Sunday, November 11, 2012

The Different Methods Of Playing Bass Guitar

By Benjamin Harrison


Bass guitar is a stringed instrument that may be played using a pick device, or the thumbs or fingers. This style of instrument is much like the electric guitar when it comes to appearance and construction, although it has a longer scale length and neck. The four-string guitar is most common, however, there are some with five, six or eight strings. There are numerous different methods of playing bass guitar.

This instrument is incorporated into many styles of music. Therefore, there are different sounds that can be produced to fit into a specific genre, including reggae, jazz, metal, pop, punk rock, country and rock. This device may also be applied in Latin, fusion and funk music. Basslines are known to vary by musician, but as a general rule, bassist serve as an anchor for the harmonic foundation and essentially lay down a beat.

To play this device well, one must know the parts of the device. Be acquainted with the structure. The bass is a string instrument and it does have strings that produce sound using vibrations. Standard bass includes E, A, G and D strings, each one offering a different note.

There are also frets, the metal strips that divide the instrument into top and bottom sections. Placing a finger on a string that is between two frets allows a note to be played. The higher on the frets, the higher the sound produced. In order to broadcast the sounds being made, one must have amplification. This device picks up the sounds and amplifies them. Other bass parts: body, neck, headstock, nut, tuning pegs and pick-ups.

It is important to know how to hold the instrument properly. Developing bad positions can lead to chronic shoulder and back problems. It can also ruin overall technique.

Always use a guitar strap, no matter if you are standing or sitting. This allows the back and shoulders to carry the weight so that the hands are free to play. Adjust the strap so the instrument falls at a comfortable spot across the chest. Keep posture in mind. Sit up as straight as possible and avoid bending or slouching. Right-handed players should have the headstock on the left and vice versa for left-handed musicians.

Slap and pop method, also called thumbstyle, is associated with the funk genre. It uses percussive sounds and tones that are achieved through thumping, striking or slapping a string using the thumb and then snapping strings with the middle or index fingers. Using the pick, or plectrum, is a way to achieve more speed. It may also be used as a personal preference. Pick use is often linked to punk rock and rock genres, although they are used in other types of music as well. These devices vary in their material and size.

Palm-muting is a common method. With this, the outer portion of the palm, on the picking hand, rests on the bridge while picking is done and then mutes the strings, shortening the time of sustain. Fretting can be used to achieve many different effects, such as glissando, vibrato, and trills. Two-handed tapping styles involve striking the string up against the fretboard or fret to create sound. There are many different methods of playing bass guitar.




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