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In Bass

Bass Guitar Basics: Simple Chord Songs You Can Play Today

November 1, 2024 4 Mins Read

Are you ready to dive into the world of bass guitar? Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, playing songs with simple chords is a great way to build your confidence and groove. In this blog, we’ll explore some easy songs that are perfect for new bass players, complete with simple chord progressions to get you started. Grab your bass, and let’s jump in!

Starting with simple chords allows you to focus on the fundamentals of playing the bass guitar, such as timing, rhythm, and technique. As a bass player, your role is to provide the foundation of the music, so mastering these basics will serve you well as you progress. Plus, playing familiar songs makes practice more enjoyable!

1. “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes

This iconic riff is a favorite among beginners. The song revolves around a simple, repetitive bass line that’s easy to pick up. The main notes are E, G, and D, making it a great choice to get comfortable with your fretboard.

2. “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple

Known for its legendary guitar riff, “Smoke on the Water” has a straightforward bass line that follows the chords. The song primarily uses G, Bb, and C, allowing you to focus on playing in time with the band.

3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

This classic rock anthem features a catchy bass line that complements its simple chord progression. The main chords are D, C, and G, making it accessible for beginners and perfect for playing along with friends.

4. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King

With its timeless melody and easy chords, “Stand By Me” is a fantastic choice for new bass players. The bass line is simple yet effective, primarily using A, F#m, D, and E. You’ll enjoy the groove while practicing your timing.

5. “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens

“La Bamba” is a fun, upbeat song that’s perfect for beginners. The bass line follows a simple progression of C, F, and G. Its lively rhythm will help you develop your sense of timing and playfulness on the bass.

6. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

This classic hit features a straightforward bass line that’s instantly recognizable. The song revolves around a repetitive pattern based on the chords F#m, B, and E. It’s a great way to practice maintaining a steady groove.

7. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

A staple in rock music, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” has a simple bass line that complements the driving rhythm of the song. The main chords are A and D, making it easy to follow along while you play.

8. “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles

This energetic classic is perfect for getting your audience moving. The bass line follows a simple progression of D, A, and G. It’s an excellent opportunity to work on your stamina and timing while having fun.

9. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

Another Beatles classic, “Hey Jude,” features a simple and memorable bass line. The song primarily uses chords like C, E, and F, allowing you to practice your transitions smoothly.

10. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan

This folk-rock favorite has a straightforward progression of G, D, and A. The bass line is simple and repetitive, making it a great choice for beginners looking to practice their timing and dynamic.

Starting your journey on the bass guitar doesn’t have to be daunting. These simple chord songs are perfect for beginners, allowing you to practice your skills while having fun. As you master these tunes, you’ll gain confidence and be ready to tackle more complex pieces. So pick up your bass, enjoy the music, and let your journey begin!

In Bass

How Hard Is It To Learn Bass Guitar?

March 6, 2022 6 Mins Read

How hard is it to learn bass guitar? There are different levels of playing the bass guitar, which means the timeframe of learning it is also very diverse. Nonetheless, if we’re talking about basic notes or tabs, you can typically learn to play the instrument within a week or two.

Paul McCartney from The Beatles, Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin, and John Entwistle from The Who. You just can’t talk about the bass guitar without mentioning the names of the best bassists of all time.

An entire band’s performance will probably fall apart without the bassist. They provide the structure and foundation necessary to make a song sound good. If you’re planning to play this integral role in a band, you might be wondering if you can learn the bass guitar quickly.

Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll talk about the basic and most important things you need to know about learning the bass guitar.

How Hard is it to Learn the Bass Guitar?

Of all the instruments in a typical band, the bass guitar is perhaps the easiest one to learn. It’s very beginner-friendly, and someone with little to no background in music can probably learn it in a few weeks.

The first step towards learning the bass guitar is understanding its structure. You can find more on that below.

Bass Guitar Tuning

Unlike other types of guitars, the bass guitar typically only has four strings. Its standard tuning is E-A-D-G, which is the same as the lower four strings of an acoustic guitar. The only difference is that it’s one octave below.

Some bass guitars have five strings, but instead of the standard tuning of the lower five strings of the acoustic guitar, which is E-A-D-G-B, the five-string bass guitar’s standard tuning is B-E-A-D-G or E-A-D-G-C.

It depends on where the fifth string is. If the additional string is on a higher range, then the string’s note is B. On the other hand, if the additional string is on the lower range, then the string’s note is C. This is to follow the perfect fourth interval between the strings of a bass guitar.

You need to memorize this, as the bass guitar’s tuning is important when learning how to play it.

Notes Instead of Chords

Perhaps what makes the bass guitar a relatively easy instrument to learn is the fact that you play notes instead of chords, which is what you do with acoustic or electric guitars. If you’re not aware, a chord is a collection of notes, which is why you press multiple strings when playing it.

You don’t have to do this with a bass guitar. Since you only have to play the note, basic bass guitar playing would only require you to fret one string and pluck it with your finger. The most important thing you need to learn when playing the bass guitar is how to swiftly and smoothly transition from pressing one note to another.

Learning Which Notes to Fret

There are two methods in learning which notes you should fret on your bass guitar. The first is by understanding how to read a music sheet. This is an effective way to learn the bass guitar because you’d have in-depth knowledge about playing music.

However, as we’ve mentioned, the bass guitar is beginner-friendly, and people with little knowledge about music can play it. So, how do you know which notes to fret without studying how to read a music sheet? You can learn bass tabs or tablature instead.

This is basically a simpler system that indicates which string and fret of the bass you need to press down. You can find a lot of these online by searching the songs you wish to play and including the keyword bass tabs beside them.

Basically, a bass tab includes the strings of the guitar, which are E, A, D, and G, listed vertically and inversely. This means that the E string is at the bottom while the G string is at the top. Next to it are numbers that indicate which fret you should press the corresponding string on.

