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 be good at playing the guitar and utilizing various techniques, the player must be familiar with the different parts of the instrument. Knowing the anatomy of the bass is key for any aspiring bassist. This unit is a stringed instrument and so there are strings on it that create sounds from vibrations. Generally, these models have fours strings: G, D, A, E. Each one is tuned to a different note.
Frets are small, metal strips that are used to divide the instrument into top and bottom areas. By putting a finger on a string between frets, a note can be played. The higher up on the fret a person is, the higher the produced sound will be. To increase the sounds, amplification is necessary. This device can pick up sound and amplify it. Other parts include pick-ups, tuning pegs, nut, headstock, neck and body.
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.
It is recommended that a guitar strap is always used, whether the musician is standing or sitting while playing. This gives shoulders and back the weight to carry and frees up the hands. Adjust this strap so it falls across the chest. Avoid slouching or bending and to sit up as straight as possible. Left-handed players must have the headstock on the right and vice versa for right-handed individuals.
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 another technique. In this method, the outer portion of the picking hand palm is rested on the bridge while picking is done and then used to mute the strings, or shorten the amount of sustain. Fretting is also used to produce a variety of effects, including trills, vibrato, and glissando. With two-handed tapping styles striking of the string is done against the fret or fretboard to make sounds. Many different methods of playing bass guitar can be learned and used.
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 be good at playing the guitar and utilizing various techniques, the player must be familiar with the different parts of the instrument. Knowing the anatomy of the bass is key for any aspiring bassist. This unit is a stringed instrument and so there are strings on it that create sounds from vibrations. Generally, these models have fours strings: G, D, A, E. Each one is tuned to a different note.
Frets are small, metal strips that are used to divide the instrument into top and bottom areas. By putting a finger on a string between frets, a note can be played. The higher up on the fret a person is, the higher the produced sound will be. To increase the sounds, amplification is necessary. This device can pick up sound and amplify it. Other parts include pick-ups, tuning pegs, nut, headstock, neck and body.
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.
It is recommended that a guitar strap is always used, whether the musician is standing or sitting while playing. This gives shoulders and back the weight to carry and frees up the hands. Adjust this strap so it falls across the chest. Avoid slouching or bending and to sit up as straight as possible. Left-handed players must have the headstock on the right and vice versa for right-handed individuals.
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 another technique. In this method, the outer portion of the picking hand palm is rested on the bridge while picking is done and then used to mute the strings, or shorten the amount of sustain. Fretting is also used to produce a variety of effects, including trills, vibrato, and glissando. With two-handed tapping styles striking of the string is done against the fret or fretboard to make sounds. Many different methods of playing bass guitar can be learned and used.
About the Author:
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