hand drop naturally and rest your thumb on the pickup. Your wrist should be at about a 45 degree angle, and your fingers should be slightly curved facing the ground. As you play the highest string and the lowest string, you will notice that you pivot on your thumb. One important technique of finger-style playing, is that your fingers should go into the string, rather than pulling up on the string like a classical bassist. This will take your playing to the next level, as it creates a much fuller sound.
Finger-Style Playing
When I refer to 'finger-style' playing, I am talking about playing with the use of index and middle fingers. This style can be heard in different types of music, such as rock, country, funk, jazz, and many others. Some noteworthy bassists that use this technique are James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, and Francis Rocco Pestia (Bass Guitar for Dummies). When one plays the bass, it is important to make sure that everything feels natural. When you wrest your striking arm on the bass, just let your hand drop naturally and rest your thumb on the pickup. Your wrist should be at about a 45 degree angle, and your fingers should be slightly curved facing the ground. As you play the highest string and the lowest string, you will notice that you pivot on your thumb. One important technique of finger-style playing, is that your fingers should go into the string, rather than pulling up on the string like a classical bassist. This will take your playing to the next level, as it creates a much fuller sound.
Pick-Style Playing
Pick-style playing defined notes and increased the clarity of the bass guitar. Paul McCartney was a popular pick bassist. When one is using a pick, they can strike above or below a string, or a combination of both for a faster technique (Bass Guitar for Dummies). However, due to the advancement in technology, a bassist can be heard just as well finger-style playing as pick style playing.
Pick-style playing defined notes and increased the clarity of the bass guitar. Paul McCartney was a popular pick bassist. When one is using a pick, they can strike above or below a string, or a combination of both for a faster technique (Bass Guitar for Dummies). However, due to the advancement in technology, a bassist can be heard just as well finger-style playing as pick style playing.
Slap-Style Playing
Slap-style playing became popular after pick-style playing. Today, Marcus Miller (see Jazz video), Victor Wooten, and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) are very popular slap bassists, or thumbers (Bass Guitar for Dummies). To play slap-style, make a gentle fist with your right hand. Lift your thumb away from your hand, like a thumbs up. Your index finger should hook around the high string, like a trigger finger, and your forearm should be rested on the body of the bass. Once your thumb hits a string, raise it quickly so that the note rings out. Do not pull too hard on the high string, as it may snap.
Slap-style playing became popular after pick-style playing. Today, Marcus Miller (see Jazz video), Victor Wooten, and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) are very popular slap bassists, or thumbers (Bass Guitar for Dummies). To play slap-style, make a gentle fist with your right hand. Lift your thumb away from your hand, like a thumbs up. Your index finger should hook around the high string, like a trigger finger, and your forearm should be rested on the body of the bass. Once your thumb hits a string, raise it quickly so that the note rings out. Do not pull too hard on the high string, as it may snap.