For example, a bass tab would look like this:

G ———————-1—–

D ————5—————

A ——–5——————-

E -3—————2———

This means you should first press the E string on the 3rd fret, followed by the A string on the 5th fret, then the D string on the 5th fret, followed by the E string on the 2nd fret, and finally the G string on the 1st fret.

One major disadvantage of bass tabs is that the rhythm is not indicated. Nonetheless, if you’re reading it while listening to the song you’re trying to play, you’d most likely figure out when and where to fret the strings.

Fretting, Plucking, and the Strings

If you have played an acoustic or electric guitar before, you might be surprised when you transition to a bass guitar. That’s because the latter’s strings are twice or thrice as thick as the typical guitar string.

This can significantly affect your bass-playing skills. The thick strings can sometimes cause your left fingers to slip or hurt quickly when you press too hard. On the other hand, pressing too lightly may not produce the sound you desire. That’s why a proper fretting technique is vital.

Some bassists use two fingers to fret the string. Either two of the fingers are holding down the string, or the index is fretting it while the middle finger is behind the index, adding pressure.

Your right hand should also be in full control of the strings when playing the bass guitar. That’s because the pickups are rather sensitive to force, which means pulling the strings harder will produce louder sounds, while pulling it lighter will produce softer sounds.

Right and left-hand coordination and control over the strings are important in playing the bass guitar efficiently.

Conclusion

It is true that there are a number of things you need to consider when trying to learn how to play the bass guitar. Nonetheless, it’s still one of the easiest musical instruments you can learn.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can quickly move on to the next step and learn the different bass-playing techniques that improve your melody and music.

In Bass Guitar FAQ

Should I learn bass or guitar first?

February 20, 2022 6 Mins Read

Should I learn bass or guitar first? If you are a complete beginner and you’re really determined to learn both of these instruments, we recommend learning the guitar first. You can play and sing along to numerous songs with this instrument, allowing you to develop your rhythm and accuracy in playing notes and chords.

If you are trying to begin your musical journey, the best option you have is the guitar. However, there are many different types of guitars. There’s the electric guitar, the acoustic, the classical, and the bass.

Of all these variations, the most distinctively different ones are the acoustic and the bass guitar. One has six strings, while the other has four. Additionally, each of them is also played differently.

So, the question now is, if you’ve just begun your journey, which among these two should you learn first? The acoustic or the bass guitar? Here’s a quick guide that might help you out.

Bass vs. Guitar

Before you decide whether to learn the bass or the guitar first, it’s important that you fully understand the differences between these two. This will help you gauge which instrument would be more impactful in your musical journey.

Strings

The first major difference between these two is also the most obvious; their number of strings. A traditional guitar has six strings with the standard tuning of E-A-D-G-B-E. On the other hand, a bass guitar, traditionally, has four strings with the standard tuning of E-A-D-G, which are the top(thickest) four strings of a regular guitar.

There are some bass guitars that have five or six strings, but their tuning would be different than a regular guitar. That’s because bass guitars follow the perfect fourth interval, which means the tuning would either be E-A-D-G-C, B-E-A-D-G, or B-E-A-D-G-C (for the six-stringed bass guitar).

Playing Style

The next major difference between these two instruments is the playing style. Traditionally, bass guitars play notes while regular guitars play chords, which are basically compilations of notes.

Because of this, playing a regular guitar requires you to fret multiple strings at once. On the other hand, bass guitars often require you to fret just one string on a certain fret to play a note. Nonetheless, regular guitars may also be played using notes only instead of chords.

Role

The last difference between these two is the role they play in a band. Bass guitars function as the foundation of the song. Without them, the band would fall apart. The songs would sound as if something was missing from it. They also tend to give the songs a certain groove.

On the other hand, regular guitars can either be the rhythm or lead of the band. Rhythm plays the main melody of the song, while the lead often plays notes that give the song flavor. Ergo, neither of them is superior. Both of them work hand-in-hand to make the band sound good.

Which One is Better to Learn First?

Now that you know the differences between these two, it’s time to find out which one is the best instrument to learn first. Ultimately, the answer depends on you. However, you might want to consider the following before making a decision.

Independence

Guitars are often standalone instruments, while basses are usually accompaniment instruments. What we mean is that the magnitude of songs you can play on the guitar alone is tremendously bigger than songs you can play on the bass alone.

This means that you have better chances of learning more songs on your own with a guitar and singing along to them as compared to playing the bass only. Because of this, you get to develop your rhythm in switching between chords, and you get to develop your skill in accurately positioning your hands and fingers along the fretboard.

Songwriting

Guitars have a wider range of notes and pitches. They are much more vibrant, bright, and exuberating than bass guitars, unless, of course, you’re an advanced bass player. Because of the versatility of sounds you can play on a guitar, you have better chances of coming up with an inspiration for a song.

Ergo, if you also wish to pursue songwriting in the near future, the guitar is perhaps the best instrument you can learn first.

Ease of Playing

When it comes to ease of playing, the bass guitar takes the victory. Of course, this is only true if you just wish to play the basics. Most music is written in 4/4 time signature. This means that most of the time, you only have to press one string on one fret for four beats.

On the other hand, in the same 4/4 time signature, playing the guitar means you have to press multiple strings in various frets for four beats. That’s because guitars play chords instead of notes.

Because of this, bass guitars tend to be easier to play than guitars. However, adding flavor or groove to your music would obviously require more.

Playing in a Band

If you don’t love being in the spotlight, the bass guitar is the better option. Bassists, except for a handful of people, don’t often capture the public eye. That’s because, as we’ve said, they are often the foundation of the band, unlike lead guitarists who sometimes play electrifying solos.

Additionally, and strictly speaking, there is a much higher demand for bassists than guitarists. That’s because there’s a significantly higher number of people who can play the guitar, but not a lot can play the bass. So, if you’re looking to be part of a band, learning the bass guitar could be your golden ticket.

On the other hand, if your long-term goal is to take people’s breaths away with your performance, learning everything you can from the guitar is a better option.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, what really matters most is what excites you. The passion and motivation to create music are still the driving forces necessary to be great at what we do, no matter what the instrument we choose is.

If the guitar excites you, go for it! If you feel a certain type of connection with the bass, learn that one first! Either way, excelling in one will help you understand the other better.

In Best Bass Guitars

4 Cheap Bass Guitars under $100

February 20, 2022 7 Mins Read

There are loads of affordable bass guitars under a hundred dollars on Amazon.com, and some of the best-sellers include Goplus Electric Bass Guitar, Glarry Electric Bass Guitar, IB Electric Bass Guitar, and Polar Aurora Electric Bass Guitar.

Whether you are a beginner looking for an entry-level bass guitar to start with or an intermediate player who believes great music does not always require expensive instruments (okay, we get it; you’re on a budget), you will be thrilled to know that there are plenty of bass guitars under $100.

Budget bass guitars flood the online market and you’re sure to find not just one or two, but a whole lot that you might like! However, you want to make sure you will not get disappointed by fret buzz, wayward notes, and a generally poor quality instrument—even though it’s relatively cheap.

To help you pick out one to bring home, we rounded up four of the best bass guitars on Amazon. These fantastic four finds are selected based on build, sound, and aesthetic qualities as well as playability.

Here they are:

Goplus Electric Bass Guitar

One of the fastest-selling bass guitars on Amazon under $100, the Goplus Electric Bass Guitar Full Size 4 String is lightweight, functional, and fashionable.

Price: $70

User rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Features:

The Goplus Electric Bass Guitar is crafted with both durability and visual appeal in mind. It is constructed with a sturdy wood body for a smooth, fuss-free play. The polished surface lends a shiny, smooth, and attractive finish. It comes in two eye-catching color design combinations: blue and white and black and white.
If you frequently travel from place to place and loves bringing your guitar along, you’d be happy to know that Goplus Electric Bass Guitar comes complete with a travel bag and straps for portability. The travel bag also has zip closures so you can pop in your music score and other necessary accessories conveniently. Take this lightweight guitar anywhere you want!
Other than the bag and straps, the Goplus Electric Bass Guitar also comes with a bass pick and an amp cord, so you can play the instrument right away as soon as you have it in your hands!
Of course, you are curious about what this guitar sounds like. The Goplus Electric Bass Guitar has a warm, bright, and smooth tone that’s perfect for rock and roll, blues, and just about any genre.

Pros:

Great quality at an affordable price; lightweight and comes with complete accessories; beautiful tone with a beautiful finish.

Cons:

Depending on the unit you get, it may need some tweaking here and there; the typical area where users did some adjusting is the truss rod nut.

Check out this review:

Glarry Electric Bass Guitar

One of the best bass guitars at a bargain price, the Glarry Electric Bass Guitar Full Size 4 String performs really well; it is something that even pro-level bassists will have no qualms about using not only for practicing but also for casual play while camping and the likes.

Price: $79

User rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Features:

The Glarry Electric Bass Guitar is crafted from high-quality basswood and rosewood that’s sturdy and lightweight. It comes in 6 different colors: natural yellow, transparent yellow, sunset gold, red, white, and dark blue.
It has tone and volume knobs so you can easily adjust the sound to your liking. It has the look of full-sized jazz bass, but Glarry Electric Bass is also perfect for rock and other genres with its warm, crisp, and rich tone.
Weighing only a little more than 3 kilograms, Glarry Electric Bass is easy to bring anywhere. The package also includes a portable bag and shoulder strap for easy carrying, as well as a bass pick and amp cord.

Pros:

Impressive build; no fret buzz or squeals; strings spaced like a standard bass guitar for enhanced playability; comes with essential accessories; and has an assortment of 6 striking colors.

Cons:

It may need some minor adjustments, specifically the truss rod and saddle (well, the package comes with Allen wrenches for this purpose).

Check out this review:

IB Electric Bass Guitar

This one is specially created for beginners to kick-start their musical journey. The IB Electric Bass Guitar is budget-friendly but equipped with decent electronics and hardware to give novice players an awesome experience.

Price: $78

User rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

Features:

It is made with a combination of basswood, rosewood, and maple and synthetic materials; although it doesn’t look any more different than the others, this bass guitar offers more than any other bass guitar within the same price range can give.
This lightweight guitar has a warm and subtly vibrant tone, with the strings placed one pitch lower that is perfect for creating those incredible bass effects. The thicker strings set in higher tension allow for ease of playing, while the metal tuning pegs and metal bridge give a more stable and sustainable sound.
It has two pickups, a single-coil and a standard normal pickup. It also comes with two tone-controller knobs for those pickups and two separate volume controller knobs, as well.

Pros:

Slim neck improves playability; versatile dual-pickup configuration; neat control knobs; simple and easy to use.

Cons:

Does not come with the usual portable bag and strap (so you’ll have to purchase separately).

Check out this review:

Polar Aurora NEW Full Size 4 Strings Electric Bass Guitar

This bass guitar combines style and performance for under $100. The cutaway design and the eye-catching color combination of dark and light make this a great rock and blues instrument, but of course, it will also perform nicely in other genres.

Price: $99

User rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

Features:

The Polar Aurora Electric Bass Guitar is constructed using high density and hard texture wood for durability, finished with a satin-smooth, polished surface to give it that premium look and feel.
It is created with a traditional headstock and high-quality chrome diecast tuning mechanisms to keep your bass in tune. It also features a piezoelectric guitar pickup configuration that works amazingly well.
The package includes some accessories: a gig bag, shoulder strap, a pick, and an amp cord so it’s ready for action once you have it!

Pros:

Superb low-budget guitar with durable body construction; excellent hardware and electronic components.

Cons:

Some statics reported for some units; you may have to consider getting better guitar strings for this model.

Check out this review:

In Conclusion

As the market for budget bass guitars continues to grow, the quality of the guitars manufactured for the sudden influx of new guitar enthusiasts has improved. For less than a hundred dollars, anyone can now own a piece of good-quality bass guitar built ideally for beginners.

If you are one of the emerging crowd of guitar players born in the midst of the pandemic, you are probably reading here to have an idea of what affordable guitar to get, or if a cheap guitar will work well.

We’re here to tell you that, yes—good affordable guitars do exist, you just have to know what you are getting! And cheap guitar (or even a used one) should not hold you back from learning to play the guitar; remember that some guitar icons of the music world also rocked with the humblest guitar brands.

In Bass Guitar FAQ

Bass Amp vs Guitar Amp: What’s the difference?

February 20, 2022 6 Mins Read

What’s the difference between bass amp vs guitar amp? The main differences between a bass and a guitar amp are the wattage requirement, size, frequency, and range. Nonetheless, you can still use a bass amp for your guitar, but using a guitar amp for your bass is not advisable for a number of reasons.

A bass and a traditional guitar produce somewhat different sounds. This means that they also tend to have different amp power requirements. While you can, theoretically, use their corresponding amplifiers interchangeably, we suggest that you don’t do it and just invest in a dedicated amp for your instrument.

That’s because there are a lot of differences between a bass amp and a guitar amp. Aside from reducing the quality of your sound, using the wrong amp may damage your gear. So, how exactly do these amps differ?

You’ve come to the right place. We’re going to show you the key dissimilarities between these two types of amps.

Bass Amp vs. Guitar Amp

If you’ve ever gone to band concerts or gigs, you might have noticed that some gig amps are bigger while some are smaller. Each amp is used for a specific instrument, and the two most common ones are bass and guitar amps. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Size

Their sizes are the first thing you’ll notice when comparing a bass and a guitar amp. While there are high-quality guitar amps that are rather large, common ones are relatively smaller than bass amps. Furthermore, a bass amp of the same high-end quality as a guitar amp will surely be bigger.

This is also because of the speaker inside the amp. Bass guitars often need larger speakers to play low notes, sometimes reaching more than 15 inches. This allows bass amps to move more air and produce low-frequency sounds. However, having these installed inside the amp will also cause it to be larger.

On the other hand, traditional guitars don’t often need large speakers. They often use speakers somewhere between eight to 12 inches. Using larger speakers is a waste of space and power since high frequencies don’t need more wattage. Because of this, guitar amps tend to be smaller.

Wattage Requirement

Because of their size and inner workings, bass amps have higher wattage requirements than guitar amps. Standard bass amps often operate somewhere between 150 to 500 watts. Some bigger models could even reach 700 watts or higher.

On the other hand, a guitar amp traditionally operates somewhere between 50 to 100 watts. Some higher-end models may reach up to 150 to 200 watts, but really, you could get decent sounds with just a 100-watt amp.

Frequency

Perhaps the most important difference between a bass and a guitar amp is the frequency at which they operate. This is also related to their wattage requirements. As you may have already known, bass guitars play bass notes, which are lower in frequencies. Low frequencies mean they have longer waveforms, which then means they need more power. Otherwise, the low power would make the amp and the speaker unable to produce clear low-frequency sounds.

Traditional guitars, on the other hand, produce relatively higher notes than bass guitars. Higher notes mean higher frequencies. High frequencies have shorter wavelengths, which means they also require less power.

Range

The bass and a traditional guitar have a number of differences, one of which is frequency. Bass guitars produce low frequencies, while traditional guitars produce high frequencies. However, the frequency range between their respective amps significantly differs. Traditionally, bass amps have a frequency range of 30 Hz to 400 Hz.

On the other hand, guitar amps have a frequency range of 80Hz to 1.2kHz, which includes the bass, treble, and mid. This is to ensure that each instrument can perform its necessary function properly.

Can You Use Bass Amp for Guitar?

Now that we know the differences between the two amps, perhaps the pressing question we need to answer is whether or not we can use a bass amp for guitar or a guitar amp for bass. First, let’s talk about using a bass amp for your guitar.

Power

When it comes to power, you don’t have to worry about your bass amp taking a beating. As we’ve said, bass amps are designed to take in more wattage, therefore, more power. Since a traditional guitar produces high frequencies, they use less power. This means your bass amp will do just fine when providing the necessary power to your guitar.

Sound Quality

However, power isn’t the only thing we have to worry about when using a bass amp for a traditional guitar. We also need to consider the sound quality it produces. As we’ve said, the highest frequency of most bass amps is at 400Hz. This means that they would have trouble producing clear sounds past their frequency range. It’s better to use a dedicated bass amp for a bass guitar.

Can You Use Guitar Amp for Bass?

The next question we need to answer is whether or not we can use a guitar amp for bass. Technically, yes, you can, the operative word there being “technically.” That’s because we can assure you that it will function. You just have to plug it the same way you do when using a bass amp. However, we suggest that you don’t do so for two major reasons.

Power

Let’s go back to the previous lesson; bass guitars produce lower frequencies, which means longer wavelengths, which in turn need more power. If you use your guitar amp for bass, you’d be driving a tremendous amount of power to the amp, sometimes more than it can handle. This can significantly damage your amplifier and cause it to overheat.

Sound Quality

Additionally, the sound quality produced by the guitar amp will definitely not be what you want to get out of your bass guitar. While frequencies above 80Hz will be tolerable, frequencies below it will cause distortions and warps in your sound.

Conclusion

Your skills will significantly influence your sound. Advanced skills mean better sound. However, skills aren’t always the only defining factor. Sometimes, you also have to consider your equipment.

If you want to make the most out of your instrument, it’s best to invest in a dedicated amplifier that enhances its sound. Additionally, this also lessens the risk of damaging your equipment. Having said that, be sure to get a bass amp for your bass or a guitar amp for your guitar.

In Bass Guitar FAQ

4 String vs 5 String Bass

February 9, 2022 7 Mins Read

Bassists are arguably the most underrated musicians in a band. People with a good understanding of music know that bassists provide the rhythms and grooves that hold up most tracks. However, few people understand the different types of bass guitars and their uses.

If you are interested in picking up the bass guitar, you may be wondering which kind to get. The question of “4 string vs 5 string bass?” has plagued aspiring bassists for many decades. Today we will break down each bass type and help you determine which is right for you.

The Main Difference Between the 4 String and 5 String Bass

If you have ever ventured into the bass guitar section at the music store, you may have marveled at the different types of bass guitars on-display. The store likely stocks Fender’s signature Jazz basses which are known for their stratocaster-like shape and punchy defined bass sound. They may also sell Rickenbacker’s iconic 4003 bass, known for its crested wave body shape and aggressive treble-rich sound.

If you take a closer look at the aforementioned bass guitars, you may notice that both types possess four strings each. Indeed, the four-string design is standard on most bass guitars. This is because these four strings provide a wide range of notes which are sufficient for playing most songs.

Spend a bit more time browsing the bass guitar section at the store, you may start to notice bass guitars with more strings. Five string, six string, or even seven string bass guitars are often stocked alongside their four string counterparts at music stores. However, the five string design is usually the most popular variety after the standard four string design.

As you may have guessed, the additional string is what differentiates this bass from a regular four string one. However, this single string can mean a world of a difference for some bassists. Let’s examine these two basses more closely and which areas each one excels in.

What Does the Extra String on a Five String Bass Do?

You may be inclined to believe that the fifth string on the bass guitar is always at the bottom, making it the thinnest one on the instrument. However, many five string bass guitars feature a fifth string that is at the top, making it thickest string on the instrument.

If the standard four string bass is tuned to E-A-D-G, the five string bass with the thin bottom fifth string will be tuned to E-A-D-G-C. If the five string bass has a thick top fifth string, its tuning will likely be B-E-A-D-G. Bassists should understand the differences between these two tunings before deciding which type of five string bass to purchase.

In either case, the added fifth string expands the range of notes that the bassist can play. For example, owning a five string bass with a bottom fifth string allows you to hit higher notes and without having to move to the higher frets on the G string.

Conversely, owning a five string bass with a lower fifth string allows bassists to play notes lower than E. This allows them to hit some truly deep notes that enter into sub-bass territory. Such a fifth string arrangement saves bassists from having to tune down their strings to lower pitches manually.

Should a Beginner Learn on a Four String Bass or a Five String Bass?

If you intend to start learning the bass guitar, you may be wondering if it is worth investing in a five string bass. After all, why not start with a five string bass if you intend to upgrade to one in the future? This logic may seem sound at first. However, you should note that learning to play on a five string bass may be more challenging than learning on a four string one.

So why might this be the case? The five string bass typically has a wider neck than a four string bass. This added width is needed to accommodate the fifth string. Having such a wide neck may make it difficult for bassists with small hands to grip their instrument and press down on the frets properly.

In addition to this, the added note range from the fifth string may make it difficult for new bassist to navigate and find the right note to play. This can be especially confusing when they are attempting to play a song while looking at bass tabs made for a four string bass.

If you plan to get a five string bass with a low-B string, you will also need to learn to mute this string when you are not playing it. Failing to mute this string while playing will cause it to produce a rumbling drone, which can make your instrument sound muddy during performances. New bassists may struggle to keep up with this palm muting action as they learn the basics of their instrument, so they should hold off purchasing a five string bass until they are more comfortable with palm muting.

Where Does a Five String Bass Truly Shine?

If you’re a novice bassist that has spent many months or years understanding playing techniques, it may be worth upgrading to a five string bass at some point. As mentioned earlier, having a five string bass with a thick top fifth string allows you to hit notes on that low-B. Such notes may seem like unexplored territory, but they can provide some pleasing sub-bass frequencies that you would otherwise need an octave pedal or an alternate tuning to hit.

Songs that Use a Five String Bass

The five string bass may seem like an oddity if you are new to the bass guitar world. However, many famous songs have been recorded using a five string bass. This includes:

Riding with the King – B.B. King and Eric Clapton
It’s too Funky in Here – James Brown
Fight for your mind – Ben Harper
Red Rain – Peter Gabriel
New State Of Mind – Yes

Consider picking up a five string bass if you want to learn to play the aforementioned songs, or if you would like to compose songs that utilize a similar note range.

Is a Five String Bass More Expensive Than a Four String Bass?

Price considerations should always be kept in mind when you are purchasing a new instrument. This is especially true if you are on a limited budget. You may be wondering if a five string bass is more expensive than a four string one.

In most cases, a five string bass will be more expensive than its four string counterpart. This is due to the extra wood needed for the wider neck as well as the cost of the additional string. Five string basses are also made in more limited quantities compared to four string basses. This makes them more expensive to produce due to economies of scale.

You should also note that your choice of basses will also be far more limited if you are looking at five string basses. Most large music stores will have a handful of five string bass models in stock. This is in contrast to the dozens of four string bass models that they likely sell.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, four string and five string basses differ in quite a few ways. Five string basses certainly do serve an important purpose for certain types of players and songs. However, you should definitely review the above guide before setting out to purchase your first bass.

In Bass

Top 10 Best Bass Lines

February 8, 2022 8 Mins Read

Choosing the Top 10 Best Bass Lines is an impossibility. What makes it “the best,” anyway? Is it the hardest to play? The catchiest? The most innovative?

We’ll try to include the best bass lines that cover as many of these categories as we can. We won’t make everybody happy. We might not make anybody happy, but for what it’s worth to you, a professional bass player since the 80s will be compiling the list.

Whether you’re already familiar with the following bass lines or this will be your first introduction, we hope you’ll enjoy our list of the top ten – and again, these will be in no particular order since they can be ranked in any number of ways.

Teen Town— Weather Report, Played by Jaco Pastorius

Why not start with the greatest player of all time? Jaco did things on the bass no one thought possible. In “Teen Town,” Jaco did something quite rare— he created a bass line that is technically complex and stuffed to the gills with music theory knowledge, but at the same time, it’s listenable.

Someone unfamiliar with the bass can listen to the snaky sixteenth-note lines and enjoy the melody. Oh, also, the bass has a melody, which is unusual and terrific. Sure, bass players worldwide hear it and want to quit, but only because “Teen Town” is legendarily tricky stuff.

“Birdland” gets an honorable mention here, not because it’s incredibly complex, but because it’s so recognizable, and hearing only a few notes of it can lift your mood. Try it.

Freewill— Rush, Played by Geddy Lee

Prog-rock gods have given us some great basslines (I’m looking at you, Chris Squire from Yes), but arguably none better than Canadian trio Rush.

In “Freewill,” Lee plays a punchy, syncopated line that moves through weird time signatures because it’s Rush, but like Jaco, he’s not playing only the hardest stuff he can think of. He lays down a line that complements what the rest of the band is doing while still being incredible.

Once the song goes into 12/8 for the guitar solo, Lee’s driving, a serpentine eighth-note line is one of those that music store employees have to hear amateurs play every day. Whenever a bass line inspires new artists, who could argue about its greatness. Lee also gave us “YYZ,” which hews a little closer to, “Check out what I can do and you can’t.”

Another One Bites the Dust— Queen, Played by John Deacon

When it first came out in 1980, “Another One Bites the Dust” did two things— it made some Queen fans feel like the band had sold out for some disco-pop success, and it made every human being on the planet hum the bass line.

While not technically complex, John Deacon’s line— built out of only four pitches— is one of the more recognizable pieces of Western music. The same goes for the even simpler line from “Under Pressure.”

Freddie Mercury turns in an outstanding vocal performance, and Brian May’s guitar work is stellar on “Another One Bites the Dust,” but be honest— have you ever noticed? Probably not, because the bass line might be the textbook example of “iconic.”

Come Together— The Beatles, Played by Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney is the undisputed king of playing melodic bass lines that add to a song rather than pull focus from the rest of the band. He’s also incredibly innovative. The bass line from “Come Together” is rumbly and recognizable, but it’s also weird in a terrific way.

Big intervallic leaps and throwaway triplets don’t seem like quintessential parts of a great bass line but leave it to Paul to make it work. It’s not the toughest bass line ever played, but it’s not super easy, either. For his more melodic lines, there’s “I Saw Her Standing There,” which is quick, all over the place, and somehow doesn’t distract.

Rio— Duran Duran, Played by John Taylor

Another god of melodic bass, John Taylor, has served as the foundation of Duran Duran since the band formed in 1978 (minus the four-year break he took from ’97 to ‘01). In “Rio”— arguably the group’s best single—Taylor plays a funky line that pulls the song’s feel away from disco, but it’s also imminently singable, which is odd for a bass line.

Taylor plays sixteenth notes, throws in some slaps, and is just all over the freaking place in this song. The measures at the end of the verses where he takes a breath and plays a whole note are so effective— when he comes back in on the chorus with an entirely different but still jaw-dropping bass line, you know you’re hearing greatness. Oh, and he sings while playing it. Impressive.

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic— The Police, Played by Sting

Playing a whole-tone scale on the verses of “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” Sting sets us up to think this will be a lazy line throughout, but he gets a little busier heading into the chorus where he and drummer Stewart Copeland merge some syncopated rhythms.

Yet another great practitioner of the melodic bass line, Sting opens up in the chorus with syncopated sixteenth notes that give the tune a distinct islands feel, and the unfettered joy you hear coming from your speakers is solidly rooted in that bass line.

The version on 1981’s “Ghost in the Machine” is the one we all know, but this final product is a far cry from the first recording, which Sting made about 45 minutes after he wrote it. Literally. The bare-bones recording shows that it’s a great song, but it also makes glaringly apparent how much of the version we all know depends on Sting’s bass line.

Money— Pink Floyd, Played by Roger Waters

Say what you want about Waters (some Floyd fans love him, some not so much), but the 7/4 bass line he played on “Money” ranks up there with the most recognizable bass lines ever. Consisting of quarter notes with just a couple of eighths thrown in, the line is technically simple, provided you can play in 7/4, a decidedly stutter-step feel of a time signature.

It’s the catchiness of the line that makes it great. “Money” gave us another bassline that people absentmindedly hum. The fact that it drives the song so superbly makes it all the better.

The Chain— Fleetwood Mac, Played by John McVie

You’ll have to start the song after the halfway point to get to the good stuff, but it’s not like “The Chain” is a bad song at the beginning. It’s Fleetwood Mac, after all. Anyway, this song was spliced together from riffs and lines each band member created, so it’s no surprise that bassist John McVie’s contribution was an epic bassline.

If there exists a checklist for a great bass line, it might come from this one. Driving eighth notes in a minor key? Check. Some syncopation thrown in for good measure? Check. Rhythmic propulsion of the rest of the band? Check. A hook to hang the song on? Check.

Good Times— Chic, Played by Bernard Edwards

Can you think of a single person who’s never heard this bass line? Even if she can’t identify it, your grandmother has heard in “Good Times” or behind “Rapper’s Delight.”

Bernard Edwards created a bass line that grooves like crazy, is busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest, and pretty much dares the listener not to shake SOMETHING when listening to it.

One of the best things about this bass line is the spaces between the notes. Edwards will lay out here and there for a beat and a half, letting everything else in the band have their own spaces to explore. Also, it’s one of those instantly recognizable lines, too.

Walk on the Wild Side— Lou Reed, Played by Herbie Flowers

This one is actually played on two basses, although there are ways to reproduce it live on one. And it’s also not a hard line to play. But if there’s a two-measure riff that defines the music of the 1970s, it’s the bass line from “Walk on the Wild Side.”

Herbie Flowers played the upper notes on electric bass and the lower ones on an acoustic, so the sound is distinctive. The slides from one note to the next are the things that catch the listener’s ear, and the simplicity of the line, coupled with tasty snare drum brushwork and the “Doo, de-doo, de-doo” backing vocals, make for a beautiful groove.

Conclusion

Yes, we left Entwistle out. And Burton. Stanley Clarke and Les Claypool are missing, too. Honestly, you could fill this list solely with Rush songs. It is nigh impossible to include everyone’s favorites, so we’re sorry if yours didn’t make it. Ultimately, we are here to pay homage to the bass lines that have made so many great songs that much more memorable.

In Bass Guitar Songs

5 Hardest Bass Guitar Songs

February 2, 2022 7 Mins Read

Experienced musicians will tell you that the bass guitar player is the crucial element of the band and often holds the song’s rhythm to an equal or greater degree than the drummer.

If you’ve ever experienced a live jazz or rock show, you may have witnessed the drummer go out on outlandish solos while the bass guitar kept the song’s rhythmic framework tight.

Basslines do not only hold the song in place rhythmically; if they’re catchy or technically challenging, they can create an unforgettable melody and live on in our ears and minds. Fans will spend their lives trying to learn the most difficult bass parts.

Bass guitar is important because it fills many essential roles in a composition. It gives a necessary low-end tone that offsets the guitar, vocals, keys, and drum parts. Bass parts help hold the tempo of a song and can carry rhythms alone or work in conjunction with drums and guitar to trade rhythms. Bass guitars can be used to create both rhythmic tension and flow.

Bass players are the undervalued foundation of the band. Beloved bass players like Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Bootsy Collins, Carol Kaye, Les Claypool, and John Paul Jones have set the standards for the instrument by building and defining their respective genres of jazz, funk, classic rock, and alternative rock.

Modern bass players continue to entertain us with proficiency and eccentricity, such as Thundercat, or versatility and a uniquely feminine approach, such as Esperanza Spalding.

Michael League of Snarky Puppy demonstrates how to be a phenomenal instrumentalist on bass guitar, but also how to be a team player, as he weaves his way through large ensemble pieces without overbearingly pursuing individual attention.

Techniques such as hammer-ons and -offs, slapping, popping, tapping, pizzicato, and how a bass guitar player composes and utilizes unique time signature changes, chord expressions, solos, or six-string bass, are what makes the parts difficult.

These harder songs tend to gain the love of fans and provoke lifelong attempts by fans at mastering their favorite players’ techniques.

Here are five of the hardest songs on bass guitar:

#5 – Teen Town by Weather Report

Jaco Pastorius is a jazz fusion bass guitar legend known for his funk style and innovative harmonics and solos. In Teen Town, by Weather Report, an early jazz fusion treat, Jaco Pastorius plays the bass guitar like a chatty friend at the start of the song. Throughout the song, the bass guitar continues to carry the conversation. The listener can hear chaos, call/responses, and drama, which is exactly what you would expect to hear from conversations in a place called Teen Town.

The bass guitar part in Teen Town is one that new bass players strive to learn. It takes time and practice to nail down the melodic complexity and swiftness of the bassline, but it’s a bass part that players feel compelled to know.

#4 – Roundabout by Yes

Chris Squire from Yes is one of the original influencers of bass rock sound. The bass guitar part in Roundabout is one of the pillars of this influence. Bass guitar players will tell you that the bass guitar riff from Roundabout is a riff every bass player should know as they build their repertoire.

The riff is fun and recognizable, and it’s a fan-favorite expression of classic rock bass guitar style. The tone of the guitar includes more high- to mid-range than is expected of bass guitar parts, and this unique tonality defined the Yes sound in the early 1970s.

Fans love when a songwriter can take the song in many unique directions but somehow make all the sections work together. That songwriting technique is used in Roundabout, and the bass guitar plays an integral part in helping with the direction and tone changes, which adds another layer of challenge (and deserved respect) to the bass guitar part.

#3 – YYZ by Rush

Geddy Lee drove the Rush sound of the 1970s with his driving bass guitar style and created some of the most iconic bass lines ever. Rush also pushed the progressive rock sound of that entire decade, in part because of Lee’s influence on bass guitar.

The exciting and challenging rhythms of all the instrument parts in YYZ catch listeners in the first bars. Within the first 30 seconds, it is well-established that all players had to work so hard to execute the rhythms of this song in unison.

As the song plays on, the listener realizes that the bass part matches the lead guitar rhythms note for note and continues to hold the rhythmic melody as the lead guitar takes longer notes.

This isn’t often a part or role reserved for the bass guitar in music, so it’s both an extreme challenge for the player and a treat for bass guitar fans. It’s fun to listen to every part in this song, but it’s clear to the ear that the bass guitar carries YYZ.

#2 – The Lemon Song by Led Zeppelin

John Paul Jones created a beloved electric bass style for the rocking Led Zeppelin sound. The bass guitar is clear and present in the mix of The Lemon Song by Led Zeppelin, which gives listeners full ease to hear John Paul Jones showing off signature moves throughout. Many feel this bass guitar part in The Lemon Song represents an apex in electric bass guitar playing in rock music.

John Paul Jones leads the way with his own melodic bass guitar lines that fit perfectly around the guitar part. The song features one of the most technically challenging and luscious expressions of bass guitar, and many Led Zeppelin fans feel this was John Paul Jones’ most funky bass part he ever recorded.

#1 – Tommy the Cat by Primus

Les Claypool is a bass guitar legend. He defined the Primus sound with his slap bass techniques in the 1980s, and he is known for making some of the weirdest and most beloved bass guitar expressions of all time. Les used chordal strums and a slap/pop groove to create the ultimate riff for Tommy the Cat.

Writing a good song is about telling a story or taking the listeners on a journey. In Tommy the Cat, Les also used the bass guitar as one of the key storytellers of the song. In the first half of the song, each time the song changes mood or direction throughout the sections, it’s the bass guitar that takes us there, and the vocals and the rest of the parts soon follow.

Les Claypool’s signature style redefined the role and prominence of bass guitar for Primus and alternative rock, and Tommy the Cat is a perfect representation of this style and sound.

The Bottom Line

It is difficult to narrow down a list of the hardest bass guitar songs from so many incredible selections. Honorable mentions include other songs from bands on this list, like Primus and Rush, and songs from the legendary bands that were excluded, like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica.

Bass guitar parts can range from a simple, rhythmic placeholder to a front-and-center star of time signature manipulation and storytelling. The songs on this list were truly defined by the technique, composition, and style of the bass guitar players and parts.

In Bass Guitar FAQ

Is Bass Guitar Easy to Learn?

February 2, 2022 6 Mins Read

The guitar and bass guitar are two of the most popular musical instruments to learn. Bass guitar is often ignored in favor of the more popular guitar, but it’s essential for tying a song together. It’s the bass guitar that brings melody and rhythm together. However, beginners to the bass guitar often wonder, “Is bass guitar easy to learn?”

All musical instruments require hard work, dedication, and practice, but most experts agree that the bass guitar is one of the easier instruments to learn. This article will delve into whether this is the case and why the bass guitar is perceived to be easy to learn.

Is Bass Guitar Easy to Learn and Master?

Bass guitar is an especially beginner-friendly musical instrument. Even individuals with no background in music and instruments can quickly pick up the bass guitar. Once they get used to the tabs, they can start holding a bass line. However, while starting as a bass guitarist may be easy, this gets more challenging as you start coming across more advanced techniques. To truly master the bass guitar, you don’t just have to master tabs and play well – you also need a sense of harmony and rhythm and complement other instruments.

How Is the Bass Guitar Easy to Start Learning?

Now that we have the answer to the question, “Is bass guitar easy to learn?” it’s time to move on to why starting out is easy. One of the reasons for this is that individuals can learn how to play the root note in the chords and start playing the bass easily. After practice, individuals become familiar with the fretboard and learn the scales and the notes.

The following are some reasons why the bass guitar is relatively easy to learn.

1. Fewer Strings Than the Guitar

While guitars usually have six strings, bass guitars only have four strings. The fact that they have fewer strings makes them much easier to manage. Because of the fewer strings, there are less notes to learn and fewer notes to keep in mind and manage when playing a song because of the fewer strings. As such, you can pick up the instrument faster than you would the guitar.

2. Bass Guitar Doesn’t Need as Much Dexterity

The bass guitar is by no means a piece of cake to master. It requires time and practice, just like any other musical instrument. However, it also doesn’t require as much dexterity as the guitar. In addition to larger strings, bass guitarists also have the advantage of larger distances on the fret. As such, you don’t require as much dexterity and accuracy. While learning songs isn’t necessarily easier, physically playing them on the bass guitar is.

3. Finger Plucking Is Easier Than Strumming

While this is debatable and varies from individual to individual, most people report that finger plucking is easier than strumming. Therefore, utilizing a plectrum to strum guitars is more difficult than simply finger strumming a bass guitar. While you can also use finger strumming on a guitar, it’s more common to do so with a bass guitar. Additionally, finger plucking is easier when all strokes are upwards instead of having to master both upwards and downwards strokes.

4. The Strings on the Bass Guitar Hurt Less

Since the bass guitar has fewer strings, these strings are also further apart and have a larger gauge. Guitar players know the discomfort that comes along with mastering their instrument. Playing the guitar requires sacrificing smooth hands and dealing with cuts and callouses. While the bass guitar also causes these issues, there’s less pain and discomfort, making the instrument easier overall.

5. One Note at a Time

While mastering when and how to play notes isn’t always easy, playing one note at a time is. This isn’t always the case but is generally what bass guitarists require. That being said, it’s essential to ensure you’re playing the night note at the right time, which can prove challenging for beginners.

6. No B String Offset to Worry About

One of the things guitarists have to worry about is the offset of the B string. There’s no such worry with the bass guitar, making patterns easier. Whether it’s bass lines, triads, arpeggios, or scales, you can easily replicate these.

7. You Can Master Notes Instead of Chords

Lots of bass guitarists master chords as well as notes. However, mastering chords isn’t essential to playing the bass guitar. Therefore, you can get away with playing single notes. Some argue that you can do this with guitars too, but this applies to very few songs. The truth is that if you want to play a variety of songs instead of being severely limited, you’ll need to learn chords. This is true even as a beginner to the guitar.

It’s easier to play songs with no such requirement for bass guitar beginners. Bass guitarists don’t have to master finger arrangements on the fretboard – something that many guitarists find complex.

Bass Guitar Isn’t Completely Straightforward

Despite many factors making the bass guitar an easier instrument than most, it can be complex. This is especially true when you start progressing and learn advanced techniques. Beginners to bass guitar may find it easy, but it takes dedication to master this instrument.

One of the major challenges of learning bass guitar is knowing music theory. The role of a bass guitarist is to tie together the melody and the drums. They’re there to support the rest of the instruments, including the guitar. As such, mastering music theory isn’t optional. To improvise and know how to tie the song together, a bass guitarist has to be well-versed in music theory and needs to know how to apply this knowledge in real-life situations.

Bass guitarists also have to master timing and tempo and have great rhythm. It’s essential to keep accurate timing with the drums and pay attention to the drummer at all times.

Final Thoughts

No instrument is completely straightforward. The answer to the question, “Is bass guitar easy to learn?” might be yes, but the instrument comes with its own set of challenges. To be an excellent bass guitarist, you have to focus on your craft, become an excellent listener, and practice frequently. We would also recommend investing in professional lessons and recording your playing so you can listen to it and improve upon it. If you keep these tips in mind, you’re sure to pick up the bass guitar fairly quickly.